CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.

581

SAMUEL MINOTT ESQ. TO GOV. CLINTON.

Brattleborough May 25 th 1779.

Sir The Committee of this County who are now met for the purpose of opposing the Authorityof the State of Vermont take this opportunity to inform your Excellency by Express, That Col.Ethan Alline with a number of Green Mountain Boys made his appearance in this County yesterdaywell armed and equipt for the purpose of reducing the loyal Inhabitants of this County to submissionto the authority of the State of Vermont and made Prisoners of Col. Patterson Lieut. Col. Sergeant& all the Militia Officers except one in Brattleborough with Mr. Townsend and a number of otherPersons. They have also taken the Militia Officers in Putney & Westminster with others ; thenumber of Prisoners we cannot ascertain. Col. Alline declared that he had five hundred GreenMountain Boys with him—we are not able to ascertain the number, but believe there is not quiteso many who are come from the west side of the Mountains ; they are assisted by a number of theInhabitants of this County, where they will carry the Prisoners we cannot tell—Col. Allin treatedthe people here with the most insulting language assaulted and wounded several persons with hissword without the least provocation, and bids defiance to the State of New-York , declares they w'illestablish their State by the sword, and fight all who shall attempt to oppose them. Nothing butthe reluctance the people here have to shedding human Blood could hinder them from attemptingto rescue the Prisoners—they had every insult which the human mind is able to conceive of toprompt them to it, Our situation is truly critical and distressing, we therefore most humbly beseechyour Excellency to take the most speedy & effectual Measures for our Relief ; otherwise our Personsand Property must be at the disposal of Ethan Allin which is more to be dreaded than Death withall its Terrors.

Sir we are with the greatest esteem Your Excellency’s most ob‘ hum ble servts

Signed by order of the Committee

Samuel Minott Chairman.

To his Excellency George Clinton Esq. Gov. of the State of New-York .

GOV. CLINTON TO PRESIDENT JAY.

May 29 tl1 1779.

Sir You will perceive from the enclosed Papers that vdiat I have long expected and frequentlyapprized Congress of has actually happened. These papers which need no Comment I havetransmitted to your Excellency by Express with an earnest Request that you will please immedi-ately lay it before Congress.

Altho’ this matter will scarce admit of a moment’s delay; yet as the Legislature are to meet onTuesday next I shall defer taking any decisive measures (except issuing the necessary orders to themilitia to hold themselves in readiness) until I can have an opportunity of obtaining their adviceand Direction.

I am &c. &c.

His Excellency John Jay Esq. President of Congress. Geo. Clinton.