USA > Vermont > The history of Vermont, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 11
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At the same session, and on the same day, Vermont generously took a part of New York under her protection. A number of the inhabit- ants in the adjacent parts of New York, being that tract of country between Massachusetts and the Hudson River, prayed that Vermont would defend them against the enemy in Canada, and receive them into union with her. The
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
- [1781.
legislature of Vermont accordingly passed a resolution laying claim to the district in ques- tion, taking in also all the land east of a line from the head of the Hudson to latitude 45° -a pretty generous appropriation, as it includ- ed Lake Champlain entire, and much territory west of that lake. There was the same proviso about jurisdiction in this resolve as in the re- solution to divide New Hampshire.
Without an understanding of all the influences in operation, these paper enlargements of the state of Vermont may appear to the reader at the present day mere legislative bravado. But it was well understood that the British ministers and officers had high hopes of Vermont from the manner in which that sturdy little state had been treated by her more powerful neighbours, and by Congress. And so bitter had been the con- test, and so ominous though unintelligible the threats of the indignant Vermont officers, that it was generally believed in the other states her leading men would incline to a union with Canada, if no other alternative existed but sub- mission to New York. This belief brought whatever British leaven existed in New York and New Hampshire to favour the proposed union. This also operated to prevent Congress from proceeding to decide the controversy between New York and New Hampshire. Convenient questions of the power of the federal delegates to
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1781.7 BRITISH OVERTURES.
form a new state were raised, and thus they avoided all three horns of the dilemma, for to dis- oblige either of the parties in the contest would have been alike dangerous. And while the leading men of Vermont never for an instant faltered in their attachment to the cause of freedom, they were too politic to throw away any advantage which lay in their road. Vermont had now a nominal territory which was quite large enough, and she proceeded to dispose of lands without any heed to the grants which had been made by New York.
A year before the date of the proceedings which we have just narrated, in April, 1780, Colonel Ethan Allen had received overtures from the British authorities in Canada, for a union of Vermont with Canada. ' In the street at Arling- ton, Colonel Allen was accosted by a man in the disguise of an American farmer, who afterward proved to be a British soldier. This man was the bearer of a letter which Allen read, and dis- missed the messenger. The contents of the letter were immediately laid before some confi- dential friends, including Governor Chittenden, and the result of their deliberations was that the matter should be passed over in silence, and no answer returned. The letter set forth the grounds upon which it was written, thus: «I have often been informed that you and most of the inhabitants of Vermont are opposed to the
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1781.
wild and chimerical scheme of the Americans in attempting to separate from Great Britain, and establish an independent government of their own, and that you would willingly assist in uniting America to Great Britain, and in restoring that happy constitution so wantonly and unad- visedly · destroyed. If I have been rightly in- formed, and these should be your sentiments and inclination, I beg that you will communicate to me without reserve, whatever proposals you would wish to make to the commander-in-chief; and I hereby promise that I will faithfully lay them before him, according to your directions, and flatter myself that I can do so with as good effect as any person whatever. I can make no proposals to you until I know your sentiments ; but think, upon your taking an active part and embodying the inhabitants of Vermont under the crown of England, you may obtain a separate government under the king and constitution of England, to act as the commander-in-chief shall direct, and the men, formed into regiments under such officers as you shall recommend, be on the same footing as all the provincial corps are. If you should think proper to send a friend of your own here, with proposals to the general, he shall be protected and well treated here, and allowed to return whenever he pleases." This letter was dated at New York, then in the occu- pation of the British, and signed by Colonel
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1781.]
Beverly Robinson. But the movement was made under instructions from the British cabi- net, as subsequently appeared.
While these overtures were making to Colonel Allen from the direction of New York, si- milar proposals were received from Canada. The British cabinet had high hopes to effect by negotiation and purchase, what they had failed to do. by invasion. The connection of New York and Canada, by way of the Hudson and Lake Champlain, which Burgoyne had not ac- complished, was to be effected by the corruption of the Green Mountain Boys. The attempted treachery of Arnold was no doubt a part of the same plot. And in this aspect of the case we perceive why reasons of state and stern necessity demanded the execution of the unfortunate Andre. It was more than suspected, even at this time, that the enemy were at work by emissaries ; and it was the rigid demand of war that such mes- sengers should be summarily dealt with.
