ethan allen and the green-mountain heroes of '76

Front matter

Ethan Allen and the Green-mountain heroes of '76 Tq

PUBLIC LIBRARY

FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY, IND.

Contents

INTRODUCTION Baas See ee eis eet Te ee I CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY OF VERMONT.

Early Discoveries—Cartier at Hotchelaga—Interview with the Natives—Return to France—Champlain—His Discoveries—Hudson— The Green Mountains—The Six Nations—The Adirondacks—Fire Arms—Torture of a Prisoner—War between the French and Indians—Corlear—French Expedition against the Mohawks—First English Prisoners in Canada—Montreal attacked by the Indians— Massacre at Schenectady—French Invasion of New Hampshire— Death of Major Waldron—English Expedition against Canada—Sir William Phipps—Captain John Schuyler—French Emulation of Indian Cruelty—Burning of Deerfield—Rev. Jonn Wittrams—The March over the Green Mountains—Death of Mrs. Williams—The Forest Sermon—The Daring Boy—Sufferings of the Captives— Ransom of Rey. Mr. Williams—The- Bell of St. Regis—Border Warfare—Colonial War with Canada—English Army on Lake Champlain—Fleet on the St. Lawrence—Peace—First Settlements in Vermont — Frontignac—Joliet—Exploration of the Mississippi—Lake Champlain—Crown Point—Progress of the English and French Colonies—Fort Dummer—Lovewell’s War—The Jesuit Rolle—Siege of Louisbourg—Indian Depredations—Massacre at Fort Massachusetts—Heroio Defense of “Number Four ”’— Captain Hobbs—Saratoga—The Abbe Picquet—French War of ¥756—Sir William Jobnson—Expedition against the French— Johngon’s Victory over Dieskau—Indian Depredations—Captain Johnson—Subjugation of Canada again undertaken — General Abercrombie—Joun Starx—His Intrepidity—Montcalm’s Advances toward Fort William Henry—Massacre at Fort Edward— Israzy Purxam—William Pitt—Putnam’s Battle with Fue -

Chapter II. The New-hampshire Grants

ue Peace of 1763—Advance of the English Settlements—The

Delius Grant—Conflicting Grants by the British Crown—Controyersies arising therefrom—New-York Charter—Correspondence between the Governors of New Hampshire and New York— Charter of Bennington—Grants of Lands by the Governor of New Hampshire—Proclamation of Governor Colden—Counter-Proclamation—Appeal to the King—An Ambiguous Decree—Excitement among the People—Agent sent to England—Determination to repel the New-York Claimants—Eruan Artten—His early Life— -He becomes interested in the New-Hampshire Grants—Journal of Ira Arten—Scheme of a Land Speculator—The Allens in New York—Ira Allen’s Foresight—Adventure with a Ghost—Sura Warner—Personal Appearance of Warner—His Favorite Pursuits—Capr. RememsBer Baxer—Is a Soldier in the Freneh War— Removes to the New-Hampshire Grants—Samuel Robinson—Settlement of Brennrycron—KEstablishment of a Ohurch and a School—Jedediah Dewey—Oppressive Measures of New York— Indictments—Conyention of the Settlers—Samuel Robinson—The King’s Order—It is disregarded by Governor Tryon—Proclamation—Indictments—Ejectment Trials at Albany—Anecdote of Allen—New Attempts to deprive the People of their Property— Defensive Measures—“ Hideous Groans *?—The Green-Mounfain Boys—Reward offered for the Arrest of Allen—Allen’s Proclamation—His Courage—Attack upon Captain Baker’s House—His Capture and Rescue—Attempt to arrest Warner—A Rumored Tnvasion—Conciliation—Allen’s Protest—Joy in Bennington— Quarrel Renewed—Letter to Governor Tryon—The “ Beech- Seal ’—The Scotch Emigrants—Proceedings in Clarendon--“ The

——

CONTENTS. Vil

Bloody Law ’—Allen’s Opinion of it—Public Meetings—Doctor Samuel Adams—Benjamin Hough—Allen’s Certificate—Trials of the Pioneers—Tyranny of the Govermment—Rescue of a Prisoner—Treason Trials—Murder of William French—Dawn of the Revolutiony es eacac cc koe s ei eeee eee enon eee 116 to 196

