44. PRISONERS ESCAPE IN VERMONT A highly unusual A.L.S. 3pp. legal folio, Rutland, Aug. 4, 1780, from commander of the Continental prison camp, Capt. Daniel Clap, to then-Governor John Hancock in Boston. He writes complaining of the problems he has encountered in recruiting men to serve as guards, although additional guards would not appear to have been necessary as he already has nineteen men guarding about 50 prisoners! He then states that his duty of guarding prisoners is complicated by clandestine assistance they are apparently receiving from an unnamed organization in Vermont. In small part: "...What renders it [guard duty] much more difficulties [is] a secret connection and communication betwixt our prisoners and certain persons belonging to the State of Vermont, so called, who it seems have undertaken to negotiate their exchange or redemption...by any means...from us & flee to them - They have been...too successful in their attempts. Nine have made their escape since the 11th Ult. and arrived safe at their place of refuge, among whom was the noted Simon Baxter (whose conduct and character I doubt not your excellency may remember while at Boston), but my the vigilance & good conduct of Genl. Bellows and others, the said Baxter was taken at Rockingham on the 30th...". He then relates how the escaped prisoner bore a pass giving him safe conduct, which read as follows: "Arlington, 18th of July 1781. To Whom It May Concern, the bearer Simon Baxter is permitted to remain within this state unmolested [if] he behaving well, until it can be known whether he can be exchanged as he is a prisoner and offers himself for exchange. Thomas Chittenden Capt. Grds.". Carp then states: "...As General Bellows does not yield obedience to the jurisdiction of Vermont, he immediately sent said Baxter under Guard to this place, who is this day sent off to Worcester Gaol, the only secure place we have at present for prisoners who are determined to escape...Both the officers of the guard as well as myself have for a long time been both tired and ashamed of our situations, and conceiving it to be consistent with good economy & the public safety, to have the small number of prisoners at this place removed to the guard ships and the post broken up...". A wonderful piece relating to the suspicions over Vermont's loyalty during the American Revolution. Unhappy with their treatment by New York, New Hampshire and other states, the Vermont government flirted with defection to the British, the negotiations over which actually helped stall British plans for another invasion from Quebec after Burgoyne's defeat in 1777. Heavy fold splits and chipping to margins, show-through, still legible. Overall good. $700-900