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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00055 6339
ites.
Lippincott's Cabinet Histories of the States.
VERMONT.
1
ETHAN ALLEN.
LIPPINCOTT'S
CABINET HISTORIES.
UNITY
FREEDOM
AND
VERMONT.
PHILADELPHIA. J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO 1856.
THE
HISTORY OF VERMONT,
· FROM ITS
Earliest Settlement to the Present Time.
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PUBLIC -
BY
W. H. CARPENTER, AND
T. S. ARTHUR.
1 974.3 C22h
PHILADELPHIA: J. B LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1856.
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E
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by T. S. ARTHUR AND W. H. CARPENTER, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO. PHILADELPHIA. -
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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
THERE are but few persons in this country who have not, at some time or other, felt the want of an accurate, well written, concise, yet clear and reliable history of their own or some other state.
The want here indicated is now about being sup- plied ; and, as the task of doing so is no light or superficial one, the publishers have given into the hands of the two gentlemen whose names appear in the title-page, the work of preparing a series of CABI- NET HISTORIES, embracing a volume for each state in the Union. Of their ability to perform this well, we need not speak. They are no strangers in the literary world. What they undertake the public may rest assured will be performed thoroughly ; and that no sectarian, sectional, or party feelings will bias their judgment, or lead them to violate the integrity of history.
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The importance of a series of state histories like those now commenced, can scarcely be estimated. Being condensed as carefully as accuracy and interest of narrative will permit, the size and price of the volumes will bring them within the reach of every family in the country, thus making them home-read- ing books for old and young. Each individual will,
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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
in consequence, become familiar, not only with the history of his own state, but with that of other states : -thus mutual interest will be re-awakened, and old bonds cemented in a firmer union.
In this series of CABINET HISTORIES, the authors, while presenting a concise but accurate narrative of the domestic policy of each state, will give greater prominence to the personal history of the people. The dangers which continually hovered around the early colonists ; the stirring romance of a life passed fearlessly amid peril; the incidents of border war- fare; the adventures of hardy pioneers; the keen watchfulness, the subtle surprise, the ruthless attack, and prompt retaliation-all these having had an im- portant influence upon the formation of the American character, are to be freely recorded. While the progres- sive development of the citizens of each individual state from the rough forest-life of the earlier day to the polished condition of the present, will exhibit a pic- ture of national expansion as instructing as it is inte- resting.
The size and style of the series will be uniform with the present volume. The authors, who have been for some time collecting and arranging materials, will furnish the succeeding volumes as rapidly as their careful preparation will warrant.
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PREFACE.
THE present History of Vermont is from the pen of a gentleman whose fine literary abilities have often been favourably acknowledged by the public. It has been written expressly for this Cabinet series of State Histories, and, like the volumes which have preceded it, is wholly original.
The responsibility of perfect accuracy rests upon those whose names are on the title page ; the only duty devolving upon them, in this instance, having been that of careful collation with the original authorities.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Samuel Champlain-Indian tribes and their wars-Character of French colonization-Champlain's alliance with the Al- gonquins-Hostility of the Iroquois-French missionaries -Lake Champlain-First permanent settlement in Vermont -Crown Point erected by the French-Opening of the New Hampshire grants-Increase of emigration-Steady
Page progress of settlement. 19
CHAPTER II.
Boundary line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire established-New Hampshire required to support Fort Dummer-Township grants by the governor of New Hamp- shire-Bennington founded-Claims of New York-Num- ber of grants issued-Fees for the same-Controversy with New York-Duke of York's patent-Its vagueness-Cad- wallader Colden of New York-His proclamation-Counter- proclamation from New Hampshire-Eastern boundary of New York defined by England-Jurisdiction asserted over Vermont-The grants from New Hampshire declared null and void-Resistance by the people-Their appeal to the British ministry-Royal orders to New York-Writs of ejectment obtained-Inability to execute them - Land
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CONTENTS.
speculators-Hatred of them in Vermont-Ethan Allen- His character-The Green Mountain Boys. Page 25
CHAPTER III.
The Green Mountain Tavern-Its sign -Convention at Bennington - Determination of the settlers -Organized opposition to New York-Committees of Safety formed- Military associations-Indictment of Allen, Warner, and others-Rewards offered for their apprehension-Attempt- ed arrest of Warner-Conciliatory efforts of Governor Tryon -Exception of the ringleaders-Proclamations and counter- proclamations-Decree of the Green Mountain convention -Green Mountain law-The Beach Seal-Action of the New York Assembly-General convention west of the Green Mountains - Resolutions adopted - Sanguinary laws of New York - Response of the Mountaineers- Colonel Skeen's mission to England-Approach of the Revolution 36
CHAPTER IV.
