CHARACTER OF THE SETTLERS.

ETHAN ALLEN.

SETH WARNER.

to the state of public feeling, the injustice and cruelty of the claims and proceedings of New York. And although these pamphlets are unworthy of notice as literary productions, yet, they were at the time extensively circulated, and contributed much to inform the minds, arouse the zeal, and unite the efforts of the settlers.

ton. During the next year, 1771, settle- | Allen wrote and dispersed several pamments were commenced in several town-phlets, in which he exhibited, in a manships in Rutland county, and this year ner peculiar to himself, and well suited was taken the first census of the inhabitants on the the grants on the east side of the mountains. By this enumeration it appears that Cumberland county contained, in 1771, 3,947 inhabitants, and Gloucester county 722, and it was estimated that these two counties contained at that time two thirds of the people in the whole district. The whole number of inhabitants must therefore have been about 7000. No complete census was taken till the year 1791, and hence it is impossible to determine the precise population of Vermont at the time of the commencement of the American Revolution. But as the settlements were rapidly extending during the five years succeeding the year 1771, we may safely conclude, that the whole population of Vermont at the commencement of the war was at least 20,000. About the close of the war we find the population incidentally estimated by Doct. Williams at 30,000 souls.

The bold and unpolished roughness of Allen's writings were well suited to give a just description of the views and proceedings of a band of speculating and unprincipled land-jobbers. His method of writing was likewise well adapted to the condition and feelings of the settlers, and probably exerted a greater influence over their opinions and conduct, than the same sentiments would have done clothed in the chaste style of classic elegance. Nor did it differ greatly in style, or literary merit, from the pamphlets which came from New York. But although Allen wrote with asperity and freedom, there was something generous and noble in his con

He refrained from every thing which had the appearance of meanness, injustice, cruelty or abuse towards those who fell into his power, and protested against the same in others.*

Next to Allen, Seth Warner seems to have acted the most conspicuous part among the settlers. He, like Allen, was firm and resolute, fully determined that the decisions of New York against the settlers should never be carried into execution. But while Allen was daring and sometimes rash and imprudent, Warner was always cool, calm and comparatively cautious. After Warner was proscribed

The settlers on the New Hampshire grants were a brave, hardy, but unculti-duct. vated race of men. They knew little of the etiquette of refined society, were blessed with few of the advantages of education, and were destitute of the elegancies, and in most cases of the common conveniences of life. They were sensible that they must rely upon the labor of their own hands for their daily subsistence, and for the accumulation of property. They possessed minds which were naturally strong and active, and they were aroused to the exercise of their highest energies by the difficulties, which they were compelled to encounter. The controversy in which they were engaged involved their dearest rights. On its issue depended not only their titles to their possessions, but, in many cases, their personal liberty and safety. Though unskilled in the rules of logic, their reasoning was strong and conclusive, and they possessed the courage and perseverance necessary for carrying their plans and decisions into execution.

We have already observed that, at the head of the opposition to the proceedings of New York, stood Ethan Allen, a man obviously fitted by nature for the circumstances and exigencies of the times. Bold, ardent and unyielding, he possessed an unusual degree of vigor both of body and mind, and an unlimited confidence in his own abilities. With these qualifications, the then existing state of the settlement rendered him peculiarly fitted to become a prominent and successful leader. During the progress of the controversy,

the 10th of January, 1737. He married in Connec
*Ethan Allen was born at Litchfield, Conn. oa
ticut, came to Vermont himself about the year 1769
and spent most of his after life here, but his family
did not come to Vermont till 1778, just before his
return from captivity. He was taken prisoner at
Montreal in the fall of 1775, and carried to Eng-
land-was exchanged in May 1778-removed to
the 12th February 1789. His ashes rest beneath a
Burlington in 1787, where he died of apoplexy on
plain marble slab in the beautiful cemetery near
Winooski lower falls, having npon it the following
inscription:-

"The

Corporeal Part

of

Genl. Ethan Allen

rests beneath this stone
the 12th day of Feb. 1789,
aged 50 years.

His spirit tried the mercies of his God
In whom he believed and strongly trusted."
His true age was 52 years, one month and two
days.

these conventions were regarded as the law of the land, and their infraction was always punished with exemplary severity. The punishment most frequently inflicted was the application of the "beech seal" to the naked back, and banishment from the grants. This mode of punishment derived its significant name from allusion to the great seal of the province of New Hampshire, which was affixed to the charters of the townships granted by the governor of that province, of which the beech rod well laid upon the naked backs of the "Yorkers," and their adherents, was humorously considered a confirmation.

BENJAMIN HOUGH'S PUNISHMENT.

