The proclamation offering a large reward for him, dead or alive, was still to be seen on the public buildings of the towns and villages through which he passed. Though every one knew him, for his identity could not be concealed, he was as safe as in his mountain home. The people of New York were ready to cast in their lot with the colonies which had declared their independence, and, though nominally loyal to England, the Yorkers were only waiting an opportunity to openly throw off the yoke and declare themselves independent. "The Hero of Ticonderoga," as Allen was called everywhere, was lionized by the people, though those in authority were compelled to appear as though they did not recognize him. When Allen reached Albany he at once went to the Assembly Hall. Marching up to the speaker's desk he said, in a loud voice: "I am Ethan Allen, leader of the Green Mountain Boys, and I have come, not to surrender to you or to lower my claims to the lands in the New Hampshire grants, which we now call Vermont, but to ask you to listen to a plan by which our country may become a nation, free and independent." "I propose that the assembly go into secret session to hear the Hero of Ticonderoga." The speaker was one who had been most bitter against Allen when he had appeared there sometime before to argue in favor of the men of Vermont. "Let it be understood that New York, in listening to Ethan Allen, does not relinquish its claims to the lands which he culls Vermont." "That matter can well be left in abeyance," said Allen. "There is a greater one--that of our independence as a nation." "On that subject we will hear you!" "I ask that the proceedings shall be secret." "That is understood." Ethan Allen, with a natural eloquence and rugged fervor, laid before the representatives of the people a plan for the invasion of Canada. He showed how, with daring and quickness, the country north of the St. Lawrence could be captured, thereby inflicting an injury on the British, and taking from them a large tract of country, which could be made so valuable an adjunct of the colonies south of the St. Lawrence when they became independent. He had gathered information which showed how easily all Canada could be captured, save, perhaps, the citadel of Quebec. He was listened to patiently. He was cheered when he spoke of the gallant attack on Quebec by Wolfe and the heroic defense of the French general, Montcalm; and tears rolled down many cheeks when he recalled how the French hero, wounded unto death, expressed a pleasure that he should not live to witness the surrender of Quebec. 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.