Chapter III. Ethan Allen

Character of the Patriots of ’76—Ethan Allen—His Position—Review of the Causes which produced the Revolution—The Stamp Act—The Tea Tax—The First Congress—Measures of Resist ance— Contemplated Enterprise against Ticonderoga — Ethan Allen chosen its Leader—His Plan—The Boy-Guide—Allen crosses the Lake—The Fortress attacked—Confusion of the Enemy—Allen and Delaplace—Surrender of the Garrison—Crown Point and Skenesborough Secured—Arnold’s Naval Victory— Allen and Congress—Allen and Parson Dewey—Capture of Allen—Narrative or AtLen’s Capriviry—His Account of the Victory at Ticonderoga—He falls into the Hands of the Enemy— A Singular Shield—Barbarity of Colonel Prescott—Allen put in Irons—The Tenpenny Nail—Allen’s Challenge of Doctor Dace— Magnanimity of Captain Littlejohn—The Duel—Reliance upon Allen’s Honor—Cruel Treatment of Prisoners—The Petty Tyrant—Voyage to England—Allen’s Sufferings—Landing at Falmouth—Expected Execution of Allen—His Letter to Congress— Reflections upon Death—Conversations with his Visitors—Captain Symonds—The Generous Irishmen—Allen sails from England— The Voyage—Arrival in America—From Bad to Worse—Meeting with old Enemies—IlIness—Cruelty and Kindness—Mrs. Blacden—Removal to New York—A Humane Commander—Allen’s Gratitude—The Prison Ship—Battle of Bennington—Allen on Parole—The American Prisoners in New York—Barbarity of the British—Incredible Sufferings—Starvation, Disease and Death— Washington—General Howe—The British Bribe—Allen’s Reply— Allen and Rivington—Captain Vandyke—Mr. Miller—Majors Wells and Paine—Mr. Fell—Evacuation of Ticonderoga—Battle of Hubbardton—Triumph of AlJlen—Burgoyne’s Surrender— Burgoyne’s Proclamation—Allen and the British Officer—Allen’s Liberation—His Return to Vermont,...... No taja tice etisinee 196 to 279

Vil CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. The Green-mountain Heroes

Charter of the Early Settlers of this Country—Influence of their Example—The Puritans and the Followers of Penn—Indian Cone verts—Origin of the Revolution—Reflections on the Character and Services of Congress—Drciaration or Inprpenpence—Bunker Hill—Ticonderoga—Campaign of 1775—General Montgomery— General Schuyler—Montgomery enters Canada—Death of Captain Baker— Eruan Attzn—Siege of St. John’s—Mutiny—James Livingston—Surrender of Fort Chambly—Szrru Warner—The Green-Mountain Rangers—Repulse of Carleton—Surrender of St. John’s—Carleton’s Retreat from Montreal—Extraordinary March of Arnold—The British retire to Quebec—The Assault Begun— Death of Montgomery—The Cowxrdly Commanders—Honors to Montgomery—His Character—His Widow—Arnold—Major Morgan — Retreat of the Americans— Reinforcements—Energy of Warner—General Gates—Naval Preparations—Battle on Lake Champlain—Plans of the British—Supplies for Ticonderoga— Close of the Campaign of 1776—General Carleton—The Green- Mountain Pledge—Burgoyne—The Campaign Opened—Evacuation of Ticonderoga—General St. Clair—Retreat of the Americans —Battle of Hubbardton—Advance of the British—Jane McCrea— Account of her Murder—A New-Hampshire Patriot—General Stark—Movements of Burgoyne—The Foray upon the Green Mountains—Battle at Cambridge—Skirmishing—Rain—The Bellicose Parson— Stark’s Speech— Battle of Bennington—The British Reinforced—The Victory at Bennington—General Stark’s Account—Colonels Warner and Herrick—Honor to General Stark’s Genius — Important Consequences of this Victory—Censure of Stark in Congress changed to Thanks—General Burgoyne’s Opinion of his Antagonist changed—Spoils and Trophies—Expenses of Stark’s Brigade—Traveled Cannon—British, German and Tory Prisoners—Lions and Lambs—Curiosity to see Lord Napier—A Bereaved Mother—General Lincoln—Colonels Brown and Johnson at Lake George—Brown’s Success—Generals Gates and Burgoyne —Engagement at Saratoga—British Testimony to American Patriotism—The Spirit of ’76 ; Death rather than Dishonor—Burgoyne’s Difficulties thicken—He Surrenders—Medal gud Thanks to General

