H istorical d ocument

visit
 
us
 @ 
www
.
profilesinhistory
.
com
P
age
 8
Profiles in History
   
Historical Document Auction 63
6. Allen, Ethan. Autograph letter signed (“Ethan Allen”), 3 pages (7.5 x 12 in.; 190 x 304 mm.), front and verso on 2 conjoined sheets, 
Wyoming [Valley, Pennsylvania], 30 April 1786, addressed by Allen to Matthew Griswold, Governor of Connecticut. The address leaf is 
also free franked by him, “E Allen”, a unique example, by our records. No postal markings. In the philatelic world, this frank could carry 
more value than a superb Benjamin Franklin free frank, of which there are many. Fine condition.
One of the finest letters of Ethan Allen extant. The great general’s last hurrah, defending the Connecticut-based owners 
of the Susquehanna Company for their land based in the Wyoming Valley. 
I arrived to the hostile grounds and found a territory which has been distressed by Britons, Tories, Savages, and the more Savage and 
avaricious land-jobbers.
The letter concerns the troubles in the settlements of the Susquehanna Company in the northern part of Pennsylvania, which was 
inhabited by settlers from Connecticut. The Wyoming Valley is an area that is now Wilkes-Barre. The area was also claimed by Pennsylvania, 
who ignored the Connecticut titles. In Allen’s last hurrah, he went to the area, being promised land and stirred up not only the 
Pennsylvanians, but his long-time nemesis, Governor Clinton of New York, by proposing that a new State be carved out of the area, and 
include several counties of New York. Allen’s presence undoubtedly contributed to the resolution, when Pennsylvania finally agreed to 
honor Connecticut’s claims. At this exact time, Allen was involved in another challenge to our infant nation, in that he was approached by 
Daniel Shays of Shays Rebellion. Although he was offered to become “King of Massachusetts”, Allen dismissed Shays as an opportunist. 
Allen writes in full: Sir, the 28th instant. I arrived to the Hostile ground and found a territory which has been distressed by Britons, Tories, Savages, 
and the more Savage and avaricious land-jobbers. (I had almost said Government) of Pennsylvania. Every exertion of government in the consequences 
has hitherto been attended with cruelties and injustice, every similar to the cruelties perpetrated by the Spaniards towards the Peruvian Indians, or that of 
the British in the East Indies towards the natives. Law, order and Government are the Hobby Horses of the Pennsylvanians with which they alias their 
land schemers, design to dispossess the Connecticut settlers, and obtain and assimilate to themselves their lands and labours. The Congressional decree of 
Trentown, has put it into their power, legally speaking to denominate every noble exertion of the Inhabitants to maintain their rightful possessions to be 
criminal, licentious, and disorderly, although in the reason and fitness of things, the alteration of Jurisdiciton does not at all alter or transfer the property 
of the subject to others. By threats, intrigues and arms, our opponents are striving to evail themselves of this rich and fertile country which we purchased 
of the aboriginals, and of Connecticut, whose Charter in express words covers it, and have been in the occupancy of it twenty six years last past, defended 
it through the late revolution, at the expense of the blood of the principal part of our inhabitants, and the buildings and the movable estate of the whole 
settlement, in all which conflicts we were a frontear barrier to Pennsylvania, but notwithstanding all this, such a handle is made by the Jurisdictional decree 
of Trentown, as to leave us no alternative (in the enjoyment of our lands and labours) but to defend our Persons and Possessions by force Arms which the 
Government of Pennsylvania call high treason against the State, and we are apprehensive that the procuring to the Trentown decree was much of a piece 
with the intrigues we have experienced.
In the month of August 1784 a detachment of armed troops under the command of Col. Armstrong the then Secretary of the State was sent by 
Government to Wyoming as he and the Sheriff and Sundry other leading men of the Government gave out, to quiet a disturbance there subsisting, and 
a parley between them and the Inhabitants who were also under arms ensued in which it was agreed that hostilities should cease on both sides and that 
the inhabitants would in future submit and demean themselves conformably to the Laws and Government of Pennsylvania in consequence whereof the 
inhabitants (by an agreement) grounded their arms, and Col. Armstrong’s detachment took possession of them and have detained them to this day, and at 
the same time demanded the armless and indiscreet inhabitants to surrender themselves prisoner or they would shoot them dead, which they were obliged to 
do, upon which they were loaded with irons, taken to gaol and tried for high Treason, but acquitted by the Jury. Your Excellency will readily perceive what 
a thraldom of perplexity, and evil, the decision of Trentown has thrown us into. By the specious pretext of Law we must give up our lands and labours to 
our opponents, which if we oppose we are charged with high treason. We are however determined to defend our possessions and persons at all Events. We 
hear that a Mr. Arnold, one of the members of the Congressional Court, has given such intelligence to the Government of Connecticut respecting the tryal, 
that they are about to exhibit to Congress reasons for a new tryal, and hope it may be true, pray consider that notwithstanding the decree of Trentown we 
are your distressed children and hope and Expect the aid and protection of your Government as far as possible. I am, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient 
Humble Serv’t [signed] Ethan Allen.
This letter is ex-Oliver Barrett, and has not seen the light of day for 60 years. It is by far the finest letter that has ever come to market of 
this great Patriot. Recently at Swann Auction, a mere DS of Colonial date, and with condition problems, fetched nearly $60,000. Over 
20 years ago, a letter sold at Christie’s with nice content (not as good as the one offered here) for well over $40,000.
                                                                                                                                                                   $30,000 - $50,000

---