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Project Gutenberg's The Tree That Saved Connecticut, by Henry Fisk Carlton

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Title: The Tree That Saved Connecticut

Author: Henry Fisk Carlton

Editor: Claire T. Zyve

Release Date: April 6, 2009 [EBook #28511]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TREE THAT SAVED CONNECTICUT ***




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_DRAMATIC HOURS IN COLONIAL HISTORY_


The Tree
That Saved Connecticut

BY

HENRY FISK CARLTON


_Edited by_ CLAIRE T. ZYVE, Ph.D.
Fox Meadow School, Scarsdale, New York


BUREAU OF PUBLICATIONS
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK CITY




_HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR_

The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly
you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons
whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when
they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking
the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes
very different from the ones we wear today.

The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the
microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since
they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but
tried to make their voices show how they felt.

When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not
need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if
you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will
not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you
will not want to, since you will each have a copy of the book in your
hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the
part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very
distinctly, and that by your voice, you will make your audience
understand how you feel. In this way, you will have the fun of living
through some of the great moments of history.


_HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY_

There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but
these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio,
talking in front of a microphone. The word [_in_] means that the
character is standing close to the microphone, while [_off_] indicates
that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the
directions [_off, coming in_] are given, the person speaking is away
from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words
[_mob_] or [_crowd noise_] you will understand mean the sound of many
people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so
the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women
would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems
to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the
speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that
a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very
excitedly.




The Tree That Saved Connecticut


_CAST_

GOVERNOR TREAT
LIEUTENANT ALLYN
GOVERNOR ANDROS
CAPTAIN WADSWORTH
COLONEL BLIGH
THE SEXTON
CHARLES WILLYS
VOICE


ANNOUNCER

In the year 1661 Connecticut received from the hand of Charles the
Second a very liberal charter granting to the people of the colony
almost complete self-government and to the colony an enormous stretch
of territory extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. For fifteen years
the colony prospered under the generous charter. Then in 1676 trouble
arose with the Governor of New York, Sir Edmund Andros, about the
boundary line between the two colonies. Andros demanded authority over
all the land west of the Connecticut River. Governor Treat of
Connecticut refused to submit. Andros threatened to seize the disputed
land. Treat defied him. Andros fitted out three ships, embarked a
military force, and set out for Saybrooke, Connecticut. Treat ordered
out the militia, garrisoned the fort at Saybrooke, and waited.

Our first scene is in the fort on the morning of July 9, 1676. The
Governor is at breakfast when he hears--

VOICE [_distance_]

Sail, ho!

ALL [_closer_]

Sail, ho! Here they come; call the governor [_etc._]

ALLYN [_coming in_]

Governor! Governor! The ships are coming into the harbor!

TREAT

Are you certain they are the ships of Governor Andros?

ALLYN

Come and see for yourself, Governor.

TREAT

Come along, then. Lieutenant Allyn, how many ships did you see? [_crowd
noises swell up_]

ALLYN

Only one, sir. I didn't wait for any more.

TREAT

Ah, here we are! Give me your hand while I climb to the ramparts.

ALLYN

Yes, sir! Ah! There you are, sir!

TREAT

Good!

ALL [_in_]

There's three of 'em, Governor! That's Andros, sir. No doubt o' that!

TREAT

Yes, yes, three! Andros's ships! That's certain! [_calling_] Every man
to his place! Load your muskets and prepare for action! Andros shall
not land!

ALL

Aye! We'll stop him! Just let him try it!

Here, give me your ramrod. Have you got an extra flint? [_etc._]

TREAT

Lieutenant Allyn.

ALLYN

Yes, sir!

TREAT

Load the cannon!

ALLYN

It is loaded, sir.

TREAT

Fire across the bow of the forward ship! Make them come to!

ALLYN

Yes, sir! [_calling_] Throw the cannon across the bow of the forward
ship!

VOICE

Yes, sir!

ALLYN

Fire! [_a cannon shot_]

ALL

Oh! Look at it!

Yea! Good shot!

TREAT

Excellent! That will show Andros our temper!

ALLYN

The ship is coming about, sir!

