New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-01
THE CAPTURE OF TcoNDEROGA

THE REV. MR.. DE COsTAs REPLY TO MR.. TRuh-
BULL, WITH DEFENSE OF MR.. BANCROFT
TO the Editor OF The Tribune
SIR: The Hartford OOurGntOf January con-
tanned an attack by Mr. j. II. Tumbu upon me- IN con
necton with my article in the December GALAXY on the
capture Of TcOnderoga and since my application Tor the
liberty Of replying has gained no response, turn Tor
Justice 10 TIE TRIBUNE.
The writer in question has, however, made my article
IN excuse for an attack upon Mr. Bancroft our Minister
at Berlin therefore desire TO call attention TO TWO
points leaving the other portions Of Mr. Trumbu
for treatment elsewhere The point referring moro Go
pecially to myself, naturally comes first. -.
Treating the question Of the origin OF inc pun iO ~
capture of Tconderoga which, he was lad III mart
ford April o. Mr.. TTumbu tells MS that the DoNerno
and ms advisers we're not concerned in IT, In support OF
this singular opinion he quotes aleerfrom the Governor
himself to the Massachusetts, Congress, saying that e
work was accomplished by the united councils and en-
terprse of a number Of private gentlemen without
public authority to knowledge" But the full state
ent runs as follows This advantage was ganedD tne
united councils and enterprise Of number OF private
gentlemen your Province, New'Hanpshlre' New
and this Colony, without public authority Ito our Know
ledce ands Of great and the Ueu
Colonies" Here the point is made by Mr. Irumbuli 70
turn upon public authority and p7raie geauemeg iol
Flint tie authority was pub all having acted on their
private authority which was most proper under le On
rilation with the mother country. we ma may ~
people st very umid and even When tic to con-
aetdally taken many members Of the Continental Oo-
Eress felt deeply concerned on account OF the Donv
Of the act Congress itself finally JusNnea me a
on the ground that the guns and stores al
might have been used against lhen, anu leuvc ~,
voted take an exact nyeato5y b Ci Se 6des
with England had been adjusted Ihus iu anu STU
sighted was that Continental Congress" ny ,Wh.Sse
nt6orty Ethan Allen pretends 10 have demanded the
surrender Of TcOnderoga Under the cIcsllstHlSS5
therefore, tho Governor Of Connecticut cSuu hot IA
give
SO But before leaving this quotation by MI ,
tbe reader Will observe that he has mauged IT TO throw
ot the mart which makes against him. for whether the
Governor Is regarded writing OF the p OF io VHl
ture or the capture itself or both, Mr. Iruin9nj5S
And now, having illustrated the aeqeh ~ ny nm 10
notice the delcacy and consideration OF hs ls uagC,
both as regards Mr. Bancroft ana hyscu VI NY @
her and naepitnde of its errors" oudOcs all that have
preceded it. while Mr. Bancroft anticipated tHe o Ia
p0rSi Ofmtne. Let us look at nus proof ne say hib
FORE examining in detail some OF the evidence On WIN
Mr. De Costa rests his judgments VIII lhtI1otJe ,,
sog,Inoa ,sih lf De Cosids' lie then quotes from an
old edition OF Mr. BancrOfts history when that author
On saturday the twenty ninth Of AF suasi Adams ard HsaeocE
they passed Urocg Hartford hll secIeY ne 'o
promote The sune Of Tconderog which had been o
Now ne errofs are ID that they passed through Hart
ford the 29th, which have distinctly denledi ~ t'
they conferred with the Governor on that day. when
have denied. C that the plan was aid by Green Noun
tain Boys, winch have also denied here teh al e w
Nj De Costa 90 Ir Trumbull Indicates thai he had bu'
short time 10 preDare his article This Is quite clear
I'm an the foregoing have treated the OF Mr
Bancroft as errors anu If that gentleman were N
this country would here rest the case but since ne j.
abroad and unable 10 explain for himself may be per
mitted to do him so much Justice as 70 show that my
errors are no OHGert0 Be regdef as errors MI Bahelo
Is marriott aud loves his whole country more than any
particular section of H hence he IS constantly seeius ~
fresh light and acquiring new materials lor the siI
tratOn OF his country history For many years ne ma
been and is now, engaged in the work of revision II
instances whole pages have been caheeeu an
the subjects treated anew. His discussion OF the ques
ZION of TcOnder0ga has shared, and VIII doubtess con
Iluue to share in the benefits OF his later studies %
that long ago (Sir years al leash he had Pged d0c
he Identical passage nOg brought 10rrdd 6g M rum
hui ana acknOWe his obi gatiOns 10 the Connection
collections referred hardly need 10 characterize
length Mr. TrumOulls performance IN ne C0WdHj 10
while Fl he ignorant OF Mr. BancrOfs progress in his
tory those who choose 10 do accept the plea
IgiOrance Notwithstanding the maxim. igodltd Lt1tS
XcE on The other hand If he Is not ignorant, Mr.. Ban
crots kindness aud courtesy (soe Hist u s., VOL W.
Sil, notel have met with an ungrateiu return.
NeiD- IOrk Jan. n, 1869. Is. T. DECOsIA.