Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-01-18
THE CHARACTER OF MARTIN CHIT
TENDEN.
Reply to Mr.. Whites Letter.

WLIIsToS, Jan. Il, 1867
To he Editor Of the Free Pres;
DEAR SIR,-Being a friend Of Vermo nt's
departed public sOrs, and believing that you as
an editor, would not knowingly lend your inAu-
ence to circulate false reports, have taken the
liberty to send you the following statement of
facts, trusting that you willingly would make
the correction, as you would, TO publish the first
statement touching the character Of the Hon.
MARTIs CHuTESDEN
In looking over the columns of your Saturday
evenings daily issue, Of the 9TH Of January,
1867, was somewhat surprised to find men at
this late day, willing to traduee a worthy cltzen,
a man too, who spent the most part Of his life
for the benefit Of his country. and who according
to your own statement, had filed every position
his fellow citizens had seen fit to appoint him.
with credit and honor.
This is the first time in ny life Of seyenty-Oue
years, that I have ever heard lis intellectual
capacity called in question. have known him
well for many years, and have also known him
superior to the commouaiity Of most men. His
jurisdiction over the State Of Vermont during
the years Of 1913 and Il. was more owing to
bad couuselors, than any want Of loyalty to his
country.
You, Mr.. Editor, must know. that agreeable
to the statute, at that time, he could have no
legal authority to order men out Of his own
State. This I sill say AMI know it to be coz
rect, that at the time Of the invasion OF Pla,ts-
burgh, Governor Chittenden did order the mill
tia out, to the ue4rls; poin, he deemed he had
authority, and that at the wharf where they
were to embark, be harauguId them to the ei-
feet that be had 10 further authority, but that
as many as were q mind to 60 could DO SO /; and
he was about to say be would lead, when a
hand was laid On his shoulder, advising him to
refrain, for as sure as lie stepped On beard Of
that boat, be would be shot down, at the same
time pointing 10 where the assassin was conceal
ed, for that very purpose. This villain vas
placed in position by one Of those very counsel
ors have before spoken o. The above men
toned fact was an, AMI the only reason Why
Governor Chittendon did not lead the Green
Mountain Boys to Pittsburgh and to victory.
His want Of common sense caps the climax.
There is also another mistake Martin Chi, -
tenden was older BY twelve or fourteen ye,rs
than his brother Truman, the latter beiur the
youngest but che Of Governor Thomas c. .ittep-
deu's ten children. This know to be II truth.
have always been acquainted with both. As
to the story about the calf, that or ,giuated in
envy, more than anything else, his , ,r5,her Tru-
man always feeling rather sore on that subject.
but that can explain. Wheu " ,rtin Cbi,teu-
den was boy he was afflicted With a lsneBess
which bid fair TO cripple him fc life: his father
ike all good fathers provided him with Cole
giate education, that he NJ ht lie enabled to
make his mark in the world, as well as his
brothers who were sound IN body Daring the
course Of his college life be came in contact with
Dr. kilridge, & flr Gus physician Of these
times, who succeeded in curing him Of his
lameness, Thus saving valuable life to the CON-
munity Of friends, al - his country an able
advocate offs Itssty-
Eosqe5t ully,