The tenure of the royal judges in the colonies-Governor Hutchinson and the Massachusetts legislature-Petition for the removal of Chief Justice Oliver-His impeachment -Oliver sustained by Hutchinson-Appointment of coun- sellors by the crown-The opening of the Massachusetts courts of law obstructed by the people-Sympathy of the Green Mountain Boys-Possession taken of Westminster court-house-Its surrender demanded by the sheriff of New York-The building fired into-Subsequent disposal of the prisoners-Westminster convention renounce the government of New York-Colonial disputes with Great Britain-Battle of Lexington-Population of Vermont- War of the Revolution
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CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER V.
Benedict Arnold-The surprise of Crown Point and Ticon- deroga recommended-Arnold commissioned and author- ized to attempt it-A detachment of volunteers organized in Connecticut for the same purpose-Form a junction with Ethan Allen and a party of the Green Mountain Boys-Meeting with Arnold-Appointed second in com- mand-Disputes between Arnold and Allen-Capture of Ticonderoga-Of Crown Point-Of Skeensboro-St. John's surprised by Arnold-Approach of the British-Congress provides for the restitution of the captured property -Massachusetts and the Continental Congress-Surrender of authority to the latter-George Washington appointed commander-in-chief of the colonial forces-Powers as- sumed by Congress-Petitions and addresses to Great Britain-Judicious conduct of the English Parliament in respect to Canada-Ticonderoga and Crown Point efficiently Page 57 garrisoned.
CHAPTER VI.
Colonel Allen-Volunteer officers-Their difficulties with respect to rank in the continental army-Arnold supersed- ed in command at Ticonderoga-Returns to Massachusetts -Attempt upon Canada-Defenceless condition of that province-Regiment of Green Mountain Boys raised by Colonel Warner-Schuyler and Montgomery appointed to command the invading army-Supineness of the Canadians -Activity of General Carleton-Advance of Schuyler and Montgomery-Abortive attempt on Montreal-Ethan Allen captured and sent to England-Incidents of his captivity -Taking of Chambly by the Americans-Repulse of Carleton at Longue-isle by Colonel Warner-Surrender of St. John's to Montgomery-Surrender of Montreal-
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CONTENTS.
Narrow escape of Carleton-March of Arnold through the wilderness to Quebec-He forms a junction with Mont- gomery-Attempt on Quebec and death of Montgomery- Gallantry and hardihood of Arnold. Page 68
CHAPTER VII.
The people of the New Hampshire grants apply to Congress for advice- Their anomalous position - Convention at Dorset and petition to Congress-The memorial withdrawn -Resumption of operations in Canada-Difficulties of Arnold with the Canadians-Breaking out in camp of the small-pox-Arnold takes command at Montreal, and is succeeded by General Thomas before Quebec-Arrival of relief to Quebec-Retreat of the Americans to Sorel- Death of General Thomas-Unfortunate attempt to sur- prise Three Rivers-Retreat to St. John's-To Isle-aux- Noix-To Ticonderoga-General Sullivan is superseded by General Gates-Organization of a naval force-Difficulties with which it was attended-British preparations-Gene- ral Arnold appointed to command the American flotilla- Engagement on the 11th of October-Great superiority of the British force-Renewed engagement on the 13th --- Gallant conduct of Arnold-Summary of results-Sir Guy Carleton menaces Ticonderoga, but returns to winter quarters without an attack.
CHAPTER VIII.
Declaration of Independence by Congress-Its effects- Anecdote of Colonel Skeene-Renewal of the difficulty with New York-Action of the New York convention- Counter-action in Vermont-Convention at Dorset-Reso- lutions to support the common cause-Preparations for a state government-Convention at Westminster-Vermont declaration of independence, and memorial to Congress-
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CONTENTS.
Counter memorial from New York-Second New York . memorial-Letter of Thomas Young to the inhabitants of Vermont-Third New York memorial-Rejection by Con- gress of the petition of Vermont-Meeting in Vermont to adopt a constitution-Action upon the instrument reported -Abandonment of Ticonderoga by the American force and consequent alarm. Page 103
CHAPTER IX.
