Alluding to an alliance between Vermont and British Canada - photo 1
Alluding to an alliance between Vermont and British Canada - photo 2
Alluding to an alliance between Vermont and British Canada - photo 3

Alluding to an alliance between Vermont and British Canada

Lot 157
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Vendu
$ 75 600
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Lieu de l'événementRoyaume-Uni, London
Commissionsee on Website%
Archive
La vente aux enchères est terminée. Vous ne pouvez plus enchérir.
Archive
ID 887935
Lot 157 | Alluding to an alliance between Vermont and British Canada
Valeur estimée
$ 70 000 – 100 000
ALLEN, Ethan (1737-1789). Autograph letter signed ("Ethan Allen") to Guy Carleton, Vermont, 12 January 1787.

Two pages, bifolium, 330 x 210 mm (horizontal creases on second leaf partly separated, occasional pinholes, some marginal losses affecting one word of text).

"I belong to this republic, which is not connected to the united States of America": Allen alludes to a
possible alliance between Vermont an Quebec during the darkest hours of the confederation, due to
"the distracted sates of the American union."

An important letter, shedding a revealing light on Allen's controversial relations with the British;
whether he actually wished to make Vermont a province, as some have charged, or was merely trying to force a reluctant Congress into recognizing Vermont's claims for statehood, remains unresolved. Here, Allen, expressing grave concern for the future of the Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, and the imminent dissolution of the union, makes deferential but bold and potentially treasonous overtures to the new British Governor of Quebec.

"May it please your Lordship. Though I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with your Lordship, yet as I belong to this republic, which is not connected with the united States of America, and as I had the honour of a correspondence, with General Halderman [sic Haldimand] your Lordships predecessor in command, I think it my duty to congratulate your Lordship, on your arrival t and command of British America."

"My Lord, when I speculate on the local situation of this republic to the province of Quebec, its only Seaport, and that the lumber, and other Articles of export, as well as those of import of this little commonwealth, must be navigated by the river St Laurence, if appears to me, that nature has situated the Inhabitants of the territories, to be friends and neighbors. The animosities and Confusion, which are taking place in the United States, forebodes their dissolution, or revolution of government. How these matters will effect the Courts of London, and Paris, I do not determine but one thing I know, which is, that Vermont is not in confederation with the United States, which has been effected by the influence by the influence of a few Individuals. My Lord, as I have the highest sense of your clemency and wisdom, shall hope for every favour from your Lordships administration toward Vermont, as it may respect commerce, or as the distracted State of the American union may point out to your Lordship, to be most eligable [sic] to the interest of Great Britain." "I have been vain enough to enclose to your Lordship, one of my Books of Theology [his 1784 work, The Only Oracle of Man, not present], in doing which I have no intention of displeasing your Lordship, nor on the other hand, have I any apprehension that my performance will contribute any thing considerable, to the entertainment of the improved mind of my Lord Dorchester, for I am apprehension that I am unhappy in my genius, having rose above the vulgar Superstition of the human race, and yet fallen, below the understanding of the learned and wise. However I submit the Book t[o] your Lordships candor, and am with the greatest respect and esteem."

Guy Carleton, first lord Dorchester (1724-1808), an experienced military man, was appointed Governor of Quebec in early 1775, commanded the defense of Montreal against Montgomery and Arnold, and nearly missed capture. He replaced Henry Clinton in command of the British garrison in New York in 1782 and oversaw the evacuation of the city the following year. During that period, Quebec had been under the command of lieutenant-general Frederick Haldimand, mentioned here by Allen, who alludes to their previous correspondence concerning the possible establishment of Vermont as a British province in the early 1780s, known as the Haldimand Affair.

Shay's Rebellion was raging in central and western Massachusetts at the time of this letter, and this is mostly likley the "distracted state" of affairs to which Allen alludes. It was not until after Allen's death in February 1789 that Vermont's unflagging attempts to remain independent from the conflicting claims of Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire achieved its goal. Vermont was admitted to the Union on 4 March 1791 as the fourteenth state.
Lieu d'origine:Etats-Unis
Catégorie maison de vente aux enchères:Lettres, documents et manuscrits
Adresse de l'enchère CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
Royaume-Uni
Aperçu
13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
Téléphone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
E-mail
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Commission see on Website
Conditions d'utilisationConditions d'utilisation

Termes connexes

Questions fréquemment posées

Pour participer aux ventes aux enchères, vous devez d’abord, vous inscrire. Après la confirmation de l’adresse e-mail, complétez votre profil d’utilisateur en fournissant des renseignements personnels tels que votre prénom, nom de famille et l’adresse postale. Choisissez un lot qui vous intéresse et indiquez le montant maximum que vous voulez offir pour ce lot. Dès que vous confirmez votre choix, nous transférerons votre demande par voie électronique à la maison de ventes aux enchères appropriée. Si votre demande est acceptée, votre offre va participer aux ventes aux enchères. Vous pouvez vérifier le statut actuel de votre offre en tout temps dans votre cabinet personnel VIL sous l’onglet «Vos offres».
Les enchères sont réalisées par les maisons de ventes et chacune des maisons de ventes décrit ses conditions de vente. Vous pouvez voir les textes dans la rubrique «Information sur les ventes».
Les résultats des ventes aux enchères sont publiés dans quelques jours après la clôture de l’enchère. En haut de la page du site web VIL, vous trouverez l’onglet «Enchères». Cliquez sur cet onglet et naviguez vers la page des catalogues de ventes aux enchères où vous trouverez facilement l’onglet « Résultats des ventes ». Sur cet onglet, sélectionnez l’enchère qui vous intéresse et consultez l’état de vente du lot de votre choix.
Les informations sur les gagnants des enchères sont confidentielles. Le gagnant de l'enchère recevra une notification directe de la maison d'enchères responsable avec des instructions pour les mesures à prendre: une facture de paiement et la manière dont les marchandises ont été reçues.
Chacune de maisons de ventes aux enchères adhère à sa propre politique concernant les modes de paiement des lots remportés. Toutes les maisons de ventes aux enchères acceptent les virements bancaires; la plupart d’elles acceptent les paiements par carte de crédit. Dans un avenir très proche, vous trouverez des renseignements détaillés sous la rubrique «Information sur les ventes», à la page du catalogue et du lot.
Le mode de livraison du lot dépend de sa taille et ses dimensions. Les petits articles peuvent être livrés par la poste. Les objets plus grands sont expédiés par courrier. Les préposés à la livraison des maisons de ventes aux enchères vous proposeront différentes options selon votre cas.
Non. Les archives servent de référence pour l'étude des prix des enchères, des photographies et des descriptions d'œuvres d'art.