TREAT

So I see! They may be going to answer our shot with a broadside!
[_calling_] Down! Every man down behind the ramparts!

ALLYN

Down! Down! Every man down!

VOICE [_distant_]

Ahoy, the fort!

TREAT

Oh! Hailing us! Well, let them hail!

VOICE

Ahoy, the fort!

TREAT

Can you see who it is, Lieutenant?

ALLYN

No, sir!

VOICE

I say there! Ahoy, the fort! Is there anyone there? Answer or we'll
open fire on you!

TREAT

Hail them, Lieutenant.

ALLYN [_calling_]

Hello there, what do you want?

VOICE

Is the Governor of Connecticut Colony in the fort?

ALLYN [_low_]

What shall I tell him?

TREAT

Tell him I'm here.

ALLYN [_loud_]

Yes, the Governor is here!

VOICE

Governor Andros sends his compliments--

TREAT [_under his breath_]

Compliments, indeed!

VOICE

And requests Governor Treat to come aboard for a parley.

TREAT

Never! Tell him if Andros has anything to say let him come here, alone
and unarmed, and say it!

ALLYN

Yes, sir! [_loud_] Governor Treat's compliments. He requests Governor
Andros to come ashore for a parley.

TREAT

Alone and unarmed.

ALLYN [_loud_]

If he means no harm, let him come alone and unarmed.

TREAT

He'll never come!

ALLYN

They're letting a small boat down, sir!

TREAT

Indeed! Who is in it?

ALLYN

A sailor and another--

TREAT

Andros?

ALLYN

It may be, I don't know him. They're pulling away from the side now.

TREAT

If that is really Andros, he's a brave man.

ALLYN

Aye, sir, he is that. Will you go down to meet him?

TREAT

Indeed I will, if he has the courage to come ashore without a guard! I
can do no less than meet him at the shore. Come along, Lieutenant.
[_calling_] Stand by, men, ready for action at any moment! Lieutenant
Allyn and I are going out to meet the Governor!

ALLYN

Through this portal, sir! I've unlocked it.

TREAT

Thank you.

ALLYN

The boat is just beaching, sir.

TREAT

Good! And here he comes.

ALLYN

Alone!

TREAT

Have I the honor of greeting Governor Andros?

ANDROS [_coming in, storming angrily_]

What is the meaning of this, sir? What is the meaning of this?

TREAT

I beg your pardon?

ANDROS

This--this show of force? What is the meaning of it, I say?

TREAT

Sir! This force is here to maintain the rights of this colony against
the illegal aggression of New York!

ANDROS

Where is your Governor?

TREAT

Here!

ANDROS

Well, Governor, I'll have you know that I have come here in the legal
performance of my duties to take command of land legally and lawfully a
part of the possessions of His Grace, the Duke of York.

TREAT

I have already informed you, sir, that you shall not have it!

ANDROS

Is this rebellion?

TREAT

It is not, I assure you. But we will hold this land which is ours by
right of grant from His Majesty, Charles the Second.

ANDROS

My commission as Governor of this territory comes directly from His
Grace, the Duke of York.

TREAT

His Grace has no jurisdiction here.

ANDROS

Here, sir, are my orders. [_rattle of paper_]

TREAT

And here, sir, is a true copy of our charter. [_rattle of paper_]

ANDROS

My orders supersede your charter.

TREAT

Our charter is a royal grant, and cannot be superseded except for cause
by due process of law.

ANDROS

I shall take possession under my orders. You can appeal to the Privy
Council for redress.

TREAT

You can take possession only after every man in this fort is dead!

ANDROS

Do you still insist on this ridiculous show of force?

TREAT

I do! If you make a move to land your troops, we will open fire!

ANDROS

Very well. I shall report to His Grace that I was prevented from
obeying his command by an unwarranted and illegal show of force!

TREAT

And we shall report to His Majesty that we defended our rights under
our royal charter.

ANDROS

Confound your charter! I'll see to it that you lose it! Good day, sir.

TREAT

Good day!