CONTENTS. ix

Gates—Feats of the Green-Mountain Boys—British Retreat from Ticonderoga, with loss—Difficulties of the Inhabitants of the New- Hampshire Grants—Their Need of a Government—Declare their Independence as a State—Congress refuses to receive them—They form a Constitution—Council of Safety—Its Officers and Powers —Ira Allen on Ways and Means—A Regiment raised and paid from Tory Property—Governor Chittenden—Incidents of his Life —Ira Allen Secretary of State—His Appearance and Services— Measures of Vermont opposed—Erxan AtiEn’s Return—His Welcome—His Military Distinction—Is Agent from Vermont to Congress— Governor Clinton’s Proclamation—General Allen’s Counter-Proclamation—He advocates Law and Order—A Hanging Postponed—Excitement in consequence—General Allen’s Speech —“Somebody shall be Hanged ’’—General Allen’s Quarrel with his Brother Levi—The Tooth-drawing—Coronex Sera WarNer— Dies in Poverty—Inscription on his Tomb—His Widow’s Petition to Congress—Widow Storey—Her Secret Retreat—Destruction of Royalton—Pursuit of the Indians—Their Kindness to Female Prisoners—A necdotes of the Indians—Daring of Mrs. Stone—Mrs. Barker and her Infants—Adverse Claims for Vermont Territory— Congress censures Vermont—Vermont extends its Territory— Poetry for the Green-Mountaineers—British Overtures to Ethan Allen—Allen’s Letter to Congress—General Haldimand negotiates privately with Vermont Leaders—Allen and Fay mislead the English—Their Commission—General Haldimand’s Instruction to his Agent—The Agent’s Notes of Interviews—Iva Allen’s Ingenious Delays—Notice of his Career—Washington reconciles Vermont and Congress—Feeling of the People—Difficulties with New York—Ethan Allen suppresses Insurrection—His Characteristic Proclamation—Vermont admitted an Independent State, 1789— Ethan Allen’s Retirement—Becomes an Author—Character of his Book—A popular Anecdote of him Contradicted—His Integrity— Scene in Court—Changes his Residence—Characteristic Courtship of his Second Wife—Amusing Account of the Marriage—“ The Church Militant and the Church Military ’—Allen’s Kindness— The Lost Children Found—Tribute to his Patriotism—His Death —Inscription on his Tomb....-.---------- +--+ eee+e0- 279 to 428, d ; usd =e. ieee : = E ix nm oes = ce (A =e ph, Se eoth.

ra —/ thy © Pee) 4st < 2g ve oe he a reo ae ots i hares m7 #3 teehee ee ea ee es ee ee thot. BES ba aa nig SRA 8 Ratan SR ae re se ' hata he ote ‘ ra 26g o = ex on i eegongan } soe 7 aed : ~ pee a pt

Introduction

“Far be from me or my friends,” says a distinguished writey “such frigid philosophy, as may conduct us, indifferent and unmoved, over any ground that has been dignified by wisdom, bravery or virtue. The man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warm among the ruins of Iona.” And thus, among the objects that attract the attention of people, in all countries, as they advance in civilization, few are sought with more avidity than the facts concerning their early history.

Our patriotism is warmed, and our virtue is strengthened, while gazing upon the fields where the blood of our ancestors was shed in defense of liberty, or while perusing the story of the perils, sufferings, and self-sacrificing heroism of those who won our national independence. Nothing, therefore, can tend more strongly to the preservation of the liberties of our own favored and happy country, than a familiarity with the deeds, and an admiration for the character, of our revolutionary ancestors, Our glorious institutions can be in no danger while there is a sentiment of patriotism among the people, which glows at ihe recital of our country’s renown, and which cherishes the

X11 INTRODUCTION.

memory of its heroes. To foster this feeling, as well as to direct attention to a class of patriots whose claims to the grateful remembrance of those who enjoy the blessings of free institutions have been too much disregarded, is the design of the present volume.

No portion of our country has a history so replete with stirring events as that bordering upon Lake Champlain. Situated between the French province of Canada and the English colonies, and simultaneously claimed by each, it was, for one hundred and fifty years, the grand highway of their warlike expeditions against each other, and the scene upon which their bloodiest and most hotly contested battles were fought. Here many of the heroes of the American Revolution received their first experience in the art of war, and achieved that renown which afterward placed them at the head of armies whose. noble purpose sanctified their resort to the awful arbitrament of battle. There, too, the most powerful and threatening army sent out to crush the freedom of this country, began its march in triumph, and there ended it in a most disastrous defeat. The history of the Green-Mountain state, which stretches along the east shore of Lake Champlain, is so closely interwoven with that of the armies which have trodden its soil, and of the wars in which they were engaged, that the one cannot be fairly written to the exclusion of the other.

