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ALLEN, Ethan (1737-1789). Autograph letter signed ("Ethan Allen") to Guy Carleton, Vermont, 12 January 1787.
Two pages, bifolium, 330 x 210 mm (horizontal creases on second leaf partly separated, occasional pinholes, some marginal losses affecting one word of text).
"I belong to this republic, which is not connected to the united States of America": Allen alludes to a
possible alliance between Vermont an Quebec during the darkest hours of the confederation, due to
"the distracted sates of the American union."
An important letter, shedding a revealing light on Allen's controversial relations with the British;
whether he actually wished to make Vermont a province, as some have charged, or was merely trying to force a reluctant Congress into recognizing Vermont's claims for statehood, remains unresolved. Here, Allen, expressing grave concern for the future of the Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, and the imminent dissolution of the union, makes deferential but bold and potentially treasonous overtures to the new British Governor of Quebec.
"May it please your Lordship. Though I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Lordship, yet as I belong to this republic, which is not connected with the united States of America, and as I had the honour of a correspondence, with General Halderman [sic Haldimand] your Lordships predecessor in command, I think it my duty to congratulate your Lordship, on your arrival t and command of British America."
"My Lord, when I speculate on the local situation of this republic to the province of Quebec, its only Seaport, and that the lumber, and other Articles of export, as well as those of import of this little commonwealth, must be navigated by the river St Laurence, if appears to me, that nature has situated the Inhabitants of the territories, to be friends and neighbors. The animosities and Confusion, which are taking place in the United States, forebodes their dissolution, or revolution of government. How these matters will effect the Courts of London, and Paris, I do not determine but one thing I know, which is, that Vermont is not in confederation with the United States, which has been effected by the influence by the influence of a few Individuals. My Lord, as I have the highest sense of your clemency and wisdom, shall hope for every favour from your Lordships administration toward Vermont, as it may respect commerce, or as the distracted State of the American union may point out to your Lordship, to be most eligable [sic] to the interest of Great Britain." "I have been vain enough to enclose to your Lordship, one of my Books of Theology [his 1784 work, The Only Oracle of Man, not present], in doing which I have no intention of displeasing your Lordship, nor on the other hand, have I any apprehension that my performance will contribute any thing considerable, to the entertainment of the improved mind of my Lord Dorchester, for I am apprehension that I am unhappy in my genius, having rose above the vulgar Superstition of the human race, and yet fallen, below the understanding of the learned and wise. However I submit the Book t[o] your Lordships candor, and am with the greatest respect and esteem."
Guy Carleton, first lord Dorchester (1724-1808), an experienced military man, was appointed Governor of Quebec in early 1775, commanded the defense of Montreal against Montgomery and Arnold, and nearly missed capture. He replaced Henry Clinton in command of the British garrison in New York in 1782 and oversaw the evacuation of the city the following year. During that period, Quebec had been under the command of lieutenant-general Frederick Haldimand, mentioned here by Allen, who alludes to their previous correspondence concerning the possible establishment of Vermont as a British province in the early 1780s, known as the Haldimand Affair.
Shay's Rebellion was raging in central and western Massachusetts at the time of this letter, and this is mostly likley the "distracted state" of affairs to which Allen alludes. It was not until after Allen's death in February 1789 that Vermont's unflagging attempts to remain independent from the conflicting claims of Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire achieved its goal. Vermont was admitted to the Union on 4 March 1791 as the fourteenth state.