ANNOUNCER

So Governor Andros took his departure without gaining possession of the
territory he claimed. For the next ten years Connecticut continued in
undisputed possession of her charter, and then on December 19, 1686,
Andros was appointed Governor of all New England. News of this
appointment reached Connecticut several months later.

Our next scene is at the State House in Hartford. It is June of 1687.
The General Court of the Connecticut Colony is in session. As our scene
opens, Governor Treat is addressing the Assembly.

TREAT

Gentlemen! I have called you here to consider a matter of grave
importance to the life of this colony. As you know, His Majesty has
seen fit to deprive us of our rights under our charter and has
appointed a Governor who is to have supreme power over this colony and
all of New England.

WADSWORTH

Your Excellency--

TREAT

Yes, Captain Wadsworth?

WADSWORTH

Let us not submit! Let us appeal to the Privy Council! We have our
rights under the charter.

ALL

Yes, yes! Let us not submit!

TREAT

It is useless, gentlemen. When we are ordered to submit, we must submit
or be in rebellion.

WADSWORTH

When may we expect the order?

TREAT

I was informed this very morning that an officer of Governor Andros was
on his way here to take over the government of the colony, and we might
expect him this very day.

WADSWORTH

Then what can we do, sir?

TREAT

We can submit--indeed we must submit to the rule of Governor Andros,
but, gentlemen, we must not relinquish our charter!

ALL

No, no! We must save our charter. [_etc._]

TREAT

But how can we save it? If I am ordered to give it up, what can I do? I
have it here. It is in my possession. How can I hold it against an
order to relinquish it?

WADSWORTH

Your Excellency, if it is not in your possession, you cannot give it
up.

TREAT

But it is, Captain Wadsworth.

WADSWORTH

Then, sir, I move you that this Assembly forthwith take it out of your
possession and intrust it to a committee for safe-keeping.

TREAT

Yes, that is possible.

VOICE

Second!

TREAT

You have heard the proposal. Those favoring--

ALL

Aye!

TREAT

Opposed--it is a vote. Will someone propose the committee?

VOICE

Your Excellency, I propose Captain Wadsworth, Charles Willys, and John
Talcott.

TREAT

But Talcott is not here.

WADSWORTH

All the better, sir, since we cannot give up the charter except upon
unanimous consent of the committee.

TREAT

A very good arrangement. Is there a second to the nomination for the
Charter Committee?

VOICE

Second! [_loud knock_]

TREAT

Don't open until we have had the vote! All favoring--

ALL

Aye! [_knocking_]

BLIGH [_outside_]

Open, in the name of the King!

TREAT

Opposed? Carried!

BLIGH [_insistent knocking_]

Open, open, I say! Open in the name of the King.

TREAT [_over the noise_]

Captain Wadsworth, I deliver this charter into your hands for
safe-keeping.

WADSWORTH

We shall keep it, sir. Never fear!

TREAT [_calling_]

Doorkeeper, open the door!

VOICE

Yes, sir!

BLIGH [_coming in_]

What is the meaning of this, sir? Why was I locked out?

TREAT

Your pardon, sir. But what authority have you, sir, to break into the
Assembly of the General Court of Connecticut?

BLIGH

I have come to take over the government of this colony under the
authority of Governor Andros.

TREAT

Indeed, and who are you, if we may be permitted to know?

BLIGH

Ah, of course--I have the honor to be Samuel Bligh, Colonel in His
Majesty's service. Are you Robert Treat?

TREAT

I am.

BLIGH

Here are your orders! [_rattle of paper_]

TREAT

Thank you. "Hereby ordered"--yes--yes--"in compliance with mandate of
His Majesty"--yes, indeed. Colonel Bligh, we are ready to turn the
government over to Governor Andros.

BLIGH

Then, sir, you will deliver up the charter to me.

TREAT

What?

BLIGH

The charter! The charter--read the rest of the order, sir.

TREAT [_reading_]

"Governor Treat is hereby ordered to deliver up the forfeited
charter"--but, Colonel Bligh, I cannot deliver up the charter--

BLIGH

Why not?

TREAT

Because, sir, it is not in my possession.

BLIGH

In whose possession is it?