Governor Chittenden, in July, 1780, sent a flag into Canada requesting the release or ex- change of certain prisoners who had been carried into Canada. In the fall of the same year the British came up Lake Champlain in great force, and despatched a flag with a very favourable re- ply to Governor Chittenden's request, and a proposition for the cessation of hostilities be- tween the Vermont and the British forces dur-
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1781.
ing the negotiation of the exchange. Colonel Ethan Allen, commanding the Vermont militia, consented to the cessation, provided the adja- cent frontier of New York should be included. The reader will not fail to perceive in this sa- gacious conduct of Colonel Allen, the origin, in part at least, of the petition soon after pre- sented by the inhabitants of the New York towns to be admitted into Vermont. The af- fairs of that state were in reality managed by about a dozen of the most shrewd and far- seeing men in the world, and they played their difficult role, in part openly and in part secretly, in a manner which deserves far more attention than it has usually received from the annalist.
Colonel Ira Allen and Major Joseph Fay were appointed commissioners on the part of Vermont to meet the British agents, and arrange the terms of the exchange of prisoners. If they were not before apprized of the motives of the British commander for his extraordinary conde- scension and friendliness, their eyes were now opened. There was a much deeper purpose than the exchange of prisoners in the movements of the British commander. The same proposals were verbally made to the Vermont commission- ers, from the Canadian officers, as had been made by letter from New York to Ethan Allen. The commissioners received the proposals with great good humour, and so evaded any direct answer,
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MORE OVERTURES.
1781.]
though still holding out hopes and promises, that they procured a continued cessation of hos- tilities, and the enemy retired to Canada without having injured the people of Vermont in any particular, or made any hostile movements.
Immediately upon these events followed the annexation measures which we have already re- lated. While the assembly were legislating, the secret rulers of Vermont were busy with their correspondence. Ethan Allen, in February, re- ceived another letter from Colonel Robinson, enclosing a copy of the first, which he supposed had miscarried. In his second letter, Colonel Robinson spoke with increased confidence, based on " frequent accounts received for three months past." No doubt these accounts were the favour- able reports which the Canada negotiators had furnished to the commander in New York. So confident was he of the defection of Vermont from the republican cause, that he desired in- formation in what manner the people of Vermont could be most serviceable to the British govern- ment, whether by acting with the northern army or joining an army from New York.
Ethan Allen returned no answer to either of these letters, but in March enclosed them in a letter to Congress, informing that body of all the circumstances which had attended the busi- ness. We extract from the letter the following passage : "I am confident that Congress will
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1781.
not dispute my sincere attachment to the cause of my country, though I do not hesitate to say I am fully grounded in opinion that Vermont has an indubitable right to agree on terms of a cessation of hostilities with Great Britain, pro- vided the United States persist in rejecting her application for a union with them. For Vermont would be of all people most miserable, were she obliged to defend the independence of the united claiming States, and they be, at the same time, at full liberty to overturn and ruin the inde- pendence of Vermont. When Congress con- siders the circumstances of this state, they will, I am persuaded, be more surprised that I have transmitted them the enclosed letters than that I have kept them in custody so long; for I am as resolutely determined to defend the independ- ence of Vermont as Congress is that of the United States; and rather than fail, I will retire with the hardy Green Mountain Boys into the desolate caverns of the mountains, and wage war with human nature at large."
