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University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875[X]
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1Author:  Thompson Daniel P. (Daniel Pierce) 1795-1868Add
 Title:  The Green Mountain boys  
 Published:  1997 
 Subjects:  University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 
 Description: It seems to be universally conceded that the first settlers of Vermont were men of an iron mould, and of an indomitable spirit. And it is no less true, we apprehend, that with corporeal frames, unusually large and muscular, and constitutions peculiarly robust and enduring, they possessed, also, intelligence and mental energies, which, considering what might naturally be expected of men of their condition in life, and in their situation in a wilderness affording none of the ordinary means of intellectual culture, were equally remarkable. The proof of these assertions is to be abundantly found, we think, in the unequalled stand taken by them for their rights, in their memorable controversy with New York, and in the multiplied documents that grew out of it, in the shape of resolves and decrees of conventions, addresses to the people, memorials and remonstrances to the governor of that province, and to the British throne itself, all drawn up with great clearness and cogency of reasoning, and evincing a knowledge of natural and constitutional rights in a people, among whom law as a profession was then entirely unknown, which are generally to be found only in the courts and councils of old and highly civilized countries. And even were these testimonials to their character wholly wanting, ample evidence, that they were a generation of no ordinary men, may still be seen in the scattered remnant of this noble band of heroes yet lingering among us, like the few and aged pines on their evergreen mountains, and, though now bowed down by the weight of nearly a century of years, exhibiting frames, which would almost seem to indicate them as men belonging to another race, and which are still animated by the light of wisdom and intelligence, and warmed by the unconquerable spirit of freedom yet burning unwasted within them. “From my heart I thank you for your kind note. All as yet remains undiscovered,—painful, painful exigency! which compels concealment of so important a step from an only parent! And yet I regret not my troth; and whatever of sorrow it may cost me, I will not repine at the fruit of a tree of my own planting. Heaven preserve you, my very dear friend, in the hour of peril, and crown with success your efforts in the cause of freedom. “Your few lines, my dear sir, have been received, and read, I know not how many times over, and with an interest which I dare not acknowledge. Your propositions, too, have been all candidly, and even anxiously weighed. And it is with many, very many regrets, my more than friend, that I am forced to the conclusion that, at present, it were better, that they be not complied with. You first propose to come here openly, explain to my father the reasons which compelled you to that course, which he pretends so much to censure, and claim the privilege of addressing me:—all the explanations, which it may be needful to make, would, I am satisfied, with my father's present feelings and impressions, be better listened to from me than yourself. And most assuredly they shall be made to him as soon as his mood shall be such as shall warrant the belief that they will be received, without passion or prejudice. And before you take the step you propose, I could wish also to see to some change in his views relative to the match he has marked out for me. And changed, believe me, they sooner or later will be. Reason will at length resume her sway; and, to say nothing of your character, the character of one of whom I would not willingly speak my opinion, must soon be better known to him. And he will see, and feel, for himself, that his present requirements are neither wise nor generous. But do not, for my sake, for your own sake, beloved friend, attempt to accomplish all this now, under circumstances so inauspicious: for I feel it would be useless; and not only so, but lead, probably, to the defeat of the objects, and consequently the happiness of us both. No, Warrington, be patient, trust in Heaven to expose guilt, and reward inocence, and rely on the constancy of her, who is resolved to bring about a state of things when her lover can be received in her father's house with the kindness and respect to which he is entitled. `Be astonished, O, ye heavens! and Alma Hendee, be you thunder struck! as I know you will be, when you learn, that we are—every man of us,—the Major and all, prisoners of war! Yes, I am a second time a prisoner to Mr. Selden! What means it, Alma? There is some strange fatality about it, that passes my poor comprehension. O, for some one deeply skilled in scanning the future—some one gifted with the second sight, which is claimed by our Highland seers in Scotland, to divine to me the portent of this singular happening! How very surprised *7 we all were when they landed—a body of armed men—and marched up, taking possession of the yard, and disarming our soldiers. “Major Warrington,—Our intimacy is forever ended. As no explanations need be given, so none will be received. I trust, therefore, that no further communications on your part will be attempted. “Miss Hendee, I guess, will remember, how, a year or two ago, a man came to your house and mended the things; and how he made some statements about Charles Warrington, the Colonel that now is. Now, what I said at that time has worried my feelings a great deal most ever since. Though I then really thought what I said was justifiable, even if it was not quite true, as I was made to believe it to be for your good. But I soon after found out what I told you was not so, for I didn't know myself, and only said what I was asked to say. This was the story of it. As I was going from house to house, working at my trade there in your part of the settlement, I fell in with a plausible sort of a man,— I don't think I had best call him by name,—and we after a while got to talking about Warrington, whom I had seen often enough, though I knew nothing about his private affairs. Well, he, in a smooth kind of way, said there was one thing that hurt his feelings; and that was, that Warrington was doing the wrong thing by a relative of his, a very likely girl, that he pretended to be courting for the sake of getting her family on his side in the York quarrel, when to his certain knowledge, he had a young wife that he had deserted down country. He said it was a great pity to have the girl so deceived, and he would give two gold guineas to any one who would break up the courtship. But he said it would do no kinder good for her relations to try; and they were very anxious some one else should undertake to do it. He then told me his plan was, that he and I, if I would agree to do it, should first kinder secretly tell folks this story about the deserted wife, so that it should get to her, and make her begin to believe it; and then I should go there and pretend to come from where Warrington used to live, and let drop some how, before the girl, that I was knowing myself to that business about his being married. Well, he kinder drew me into this plan, and I being poor, consented for the money to do as I did. But I soon mistrusted that this man had some wrong design, which I found out to be the case, and I feel very sorry, and ask pardon for what happened; and shall feel very bad if I done any mischief by it, as I think Colonel Warrington a very likely man. I think I shall feel easier now in my mind, but I guess, considering, I shant sign my name, though I am not ashamed of it, or at least I never was in any other affair since I was born. It is one of the felicities of soldiership, and of the gratifications of a commander, to award the meed of approbation to fidelity in a common cause, and fealty to a common sovereign. This meed, Sir, I deem it no flattery to say is yours, speaking, as I do, from personal acquaintance, and on the voucher of Colonel Beverly Robinson, a Loyal American officer, of worth, and zeal, and activity. “This may certify that David Remington, the bearer hereof, is thought to be a true friend to the States of America.
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