USA > Vermont > Orange County > Newbury > History of Newbury, Vermont, from the discovery of the Coos country to present time > Part 45
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* Addressed to General Washington. Volume. 54, Page 305, of Washington correspondence.
fFor James Lovell, Boston. Vol. 54, Page 305, of Washington correspondence ..
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that he may deliver what he knows relative to the enemy in Canada and our internal foes. The substance of the accounts from Canada are that if we do not go into Canada this year (which they enquire about) they shall pursue their plan early in May which was to go to Albany and then seat themselves, for the protection of Vermont. The last of this month or first of May another packet will be brought. We shall doubtless have it in our power to secure the bearer. I must think the correspondence of Vermont with the enemy is not to deceive them, but was actually designed to destroy the United States. Their present excuses are to deceive us until the enemy can seat themselves at some convenient point on the Grants which I am afraid will be early this Spring. There is not the least doubt but General Arnold's plan reached to Vermont and Canada, and if he had succeeded there would nothing have been said by Vermont about discovering the enemy or if provisions had not failed in Canada last season no excuse would have been made by the Traitors. Was not the Commander of Vermont troops in 1780 in council with the enemy at Crown Point? Was it not in his power to have defeated the enemy at Fort Ann, Fort George and Ballston that season? It was not for want of men. Vermont now says they did deceive the enemy last season, but they raised for something fifteen hundred men and kept them in pay all last summer when, by their own confession, there was no danger. The question, who did they mean to deceive, Congress or the enemy? Now they say the Enemy are undeceived and the number of men called for this campaign is three hundred where if the enemy have been deceived, there is the utmost danger. Doubtless Vermont is an asylum for all Continental deserters. Mr. Elijah Finman of Woodbury informed me today that he saw Sunday in Vermont as he passed through from Bennington to this River, that he knew who defied him taking them or anybody else. I wish for some orders to be given respecting Mr. Johnson; his case is critical. If he not correspond he is discovered. if he do it is in the face of the act of congress. Your excellency will pardon all mistakes, I doubt not, in this, also for giving so much trouble to you, as I cannot forbear until the matters are settled by Congress in this quarter, and permit me to subscribe myself
Your Excellency's most humble servant,
JACOB BAYLEY .*
NEWBURY, May 30, 1872.
Sir :
I sent your Excellency an account of the correspondence which might be carried on between Capt. Thomas Johnson and the enemy by General Lincoln, and also other matters relating to the transactions of the leading men in Vermont with the enemy &c, as those matters seem to be ripening off fast and expect they will soon put them into execution. I send Capt. Bayley with the letters and accounts from said Johnson who will give you other intelligence and as I am afraid we shall not be able to effectually oppose the Enemy wish your Excellency's directions respecting these matters. I shall not trouble your Excellency with any more than saying the enemy are doubtless fortifying at Crown Point. Major James Rodgers has been in here and has gone back satisfied that most of the leading men in Vermont will not oppose British Government. I believe he will not find it true tho' many are gone back. This town and some adjacent, stand fast. We expect trouble from Vermont and Britain connected. I wish for some directions and assistance if possible.
I am your Excellency's Most humble Servant. JACOB BAYLEY.+
* Addressed to Gen. Washington, Vol. 54, Page 202, of Washington correspond- ence.
¡Addressed to General Washington, Volume 57, Page 15 of Washington Correspondence.
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THOMAS JOHNSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
NEWBURY, Coos, 30 May, 1782.
May it please your Exeelleney,
To suffer me to lay before you a brief yet imperfeet narrative of my observations while a prisoner in Canada and how matters have sinee been condueted.
Some time in the month of March, 1781, I was surprised in the middle of the night at a house about twenty miles from home by a party of Enemy from Canada, consisting of ten men under the command Azariah Priehard formerly an inhabitant of Conneetieut, who sinee the eommeneement of the present war, viz. in the year 1777 made his eseape into Canada. I was immediately made prisoner as I was getting from my bed, and as I was going to said Priehard, (who was about four or five miles distant I eoneluded that no topie would prove more agreeable than that of a union of Vermont with Great Britain, and being previously persuaded that for a considerable time there had been an intereourse maintained between them I determined to make myself as intimate with * * *
* on the subjeet as possible.
