Upon Col. Ira Allen's return to Vermont, Captain Sherwood reports:
I believe Allen has gone with a full determination to do his utmost for a reunion, and I believe he will be seconded by Governor Chittenden, his brother Ethan Allen and a few others, all acting from interest, without any principle of loyalty.
[CHAPTER XV.]
VERMONT'S TREATMENT BY CONGRESS.—ALLEN'S LETTERS TO COLONEL WEBSTER AND TO CONGRESS.—REASONS FOR BELIEVING ALLEN A PATRIOT.
The conduct of Congress in asking New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to empower it to settle Vermont, without allowing her to act as a party but allowing her to look on, dallying and postponing the measure indefinitely, indicated New York's control of Congress, and, as might have been expected, Vermont's prowess and pluck would not submit to organic annihilation without a fight. The British, under advice from home, might easily strive to take advantage of the bitter feelings engendered. Congress was struggling with the question of the ownership of western lands. Virginia and New York claimed almost all, the former by virtue of Clarke's conquests and the latter by purchase of the Iroquois, both shadowy, attenuated claims. The smaller States wanted Vermont in the Union to vote against these claims. Ethan Allen's letters, showing the turmoil of feeling in Vermont, as well as his own patriotism, have often been quoted.
To Colonel Webster he wrote:
Sir:—Last evening I received a flag from Major Carleton commanding the British forces at Crown Point, with proposals from General Haldimand, commander-in-chief in Canada, for settling a cartel for the exchange of prisoners. Major Carleton has pledged his faith that no hostilities shall be committed on any posts or scouts within the limits of this state during the negotiation. Lest your state [New York] should suffer an incursion in the interim of time, I have this day dispatched a flag to Major Carleton, requesting that he extend cessation of hostilities on the northern parts and frontiers of New York. You will therefore conduct your affairs as to scouts, &c., only on the defensive until you hear further from me.
I am, &c., Ethan Allen.