The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-31
MN. PHELPS At BENNINo TON.
An Astounding 1notdent OF ver~onts His
tory About which the Orator Was Dumb.


tory About Which the Orator Was Dumh.
To THE Enron OF THE suS-Sr: In his ora
ton ut tbs bennington celebration on Aug 10
the Hon. Edward ]. Phelps. ex-Mnis,er to
England. was quito severe on New York and
the Continental Congress. saying much that
was uncalled for and forgetting much that
might have moro ntly claimed his attention.
Tho occasion suggested q historical review Of
wei.known events OF interest not only 10 tho
people OF Vermont. but to the whole American
public. Among other things the Ha,dimand
Intrigue. In which the Vermont leaders on
gagged In the crisis OF the Revolutionary war.
furnished an appropriate aud indispensable
tonic for such an occasion. How Mr.. Phel
could blink 1t Ia past finding out. but he never
got within cannon shot ange OF II.
1t Is no longor matter Of susnicion. but q
fact NJ we'll established as tho battle ri Den-
ninrton itsolt that tho leaders OF the Groen
Mountain Boys entered Into secre; neEotia-
tohs-v:;h'the British during this Rsvo uusn,
tho declared object II which WIS tho return OF
Vermont to its allegiance to Great Britain. the
union OF II. forces with the armies OF George
ILL.,. and tho subjusation OF the American pa-
trlats who wer, lighting the battles OF liberty
under Washington. While the Iiald Inland pa-
pers now published ~ tho world render it i'm
30 sIble to deny that such were the declared
objects OF this astounding In .igue. It ls ear.
ne.tly denied by Vermont writer's that the
leaders Of thu Green Mountain Boys actually
meant to desert tho American cause. They
admit that negotiations looking to that end
took place. but explain that 1t wns n decopti IL
prartisel on tho Brit All. Without dlspu,tng
the truth OF these explanations, which nro cor
tainly supported by many plausible an strong
arguments. We NEVERTHELESS cn!l Mr.. rhelps'a
attention to the IN t that for over u hundred
years this incomprehenslble transaction has
been the thrmo o. many angry conlroversiss,
from Allen and Clinton In til Revolution, to
Stone aud Chipmar halI century later, and
down to Dawson nni Hiland Hall IN moro re-
cont uavs.
Tho cen ennfnl orator. seiertcl by reaaon OF
his ability to deliver an address commemorn-
tive OF thu early history Of the State. says not
one word about this matter which every body
was oxreciine him to elurida,e. lie discussed
almost everything clio. expressed hearty Ap-
proral OF the blgoted and il!berai religious
test clause In tho rr-t Vermont Constitution.
denounced New 70 k. Aneerei Mt the Con-
states drring their st-uInln for Liberty. anil
tn.n rssnmnIa nora, e,i,lnence he glor fled
durjns The syoiuon Bn, Mr sp pdpsa
or innocent iniiisue With the reJroats tue
therefore. an-vsrno tlfEe 9 over GSmnnes an so
Did Nj. thelps remember, while utierlnx in
sart raised IN sw onos sv"s. q Inc
trlEuo be- ween the leaders OF Vermont AMI tls
a5ie an am It,
able as should bs Il / neglected 10 S Slvise
nsnsct q inoaity. wish t" re-, Give tho most .as
ar,h n ntts Information rN.nec!ine The sergeant
party captured by The enemy" IL liecor,ia OF
tn, !hen GovrrnoE and Council OF tho State Of Yer:
,.d nyesiying no iqtorma,i n. Cen. Stark few
WSis n res"E e. the Iett".
wrn. stsrE o on The rsope o. the
washington: we have ever,thi M + to "a" EAR A.
from them that they are cnpab:e Of. This may
Vermont: ana. indeed ever was their r1 friend
fSnY Gn. e. thu" nr
iPE my , eomm sni have been promised every
ing could %s ior b"t
"f Ne or rns!eqa s,s rHre t" perform nothing"
Cen, Washington himself wrote TO Gen.
s"rry ver ySsis % tSes a' h sond
%S!snrs q wssSnste ton ""S W.T.; asa, LILO and
when the very hero Of Bennington. Gen. Stark
himself. was witness against him. md WASH
!nSton's, gr4yest suSpcions were written be-
S I'VE the e, lines ct his e1trayagant enloey9
which 1t began. It WA. Kent III until the sur.
,ender Of Lord CORVALLIS sounded the denth |
Gnell Of English domination and American In.
d q, cI ,,a1cs WAS assured Within l9e hour
eroEa the British and Vermont leaders were
10 !, clan 'estine communication. Ira Aliens |
His!ory Of Vermont 1913. |
Mr. ,phsI"j e%n|d have explained these
have hcep more useful to Vermont than his |
n nt or New York ana more Interesting to |
e ehn bo shattered to nIeces that no uttered
There is much to o .mire ID Governor Chit,en:
Cen. as well as In Ethan Allen and the gallant |
Green Mountain Boys. They struck the firsf F.!
p RI blow Of the war a, riyonieroca and
turning point OF a mighty struggle ending in |
glorious victory for America But on such an |
occasion as the recent celebration no snRa.
cions, friend Of the real interesrs Of Vermont |
would or could AFFORD to remain MS dumb as an
OK over the Haldimnn intrigue
Son OF THE REVOLUTION,
ANNA DICKISSOS,S SANITY