Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-19

settle cartel with the British for another
exchange of prisoners. The cartel being
soon agreed 10, the subject of the armistice
and the establishment of the royal author
ity in Vermont, of course, came once more
under discussion. Allen acknowledged
that the people of Vermont were growing
remiss in the prosecution of the war, and
fears were beginning to be entertained by
some lest its termination in favor of
America might subject them to the gov
ernment of New York-a government by
them esteemed to be the most detestable
in the known world. lie did not hesitate
to state that to any such an event they
would vastly prefer to become a separate
colony under the crown, and that the
United States should be again brought
under the dominion of the British govern
ment. With such consummate skill did
Allen manage this negotiation that, with
out really committing himself. he yet sue
ceeded in leading the British agents to an
agreement that hostiiities should not be
renewed against Vermont, at least until
after the next session of the state assembly.
There is no reason to believe that the
people Of Vermont were ever to any
extent, seriously desirous that their state
should, under any consideration be made
Il British province. 1t is not presumable
that there were ever so many as dozen
individuals within the compass of the
whole state who once so much rs even
thought or spoke of such an event Not
that Allen misrepresented in the least
when he intimated that a great temptation
lay in their path in that direction. AS we
have already seen, while from the COM
mencement Of hostilites at Lexington no
people in America had espoused the cause
of liberty, and of their country, with
greater alacrity or maintained it with
more spirit and resolution, than the people
of Vermont; yet, Notwithstanding all their
efforts and sacrifices in the common cause.
not only were neighboring states permitted
to menace them continually with dismem-
berment and political annhilation, but, to
crown the whole, they were abandoned by
the very power that ought to protect them,
and left to contend single handed with the
common enemy. And yet, the people of
no section of the country were more loyal
to the patriot cause; or ever more cor
daily detested tories or British rule, than
Vermonters.' Meantime, however, believ.
ing, rs did the cabinet council of Vermont,
that the forces of the United States had
been withdrawn from her territory in a
great measure, if not altogether, for the
purpose of compelling them to seek the
protection of New York, they did feel it
to be clearly their duty "by managing
the British attempts TO corrupt them to
their own advantage, to make the best
provision remaining in their power, for
the safety of themselves and of their peo-
plc."
In September, 1881, Colonel Allen and
Major Fay had another interview with the
British agents, on which occasion the lat
ter went so far as to suggest II plan of gov
ernment for the colony of Vermont; all
of which was duly discussed and finally
agreed upon by the parties. But the Brit
ish agents were now growing somewhat
impatient, and were beginning TO insist
that Vermont should at once declare her.
self a British province. The Vermont
commissioners, however, urged that such
proposition would then be premature
that the inhabitants in some parts of The
territory were not yet sufficiently brought
over to British interests to warrant 80 pro-
nounced and decisive II step.
The British agents yielded this poin
with reluctance. They thought the pres.
ent an eminently favorable opportunity fol
bringing their negotiations to decision
and accordingly used every art to per.
suade the Vermont commissioners to ad
wise their state, without delay, to declare
herself British province. Allen, on the
other hand, still employed every argu
ment to Justify further delay, and to pre-
vent the renewal of hotslities. At length
the British agents suggested one further
proposition-ther ultimatum-onc which
must be complied with, or the armisLice
would positively be ended: and that was
that proclamation should be issued by
the British general in October during the
session of the Vermont legislature, decar
ing Vermont Il colony under the crown
and confirming the plan of government
already agreed on; and that the legisla
ture of Vermont must accept the same
and take suitable measures for carrying il
into effect.
After some further discussion the Yer
mont commissioners judged it better, OF
the whole, to accode to this proposition
unpalatable as it was, than, in the presen
defenceess stite of the frontier, to incu
the risk of dscontinuance of the armis
tice.
The legislature met at Charestown earl,
in October, and about the same time
powerful British army was landed at III
conderoga. The aforesaid negotiations
meantime, were known to not more than
dozen men in Vermont. The crisis i.
approaching. A communication from
Colonel Allen TO the British agents an
nounces that matters are going on favor
ably for their designs; but, in view ol
certain unfavorable news just receivct
from the seat of war, suggests that il
would hardly be expedient to publish tn,
proposed proclamation just yet. A brie
delay would doubtless render it far more
timely and effective. In less than an hou
after this communication arrived at ri
conderoga. an express arrived there from
the south with the news of the capture O
CORVALLIS and his whole army. Before
night the British had embarked all theil
troops and stores and, with all haste hat