554
CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
ETHAN ALLEN TO THE N. Y. PROY. CONGRESS.
Ticonderoga 20th July, 1775.
Respectable Gentlemen—
When I reflect on the unhappy controversy which hath many years subsisted between the gov-ernment of New-Yofk and the settlers on the New-Hampshire Grants, and also contemplate on thefriendship and union that hath lately taken place between the government and those its formerdiscontented subjects, in making a united resistance against ministerial vengeance and slavery, Icannot but indulge fond hopes of reconciliation. To promote this salutary end, I shall contributemy influence, assuring your Honours, that your respectful treatment not only to Mr. Worner andmyself, but to the Green Mountain Boys in general, in forming them into a battalion, are bythem duly regarded, and I will be responsible that they will retaliate this favour by whollyhazarding their lives, if needs be, in the common cause of America .
I hope no gentleman in the Congress will retain any preconceived prejudice against me, as on mypart I shall not against any of them ; but as soon as opportunity may permit and the publiccause not suffer therby, shall hold myself in readiness to settle all former disputes and grievances onhonorable terms.
I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect,
Your devoted, most obedient humble serv 1 ,
To the Honble Provincial Congress, New York .
Note. Seth Warner was appointed Lt. Col. of the Green Mountain Boys on the 1st Sept., 1776,by the N. V. Prov. Con-gress. A Memoir of him has been published by Daniel Chipman, Esq.
DECLARATION OF A CONVENTION HELD AT DORSET
Sept. 25, 1775.
[Associations & Miscellaneous Papers, XXX.]
At a General Convention of 56 Delegates on the new hampshire Grants on the East and west theRange of Green mountains Representing 36 Towns on s d Grants held at Dorset the 25 th day Septem rby adjournment whereas this Convention have for a serious of Years had under there porticularConsideration the disingeneus Conduct of the former Colony now State of N York towards theInhabitants of that District of Land Commanly Caulled and known by the name of the N HampshireGrants the seaveral Illeagual unjustifiable and unwarrantable meashures they have take to Depriveby frawd Viollance and oppression those inhabitants of thire property and in particular thire LandedIntrest and as this Convention have Reason to Expect a Continuance of the same kind of Disinge-nuaty unless some meashures Effectual be taken to form the sA District a Seperate and Distinct onefrom N York and whereas it at preasant appears to this Convention that for the foregoing Reasonsto Geather with the distance of Rode which Lies between this Distract and N York that it will bevery inconvenient for those Inhabitents to associate or Connect with them for the time being Directlyor Indirectly therefore this Convention being fully Convinced that it is Neasasery that Every