Accordingly, soon after I got into conversation with my Captain, he told me that I was just sueh a man as he wanted, and before we got into Canada he gave me- partieular instructions concerning my behavior when I should come upon examination, and I approved myself aeeordingly and soon contracted an intimate acquaintance and conversation with leading men in that quarter and obtained a particular state of the affairs of Vermont and found that Ira Allen and others had twiee been into Canada, and that two Flags had been sent from Canada into Vermont and that the outlines of a Treaty were then actually formed between them, viz: That Vermont should be a Charter Government similar in most respeets to Connectieut yet more liberty on the side of the State that they should be protected by Government whenever necessary that Ira Allen was then daily expected in again to complete the matter. I found likewise that this plan was agreed upon with Ethan Allen before he left the British.
April. About this time several parties from New York City eame in by whom we had information that General Clark with a considerable reinforcement was eoming into Canada, the partieular aeeounts from the Southward, Cornwallis's success, the taking of St. Eustatia, the situation of the American and British armies, &c. &c. These accounts gave a new spring to the British blood, and seemed to raise them superior to a negotiation with Vermont as a neutral state; nothing but a submission without further delay would answer on pain of displeasure. Everything was then pursued to carry on two expeditions, one against Schenectady and the other against Albany, hand barrows, wheel barrows, a new construction of Batteau very light and portable, artillery earriages, and light Trueks or hand waggons, fashioned so that six men would sit on a Batteau large enough to earry fifteen men and baggage and run with it three or four miles in an hour, and every other thing necessary to force a rapid mareh or retreat with the greatest expedition. Nothing now prevented their intended expedition but the want of provisions. But before that arrived information eame that General Starke with a body of troops was marehing towards Saratoga; this put them into great consternation.
July. At this time provisions were so searee that they were obliged to distribute what little they had in very small quantities, by the barrel &e to every quarter. Wheat was now four dollars or upwards per bushel, Beef twenty coppers per pound, Butter, and Veal double that sum. The Officers often said that all the Prisoners must be sent out of the Provinee. One third part of their eattle died in the spring for want of forage; the worms devoured almost every green thing so that there was no prospect of wintering more than one third part of what eattle the winter had spared. During the earrying on the aforesaid expeditions it was agreed by the Allens &c on the part of Vermont that they would lay still and give them no trouble as the Officers had often told me. Thus Ethan Allen did at Castleton in the fall of the year 1780, when the British destroyed Fort George, Fort Ann and many of the Inhabitants in that quarter, and came round within one day's mareh of the place where Allen lay with near a thousand men and suffered them all to pass on unmolested, when at the same time I heard many of the Officers often say that Allen might easily have cut them off if he would but he had agreed to the contrary. The rehearsal of these actions of the infernal villians is enough to make my blood run eold in every vein. Now I was reduced to straight quarters and offered a commission of major on swearing allegianee to the King and taking part with them; otherwise they told me that I must be sent away with other prisoners and take my fate with them. Now I was obliged to deal on punctilios. I told them I had rather lay in
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gaol five years than lift my finger to shed the blood of my countrymen. But that everything in my power for peace I would invariably pursue. Notwithstanding all the plausible pretences of the Vermonters, the spirit of jealousy was high. They constantly kept Spies amongst them to watch their motions some of whom came in and said that some of the Inhabitants of the Grants were for fighting, but generally they were for neutrality or submission. In May one Major Lunneaux Adjutant General and a principal confidant of the General came up, who with Major Dundas and Captain Sherwood were appointed commissioners to treat with Ira Allen sole commissioner Plenipotentiary from Vermont, and upon examining commission found it only from Governor Chittenden and not from the authority of the state, and therefore it was thought improper to proceed. But it was proposed between the parties that Vermont should raise six hundred men as standing troops, and another party sufficient to man a twenty gun Ship and all to be commanded by Officers of their own, commissioned by the king and set in conjunction with the British and should raise two thousand on an emergency. I was often asked if I thought Vermont was able to perform as much on their part and many other questions of the like nature. In June one George Smyth who had been taken up as a spy from the British army and put into gaol at Albany and it is thought would have been hanged but by the assistance of the Vermonters made his escape from gaol, and came into Canada and was immediately appointed a Commissioner to treat with the Vermonters. Likewise one Sergeant Smyth in character dress, and in'company with a party of Indians went to Philadelphia or near thereabouts under the notion of treating for peace and there continued in such disguise until he had gotten all the intelligence of the situations of the armies proceedings of Congress, &c. &c., and then returned into Canada and gave so good an account of matters that the General gave him an Adjutant's commission and other presents. This I had from his own mouth in September. Seeing they had been disappointed in their campaigns for want of provisions and that a plenty had afterwards arrived, they determined to pursue the same as early in the spring as possible, with about three thousand effective men, which I think as many as they could anyway send out.
