Adventure Magazine Cover — page 42: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

40 WILKESON that I, disgusted by the indifference and ingratitude of Congress, was only held from embracing his offers by the fear of committing a dishonorable act for a comparatively valueless compensation. Under this impression, he has raised his offers (which began by being most liberal, I must concede the bloody- backs) again and again, to the point where it is tacitly understood that I may name my own terms. Now, we are about to arrange an armistice, os- tensibly for the purpose of exchanging prisoners, actually to cover further and more particular nego- tiations concerning the sale of Vermont to the com- mandant of Canada. I have been insistent that the territory to be declared neutral during these parleys must extend from our eastern boundary to the Mason Line in New York; over which the redcoats boggled badly, but to no purpose, for I was immovable, and our territory in such dispute, by so many different States and parties, that we may claim what con- tiguous lands we please, and be sure of at least one adversary who will leap to deny the rights of some other or our own, thus establishing uncertainty of all claims. Now, as you must plainly perceive, my nephew, this armistice will be of great advantage to the Continental Armies, for the neutral territory, over which no hostile troops may be moved while negotiations are in progress, lies across the only route that leads directly from the north. ’Twill keep Carleton bottled up in Canada, tight as a wood- pecker nailed into its hole, for as long as the discus- sions continue; and Ira intends to extend them over an indefinite period, possibly for some months, which he can well do by exercising his ingenious mind in avoiding any definite conclusions. Faith, and at that, I’d back him against the wiliest Mo- hawk in York! But in these ways, my nephew, we hope to wrest advantage from our very woes, and send the slings of an outrageous fortune against our enemies. In the meantime, the worse the world thinks of the matter, the better for Vermont. It is our desire to so disturb and trouble the minds of the respectable gentlemen of Congress, that, when I forward them indubitable, written evidence of Britain’s liberality, they may be induced to follow and exceed her offers; for fear of the consequences, if for no more noble, or generous reasons. And while I must grieve that any should suspect my sincere attachment to the cause of my country, yet I do not hesitate to say that Iam fully grounded in opinion, that Vermont has an in- dubitable right to agree on terms of a cessation of hostilities with Great Britain, provided the United States persist in refusing her application of a union with them: for Vermont, of all people, would be the most miserable, were she obliged to defend the inde- pendence of the United (claiming) States, and they, at the same time, at full liberty to overturn and ruin the independence of Vermont. I am as resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont, as Congress are that of the United States; and rather than fail, will retire with the hardy Green Mountain Boys into the desolate caverns of the mountains, and wage war with human nature at large. For such must be my course, if Congress con- tinue to refuse us, as I would rather die a hundred deaths by torture, than come again under the rule of the perfidious British, from whom we all, and myself in particular, have suffered such grievous misfor- tunes. Jemmy informs us that you continue to refuse the name your godfather gave you, for reasons O’CONNELL which I comprehend, although I do not sympathize with them. It is for you to live down, by your own honorably patriotic conduct, whatever onus my brother has put upon that name, rather than to deny it, in a fashion many must consider as cowardly, or at least shamefaced. Jemmy also avers that you are in good health, and once more rising to a position of trust and influence in a new command. You might go far, if you would learn to curb that spirit of insubordination that has hitherto brought ruin on all you have attempted, driving you from the mild rule of friends and kindred, and bringing you blame from superiors, who, otherwise, would be but too glad to praise. For your abilities are good, and when once you have perceived the true nature of, and necessity for, discipline, and the heavy responsi- bilities that a man assumes when he refuses it, I hold that you will become a man of parts, a credit to your friends, and an honor to the land that bred you. Burn this letter as soon as you have grasped the contents, and use your discretion in speaking of them, remembering that our friends have ever caused us more trouble than our foes, and that our foes encompasseth us as with a girdle of iron. Your uncle Ira desires his affection and service to you— and that in spite of the haughty way in which you treated him, when I was in captivity, and could not come between your hot spirits. He is to hand this to Jemmy, on his way to town; I would not dare to send it by any other hands, but that the Commodore is as trustworthy as yourself I am persuaded by long experience. Your uncle Heber is dead of a decline taken after the fatigues of the evacuation of Ticonderoga; for which reason Jemmy’s report of your strength and hardihood pleases us, for too many of us have gone in the way poor Heber did. That you may remain safe and well, my nephew, is the wish, if not the prayer, of one who will always subscribe himself, Your humble, obedient servant, and Ever affectionate uncle, ETHAN ALLEN. Sergeant-major Loyd Fallen. There was a gaping pause as Barstow re- folded the plot that would have done credit to a Jesuit. Only Riddle seemed fully to comprehend its significance, and it left him speechless in an ecstasy of admiration. ‘Glory be!”’ he broke forth at last. ‘‘Did ye ever hear the like, for pure politics! If only we had men like them in Congress, we might get somewhere, or something!” “‘Losh, but they’re all alike,” said Ban- nock, in a deep reflection. ‘Ethan and Ira, Floyd and Fallen—bold as brass and cun- ning as weasels for to gain their own ends.” “Dot’s true,” nodded Holtzburg, “and settles up der Grants—Vermont, as dey call ’em—very satisfactory from Ant’ony’s point of view. But vhat.help is it to us, vid dose Britishers ve got under guard outside? It don’t tell us none how to deal vid dem.” “Fallen’s got to come down, and give us a hand!’ exclaimed Barstow angrily. comiclboolk CO