Ethan Allen to Governour Trumbull

v2:1593

July 6, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: Your letter of the eighth ultimo gave me to understand that my painful services, in behalf of my Country, were noticed by your Honour; my letters having received your patronage, were received by the honourable Continental Congress with that additional lustre they needed.

The notice your Honour, as well as Grand Continental Congress, I may add the Provincial Congress of New-York, hath taken of my zeal in the common cause, hath more confirmedly and authoritatively determined me to hazard my life in the same, and exert the small abilities with which I am endowed, to the utmost, as I have received assurances from both Congresses of shortly being admitted to an honourable preferment in the Army. I am now on my passage between New-York and Albany from those Congresses, in company with Mr˙ Seth Warner, my companion, with directions to form a battalion of seven companies of Green Mountain Boys; they are expert in the use of fire-arms,

As to our past services, it is recommended by the Grand Continental Congress that the Government of New-York pay the same as to gratuities, mentioned in your Honour' s letter; a little of that from Connecticut would be thankfully received, as we served equally in the night as in the day, in making a conquest of Lake Champlain; for which extreme service we are to be paid the same as the honourable General Assembly of Connecticut have established relative to their soldiery, and that none of our officers in that service be considered in a higher rank than Captain.

Your Honour' s inviolable attachment, and unshaken and religious perseverance in support of the liberties of America, manifested from the era of the detestable Stamp Act, hath not only entitled, but gained you the love and esteem of every friend to this Country, of whatever rank or denomination.

That your Honour may long live and sway that respectable Colony in the way of virtue and liberty, and after this transitory life receive the unspeakable reward of social virtue, is the sincere desire of him who is, with the greatest respect, your Honour' s devoted, most obedient and humble servant,

ETHAN ALLEN.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, esq˙, Governour of the Colony of Connecticut.