TREAT

It has been intrusted by the General Court to a special committee.

BLIGH

Indeed--and who comprises the committee?

TREAT

The clerk will read the names of the committee.

ALLYN

May it please you, sir, the committee consists of Captain Wadsworth,
Charles Willys, and John Talcott.

BLIGH

Are any of those named here?

WADSWORTH

Yes, sir!

BLIGH

Your name, sir?

WADSWORTH

Captain Wadsworth.

BLIGH

Captain Wadsworth, I order you to deliver up the charter to me.

WADSWORTH

Oh, yes, and have you an order for it there?

BLIGH

Indeed I have. Governor Treat has just read it.

WADSWORTH

May I be allowed to see it?

BLIGH

Of course. Governor Treat, will you let this gentleman read the order
and be satisfied.

WADSWORTH [_rattle of paper_]

Hm, yes.--"Governor Treat--hereby ordered"--but, Colonel, this is an
order upon Governor Treat!

BLIGH

Of course it is! Now are you satisfied?

WADSWORTH

I am deeply sorry, sir, I do not see how the committee can comply with
this order.

BLIGH

Why not, pray--is it not properly signed and sealed?

WADSWORTH

Oh yes. Signed properly, but it is drawn against the Governor--and not
against the Charter Committee.

BLIGH

Why--what--oh, this is too much! Governor Andros warned me that you
would be stubborn and stiff-necked! But I'll have that charter!
Here--I'll change that order--give it here!

WADSWORTH

Here you are, sir. [_rattle of paper_]

BLIGH

Hm--yes--a quill. So--now--"The Charter Committee--is hereby
ordered"--there you are. Now I hope you are satisfied.

WADSWORTH

Are you satisfied with this, Governor?

TREAT

Hm--does this not seem to be a forgery, Captain Wadsworth?

WADSWORTH

It not only seems to be, sir, but it is. I saw him make an illegal
change in the order. All of us saw it.

ALL

Yes, yes! We saw him.

It is a forgery! Don't obey it!

TREAT

I should say that the change invalidated the entire order!

BLIGH

What? You are trying to put me in the wrong?

WADSWORTH

Not at all, sir! You have put yourself in the wrong.

BLIGH

But--but--you forced me to make that change in the order.

TREAT

I believe, Colonel, we merely pointed out that your order was
inadequate; we did not force you to commit forgery.

BLIGH

Oh, this is a trick! This is a trick! I demand the immediate surrender
of the government and the charter!

TREAT

What is the will of the Assembly? Can we deliver up the government
under an order which is obviously forged?

ALL

No, no! No indeed!

TREAT

The vote is against you, Colonel.

BLIGH

Andros will come himself and attend to this affair. I wash my hands of
it! He'll make you pay for this day's work--and he'll get the charter!
Good day!

ALL

Good day!


ANNOUNCER

Andros did come, as Colonel Bligh had threatened, but not for several
months. But when he came, he came in state, with a company of soldiers,
two trumpeters, and Colonel Bligh. He intended this time to get the
charter, and no mistake!

Governor Treat called the General Court to assemble on the evening of
October 31, 1687, to confer with Governor Andros and make one last
determined stand to retain the charter even if there was no way to
retain their rights under the charter.

Our next scene is at the State House in Hartford. It is evening. The
sexton is preparing the room for the meeting which is about to take
place.

SEXTON [_to himself_]

Now these candles, where'd I best put 'em. I cal'ate mebbe I'd better
scatter 'em around the room--

WADSWORTH [_coming in_]

Good even to you, Nathan.

SEXTON

Even, Captain Wadsworth. Even, Master Allyn.

ALLYN

Good even, Nathan.

WADSWORTH

These candles, Nathan.

SEXTON

Yes, sir! I was jest a puttin' 'em around where everybody'd git a
little light.

WADSWORTH

I think perhaps you'd best put them all on the Governor's table.

SEXTON

The Governor's table. Yes, sir! So--one here--and one--

ALLYN

No, no, Nathan. Put them all together at this end of the table.

SEXTON

This end by the window?

ALLYN

I think that will be best, don't you, Captain?

