Then, with solemn voice, he told how the English had but a small garrison at the citadel, and how it could be taken unawares and maybe captured as easily as Ticonderoga.
In one thing did Ethan Allen fail.
He hinted that perhaps the French Canadians would help the Yorkers and participate in the driving out of the British from North America.
We say that was a mistake, because the people still remember the great struggle against the French, and the fierce war between the colonies acknowledging England and France.
One man, afterward one of the foremost to welcome Lafayette to New York, declared that it would be better to be the slaves of England than the friends of France.
"Better serfdom, degradation, death under England's flag than liberty if obtained by the assistance of France."
His fiery speech turned the tide of feeling against Ethan Allen and the invasion of Canada, and the assembly absolutely refused to listen any further to Allen.
Some were ungenerous enough to taunt him with suggesting the plan on purpose to save himself from arrest.
Others wanted to know if he expected to be the general commanding.
"No, I should have asked permission to join as a private soldier, for I have no ambition to command even a squad."