Jealousies and disputes among the continental officers- Dislike of Schuyler by the New England troops-Schuyler tenders his resignation-Inquiry into his conduct-Honour- able testimonial-Ordered to take command of the north- ern army-Carleton superseded by Burgoyne-Activity of Burgoyne-War feast with the Iroquois-Humane at- tempt of Burgoyne to restrain the barbarities of his In- dian allies-Its futility-Manifesto to the Americans- Advance on Ticonderoga-Retreat of St. Clair-Death of Colonel Francis-Greenleaf's journal-Colonel Francis's watch restored to his mother-Concentration of American forces at Fort Edward-Burgoyne's halt at Skeensboro- Murder of Jane McCrea-The modern narrative-The popular version-Letter of Gates to Burgoyne-The reply of the latter. 117
CHAPTER X.
Action of Vermont and New Hampshire upon the fall of Ticonderoga-Orders of General Stark-Resolves in Con- gress-Schuyler's judicious measures-General Burgoyne's second proclamation-Vain. appeal of Major Skeene- General Stark's insubordination-Resolution of censure in Congress-British attempt to secure the stores at Ben- nington - Battle of Bennington - Attack on Colonel
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CONTENTS.
Baum's entrenchments - Complete success of General Stark-Renewal of the engagement by Colonels Warner and Breyman-Defeat of the latter-Important effects upon the American cause-Extract from Burgoyne's in- structions to Colonel Baume-General Burgoyne's opinion of the people of the New Hampshire grants-Appoint- ment of Gates to supersede Schuyler-General Gates arrives at Stillwater-Battle of Stillwater, or Behmu's Heights-Victory claimed by both parties, but the real advantage with the Americans-Battle of the 7th October -General Burgoyne retreats to Saratoga-Capitulation of Burgoyne. Page 133
CHAPTER XI.
Delay in the organization of the Vermont state government -Reassembling of the convention-Recognition by New Hampshire - First election of assemblymen-Continued opposition of New York - Proclamation of Governor Clinton-Steady course of Vermont-Answer of Ethan Allen to Governor Clinton-Constitution of Vermont- Its original features-Modifications-Simple forms of le- gislation-Governor Chittenden-Anecdote of the Land- lord Governor -Biographical notice-Summary of his character-First meeting of the Vermont legislature- Embarrassing proposals from sixteen towns in New Hamp- shire-Adjournment of the legislators to consult their constituents-The sixteen towns received into union- Remonstrance of New Hampshire-Appeals to Congress -Colonel Ethan Allen visits Philadelphia to consult with 1 the members -New York difficulty-Vermont hesitates · to perfect "the union-Secession of a portion of her legislators-They convene to form a new state-Vermont cuts off the sixteen towns-New Hampshire and New York each claim the whole of her territory-Interference of Massachusetts
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CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER XII.
Trouble with the adherents of New York in Vermont- Contrast between the New York and Vermont claimants -Principles involved in the dispute-Vermont Congre- gationalists - Wallumschaick -Tenure of Rev. Godfrey Dellius-Convention of "Yorkers" at Brattleboro-Pe- tition to the governor of New York-Military organization -The New York officers captured by Ethan Allen-Ap- peals to Congress-Commissioners appointed by Congress -New York and New Hampshire authorize Congress to adjudicate between them-Massachusetts declines-Ver- mont makes an appeal to the world-Extracts from that document-Congress censures Vermont by resolution - Governor Chittenden's reply-Sagacity of Vermont states- men-Agents from Vermont sent to observe the proceedings of Congress-Their withdrawal and protest-Indefinite postponement of the matter by Congress-Indian forays- False alarm Page 169
CHAPTER XIII.
Vermont assumes the aggressive-Convention of New Hamp- shire towns-Second union with Vermont-Union of New York towns with Vermont-Causes which led to this state of things-British overtures to Ethan Allen-Cessa- tion of hostilities to exchange prisoners-Commissioners appointed to arrange the terms-Other business before the commissioners-Ethan Allen encloses the British letters to Congress-Extracts from his letter to that body-Re- newal of the negotiations for "exchange of prisoners"- Colonel Ira Allen's three weeks in Canada-Interesting documents-British instructions-Green Mountain diplo-
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CONTENTS.
macy-Ira Allen's commission-His report to the Vermont assembly-Secret correspondence-Lord Germain's letter to Clinton-Impatience of the British agents-The consti- tution of the new royal province agreed upon by Colonel Allen and Major Fay-The British demand the new go- vernment of Vermont should be proclaimed-Colonel Allen assents on condition of some further delay-The British appear on Lake Champlain provided with proclamations -They send an apology for killing an American soldier -Suspense and curiosity of the American soldiers and. citizens-Commotion in Governor Chittenden's office-A dilemma-Skilful escape-Surrender of Cornwallis-Re- Page 185 tirement of the British into Canada
CHAPTER XIV.