DR. ADAMS' PUNISHMENT.

mentioned,* and this matter, together with the particulars of the transactions at Westminster on the 13th of March, was made the subject of a special message to the colonial assembly by Lieut. Gov. Colden. The Assembly, after discussing these sub

at Sunderland.* The decree of the convention and the charges against the prisoner being read in his presence, he acknowledged that he had been active in promoting the passage of the law above mentioned and in the discharge of his duties as magistrate, but pleaded the juris-jects on the 30th and 31st of March, finally diction of New York over the Grant, in justification of his conduct. This plea having no weight with the committee, they proceeded to pronounce upon him the following sentence, viz. "That the prisoner be taken from the bar of this committee of safety and be tied to a tree, and there, on his naked back, receive two hundred stripes; his back being dressed, he should depart out of the district, and on return, without special leave of the convention, to suffer death." This sentence was forthwith carried into execution, with unsparing severity, in the presence of a large concourse of people. Hough asked and received the following written certificate of his punishment, signed by Allen and Warner:

"SUNDERLAND, 30th of Jan., 1775. This may certify the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, that Benjamin Hough hath this day received a full punishment for his crimes committed heretofore against this country, and our inhabitants are ordered to give him, the said Hough, a free and unmolested passport toward the city of New York, or to the westward of our Grants, he behaving himself as becometh. Given under our hands the day and date aforesaid.

ETHAN ALLEN,
SETH WARNER,"

resolved to appropriate £1000 for the maintenance of justice and the suppression of riots in the county of Cumberland, and that a reward of £50 each be offered for apprehending James Mead, Gideon Warren and Jesse Sawyer, and also a reward of £50 each, in addition to the rewards previously offered, for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Robert Cochran and Peleg Sunderland. These resolations constituted the last and dying efforts of the royal government of New York against the New Hampshire Grants. The assembly was soon prorogued and never met again, being superseded by the revolutionary authority of the provincial congress.

The

Although the application of the beach seal was the most common punishment, others were frequently resorted to. Some of these were in their nature trifling and puerile. The following may serve as a specimen. A Dutchman of Arlington became a partisan of New York and spoke in reproachful terms of the convention and of the proceedings of the Green Mountain Boys. He advised the settlers to submit to New York, and re-purchase their lands from that government. Being requested to desist, and disregarding it, he was arrested and carried to the Green Mountain tavern in Bennington. committee, after hearing his defence, ordered him "to be tied in an armed chair, and hoisted to the sign, (a catamount's skin, stuffed, sitting upon the sign post twenty-five feet from the ground with large teeth, grining towards New York,) and there to hang two hours in sight of the people, as a punishment merited by his enmity to the rights and liberties of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants." This sentence was executed to the no small merriment of a large concourse of people; and when he was let down he was dismissed by the committee with the exhortation to "go and sin no more."

full in the American Archives, Vol. II, p. 215; and *This curious relic of "olden time" is given in also in the 15th and 16th Numbers of the Historical Readings, published in the State Banner, at Bennington.

CAPT. NOAH PHELPS.

EXPEDITION AGAINST TICONDEROGA.

CHAPTER III.

EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

SECTION I.

Events of 1775-Reduction of Ticonderoga -Invasion of Canada-Carleton defeated by Col. Warner-St. Johns and Montreal taken by Gen. Montgomery-Assault upon Quebec.

from Connecticut, having purchased a tleton, where they were joined by Allen quantity of provisions, proceeded to Caswith his recruits.

ton, Col. Arnold arrived there attended While they were collecting at Castleonly by a servant. This officer had been As all minor contests and sectional chosen captain of an independent compadifficulties were, for a while, swallowed ny at New Haven in Connecticut, and, as up by the great and momentous concerns soon as he heard of the battle at Lexingof the Revolution, we shall now proceed ton, he marched his company to Camto a brief statement of those incidents in bridge, where the Americans were assemthe war for independence, with which the bling to invest Boston. There he receiv people of Vermont were more immediate-ed a Colonel's commission from the Masly concerned. The affair at Lexington sachusetts committee of safety with orders produced a shock, which was felt from to raise 400 men for the reduction of one extremity of the colonies to the oth-Ticonderoga and Crown Point, which he er; and it was now perceived that their represented to be in a ruinous condition only reliance for safety was to be placed on a vigorous and effectual resistance to the arins and arbitrary power of Great Britain.

The military posts on lake Champlain were at this time garrisoned by British soldiers, and the British government had been pursuing measures, by which they might, if necessary, avail themselves of the strength and resources of Canada, for the purpose of subjugating their other colonies, in case of revolt. The importance, therefore, of securing these posts to the Americans was at once perceived, and the design of effecting this object engaged at the same time the attention of several adventurers, both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, who were utterly ignorant of each other's views. But the first active measures for accomplishing an undertaking so desirable as the reduction of these posts, appear to have been taken by several enterprising gentlemen of Con

necticut.

and feebly garrisoned. His commission being examined, Arnold was permitted to join the party; but it was ordered by a council that Allen should also have the commission of Colonel, and should be first in command.

To procure intelligence, Capt. Noah Phelps, one of the gentlemen from Connecticut, went into the fort at Ticonderoga in the habit of one of the settlers, where he inquired for a barber, under the pretence of wanting to be shaved. By affecting an awkward appearance, and asking many simple questions, he passed unsuspected, and had a favorable opportunity of observing the condition of the works. Having obtained the necessary information, he returned to the party, and the same night they began their march for the fort. And these affairs had been conducted with so much expedition, that Allen reached Orwell, opposite to Ticonderoga, with his men, in the evening of the 9th of May, while the garrison were without any knowledge of the proceedings, and without any apprehension of a hostile visit.