About the time I was coming out of Canada Captain Prichard told me that he kept a correspondence with one Davenport Phelps, a Gentleman educated at Dartmouth College on this River, and grandson of Doctor Wheelock the late President; that he was going over to see how matters were conducted, and when I got to Connecticut River I heard that Phelps was a member of Vermont General Court from Orford, a Town on the east of the River who immediately left the Court after they had transacted such matters as more immediately related to Prichard's business and went thirty miles up the River to Mooretown where Prichard was waiting to see him before he could return to Canada again. It may not be amiss to observe that as at first I determined in every shape to pursue such measures as would be most likely to gain an acquaintance with their secret movements and operations so that on my return home I might be able to render service to my country. Hence it will not appear strange that I should easily consent to continue a correspondence for a further benefit to the public. Upon the conclusion of this matter, General Haldimand sent me a seal to affix to all my letters of correspondence that I need not sign my name and so be in danger of discovery. In the month of October last one Levi Sylvester being in the woods hunting was taken prisoner carried into Canada and there entered into an agreement with Prichard as a carrier, to meet him at certain times and places in the woods and deliver and receive letters of intelligence. By him I received a letter from Prichard in January last, the first time that he came in and said that he made his escape but he is looked upon as an honest man in general, he likewise brought letters to several other persons, viz: to John Patterson and to Isaac Patterson from Benjamin Patterson a Refugee, and another from Prichard to Thomas Chamberlin and agreed to meet Prichard again at Onion River the last of February. At which time I sent a letter to General Haldimand and another to Prichard copies of which and my first letter are enclosed also the Newspapers containing the account of the surrender of Cornwallis. Sylvester
likewise told me that he delivered to Prichard a letter from said John Patterson for his son Benjamin in Canada, and he brought me a letter from
1782 April Geo. Smyth, (a copy enclosed,) and he delivered three other letters to me with orders for me to deliver them viz: One to Col. Bedel which was directed to "T. Mountene," one to John Patterson and one to Isaac Patterson which three last letters were opened, copied, sealed up and delivered to the wife of John Patterson · (he not being at home) but said John told me afterwards that he had received them
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and delivered one to Bedcl and the other to Isaac. A few days afterward I received May more cautious and not deliver letters to women lest I should be found out. 13 a verbal message from said Bedel by William Wallace, that I must be Col. Bedel went to my house to see me but as I was not at home he waited till evening; and as he was returning I met him in company with said Wallace and Bedel told me that he had some business of importance to tell me, viz: That Major Rogers with a strong guard was then in Mooretown and wanted very much to see me; that I must go down that night and see him and gave me directions how to find him, but meeting with some disappointments I could not go that night. Said Bedel further told me that six hundred of the Enemy had come over the Lake with force, etc., and were fortifying there; that Rogers had had an express from New York within three weeks and the British were going to vacuate New York and Charleston, and to go with all their force to Canada, the ensuing campaign which they would maintain at all events.
14th. The next morning I went to see Bedel and told him that I had not been to see Rogers but would go the ensuing evening. Bedel said that he was not certain that I could find him as he might be moved. But John Patterson being there Bedel said he would send Rogers word if possible to meet me at the place appointed for last evening. I went but could not find him. Bedel likewise told me that there was another party at another place. He said Rogers' principal business was to enquire into the temper of the people in general and see as many as he could and get the opinion of as many of the leading men as he could in this part of the country and see if they are well disposed to Government and to continue to act up to former engage- ments. So that, if he could make a favorable return to the General it would not be likely that we should be treated any further at present. Bedel did not say directly that he had seen Rogers, but said that I might depend upon what he had told me ; that he had his information direct and not from any second hands; that if I should see Rogers he would have me give a good character, and in as high and as favorable a light as he thought it would bear ..
May 21st. Levi Sylvester came to my house and told me that Joseph White and another man by the name of Miller were or had been at or about Thomas Chamberlin's and had sent for him to come and see him, but as he sent him no tokens he did not go to see him, for his orders were not to have any thing to do with any persons without they had eertain tokens.