In addition to the usual authorities on American history consulted in the preparation of this volume, especial indebtedness to the following is acknowledged —Slade’s Vermont State

INTRODUOTION. xii

Papers— Williams’ and Thompson’s Histories of Vermont — and Chipman’s Lives of Warner, Chittenden and Chipman. These are all Vermont authors. Rey. Samuel Williams, D. D., author of the first History of Vermont, was the grandson of Rev. John Williams, the “Deerfield Captive,” and father of Charles K. Williams, for many years Chief Justice of Vermont, and recently the popular governor of that state. He was one of the founders and the principal. benefactor of the University of Vermont, at Burlington. For several years he employed his talents, almost if not quite gratuitously, in delivering lectures in _ natural philosophy, and in forwarding the progress of the University. With only four hundred and eighty dollars raised by” subscription, he purchased the first philosophical apparatus for the institution, That this apparatus might be as complete as possible, Dr. Williams expended the money in the most frugal manner, admitting nothing of foreign manufacture which could be made at home, and nothing of brass where it might be made of wood. Dr. Williams had removed to Vermont as early as 1777, and resided at Rutland. In 1793, he published his History of Vermont, in one volume. The narrative was then brought down to the Revolutionary war; but the work was afterward greatly enlarged, and, in 1809, was published in two yolumes of about five hundred pages each. The history of the state was brought down to tlie period of the publication of the work. The few copies of it yet in existence are highly prized. The copy which the writer of this obtained, although much worn, printed on coarse paper, and roughly bound, cost as much

XIV INTRODUOTION.

as a dozen volumes of new works got up in the most faultless modern style. Rev. Zadock Thompson, of Burlington, has also published a large work of six hundred pages of small type, comprising the Natural and Civil History and a Gazetteer of the state. It is a work of great research and value, and as a large portion of it can be of especial interest to Vermonters only, it should hold a prominent place in the library of every citizen of that state.

The compiler is indebted to the courtesy of several gentlemen of Vermont for important assistance in the preparation of these pages. From the Hon. Charles K. Williams was received a file of the “State Banner,” published at Bennington in 1841, and containing a series of “ Historical Readings,” by Hon. Hiland Hall, which have been freely used in the portion of this work relating to the difficulties between New York and the New- Hampshire Grants. From George F. Houghton, Esq., of St. Albans, many valuable suggestions were derived, as well as a most eloquent address on the Life of Seth Warner, delivered by him before the Vermont legislature. This and two other addresses, by Prof. James D. Butler, on the early history of Vermont, have supplied these pages with several important incidents not found elsewhere. Chauncey Goodrich, Esq., of Burlington, and Brigadier-general Ethan Allen Hitchcock, (grandson of the “ Hero of Ticonderoga,” ) also communicated facts which have enriched the present work.

Hon. Henry Stevens, the distinguished antiquary of Vermont, courteously placed a considerable portion of his large and

INTRODUOTION. xV invaluable collection of State Papers at the disposal of the compiler. For many years, Mr. Stevens has been indefatigable in collecting documents concerning the early history of Vermont. The papers of the early settlers of the state—the correspondence of Revolutionary officers—and the documents in the archives of the nation, or copies of them, have been treasured up by Mr. Stevens. Vermont is under great obligations to him for his services in searching for and arranging official papers andy other testimony touching the origin, progress, and final consummation of the struggle which resulted in giving to the American Switzerland that proud individuality of which it so justly boasts. ‘Vermont will only do justice to itself, its founders, and to Mr. Stevens, when these records of a state whose history is more remarkable than that of any other in the union, are placed before the public. When this is done, the world will be satisfied that these early settlers were men of no common mould, and their services will be better understood and more gratefully appreciated than at present.

