Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-03-02

An interesting article in the New Eng
land Magazine for February is one written
in answer to charge made in the Magazine
Of American History for January that Ger
tain leading men OF Vermont previous to
its admission 10 the Union, were so far
wanting in loyalty to the cause Of Ameri-
can liberty that they entered secretly in
to an intrigue, the object of which was
return to British allegiance" The leaders
Of these alleged intrigues are named as
Ethan and Ira Allen, Gov. Thomas Chit
tenden and few others, and their nego-
tiatons were carried on with Gen. Haldi-
mand, the governor Of Canada and com
mander of the British forces on the from
tier, The purpose had in view, it is claim
ed, was the establishment of Vermont
a separate British province. The writer
Of the article in the Magazine of American
History claims for his authority hundreds
Of old quill-written manuscripts, yellowed
with time in the Canadian archives at Of
tawa"
The writer in the New England Maya
zine says in answer that these old manu-
scripts show no new thing. The story in
substance has been taught in our schools
for years, and every son of Vermont re
calls it with pride aud not with shame, a
proof Of the diplomacy and craftsmanship,
well as the patriotism Of her first gov
ernor, Thomas Chittenden, and her trusted
leaders, Ethan and Ira Allen As author
ity in proof of this Zadock Thompson's his
tory of Vermont is quoted, wherein it is
shown that at this time Vermont was max
ing an earnest effort for admission as one
Of the United States, and if her applca-
ton had been refused she would have been
justified in seeking an alliance with Canada
for her own protection against the obnoX
ious and detestable claims of New York.
The real reasons for the diplomatic course
pursuedby the Vermont leaders at that time
are, however, made apparent when we
remember that British army of ten thous-
and men was thus kept idle on our from
tier and that it was only by this policy
that the state was saved from an invasion
which would have inevitably spread over
the whole of New England and crushed
the cause of freedom
If further proof is needed, this writer
continues, that these men Of Vermont were
true patriots, lit may he found in hundreds
of other old quill written manuscripts pre-
served in the archives of Vermont at Mont
peler, of which the following, which is the
commission furnished to Allen ON his first
visit to Quebec, may be taken as a sample
state uf Vermont, June 1881,
Whereas Col Ira Allen has been with a Flag
to the Province of Quebeck for the purpose Of
settling a cartel or Exchange uf Prisoners, and
has used his best Policy uy Frignng or Endeav
oring to make them believe that the State Of Yer
mont hal Desire to Negotiate a Treaty Of Peace
with Britain thereby to prevent their Immedi
ate Invasion or lucursnn upon the Frontiers Of
this State. ..... we are uf the opinion that the
critical circumstances this state is in, being out Of
the union with the United States, and thereby un
able To make that Vigorous Defence We could
wish for-think it TO he necessary Political ma
nu'uver to save the Frontiers OF this state.
James Fay, Tho's Chttenden,
Saml Stafford, Moses Robinson
Saml Robinson, Tiny Brownson,
Joseph Fay, John Fassett