Ethan Allen, the Robin Hood of Vermont — John Shaqi
Ethan Allen, the Robin Hood of VermontHall, Henry
History
Ethan Allen, the Robin Hood of Vermont
Hall, Henry
Allen, Ethan, 1738-1789
An epistle to the inhabitants of Clarendon: From Mr. Francis
Madison of your town, I understand Oliver Colvin of your town
has acted the infamous part by locating part of the farm of
said Madison. This sort of trick I was partly apprised of, when
I wrote the late letter to Messrs. Spencer and Marsh. I abhor
to put a staff into the hands of Colvin or any other rascal to
defraud your letter. The Hampshire title must, nay shall, be
had for such settlers as are in quest of it, at a reasonable
rate, nor shall any villain by a sudden purchase impose on the
old settlers. I advise said Colvin to be flogged for the abuse
aforesaid, unless he immediately retracts and reforms, and if
there be further difficulties among you, I advise that you employ
Capt. Warner as an arbitrator in your affairs. I am certain he
will do all parties justice. Such candor you need in your present
situation, for I assure you, it is not the design of our mobs
to betray you into the hands of villainous purchasers. None but
blockheads would purchase your farms, and they must be treated
as such. If this letter does not settle this dispute, you had
better hire Captain Warner to come simply and assist you in the
settlement of your affairs. My business is such that I cannot
attend to your matters in person, but desire you would inform me,
by writing or otherwise relative thereto. Captain Baker joins
with the foregoing, and does me the honor to subscribe his name
with me. We are, gentlemen, your friends to serve.
ETHAN ALLEN,
REMEMBER BAKER.
_To Mr. Benjamin Spencer and Mr. Amos Marsh, and the people of
Clarendon in general_:
GENTLEMEN:--On my return from what you called the mob, I was
concerned for your welfare, fearing that the force of our
arms would urge you to purchase the New Hampshire title at an
unreasonable rate, tho' at the same time I know not but after
the force is withdrawn, you will want a third army. However, on
proviso, you incline to purchase the title aforesaid, it is my
opinion, that you in justice ought to have it at a reasonable
rate, as new lands were valued at the time you purchased them.
This, with sundry other arguments in your behalf, I laid before
Captain Jehiel Hawley and other respectable gentlemen of that
place (Arlington) and by their advice and concurrence, I write
you this friendly epistle unto which they subscribe their names
with me, that we are disposed to assist you in purchasing
reasonably as aforesaid; and on condition Colonel Willard, or any
other person demand an exorbitant price for your lands we scorn
it, and will assist you in mobbing such avaricious persons, for
we mean to use force against oppression, and that only. Be it in
New York, Willard, or any person, it is injurious to the rights
of the district.
From yours to serve.
ETHAN ALLEN,
JEHIEL HAWLEY,
DANIEL CASTLE,
GIDEON HAWLEY,
REUBEN HAWLEY,
ABEL HAWLEY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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