For a mere handful of men to resist the combined efforts of New York on the one side and New Hampshire on the other, while repulsed if not rejected by the home government, and menaced by a foreign foe — involved the exercise of no ordinary sagacity, and an amount of nerve and energy with which, in this day, we are not farniliar. But so it was. While maintaining an open war with the neighboring states, they protected the whole line of our frontier by keeping on terms with the common enemy, while at the same time they rendered more efficient aid

Xvi INTRODUOTION.

to the government which discarded them, than either of the states alluded to. The official correspondence with Washington—comprised in the Papers of Mr. Stevens—goes to demonstrate this beyond a doubt.

The engraving of the Heroic Statue of Gen. Ethan Allen will be regarded as an attractive feature of the present volume, ‘The- Statue is the production of B, H. Kinney Esq., a young and selftaught Vermont artist; and, although his first great undertaking, is of promising excellence, and gives evidence of a high order of artistic ability. It is the length and breadth, the depth and power of Ethan Allen, morally and historically considered, and in his physical no less than in his intellectual characteristics,— an artistic realization of one of the most practical and common-sense characters that ever lived. Those who look upon it are at once convinced that it is an actual likeness of the Hero of Ticonderoga. This is the best evidence of the genius of the sculptor, that his work is invariably regarded as a truthful representation. The statue is of heroic size— one-third larger than life —and represents the subject in a bold, commanding attitude; his camp cloak thrown from his left and resting on his right shoulder; his hand grasping the sword at his side; and his whole expression resolute and full of energy—as if he had just uttered those memorable words at Ticonderoga, and intended to see his demands complied with at all hazards. The engraving is the more valuable as it is the only picture of the statue that the sculptor has permitted to be engraved. As the reader may be interested to know something more of Mr. Kinney, the following

INTRODUOTION. XV notice of his career, as furnished by himself in a private letter to a friend, will appropriately close this notice of his statue:

“T was bred, from infancy to manhood, in the town of Sunderland, Bennington county, Vermont—the town in which Ethan Allen first lived, and which for nearly twenty years was his residence. During my boyhood I listened to the tales respecting the great hero of the Green Mountains, with those thrilling emotions and the wild delight which are only known to mountaineers. Many were the acts of “desperate valor,’ 4 performed by my schoolmates and myself, in sham fights emulating the daring deeds of the Green-Mountain Heroes of ’76. And the impression which I received at that time of the noble spirit of patriotism which stimulated the fearless and true-hearted Hero of Ticonderoga, has grown brighter and brighter as I have grown to years of manhood, and witnessed the neglect of duty to their country, in the pursuit of selfish ends, so characteristic of a considerable portion of the prominent men of this age. This is the reason of my selecting Eruan AuLEn as the first great subject of my labors in my favorite art.’

eS r. oe /. a : x Ra pf an a : a, | a ee ‘ Cha ls he : e F, D te 7 zee ie & brent =, ae, © £7! Pita - . ; ies 7 ee ee L > ee : > at ae Te " + «a Rita te pCa Coy At

BY 5 areg tl ASAT WF ah WE a At A Lo ie Heat tee ® nara ' ‘ : - » (Pe oe Se ne i ne @ ie saa é

AND

THE GREEN-MOUNTAIN HEROES OF 776.

Chapter. I. : Early History Of Vermont

the savages, of murderous soul,

In painted bands, dark to the combat roll,

With midnight orgies, by the gloomy shade,

On the pale victim point the reeking blade ;

Or cause the hamlet, lulled in deep repose,

No more to wake, or wake to ceaseless woes.’ Houmrureys.

Or the adventurous band of navigators, who, early in the sixteenth century, sailed westward in the wake of those frail caravels, the Mina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, James Cartier, a Frenchman, was the first to explore the interior of the vast continent to which Columbus had led the way. While sailing along the Atlantic coast, in 1534, in search of a passage to China, he discovered the mouth of a great river, to which he subsequently gave the name of “St. Lawrence.”* The following spring, in the belief that the St. Lawrence was the desired channel to the East Indies, a larger expedition was equipped, which Cartier conducted direct to this noble stream, and sailed two hundred leagues inland. There the navigation was obstructed by “a

“ Thus named in honor of the Saint whose festival occurred on the day (10th August) of its discovery.