But Sylvester told me that Chamberlin told him that he had seen White and White told him that Rogers was come in, and upon the same business as Bedel had said, and that the said White was sent as a Spy, to see how Rogers, Bedeld an others conducted, and to find out whether there were any signs of treachery to be observed. Thus I have given your Excellency a broken and unperfect account ; yet I think I have hinted at the most material facts; and submit them to your candid perusal and beg leave to subscribe myself your Excellency's most devoted and most humble servant.
THOMAS JOHNSON.
GEN. JACOB BAYLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
NEWBURY, 16th Sept., 1782.
Sir : Agrceable to your Excellency's directions I supported about Fifty Savages of the St. Francis Tribe from November, 1778, when in from hunting, which was at least half the time, to February, 1781, except the summer Colonel Hazen was herc with his regiment. The parties sent here from Head Quarters, to gain intelligence from Canada I have supported, and also they wintered with me and returned in the spring. The Rations only will come to a considerable sum. I never had the command of any public provisions but supplied them out of my own. Where I have been assisted by any they now call. I have been obliged to move my papers, cannot exhibit an account. If it is consistent I wish some Gentlemen at Boston might be appointed to settle the account as it is very expensive for me to go to Philadelphia. Have nothing left but my Farm but what I have advanced for the public, even my time as much as though I had been the whole time in the Army since the present war. I have not received anything for my time (and I think it well spent if I have donc any good) but little for my advancements. I should take it in the greatest favor if
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in your Excellency's power to give me some assistance by my Son who bears this. Your Excellency will lay the greater obligation on your Humble Servant,
JACOB BAYLEY.
To His Excellency, General George Washington.
NEWBURY, 19th September, 1782.
Sir:
Last night a man who I can depend upon returned from St. Johns in five days He was a week at that place. He was eight days since at Isle Au Noix and says he saw two thousand men embark at St. Johns and proceed up the Lake and when at the Island found them encamped there that the whole on the Island was between three and four thousand men, their destination was not public but supposed to take possession of Vermont, that a Flag from Vermont was eight days ago at the Island, that all the principal officers was gone to Quebec, that the Vessels at Crown Point was ordered to be down before the 10th of October that the General informed him by a message that he wanted him or some one to come to him from Coos at St. Johns before the 10th of October as after that time he could not direct where he could meet him that all the small parties and Indians were called in, I havesent off another man today who will doubtless see General Haldeman and obtain further intelligence. He is to be back in fifteen days. If any material occurs I will send immediately. From one who has made application for leave to go to Canada to her husband, am informed that she must be at Crown Point before the tenth of October, as the Vessels will be down the Lake at that time. I thought the above information of some importance and as I sent my Son three days ago by way of Exeter to your Excellency I send this after him and hope it will overtake him before he leaves Exeter. The Allens are with a number of armed men taking up, confining, judging and condeming those who do not adhere to them in Champlain County. They carry their Court with them and make short work. Mr. Johnson's line of intelligence seems to fail which makes me take another course for intelligence which is done without much loss as I make the Enemy hire them. My informant was hired to pilot a British Officer to Canada, whose name is Arraby, who passed this place undiscovered about twenty miles north at a Frontier house and applied to my old Pilot Davis who had got into favor with the Enemy while a prisoner the summer past, to pilot him to Canada, which he did by his Son and is now gone himself with instructions from me, who begs the favor to subscribe myself
Your Excellency's Most humble Servant, JACOB BAYLEY .*
His Excellency, Gen. Washington.
MOSES DOW OF HAVERHILL, TO HON. MESHECH WEARE, CONCORD, N. H. Sunday Evening, June 16, 1782.
Hon. and much respected Sir :
Since I wrote you by Capt. Bailey two deserters have come in from Montreal who informed that the British were fortifying Oswego and were making Quebec very strong. That all the prisoners from Vermont were to be sent home immediately. Since which time a number have arrived who say that the others are generally coming, some say that they are exchanged, others that they are on parole, but they generally incline to say but little about affairs. Five or six days since a party of Indians came and took one Abel Davis out of his house, about thirty miles to the Northward, being the farthermost house on Hazen's road, pillaged his house and carried him off. Last evening just before dark a party of Eight or Ten made an attack upon Gen. Bayley's house, fired two or three guns by which one man had his arm broke in such a manner that 'tis much feared it will prove mortal, and two men taken prisoners out of his house and one of his sons was likewise taken at his own house about half a mile from the General's on their retreat, which immediately gave an alarm to both towns. A party of about 30 men were sent in pursuit of the Enemy 12 or 15 miles, but no purpose. Thomas Johnson was made acquainted with
*Volume 59. Page 174. Washington Correspondence.