WADSWORTH

Of course! The Governor needs a great deal of light.

SEXTON

But, sir, the draft from the window--it may blow them out.

ALLYN

Well, well, if it does, Nathan, we'll just have to light them all
again.

SEXTON

Yes, sir! Of course, sir!

WADSWORTH [_low_]

Now Allyn, seeing you are the clerk of the General Court, you can sit
at the Governor's table without exciting suspicion.

ALLYN

Yes, Captain!

WADSWORTH

Best put your chair next the window.

ALLYN

Have you the charter?

WADSWORTH

Yes, I have it with me, and when Andros demands it I shall have to
produce it.

ALLYN

Andros must not be allowed to get his hand on it.

WADSWORTH

That will be your duty.

ALLYN

Yes?

WADSWORTH

Willys will be waiting outside that window, next your chair. When the
candles go out, grab the charter and toss it out the window. He'll put
it in a safe place.

ALLYN

Where?

WADSWORTH

You know the oak in front of his house?

ALLYN

Indeed yes!

WADSWORTH

There is a hollow--high up--

ALLYN

Good!

WADSWORTH [_louder_]

Nathan!

SEXTON

Yes, Captain!

WADSWORTH

A good fire you have in the fireplace.

SEXTON

I figgered to have a good fire--it's a mite chilly this evenin'.

WADSWORTH

It may get overly warm in here before the meeting is over.

SEXTON

Aye.

WADSWORTH

I want you to stand close to that window behind John Allyn's chair.

SEXTON

Yes, sir!

WADSWORTH

Don't leave it. And the moment I say, "Sexton, it's warm in here,"
throw open the window. You understand?

SEXTON

"Sexton, it's warm in here," throw it open. Yes, sir, I understand.

WADSWORTH

Never mind what anyone else says. Throw it open on my signal and throw
it wide open.

SEXTON

But the candles, sir--they may go out. They're right close to the
window.

WADSWORTH

Never mind the candles.

SEXTON

Never mind them--yes, sir! [_trumpets sound outside_]

ALLYN

Here comes Andros. Throw open the door.

WADSWORTH

Never mind, Nathan. I'll do it. You stay by that window.

SEXTON

The window. Yes, sir!

WADSWORTH

Enter, Governor Andros.

ANDROS

Thank you. Governor Treat--I now call you that for the last time--will
you show me to my place?

TREAT

Of course, sir. Captain Wadsworth, will you usher us to our places?

WADSWORTH

Right this way, Governor. We have arranged this place for you.

ANDROS

Thank you. Do we need all the candles here?

WADSWORTH

For you and the clerk. [_noise and confusion of members entering_]

ANDROS

Yes, yes! Of course! Treat, will you sit at my left?

TREAT

Thank you, sir!

ANDROS

Will you call the Assembly to order?

TREAT

Gentlemen, will you take your places. [_sound of gavel_] The Assembly
will please come to order! [_quiet_] In accordance with the command of
His Majesty we are met here to surrender the government of the
Connecticut Colony to the Royal Governor, Sir Edmund Andros. On behalf
of this Assembly, I have the honor, sir, to welcome you and assure you
of our submission to His Majesty's command. We have ever been a loyal
and a law-abiding people. We surrender the prerogatives of government
under our charter with regret; but His Majesty commands, and we, his
loyal subjects, have nought to do but obey. We are, sir, yours to
command.

ALL [_cheers_]

ANDROS

Thank you, Master Treat. I am agreeably pleased at the expression of
obedience. In the name of His Majesty I hereby take command of the
colony of Connecticut and order it joined to the colony of
Massachusetts Bay, of which you shall henceforth be a part. And now,
you have only to surrender the charter to me to complete the ceremony
of submission to the order of His Majesty.

TREAT

But, sir, we have signified our submission. The surrender of the
charter is quite another thing.

ANDROS

How so?

TREAT

It was granted in perpetuity, to be forfeited only through due process
of law.

ANDROS

Have you not been informed, sir, that a writ of quo warranto issued in
the proper courts of England was tried and went by default last
February?

TREAT

Last February? Indeed, sir! We had no knowledge that any action was
brought against it. Who was the complainant?

ANDROS

I was!

TREAT

You, sir?

ANDROS

Indeed, you seem to have forgotten an occasion when I promised you I'd
get your charter.

TREAT

No, sir! Unfortunately I still remember it!

ANDROS

I have here the original court order, declaring your charter forfeit,
and I shall now trouble your Charter Committee to produce the original
document.

TREAT

One moment, sir. Has not every Englishman a right to defend his case
before a court of law?

ANDROS

Of course--you had such a chance and failed to appear.

TREAT

We had no notice of the action.

ANDROS

That's not my fault.

TREAT

The court is in error, and we shall appeal.

ANDROS

Appeal all you like; but produce the charter.

TREAT

We do so under protest.

ANDROS

Ah, very well. I care not how much you protest. Once I get the charter,
I can assure you, you'll never see it again.

TREAT

But, sir!

ANDROS

Produce the charter.

TREAT

Captain Wadsworth, place the charter on the table.

WADSWORTH

Here it is, sir.

ANDROS

Ah--at last!

TREAT

One moment, sir.

ANDROS

What now?

TREAT

Will you first sign the receipt for the charter, so that the committee
may be protected?

ANDROS

Why, certainly, if you wish. It's no matter; but I'll do it. Give me
your quill, clerk.

ALLYN

Here you are, sir--and paper.

ANDROS

Yes. Hm--"received--charter--signed"--there--

WADSWORTH

Sexton, it's warm in here!

SEXTON

Yes, sir! [_noise of window_]

ANDROS

Hey, the lights! Quick, what's happened? Lights! Lights!

ALL

The candles have all blown out!

Put down the window!

What's the matter--[_etc._] [_exclamations continue through the scene_]

ANDROS

Put that window down! What are you trying to do?

SEXTON

Why, sir, it was warm.

ANDROS

Put it down, I say! Light those candles! What foolishness is this?
Light those candles, I say! Do you hear me?

SEXTON

Yes, sir, at once, sir! [_noise of window going down_]

Here, sir, I'll light the candles. I'm right sorry, sir. Now, where did
I put my flint? Ah, here it is. There you are, sir. I'm right sorry I
put you out, sir. I didn't think--

ANDROS

Fool! Now, Treat, hand me the charter.

TREAT

The charter--why, sir--you had it.

ANDROS

Had it? What are you talking about?

TREAT

Why, sir! I saw you put your hand on it the moment the lights went out.

ANDROS

Indeed I did not. Give it here!

TREAT

But, sir--

ANDROS

Hey--you--Captain--

WADSWORTH

Sir!

ANDROS

Wadsworth, give me the charter!

WADSWORTH

But, sir, I gave it to you.

ANDROS

You did not!

WADSWORTH

But I have here your receipt for it!

ANDROS

Give me back that receipt!

WADSWORTH

I shall certainly do nothing of the kind, sir. I gave you the charter;
you gave me this receipt for it. I have here twenty witnesses to the
transaction!

ANDROS

I'm being tricked! I say I will have that charter. It's somewhere here,
and I'll have it. [_calling_] Colonel Bligh!

BLIGH [_distance_]

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Surround this place with your soldiers. Don't let a single man leave
until he has been searched!

TREAT

Sir, this is illegal! You have no search warrants!

ANDROS

Indeed! I'll do it whether it's legal or not. I'll have that charter, I
tell you, if I have to search every spot in this town! I'll have it, I
say I'll have it.


ANNOUNCER

And so the great search began. All that night and into the next day the
Governor, the Colonel, and their soldiers searched high and low for the
missing charter. At last they came to the house of Charles Willys, in
front of which stood the great oak in which the charter lay safely
hidden.

ANDROS

Who lives here?

TREAT

This is the home of Charles Willys!

ANDROS

Indeed! One of the Charter Committee, eh?

TREAT

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Good! Search this place inside and out, Colonel. Don't leave a thing
unturned.

BLIGH

Very good, sir! Search this place, Captain--thoroughly. Tear up the
floors, dig up the garden, rip the upholstery off the furniture, but
find that charter!

