A Few Lawless Vagabonds: Ethan Allen, the Republic of Vermont and the American R

Description: A Few Lawless Vagabonds by David Bennett This work takes us beneath the veneer of the famous "Green Mountain Boys" to reveal the true story of how a hardened, quasi-commando army happened to be present in Americas northern colonies at the start of the Revolution. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description This work takes us beneath the veneer of the famous "Green Mountain Boys" to reveal the true story of how a hardened, quasi-commando army happened to be present in Americas northern colonies at the start of the Revolution.Under their first dynamic commander, Ethan Allen, the Green Mountain Boys indeed formed and fought against a larger, oppressive power—this was the Colony of New York, which repeatedly tried to make claim to Vermont land. Meantime Vermont itself was termed the "Hampshire Grants," and was considered to be a part of that similarly nebulous New England territory.The Vermonters would have little of it, however, even as British Canada also extended its covetous eye, and under Ethan Allen formed their own militia to combat encroachers from either side. Allen was not an innocent in the mix, and had his own agenda, including financial or landowning ones. But the spirit he and his men showed in defense of their isolated mountains has come to epitomize Americas own spirit of independence against any untoward or unwanted regime.When the Revolution against Britain arrived, the Green Mountain Boys were one of the few organized, experienced combat units Washington could call on from the northeast. And they were immediately put to good use, seizing the British fortress at Ticonderoga and afterward helping to invade Canada. But in mid-1777 was declared the "Republic of Vermont," sending a signal to all comers that those rustic fighters didnt wish to be governed by anyone except themselves.Nevertheless, at the Battle of Hubbardton, and then Bennington, the Green Mountain Boys performed good service on behalf of the United Colonies. Eventually the Vermonters would be persuaded to join the new nation itself, even if, as this fascinating book proves, they never considered that path such an easy one. Author Biography was educated at Christs Hospital School and Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, where he took history and philosophy. He holds a Ph.D in philosophy from McGill University. He spent much of his working life in the labor movement, ending his career in 2006 as National Director of Health, Safety and Environment at the Canadian Labour Congress. He is widely published in the areas of workplace health and environmental protection and has published several articles, op-ed pieces and reviews on the Second World War. Table of Contents Acknowledgments A Note on Sources Introduction CHAPTER l The "Fronter" CHAPTER 2 Controversy: The New Hampshire Grants CHAPTER 3 Ethan Allen and the Assault on Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775 CHAPTER 4 The Capture of Ethan Allen at Montreal, September 25, 1775 CHAPTER 5 Carletons Campaign of 1775-1776 CHAPTER 6 The British Incursion into Vermont, 1777 CHAPTER 7 The Republic of Vermont CHAPTER 8 Defending the Republic: New York, New Hampshire and the Continental Congress CHAPTER 9 Defending the Republic: The British Raids from Canada CHAPTER 10 The Haldimand Negotiations, Phase 1: July 1780 to December 1781 CHAPTER 11 The Haldimand Negotiations, Phase 2: January 1782 to April 1783 CHAPTER 12 The Political Philosophy of Ethan Allen CHAPTER 13 Ethan Allen: Endgame and Assessment Appendix: Seth Warners Letter to General Montgomery Notes Bibliography Index Review "...makes an interesting assessment on Ethan Allens character and commitment (or lack-there-of) to the Continental Cause; appearing instead as staunch supporter of Vermonts future as an independent and thriving powerhouse."-- "The Colonial Review""...a very scholarly book...the history is covered closely and well, it is easy to be swept up in the fervor of the times. I recommend this book to those who want to know much more about a little known but interesting facet of our early nation."-- "San Francisco Book Review""...lays out a three way relationship between Allen, the British in Canada during the ARW and the Republic of Vermont...delves into archival sources to reveal how Ethan and other members of the Allen family were very serious about turning Vermont into a crown colony. Their efforts came close to becoming an open and public issue in late 1781...The Ethan Allen who emerges from this 276 page hardcover book still ranks as an opportunistic war hero. But he was a unique combination of patriot and betrayer of the public trust. His Fight was for Vermonts autonomy, not the independence of the American Colonies as a whole. The businessman, farmer, land speculator, philospher, writer and politicians greatest success was as an ardent Vermont seperatists. Allen is justly celebrated as the prinicipal founder of the Green Mountain State.-- "Toy Solder & Model Figure""...may be the best American Revolutionary War era book to come out in years... exhaustive research challenges many previous researchers... Historians and biographers alike will be impressed with the authors depiction of Allen and his efforts to ensure Vermonts sovereignty ...a must read for all those with an interest in the period of American Revolutionary."-- "Military Review""...presents close readings of early documents as well as secondary sources on Vermont and Allen. .. Insightful, viewing Vermonts history with fresh eyes and offering original analysis...reveals continuing power of Ethan Allen on the imagination, even in the face of criticism.