In the spring of 1781 the British authorities in Canada renewed their overtures. Colonel Ira Allen was sent to the British quarters upon the old pretext-an exchange of prisoners. He soon found himself engaged in the unfinished business of last year, the restoration of Vermont to the British crown. He remained in Canada nearly three weeks, and was engaged every day
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1781.] IRA ALLEN IN CANADA.
in a skilful contest of diplomacy with the agent of General Haldiman. The documents in relation to this business, preserved by Hon. Henry Stevens of Vermont, and recently first published in Du Pay's "Ethan Allen," present the subject in a clearer light than it ever has been shown before. They consist of the instructions of General Haldiman to his agent, that agent's report of his proceedings, and two formal endorsements of the doings of the Vermont agents by Governor Chittenden and his council. The instructions of Haldiman make the same promises that we have already noticed, with definite offers of the com- mand of battalions, and the rank of lieutenant- colonel to Ethan Allen and Governor Chitten- den. The most remarkable feature in the docu- ment is the profound commiseration for the wrongs of Vermont at the hands of her sister states and Congress, which General Haldiman professed to entertain. "Iagree," he says, "that this negotiation shall cease, and any steps that led to it be forgotten, provided the Congress shall grant the state of Vermont a seat in their assembly, and acknowledge its independency. I trust that time and other methods will bring about a reconciliation and a return to their alle- giance," &c. &c.
Whatever General Haldiman may have in- tended in the above-whether a covert threat, to induce Vermont to cease her efforts to be ad-
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1781.
mitted into the American Union, or a show of greater magnanimity from an enemy than Ver- mont received from her countrymen, British di- plomacy was lost upon Ira Allen. That shrewd, and, we suspect, not overscrupulous negotiator, managed to befog his antagonist through the whole three weeks, exciting hopes which were untangible when it was sought to reduce them to terms, and adhering to verbal communications entirely. Nothing but the great importance of securing Vermont could have induced the British officer thus to parley. The letter of Ethan Allen to Congress, which we have referred to above, was shown by Ira Allen to the British officer, with the greatest show of frankness, as was also the circular letter of the governor of Vermont to the other states, begging for assist- ance against the threatened British invasion, and the British officer was assured that these steps were only taken by Ethan Allen and Governor Chittenden for their own personal safety. We know not whether most to wonder at the effronte- ry of the one or the credulity of the other party.
We present one of the endorsements of Ira Allen's proceedings entire, as it places the atti- tude in which the Vermont statesmen stood dis- tinctly before the reader : "Whereas this State is not in union with the United States, altho' often Requested, &c. This the British Power are acquainted with, and are endeavouring to
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1781.] GREEN MOUNTAIN DIPLOMACY.
take the advantage of these disputes Thereby to court a connection with this State on the Princi- ple of Establishing it a British Province-from various accounts we are well assured that the British have a force in Canada larger than this State can at present raise and support in the field; and this State having no assurance of any assistance from any or either of the United States, however hard the British forces may crowd on this state from the Province of Que- beck, by the advantage of the waters of Lake Champlain, &c. Altho' several Expresses have been sent by the Gov'r of this State, to several of the respective Gov'rs of the United States, with the most urgent requests to know whether any assistance would be afforded in such case, and no official answer has been made by either of them.
" Wherefore, we, the subscribers, do fully approbate Col. Ira Allen sending a Letter dated Sunderland, July 10th, 1781, and directed to General Haldimand, and another Letter to Cap- tain Justice Sherwood, Purporting an Intention of this State's becoming a British Province, &c. This we consider as a Political Proceedure to prevent the British forces invading this State; and being a necessary step to Preserve this State from Ruin, when we have too much reason to apprehend that this has been the wishes of some of our assuming neighbours. In the mean time,
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HISTORY OF VERMONT. [1781.
to strengthen this State against any insult, until this State receive better treatment from the United States, or obtain a seat in Con- gress." This document is dated July 10th, 1781, and signed by Governor Chittenden and five others.
These proceedings could not take place with- out exciting suspicions that something more was done in a seventeen days' conference than to ar- range about the exchange of prisoners. And when it was understood that Colonel Ira Allen would report to the Vermont assembly, there .. was a large attendance of interested spectators -not only citizens of Vermont, but Whigs from other states jealous of treasonable practices, and agents from Canada, watching for the royal interest. The council met the assembly in joint committee. Governor Chittenden arose and stated that Colonel Allen had been sent to Ca- nada to obtain the release of sundry persons be- longing to Vermont, who were prisoners in the hands of the enemy, and that with much diffi- culty he had completed the business in behalf of Vermont, though no such exchange had taken place with the United States, or with any other individual state. He added, that Colonel Allen was present and could best give any further in- formation, if desired.
The reader can scarcely forbear a smile at the governor's truly parental management, and his
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.1781.] REPORTS TO ASSEMBLY.
prudent reserve on doubtful topics. It is to our ears most primitive legislation ; but the Vermont managers understood very well what they were doing. The Canadians, and the few others who were in the secret, must have been highly di- verted. Colonel Allen followed, and endorsed the governor's statement, and concluded by stating that his papers had been left at home, but he would bring them the next day and sub- mit them for inspection. The fact of an officer, with a report to make, leaving his documents at home, would appear rather preposterous if we were not in possession of some facts respecting other papers, which may throw some light on this omission. On the next day the papers were produced and examined, and found perfectly satisfactory. The negotiations about the armis- tice and the royal government had all been done verbally, and nothing, of course, appeared in the written report which could give a colour to the rumoured treason. Colonel Allen professed himself ready to answer any questions. The friends of the United States complimented Colo- nel Allen on his openness and candor, and the Canadians returned satisfied with his astuteness and caution.
While the little knot of diplomatists were thus parleying with the enemy, the great body of the Vermont people were inveterate in their hatred against the British and tories. Yet for nearly
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1781.
two years the Allens kept up their correspond- ence undetected, if not entirely unsuspected. On one occasion, Colonel Ira Allen met a party in Sunderland, who were preparing to pull down the house of a loyalist accused of too friendly feeling for the British. Allen prevailed on them to return home and relinquish their design. On the same spot, and on the same evening that he had coaxed these ardent whigs to disperse, Colo- nel Allen, by appointment, received a packet from a British messenger. But the difficult game could not be played too long, and our Vermont managers found themselves more than once nearly at their wit's end before they had done with it. Events seemed to hurry the drama to a denouement, and among these was a most inopportune publication in the Pennsylvania Packet.
A letter from Lord Germain, containing in- structions for Sir Henry Clinton, commander of the British forces in America, was intercept- ed and published. The following paragraphs made quite a sensation in Congress and else- where : "The return of the people of Vermont to their allegiance, is an event of the utmost importance to the king's affairs ; and at this time, if the French and Washington really meditate an irruption into Canada, may be con- sidered as opposing an insurmountable bar to the attempt. General Haldimand, who has
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1781.] DISCUSSION OF DETAILS.
those people and give them support, will, I doubt not, push up a body of troops to act in conjunction with them, and secure all the ave- nues through their country into Canada ; and, when the season admits, take possession of the upper parts of the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers, and cut off the communication between them and the Mohawk country. How far they may be able to extend themselves southward or eastward, must depend on the numbers and disposition of the inhabitants."
The British agents became impatient. This publicity would mar all, they thought, if the plan were not speedily matured. Ira Allen and Major Fay managed to amuse them, in September, with a discussion over the details of the plan of government for the new royal province of Vermont. 1 The matter was con- sidered, item by item; and when the Vermonters could no longer, like the wife of Ulysses, post- pone their suitors by undoing and reweaving, they were forced to confess that the web was finished and ready for wear. Then the British agents insisted that Vermont should immedi- ately declare herself a British province. The agents of Vermont declared (and this was un- doubtedly the truth) that Vermont was not yet ripe for the change. But the only com- promise they could obtain, was that the British commander should issue his proclamation de-
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
[1781.
claring the state a British province, and con- firming the plan of government agreed on, the proclamation to be made during the coming session of the legislature in October ; and the legislature to accept its conditions, and carry it into effect.
This was a hard condition to agree to- but even the shrewdness of Ira Allen could devise no escape, and the conference closed with this understanding. October came, and with it the session of the Vermont legislature. General St. Leger ascended Lake Champlain with a powerful British army, and a bountiful provision of printed proclamations, and landed at Ticonderoga. We may well imagine that the Vermont negotiators were in no little perplex- ity, and an incident which occurred, revealed to them, on a small scale, what would probably be the great explosion when their proceedings came to light. The Vermont troops were posted at Castle- ton, to watch the enemy. Their military opera- tions were, of course, a mere feint, the com- manders, General Enos and Colonels Fletcher and Wallbridge, being now in the secret, while the subordinate officers and men knew nothing of what had been done and was impending.
Scouting parties were sent out to keep up appearances. One of these, commanded by Sergeant Tupper, met a British party, and both supposing that they were fighting fair,
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1781.] ALARM OF THE PEOPLE.
shots were exchanged. Sergeant Tupper was
killed, and his men retreated. General St. Leger ordered Tupper's body to be honour- ably buried, and sent his clothing to General Enos, with an open letter, in which he expressed his regret at the death of the sergeant. This communication and clothing were publicly de- livered to General Enos, and the whole Ame- rican force was presently in a buzz of surprise, suspicion, and indignation at such a most un- usual mission between belligerents,-and no wonder.
The American commanders instantly wrote letters, and despatched them by express to Governor Chittenden at Charleston. They either had no person fit to entrust with the secret, or forgot to apprize their messenger, Mr. Hath- away, of the true state of the case. He rush- ed over the country with the sealed letters, and an open mouth, circulating, as he went, the strange news that the British general had sent to his friends the clothing of an American soldier, killed in due course of war, with an apology for his death. Hathaway reached the governor's room with a crowd at his heels, anxious for enlightenment on so strange a piece of intelligence. On opening the letters they were found to contain matters which could not safely be made public.
While the letters were passing from hand
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HISTORY OF VERMONT.
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to hand among those who were in the secret, Major Runnels, an officer in the Vermont mi- litia, entered the room, and demanded of Colonel Allen, " Why General St. Leger should be sorry Tupper was killed ?" Allen replied that he could not tell. Runnells repeated the question, the whole assembly being agape for _ the answer. Allen replied that "All good men were sorry when good men were killed, which might be the case with St. Le- ger." Highly indignant at this reply, Run- nels again loudly demanded to know " What could possibly induce a British general to be sorry when his enemy was killed, and to send his clothes to his widow ?" Allen now angrily requested Major Runnels "to go to his regiment; and, at the head of that, demand of St. Leger the reasons of his sorrows, and not be there asking impertinent questions, and eating up the country's provisions while the frontiers were invaded !"
Words followed words, increasing in anger, and Allen was not sorry to perceive that this by-play, which he skilfully kept up till Runnels left the room, was drawing attention from the letters. The dangerous documents were smuggled out, the Board of War (all in the secret) was convened, and while Hathaway detailed his news, the quick-witted managers, apt in emergency, wrote letters which could
1781.] SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS. 205
be published, and substituted them for the original. These were read before the council and assembly to quiet the people. Major Fay and Colonel Allen were at the same time busy preparing despatches for the British agents. In these letters they assured them that matters were going on favourably, but as a report was in circulation that Cornwallis had surrendered-which report was doubtless unfounded-they thought it expedient to de- lay the proclamation, until more favourable news should remove all doubt as to the ability of the British forces to sustain the new province.
But an express which reached the British camp at Ticonderoga immediately after this communication was received, put a new com- plexion on affairs. It brought a confirmation of the rumoured surrender. Either in pur- suance of orders, or fearful of being surround- ed and captured in the elation of the Ame- ricans at such intelligence, St. Leger instantly re-embarked his forces, and went back to Canada, and into winter quarters. Thus ended a second campaign, in which management had protected Vermont, and with Vermont the Union, against an enemy of from seven to ten thous- and men, without even a skirmish.
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