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Action of Congress in relation to Vermont-Conditions proposed preliminary to her admission into the Union -Protest of Vermont against the action of Congress, and refusal of Vermont to comply-Message of General Washington to Governor Chittenden-The governor's re- ply-Threatened disturbances-Letter of General Wash- ington to Governor Chittenden-Vermont recedes from her refusal-Congress fails to perform its conditional pro- mise-Protest of the agents of Vermont-Indignation in Vermont at the evasive course of Congress-British overtures still continued-Remarks of Dr. Williams upon the Canadian correspondence-Disturbances in Windham county- Appeals to Congress -Resolutions of censure passed by that body-Vermont menaced by Congress- Spirited remonstrance of Vermont-Disturbances in Guil- ford - Martial law-Ethan Allen's proclamation-The "Yorkers" driven out-Death of Colonel Seth Warner- Remarks upon his life and character
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
Condition of Vermont in 1783-Continued prosperity-Fe- deral constitution, 1788-Adjustment of the difficulty with New York, 1790-The close of the Continental Congress-The new Congress and its services-Prosper- ous condition of the country-Population of Vermont at different periods-Death of Colonel Ethan Allen-Re- marks upon his character-Observations of Colonel Gray- don respecting him- His personal appearance - His style of conversation-General Washington's opinion of him-Colonel Allen as a man of honour-His rebuke to the lawyer Page 222
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CHAPTER XVI.
Vermont from 1791 to 1814-Reservation of lands for reli- gious and educational purposes-Foundation of Vermont school fund-University of Vermont-Donation from the state-Endowment by individual subscription-Liberality of Ira Allen-College buildings and library-Middlebury and Norwich colleges-Medical schools-Academies and common schools-Care of the early settlers for the educa- tion of their children-Its practical direction-Remarks of Dr. Williams-Ira Allen-Notices of his life-His His- tory of Vermont - Governor Chittenden's quiet policy- Election of Governor Tichenor-Introduction of guberna- torial messages and replies by the legislature-Decided Federal majority-The Democrats elect their governor in 1807-Tichenor re-elected in 1808-The Democrats again successful in 1809-Their candidate re-elected for five years-Party excitement increases-Declaration of war with Great Britain-Strong measures of the Democratic majority-Political revolution-Displacement of the Demo- crats - Election of Martin Chittenden-Repeal of the
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CONTENTS.
Democratic war measures-Capitulation of Hull-Destruc- tion of stores at Plattsburg-Abortive attempt to invade Canada-Governor Chittenden recalls the Vermont militia -Battle of Lake Erie-Chippewa and and Lundy's Lane -Battle of Plattsburg-Defeat and death of Captain Downie, and retreat of Sir George Prevost Page 234
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CHAPTER XVII.
Re-election of Governor Chittenden-His annual address-, Vermont refuses to send delegates to the Hartford Con- vention-The victors of Plattsburg complimented for their services-Grant of land to McDonough-Treaty of Ghent-Review of the war-Honesty of the war and peace parties-Statistics of Vermont-Population, agriculture, manufactures-Cotton, wool, and iron-The lumber busi- ness-Miscellaneous statistics-Inland navigation-Rail- roads-Banks-Benevolent institutions-State income and expenditure-Religious denominations-Closing remarks. 251
HISTORY OF VERMONT.
CHAPTER I.
Samuel Champlain-Indian tribes and their wars-Character of French colonization-Champlain's alliance with the Al- gonquins-Hostility of the Iroquois-French missionaries- Lake Champlain-First permanent settlement in Vermont- Crown Point erected by the French-Opening of the New Hampshire grants-Increase of emigration-Steady progress of settlement.
THE long and irregular lake which forms the western boundary of the State of Vermont, bears the name of the European who earliest explored any portion of its territory, Samuel Champlain, the first successful founder of French settlements in North America. He was for many years the governor of New France, as the French Canadian possessions were called; and he has left behind him a monument which has survived the last trace of French dominion on this continent. He published a curious work entitled "Voyages and Travels in New France," or Canada. It possessed sufficient interest to call for a modern reprint ; and in 1838, more than two hundred years from its first appearance, was republished in Paris.