As the success of the enterprise depended upon its being managed with secrecy and despatch, they obtained of the Connecticut legislature a loan of $1800, The whole force collected on this occaand, having procured a quantity of pow- sion amounted to 270 men, of whom 230 der and balls, they hastened forward to were Green Mountain Boys. It was Bennington with the view of engaging with difficulty that boats could be obtainEthan Allen in the business. Allen read-ed to carry over the troops. A Mr. ily undertook to conduct the enterprise Douglas was sent to Bridport to procure and set off to the northward with his usu- aid in men, and a scow belonging to Mr. al spirit of promptness and activity for Smith. Douglas stopped by the way to the purpose of enlisting and collecting enlist a Mr. Chapman in the enterprise, men for the expedition. The gentlemen, when James Wilcox and Joseph Tyler,

TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT TAKEN.

two young men, who were a-bed in the chamber, hearing the story, conceived the design of decoying on shore a large oar boat belonging to Maj. Skene, and which then lay off against Willow point. They dressed, seized their guns and a jug of rum, of which they knew the black commander to be extremely fond,-gathered four men as they went, and, arriving all armed, they hailed the boat and offered to help row it to Shoreham, if he would carry them there immediately to join a hunting party, that would be waiting for them. The stratagem succeeded, and poor Jack and his two men suspected nothing till they arrived at Allen's head quarters, where they were made prisoners of war.

Douglas arrived with the scow about the same time, and, some other boats having been collected, Allen embarked with 83 men and landed near the fort As the morning was advancing, it was deemed inexpedient to wait for the remainder of the men to pass over. Arnold now wished to assume the command, and swore that he would lead the men into the fort, Allen swore he should not, but that he himself would be the first man that should enter. As the dispute grew warm, some of the gentlemen interposed, and it was agreed that they should both enter at the same time, but that Allen should enter on the right, and have the command.

EVENTS ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

ish captain perceived that resistance was vain, and surrendered the garrison prisoners of war, without knowing by what authority Allen was acting, or that hostilities had commenced between Great Britain and her colonies. As soon as Allen had landed with his party, the boats were sent back for the remainder of the men, who had been left under the command of Col. Seth Warner. Warner arrived soon after the place surrendered, and taking the command of a party, set off for the reduction of Crown Point, which was garrisoned only by a sergeant and twelve inen. They surrendered upon the first summons, and Warner took possession of the fort. Skenesborough was also taken, the same day, by another party, and Maj. Skene made prisoner.

By these enterprises, the Americans captured a British Major, a Captain, a Lieutenant, and forty-four privates. In the forts, they found more than 200 pieces of cannon, some mortars and howitzers, and large quantities of military stores; and also a ware-house filled with materials for carrying on the business of building boats. All these cost not the Americans a single man; and elated with their success, they now determined to secure the command of lake Champlain, by getting possession of an armed sloop, which then lay at St. Johns. For this purpose they armed and manned a schooner, and Accordingly, a little after day break in procured a number of batteaux. Arnold the morning of the 10th of May, 1775, took command of the schooner, and Allen they advanced towards the works followed of the batteaux, and they both set out toby their men. The sentry at the outer gether upon the expedition. But a fresh post snapped his fusee at Allen, and, re- wind springing up from the south, the treating through the covered way, was schooner out-sailed the batteaux, and Arfollowed by the Americans, who were nold soon reached St. Johns, where he immediately drawn up on the parade surprised and captured the sloop. The within the fort. With so great expedition wind immediately shifting to the north, and silence was this business accomplish- Arnold set sail with his prize, and met ed that the garrison, excepting the sent- Allen with his batteaux at some distance ries, were not awakened from their slum- from St. Johns. Thus, in the course of a bers, till aroused by the huzzas of the few days, and by a few daring individGreen Mountain Boys, already in posses-uals, was lake Champlain and its imporsion of the fort. The Capt. De Laplace, without waiting to dress himself, hastened to the door of the barrack, when Allen sternly commanded him to surrender, or he would put the whole garrison to the sword. De Laplace inquired by what authority he demanded it. I demand it, says Allen, "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress."

tant fortresses secured to the Americans.

The American Congress, having received intelligence that the governor of Canada had been making exertions to engage the Canadians and Indians to fall upon the frontier of the colonies, determined to send a body of American troops into that province, in the hopes that the Canadians would join the other colonies, in opposition to Great Britain. For this

Surrounded by the Americans, the Brit* Allen was guided into the fort by Nathan Be-purpose, it was proposed to raise 2000 man, a young lad whose father resided near the lake in Shoreham. Nathan had passed much of his time in company with the boys of the garrison and was familiar with every nook in the fort and every passage and by-path by which it could be ap proached.-Spark's Am. Biog. Volume 1, page 274.

men, who were to be placed under the command of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery. Much pains were taken to raise the troops, and a large number of batteaux and flat-bottomed boats were built