Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-02
VERMONT uFsTORTC.fL So
CIRTI.
FIELD DAY AT TICoNDERoGA-ADDRE AY
HON. l.. c. cuITTENDEN.

The meetings Of the Vermont Historical |
Society have heretofore all been held in |
Vermont, at the State House at Montpelier,
or In some public hall. This year the off, |
GERS of the society decided to vary a little |
from the established programme, and TO |
hold meeting which should combine the |
attractions Of a meeting Of gentlemen Of |
several States Interested in historical mat |
ters, an excursion to some place of high |
historical interest, and an open air meeting |
and address upon the spot.
Ticonderoga was selected for tho place as
second TO no other, in or out of State, in its
interest for Vermontcrs and the officers
of the New York Histol ical Society were
invited to join in the celebration. This in
vitaton was not accepted, probably because
the New York gentlemen had made their
plans for tho summer, aud did not care to
disturb them, and the Vermont Society,
with the aid of the citizens of Ticonderoga,
held and carried through what must be
called, in spite of the unfavor,ble weather,
a very successful and interesting meeting.
The meeting opened about two o'clock,
in the grove in front of the odd fort. Henry
Clark, Esq, Recording Secretary of the
Society's committee ofai engagements, called
the meeting TO order. Prayer was offered
by Rev. DR.. Child of Crown Point and
President Lord, with some pleasant re-
marks TO the effect that this was not the
first time that the Vermoniors had taken
Ticonderoga, and the presence of the ladies
who had accompanied them IN such num-
bers was evidence of their peaceful intcn-
lions at this time, introduced the Orator Of
the day, Hon. Lucius Il. Chittenden of
New York.
Mr.. Chittenden, rs some of our readers
know, has long been diligont student of
Vermont History, and has spent much
time and money upon a collection of docu-
ments and early publications connected
with that history, which we suppose is
hardly equaled in this county. His ad-
dress was a history OF the capture of Ticon-
deroga, which was not reproduction of
any existing history, but fresh eabora-
ton from the earliest and best sources of
information, including some not before
cited, and it sets at rest If ii was not settled
before, the question, who took Ticonder-
oga? This able and interesting paper is at
present withheld from publication, but in
due time II will doubtless be given to the
public in some permanent shape. Till
then our readers must content themselves
with meagre abstract.
MIR. CuITTENDEN's ADDRESS.
In opening, the speaker alluded to the
SURPRISING historical interest of tho region
about Ticonderoga. From its earliest dis
covery by Champlain in 1909, when he
took part with war party of the Algon-
quins whom he accompanied in battle
with the Iroquois at Crown Point, and
gained the victory by the first discharge of
| firearms on the lake, down TO the close of
| the War Of the Revolution, the narrow
neck ofland between Lakes Champlain and
| George has been the theatre of bloody con-
| tests. Some of the more important events
occurring her, in the old Franch Wharf.-The
defeat Of Dieskau in 1863 The capture of
Fort William Henry by Montcalm, and
massacre of the garrison the defeat of
Abercronibe in l75S; the capture Of Fort
Ticonderoga, the next year by Amherst,
were briefly sketched. From these Mr..
| Chittenden passed to the War Of the Revo-
luton. lie showed by quotations from
the letters of Mr.. John Brown of Pitts
field, Mass, that before the outbreak of
hostilities, the people of the Now Hnmp-
shire Grants had undertaken to seize Fort
| Ticonderoga, in case of such outbreak, "a
fact corroboratcd by letter of Ethan ALI
ems not heretofore cited by the writers on
| the subject, written after the capture. II
has been said by Gov. Hall in his history
that the Council of Connecticut is entitled
TO the honor of devising and and putting
in motion the expedition against Ticonder-
oga. Mr.. Chittenden, with these pl oois at
hand, claimed for Vermont the devising,
while conceding TO the Connecticut gentle
men the impulse which actually set ii in
motion. He described with great spirit
the rallying of the Green Mountain boys,
by Allen, from the scattered settlements,
the formation of the command, aud the ap-
pearance of Benedict Arnold on the scene.
lie discussed the relation of Allen and Ar
mold in the expedition, and reached the
conclusion of all reliable historians that the
latter's connection with the affair was that
of an intruder and marplot. In eXplana-
ton of Aliens statement that Arnold en-
tered the fort with him side by side, he
quoted some hitherto uncited testimony
from Goodhue's history of Shoreham. Mr..
Goodhue derived his information from
Major Noah Cullender, who was with the
attacking force, and for whom lac vOuches
as Il truthful witness. He says that when
Allen gave the word To march forward,
| Arnold intersposed, and claimed the COM
mand, and swore he would go into the fort
first. Allen swOre he should not, but that
he himself would first enter. The dispute
running high, Allen, turning to Amos Col
lender of Shoreham Major Cullondor's
father said "What shall / do with the
damned rascal? Shall l put him under
guard Cullender, regrettlng such an &C.
currence at such critical time, advised
them TO settle the difficulty by agreeing 10
enter tho fort together" In connection
with this branch of his subject Mr.. Chit
tenden paid his respects very sharply to
NJ. De Costa, and the other WORTHLESS OF the
"New School of History without facts, ;"
who would make Arnold the real hero OF
Ticonderoga. He concluded that if-the
ecclesiastical dofamer of the memory OF
Allen was not a safer guide in the narrow
way than in the history Of Ticonderoga,
his flock must have some need of a mis-
sionary. He contrasted the characters OF
Arnold the traitor and Allen the patriot,
and paid fine tribute TO the latter's dar-
Ing, his fidelity to his country, and his de-
votion to his State. Though the traducers
of Allen and his Green Mountain boys hail
chiefly from Now York, Mr.. Chittendon
declared with emphasis that mono of the
acts or words of individuals should be
charged against any sister State. Vermont,
he truly said, had no warfare with New
York. She is proud of the Empire State
The early land iobbers who undprtnol, IA