The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-02-21
A Visit to Historic Ground.

Editor Watchmdn.-All the early-settled
| portions of Vermont have more or less OF
historic and romantic interest connected
with its colonial and independent day. The
period from 1765 to 1891 is one of thrilling
| scenes, incidents and adventures-a time of
rare good craftsmanship, of heroic patriot
ism and knightly courage. In that period
few towns stood proudly pre-eminep+ as
centers, or gathering places, Of the Green
| Mountain Boys. Such towns are Benning-
ton, Dorset and Westminster. In former
communications to the WATERMAN, have
described the relics of history and the
graves of the heroes at Bennington and
Westminster. On the 9th and 7th of this
month, had the pleasure of visiting that
| locality in Dorset where the state OF Yer
mont was conceived, if not born. West
minister may we'll be proud as the place OF
VermOnt's Declaration of Independence,
and Windsor of the constitutional birth OF
the state; but it was in Dorset, e" at the
holder" on the oath of July, 1776 that the
representatives of the people resolved, "at
the risque Of our lives and fortunes" to
defend not only the new state but the
United American States" and at the same
| place, on the September following, they en-
| tered into " covenant or compact to form
the said district into separate and distinct
one from N Y" A part of the old Kent
inn remodeled and rebuilt, still stands on
the old ground: In company with several
| VI Juo ucsCoHudubS VI SopudS h6uJ anu
some Of the Vermont board Of agriculture
and two members of the honorable senate, 1
| recently visited this relic of the olden days
The house stands on the western side Of
the road, and east OF 1t are broad meadows.
| Across the valley is now the pleasant vii
| lage OF Center Dorset, and, farther to the
northeast, the marble hills and mountains.
| 1t is beautiful location, and many wise
and noble things were said and done here.
| " But the best miss it sometimes" and in
Ill &l... -.
| committed one OF the great mistakes OF the
American nation. When in June, 1775,
the Continental Congress had voted to pay
Ethan Allen and his men for taking Ticon-
deroga and Crown Point, they provided for
the raising of body of troops among the
Green Mountain Boys, 500 men, to be Off
cered by such men "as said Green Noun
tain Boys shall choose" The town COM
mittees met at this place. Ethan Allen,
the lion and leader until this time, ex-
pected to be chosen commander, but when
the votes were counted Allen had only
| five and Seth Warner had forty.twO. All,
what sad mistake! This regiment was sent
with others to the conquest of Canada, and
with old Ethan at its head Canada would
have been taken. Why, bless you, without
| a commission or command, he almost took
Montreal alone or with only motley squad
of less than ZOE men. What could he not
have done with his old Green Mountain
Boys at his back? Allen was bold, ener-
ReulC, bell-COnuu6nU, ANU may D6, bOmb-
times reckless. Warner was brave, cool
and cautious-all good qualities, but not
what that time demanded. With Canada
taken at that time, there would have been
no further trouble about the northern
boundary, Canadian raids, reciprocity or
manding aggressive action, put strong, bold
men in front
In the same route we visited celebrated
spring little to the east of the old Kent
L.. - Ia
quite a little brook where 1t comes up out
OF the earth, pool some ten to fifteen feet
across and three to four feet deep. In 1t
saw a score or more OF trout sporting as in
summer, and bigger ones were under the
rocks at the bottom. Here it is said Allen
rendezvoused his men in their frequent
marches through this section. An old
house, still standing, was headquarters and
where they mixed their grog Many and
marvellous are the tales told of this old
camp ground Some may be true, some
traditional l will not take time to repeat
them.
My visit to Dorset was mainly to at
tend the board Of agriculture meeting
there (by the request of the people and the
invitation of the board). L shall not try to
report the meeting as the board has secre-
tary to do that at the expense of the state.
1t was full meeting, and Messrs. Sanford,
Vail and Spear have greatly improved in
talking in the last two years. did not get
, there in season TO hear the other members,
but presume they too have improved by
practice. Secretary Winslow seems to be
putting honest and earnest work into this
institution, and Statistical Secretary Spear
is in brave pursuit of knowledge under
difficulties" trying to gather facts where
nobody is paid for giving them. My stay
with the board and the people of Dorset
was very pleasant, and my pride in the
state gratifed and enlarged by standing OF
the holy ground of its struggle for birth.
"The great hearts of the oden time
Are beating round me full and strong.
All holy memories and sublime
And glorious round me thrOnR."