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1608.
Champlain's observations on the aborigines were so exact that his successors have in few cases found reason to depart from his conclu- sions. Perhaps we should except such writers as invest the American Indian with imaginary traits of impossible heroism, and with savage virtues of a higher than the civilized standard. He records a very minute account of their shocking barbarities to their prisoners, of which he was, most probably, the first European wit- ness. And he gives us relations of their gar- rulity and nimble-tongued vituperations and re- joinders, which contrast very strongly with the dramatic Indian, reserved and dignified. He describes hostile Indian nations making ready for a fight at dawn by dancing in hearing of each other, and preparing themselves for the encounter by a whole night of mutual reviling ; and when, by the aid of European strategy, he had enabled an Indian besieging force to take a position commanding the enemy's entrenchment, the martial Frenchman was astonished to find the siege delayed while the combatants hurled curses at each other.
From various causes the French coalesced with the Indians better than any other colonists have done. There was less repugnance of race and caste between them. And the wisdom of the Jesuits, who were effective leaders in all French intercourse with the Indians, procured a
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FRENCH COLONIZATION.
1608.]
clause in the charters which performed wonders for French enterprise. Every convert, upon baptism, became ipso facto a French subject. He was entitled to equal privileges with the colonists. He was identified with their success, and bound to them by much stronger ties than the subsidies of the English could ever purchase. Whatever may be charged against the Jesuits, their heroism and self-denial cannot be gain- said; and, without entering into a discussion of the matter of their teaching as compared with that of the Protestant missionaries, they certainly made firmer temporal allies of their Indian converts.
With all his sagacity, Champlain's love of ad- venture led him into a capital error; a mistake which did not cease to operate until the French were entirely dispossessed of Canada. He sought a north-west passage to Cathay-a problem which, even unto the present day, promotes in- cidental benefits to commerce and geographical knowledge, without any approach to its own solution. The error to which we refer, was that of espousing the quarrel of one Indian tribe or family of tribes against another. The Indians who held the lands on the Atlantic were the Algonquins. From Lake Champlain, as far west as Huron, the warlike Iroquois, sometimes called the Six Nations, were in possession. Cham- plain, on condition of being guided through the
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1609.
territories of these fierce tribes, readily un- dertook to aid the Algonquins in their wars against them. His visit to Lake Champlain and Lake George, which took place in 1609, was made under such unlucky auspices ; and the first knowledge which the Iroquois had of the French was as the allies of their hereditary ene- mies. Three Frenchmen only appear to have been present, but their arquebuses decided the day in favour of the Algonquins ; and this com- mencement entailed persecution and death upon many an unfortunate missionary, and provoked the Iroquois to adhesion to the Dutch and Eng- lish in New York.
Vermont was not in the path to Cathay, and the French seem to have paid little heed to the territory of the future fourteenth state in the American confederacy. The French missionaries and explorers were confined to the north of the St. Lawrence, and north and west of the Lakes Erie and Ontario. They were in friendly re- lations with the Indians near Lake Superior, while they could not venture upon the Ontario or Erie; and their unceasing wars with the Mo- hawks forced their missionaries to run the gaunt- let through fierce tribes before they could reach their stations near Lake Huron. These Mohawks were Iroquois, the tribe whose first acquaintance with the French we have mentioned as derived
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
1724.]
from their fire-arms, which scattered death in a new and wonderful manner.
Lake Champlain divided the country of the Iroquois and the Algonquins. Its waters, as they had been before Champlain saw them, still remained the highway of war parties for nearly two hundred years. Vermont west of the mountains was uninhabitable. Even the savages avoided it for any purpose of permanent resi- dence ; and it merited the name which has been given to another portion of our continent, " The Dark and Bloody Ground." English and French expeditions followed the old war-paths, guided by savage allies; and the Hudson River and · Lakes George and Champlain seemed practically useful only as military avenues. In 1760, when the French lost Canada, this state of things ceased; but Lake Champlain was again the scene of hostilities during the revolutionary pe- riod, and during the second war between the United States and Great Britain.
It does not come within our scope to give the details of the murderous Indian conflicts of which the territory of Vermont was the theatre before its settlement. Many of these events belong to the history of another state, and are there treated. The first permanent settlement in Vermont was made in 1724, in its south- eastern corner, on the land now embraced within the town of Brattleborough. This post was
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