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Pritchard's being in and his designs about two hours before the attack, had just time to give General Bayley a hint by which means he made his escape but had not time to collect any force to oppose them until it was too late. Three or four had just met but were attacked before they were prepared to oppose them. On their retreat the Enemy made prisoners of a number of men in the back part of Newbury and in the Town of Corinth, who swore allegiance to the King of England and were dismissed. Yesterday morning Pritchard sent Levi Sylvester to Mr. Johnson to inform him that he wanted to see him, accordingly Mr. Johnson went into the woods at time and place agreed on and conversed with Pritchard and Capt. Breckenridge about one hour. Pritchard told him that Gen. Haldeman had just received a return from this King that Vermont was established a Province. That the Indians were not to be suffered to molest the Inhabitants any more, but that all who submitted to the Government of Vermont were to be used kindly and to enjoy all their lands and privileges, but that opposers were to be destroyed as fast as possible, that Doctor Smith and Capt. Sherwood were appointed cominissioners to plan and control and Pritchard to execute the same. That Shem Kentfield and Vandike had sworn previously to Kentfield's execution that this Sylvester was a traitor and a Spy instead of a deserter as he represented, and had brought packets or correspondence from Canada to Tories here, that the intelligence was carried directly to Gen. Haldeman and would soon be here so that it was not safe for Sylvester to tarry here any longer, but must go to Canada with him. Pritchard further said that Governor Chittenden had received an account that all Newbury but three or four had voted to make application to New Hampshire to be received and protected, and that Gen. Bayley was very active in the matter and had sent the same by express to Gen. Haldeman and entreated him in the most earnest and pressing manner to send immediately and take Gen. Bayley off the Ground, as he kept this part of the country in a tumult and confusion and unless he was taken away he could not carry his plans into effect.
Johnson earnestly entreated Pritchard to forbear taking Gen. Bayley as it might be the means of his being suspected, taken up, and found out, but he said that there was no danger of that because Col. Bedel said when he was in before that he was not in the least mistrusted, but yet that should be the case that he would rescue him. That he should leave John Cross at Corinth under the care of Col. John Taplin so that if anything should turn up contrary to his expectation Cross would return into Canada in three days and give him information, and he would immediately come with a sufficient force to lay all that country waste, as he had 150 and as many more as he pleased at his command. Johnson told him that it would not do to destroy this country, as there were so many well disposed to Government, and that he avoid shedding blood, which he promised to do, at this time except in his own defence. Pritchard told Johnson that he was sorry that Davis was taken since Sylvester was obliged to go to Canada, he intended to have gone to Davis and engaged him to carry on the correspondence in Sylvester's place. That the Indians were sent out after the deserters and went contrary to their orders in taking prisoners but that he would send Sylvester to Davis and engage him and send him home immediately. This information of Mr. Johnson's may be depended upon as I had it from his own mouth and have it from under his hand and would mention many things more but have not time. Thus, Sir, you see our distressing situation, constantly watched by the Tories and exposed to their ravages and unable to help ourselves or render that service to the public which we are daily convinced it stands in need of at this day for want of a proper strength to check these growing evils which will soon prove intolerable and all that will not swear allegiance must quit their habitations or be butchered, and in less than one month we expect to be reduced to the sad alternative. Earnestly entreat your Honor's influence in General Court, at Congress, or with his Excellency the Commander-in-chief that we may be protected and the public cause supported. Suppose twenty or thirty persons may have sworn allegiance to the King at this time, and it may not be ten days before a large party may be in and raise the British Standard in our neighborhood and possibly amongst us. Last evening received an official account from Col. Tupper, Commandant at Albany of Kentfield, and Vandikes depositions. Had it been received six hours sooner we should have been able to have taken Sylvester, but lic was entered Pritchard's party and was the man that broke the man's arm as within mentioned and is gone off. It is a great pity that intelligence of such importance should not be forwarded by an Express in the most expeditious manner.
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