20 ETHAN ALLEN AND GREEN-MOUNTAYN HEROES.

great and swift fall.” At this point, Cartier found a large Indian village, bearing the name of Hochelaga. The population was more numerous, the wigwams were more substantially built, and the town was more strongly fortified than any other occupied by the aborigines, of which the early settlers of the country have given a description. Cartier conciliated the natives by presents of hatchets, beads and rings—articles more magnificent than any of which they had previously had a conception—and they regarded him and his associates as celestial beings. To Cartier all was so new and strange, that he almost deemed himself transported to some land of enchantment. He erected a fort where the city of Montreal now stands, calling it, in honor of his king, Mount Royal. There he passed the winter, formed alliances with the Indians, and took formal possession of the country, which he named New France. Ascending the hill which towered above his fortress, and overlooked the country for many miles around, he was enraptured with the scene upon which he gazed. Before him the mighty St. Lawrence, coming solemnly from an unknown land, rolled on majestically toward the ocean ; the distant horizon was bounded by the lofty mountains of Vermont,* crowned with perpetual verdure; while illimitable forests, robed in the gorgeous hues of autumn, were spread out before him in every direction. Donnacona, the Indian king who conducted him to the summit of the hill, informed him that he might sail westward on the great river, for three moons—passing through several immense lakes —

* So called when the state was organized, from two French words, verd, green, and mont, mountain.

-~

DISCOVERIES OF CARTIER. | without reaching its source; that the river had its origin in a sea of fresh water to which no limits were known. Far to the south-west, he continued, there was another great river,* which ran through a country where there was no ice or snow; to the north, there was a large inland sea of salt water,+ extending to a region of perpetual ice; while southward there were rivers and smaller lakes, penetrating a beautiful and fertile country, belonging to a powerful and warlike nation called the Iroquois.

The next spring, Cartier, taking with him Donnacona and several of the natives, returned to France, and represented to the king the advantages that would result from a settlement in this country, principally by means of the fur trade; but the fallacious opinion then prevalent among all the nations of Europe, that such countries only as produced gold and silver were worth the possession, had such influence on the monarch, that he slighted the judicious advice of Cartier, and deferred making any establishment in Canada. But, although this object was generally neglected, some individuals entertained just views of its importance; and among the most zealous for prosecuting discoyeries and making a settlement there, was Roberval, a nobleman of Picardy. The king, at length convinced of the expediency of the measure, resolved to send Cartier, accompanied by this nobleman, again to Canada. The expedition was undertaken in 1540, and an attempt was made to found a colony; but in the course of a year or two, the enterprise was abandoned. The colony was broken up, and for upward of half a

“ The Ohio. t Hudson’s Bay.

century, the French made no further attempt to establish themselves on the St. Lawrence.

In 1600, one Chauvin, a commander in the French navy, made a voyage to Canada, from which he returned, with a profitable cargo of furs. The public now began to turn more attention to this country. An armament was equipped, and the command given to Portgran. He sailed in 1603. Five years afterward, Samuel de Champlain, who had accompanied Pontgran’s expedition, founded the city of Quebec.* In 1609, accompanied by several friendly Indians, he proceeded to the locality described by Cartier. He afterward sailed up the Richelieu or Sorel river, and entered a lake to which he gave his own name.t He also visited Lake George, which, from the extreme purity of its waters, he called St. Sacrament.t It is inferred from his own narrative, that he then proceeded across the country, and touched the Hudson river at Glen’s Falls. During the same season, Henry Hudson sailed up the river to which his name is given, as far as Albany. Possibly, at the same time that Champlain was resting near the head waters of the Hudson, the English navigator was encamped scarcely forty miles below. Strange that two adventurers, in the service of different sovereigns, ruling three thousand miles —

* This was the original Indian name, signifying narrow, because the St. Lawrence, which, from that point to the ocean, is from ten to fifteen miles wide, is there reduced to a width of about one mile.

t The Indian name of Lake Champlain was Canaideri-Guarunte, signifying the mouth or door of the country. Another Indian name was Petawa-Bouque, signifying alternate Jand and water.

$ The original Indian name was Horicon, meaning Silver Water. It was also called Canaideri-oit, or The Tail of the Lake.

CHAMPLAIN AND HUDSON. 23 away, and approaching from different points of the compass, should so nearly meet in the vast forests of wild America—each exploring a part of the continent never before traversed by Europeans. Strange, too, that the vicinity where these adventurers so nearly met, should, for almost a hundred and fifty years, be the boundary between the nations respectively represented by them, and the scene of their frequent and bloody conflicts for supremacy.