-- "Vermont History""an outstanding work, a major contribution to early vermont history and a must read for anyone seriously interested in the latest research on Ethan Allen and his associates"-- "Walloomsack Review""weaves together several little told but quite interesting stories to give us an informative and revealing look at one of the heroes of the American Revolution and that curious corner of in the Revolutionary War, the self-proclaimed "Republic of Vermont." Bennetts account does not stop with the capture of Ticonderoga, where most accounts of Allens life more or less end. He carries the story of Allen and the "Republic" of Vermont through the Revolutionary War, during which there were British campaigns and raids against the mountaineers, as well as efforts by both New York and New Hampshire to claim the territory, and battles not only in the field but also in Congress, and even gives a thoughtful little essay on "The Political Philosophy of Ethan Allen." In the process he touches upon English colonial policy, disputed land claims, "state" rivalries, contemporary religious thought, local loyalties, woodland warfare, frontier "democracy," Patriot, Royal, Vermont policy and strategy, and more. From Bennetts account, Allen emerges less as an American patriot than as a Vermont patriot, as well as a successful businessman and self-promoter. An very interesting book."-- "The NYMAS Review""A different angle on the history of Ethan Allen has come out this year, and it will surprise those who look on Ethan as an untarnished hero."-- "The Rutland Herald""A Few Lawless Vagabonds has much to praise. Bennetts command of the primary-source material from archives in Ontario and Vermont is impressive. His methodology of extracting goals from actions rather than assuming Allens place as a hallowed Paul Revere-like figure is also laudable. Military historians will take an interest in his chapters on the seizure of Fort Ticonderoga and of John Burgoynes southerly thrust in 1777, which Bennett calls "sheer folly" (p. 13). His analysis of the Haldimand Negotiations is the most exhaustive and compelling to date... Bennett does an excellent job highlighting the fierce competition between colonies and states for land and resources. The author reminds us that British North America and the Confederation-era United States were composed of mini-settler empires that were frequently at odds with each other. His book illuminates the strength of David C. Hendricksons argument in Peace Pact: The Lost World of the American Founding (2003) that the Constitution of 1787 was a "peace pact" between rival states on the verge of civil war. By focusing on Ethan Allen, his brothers, and their allies, enemies, and potential friends, Bennett resurrects a Revolutionary-era world fraught with myriad hopes, aspirations, political philosophies, and intriguing possibilities."-- "H-Net Reviews" Long Description A Few Lawless Vagabonds is an account of the three-way relationship between Ethan Allen, the Republic of Vermont (1777 1791) and the British in Canada during the American Revolution, a work of political and military history. Ethan Allen was a prime mover in the establishment of the Republic (though he was a captive of the British, 1775 1778), then led the fight to maintain its independence from the predatory states of New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts; from the American Continental Congress; and from British attacks on the new state. In order to defend Vermont s independence, Ethan Allen engaged in secret, unlawful negotiations with the British in Canada, aimed at turning Vermont into a separate Government under the Crown. The attempts of the Allen family to maintain Vermont s independence from its neighbors were successful: Vermont became the 14th State in 1791. A Few Lawless Vagabonds is the first systematic attempt, using archival sources, to show that the Allens were utterly serious in their aim to turn Vermont into a Crown colony, a project which came close to becoming an open, public issue late in 1781. The Ethan Allen that emerges is not as a warrior hero of the American Revolution but as a successful Vermont nationalist who is justly celebrated as the principal founder of the State of Vermont, a rare combination of patriot and betrayer of the public trust. The British leaders who were Ethan s opposite numbers emerge in turn as thoroughly capable military officers and diplomatic negotiators: Sir Henry Clinton, Sir Guy Carleton and Sir Frederick Haldimand. REVIEWS A different angle on the history of Ethan Allen has come out this year, and it will surprise those who look on Ethan as an untarnished hero.The Rutland Herald" Review Quote weaves together several little told but quite interesting stories to give us an informative and revealing look at one of the heroes of the American Revolution and that curious corner of in the Revolutionary War, the self-proclaimed "Republic of Vermont." Bennetts account does not stop with the capture of Ticonderoga, where most accounts of Allens life more or less end. He carries the story of Allen and the "Republic" of Vermont through the Revolutionary War, during which there were British campaigns and raids against the mountaineers, as well as efforts by both New York and New Hampshire to claim the territory, and battles not only in the field but also in Congress, and even gives a thoughtful little essay on "The Political Philosophy of Ethan Allen." In the process he touches upon English colonial policy, disputed land claims, "state" rivalries, contemporary religious thought, local loyalties, woodland warfare, frontier "democracy," Patriot, Royal, Vermont policy and strategy, and more. From Bennetts account, Allen emerges less as an American patriot than as a Vermont patriot, as well as a successful businessman and self-promoter. An very interesting book. Details ISBN1612002404 Author David Bennett Short Title FEW LAWLESS VAGABONDS Language English ISBN-10 1612002404 ISBN-13 9781612002408 Media Book Format Hardcover Residence US Year 2014 Publication Date 2014-06-25 UK Release Date 2014-06-25 Imprint Casemate Publishers Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2014-06-25 NZ Release Date 2014-06-25 US Release Date 2014-06-25 Pages 336 Publisher Casemate Publishers Subtitle Ethan Allen, the Republic of Vermont and the American Revolution DEWEY 970.03 Illustrations 8pp illustrations Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:137417921;

Price: 87.1 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-01-26T08:39:50.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD