The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-13
F. MCCLELLAN, Printer.
From tie Burlington Free Press
Fragments Of UuWritten Historys
TRAITS OF IRISH CHARACTER.
ETHAN ALLEN.

TRAITS OF IRISH CHARACTER.
ETHAN ALLEN.
We are under obligations TO our friend,
HENRY STEVENS, ESQ., of Barnet, for the
interesting records which wepublish, with his
letter, below Mr. Stevens appears, by the
success that crowns his efforts, to be in the
dillgent prosecution of the duties imposed
upon Kim by the commission Torthily confer.
red by Gov Eaton, under the authority of
the Legislature, 10 collect from all available
sources such neglected, unn0ticcd, or forgot
ten documents as may tend to clucidate the
Larry History of Vermont, and illustrate the
characters Of her old Patriots and Defenders.
But the stray leaves" with which he has
supplied lis below do more than 70 throw light
on the 9alIerings and priyations.
'Thc oppre5sor5 wrong,tho proud mans contumoly,'
endured by the patriot Allen and his fellow
captiyes-they show US that it was Irish SYM
pathy and Irish generosity that first came,
warm-heartcd and opcn-handcd, to the relief
Of american prisoners. When the people of
| this country were held and treated as q Reb-
els" by the British Government, when we
were feeble except in the inyinciblo Conscious
ness Of good cause, when We we're " SICK ant
IN prison" Irish zeal and Irish liberality vs-
itcd' us, and administered to our relief, This
fact appeals strongly to otter sentiments than
those Of humanity, Gf it were necessarily to
urge the American people to large exercise
of bcnevocncc for Ireland in this dark day of
her deepest want and woe. Every town in
Vermont should repay to the oppressed and
famine-strickcn inhabitants of Ireland the
"hundrcd and fifty pounds" which was so op-
portunely contributed in Dublin and Cork to
relieve the necessities Of ciieenS Of oar Stale.
| We should thus beautifully Illustrate the truth
Of that Divine promise which assures those
who " cast their bread upon the waters that
{" otter many days ii shall return INTO hen1."
COL. ETHAN ALLEN AND THE GENEROSITY
CT IRELAND.
! Friend Clarke: l herewith send you an
extract Of letter from gentlemen at Cork,
Ireland, to gentleman in Philadelphia, Jan
uary, 177G. | also enclose an extract ola let
ter, dated Bristol England, February, 10,
1878.
feel it to be my duty to request you to
publish in your paper as soon as convenient,
The said extracts You Will also publish Col
Aliens acknowledgment ofthe favor received
from the good people of Cork, (see page 81 to
Ga inclusive, of his Narrative, rs published by
johnson & Co., Burlington, 1889 Every
mothers son and daughter in Vermont cam
not but be thankful that so much kindness was
manifested by the inhabitants of Cork and
Dublin to one Of our Political Fathers, IN
time OF sore anliCtlou.
| l do believe that the Green Mountain boys
and girls will now acknowledge This debt Of
gratitude, and contribute generously to relieve
the wants of the needy i n Ireland.
| "He that watcroth shall be watercd himself"
Yours and the otflicted's
Humble Servant,
HENRY STEVENS.
Barnet, april 10, 1917.
N 3. l have the names Of those belong
ing to Connecticut, who were taken prisoners
with Allen, Sept. 25,1775, near Montreal, and
carried to England; and on their return,
confined in gaol in Hartford. One of those
worthless vet survives and now resides in
Salisbury, CT. Enclosed you have the list of
names.
These manuscripts you will return, as they
constitute portion Of my Historical collec-
ton.
EXTRACT OF LETTER FROM CORK GRE
LAND) TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA
DATED JAN. 1776.
" The following occurrence must give sat-
isfaction to the friends of suffering America:
When Col Ethan Allen, with about 80 other
prisoners, arrived in Solebay, two gentlemen
went on board to inquire into their situation,
and to assure them Of the disposition Of seve-
raj gentlemen in this city TO alleviate their
distresso5. Colonel Allen was SO affected with
This instance Of unexpected generosity, that
the expression Of his gratitude could hardly
find uttcrance.
His treatment on board the Solebay is far
different from the barbarous treatment and
cruel usage he experienced in his passage
from Quebec, being then handcnffed and
ironed in the most dreary part Of the vessel,
and bascly insulted with cruel and unmanly
reflections by some of The officers Of the ship,
whom he challenged in Cornwall, without re-
cciying satisfaction.
A subscription was begun this morning
among some friends Of the cause, and near
fifty guincas collected to buy clothes for his
men, ana nccessarios for himself; and if liber-
ty can be got Of Capt. Williams to put live
stock on board, can assure you Col. Allen
will be exceedingly we'll provided. We this
day sent hamper of wine sugar, fruit chloe
oate &c, on board for his immediate use, and
tomorrow intend to prepare the sUndry arti-
clcs of which he sent LIST. | enclose you
rough copy Of his answer to our letter.
Should he have permission to come on shore,
he will be entertained by some Of the first
gentlemen of this city. have not been re-
fused by a single person On the subscription"
COPY OF COLONEL ALIENS NOTE.
" Gentlemen: l received your generous
present this day with joyful heart Thanks
to God there are still the feelings of humani-
ty in the worthy citizens Of Cork, towards
those of your bone and flesh, who through
misfortune from the present 5roils i'll the em-
pirc, are needy prisoners
Dated Cocc, Jan. "A, 1776.'
EXTRACT or A LETTER DATED BRISTOL,
n