Although that beautiful portion -of Vermont bordering on Lake Champlain was thus early explored, and although settlements were made in its immediate vicinity, by the Dutch at Albany in 1613—by the English at Springfield, on the Connecticut, in 1635 — and by the French at Montreal in 1640, the whites did not permanently occupy any portion of the territory comprised in the present boundaries of the State, until the year 1724. Situated between the settlements of the French on the one hand, and those of the English on the other, it was constantly exposed to the incursions and depredations of both, in the almost incessant warfare maintained between them. The dense forests of the Green Mountains became the favorite lurking places of the wielders of the tomahawk, and resounded with the war-whoop of those savages who were willing to be allies for either of the contending parties. They.were traversed by the prisoners taken in the French wars, and were witnesses of their heroism and of their sufferings. For these reasons, actual settlements were perilous and impracticable. It was a disputed ground between the English and the French, on which many a guerilla battle was fought. And thus the history of Vermont is so closely interwoven with that of the regions adjacent, that it will be necessary, in the progress of this narrative, in order to exhibit a complete view of the transactions in whicn Vermont was interested, or in which its early heroes bore a distinguished part, often to carry forward an account of events which transpired beyond the geographical limits of the state.

In his expedition across the lake which bears his name, Champlain was accompanied by only two Frenchmen —the balance of the party, amounting to about sixty, were Huron and Algonquin warriors, who had determined on a hostile excursion into the territory of the Iroquois, or, as they were afterward desig: nated by the English, the Five Nations.

This federal association is said to have derived its origin from the most remote antiquity ; and, as the name imports, it comprehended five Indian nations, of which the Mohawks have obtained the most lasting re- -nown, and which were confederated, on terms of the strictest equality, in a perpetual alliance, for united conquest and mutual defense. The members of this united body reckoned themselves superior to all the rest of mankind, and the distinctive appellation which they adopted* was expressive of this opinion. But the principles of their confederacy displayed far more policy and refinement than we might expect from the arrogance of their barbarous name. They had embraced the Roman practice, of increasing their strength by incorporating the peopie of other nations with themselves. After every conquest of an enemy, when they

* Ongue-Honwe,— that is, “ Men surpassing all others.”

THE FIVE NATIONS. 25 had indulged their revenge by some cruel executions, they exercised their usual policy, in the adoption of the remaining captives; and frequently with so much © advantage, that some of their most distinguished sa- ‘chems and captains, were derived from defeated and adopted foes. Hach nation had its own separate republican constitution, in which rank and office were claimed only by age, procured only by merit, and enjoyed buts by the tenure of public esteem. In no community was age accorded more respect, or youth endowed with greater beauty.* The people of the several nations, and especially the Mohawks, were distinguished by the usual Indian qualities of attachment to liberty, fortitude in the endurance of pain, and preference of craft and stratagem to undisguised operations in war,t and by a more than usual degree of perseverance, resolution, and active intrepidity. Almost all the tribes around this people, and even many at a great distance, who were not included in their confederacy, acknowledged a subjection to it, paid a tribute which two aged sachems were annually deputed to collect, t and were restrained from making war or peace without the consent of the Five Nations. It was the policy of all the

* Such was the efficacy of the Indian mode of life, in developing the finer proportions of which the human frame is susceptible, that, when the statue of the Apollo-Belvidere was beheld, for the first time, by Benjamin West, the distinguished American painter, he started at the unexpected likeness, ard exclaimed, “How like it is toa young Mohawk warrior! * t In this veculiarity most of the Indian tribes resembled the ancient Spartans’; as they did also in the diligence with which they cultivated conciseness of specch.

+ “Lhave often had opportunity to observe what anxiety the poor Tndians were under, while these two old men remained in that part of the chiefs to affect superior purity, and to distribute among the people their own share of tribute and plunder. All matters of common concernment were transacted in general meetings of the sachems of each nation; and the influence of time, aided by a long course of judicious policy and victorious enterprise, had completely succeeded in causing the federal character and sentiments to prevail over the peculiarities of their subordinate national associations. When, at a period subsequent to the first visit of the Europeans, the Tusearora tribe was vanquished, they were permitted to revive their broken estate, by ingrafting it on this powerful confederacy, by being associated as a new member of the general union, instead of being diffused and losing their identity among the other tribes, and the confederacy thereafter obtained the name of the Six Nations. Both the French and English writers, who have treated of the character or affairs of this people, have concurred in describing them as at once the most judicious and politic of the native powers, and the most fierce and formidable of the native inhabitants of America.