New York Consent to Vermont Admission

Background. Vermont operated as an independent state with its own coinage and postal service. However, New York continued to assert that Vermont was part of New York. Consequently, Vermont could not be admitted to the Union under Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution until the New York legislature consented. Thomas Chittenden served as Governor during this period.

Legislative Consent. On March 6, 1790, the New York legislature made its consent contingent upon a negotiated agreement on the precise boundary between the two states. This condition was necessary to resolve disputes over real-estate claims and territorial boundaries before Vermont could officially join the Union.

Negotiations and Admission. Negotiations concluded in October 1790 with an agreement that Vermont would pay $30,000 to New York for land claims. In January 1791, Vermont voted to petition Congress. Congress admitted Vermont as the 14th state on February 18, 1791, effective March 4, 1791.