VOICE

Yes, sir. Follow me!

ANDROS

Bring out the master of the house. The rest of you back up against this
tree and don't move!

TREAT

Sir, I protest again--

ANDROS

Protest all you like. It will do you no good until you produce that
charter.

TREAT

I don't know where it is. You had it, that's all I know. If you lost
it, it is not our fault.

ANDROS

Silence!

BLIGH [_a little distance_]

Here's the master of the house, sir.

ANDROS

Ah, indeed! Are you Master Willys?

WILLYS

I am.

ANDROS

Where is the charter?

WILLYS

Your pardon, sir, but how should I know?

ANDROS

You were a member of the Charter Committee, were you not?

WILLYS

I was!

ANDROS

Then where is it?

WILLYS

I am informed that the charter--

ANDROS

Yes?

WILLYS

Was placed--

ANDROS

Yes--yes--

WILLYS

In your hands!

ANDROS

Sir! If you don't tell me where that charter is--

WILLYS

What then, sir?

ANDROS

Do you see this oak tree?

WILLYS

I'm not blind, sir.

ANDROS

I'll have you strung up--strung up in it, sir; I'll have you strung up
in it!

WILLYS

I should hate to have such a fine tree perverted to such a purpose,
sir!

ANDROS

Ah! You would! Colonel Bligh! Colonel!

BLIGH [_distance_]

Yes, Governor!

ANDROS

Send me half a dozen soldiers and a stout rope!

BLIGH

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Ah! Now perhaps we'll get something from you. Will you tell me or will
you be hanged by your thumbs from that stout limb up there until you
are ready to tell me where the charter is?

TREAT

Governor Andros, I fear you have forgotten yourself in your rage.
Master Willys is entitled to a trial before any such punishment can be
meted out to him.

ANDROS

Silence, or I'll have you strung up with him! Gad, sir, I'll fill this
oak tree with stiff-necked rebellious Connecticut men, but I'll have
that charter!

BLIGH

Here are your men, sir!

ANDROS

Good! One of you climb that oak tree. Here, you, Sergeant.

VOICE

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Give him a hand there. [_sound of starting to climb the tree_] Have the
men found anything in the house, Colonel?

BLIGH

Not a thing, sir!

WADSWORTH

Look here, sir.

ANDROS

Ah, Captain Wadsworth. Have you something to say?

WADSWORTH

I have, sir.

ANDROS

Speak out.

WADSWORTH

Tell those men to stay out of that tree and I'll tell you.

ANDROS

All right, Sergeant, come down. I thought we'd get something out of
them if we scared them. Well, Captain?

WADSWORTH

Sir, you have lost the charter; that is clear.

ANDROS

Where is it?

WADSWORTH

Just a minute. You have lost it. You also have given us your receipt
for it; therefore you should have it.

ANDROS

And I intend to have it.

WADSWORTH

You can't. I can assure you of that, but here is what I propose. The
committee is willing to turn over the receipt to you if you will stop
this foolish and destructive search for something you can't find.

ANDROS

Never! Sergeant, go up that tree again. We'll string these fellows up.

WADSWORTH

Ah, very well, then. But, sir, you'll look very foolish when you report
to the Privy Council that you did not get the charter, and we produce
your signed receipt!

ANDROS

What?--Hm--

TREAT

Yes, indeed, Governor. How will you explain that to the King?

ANDROS

What? Why! Ah--very well then, give me the receipt and I'll leave.
After all, your charter will do you no good. It's revoked.

TREAT

Exactly! That's a very sensible view to take, Governor Andros. I
congratulate you.

WADSWORTH

Here is the receipt, sir.

ANDROS

Humph!

WADSWORTH

You're very welcome, sir.

ANDROS

Colonel Bligh, draw up your guard and prepare to return to Boston.
[_orders and confusion_]

TREAT [_over the noise_]

My congratulations, Captain Wadsworth. A good bargain.

WADSWORTH

Indeed it was. Another foot up the tree, and the Sergeant would have
had the charter.

BLIGH

Quick step, march!


ANNOUNCER

By saving the charter Connecticut preserved her claim to separate
government, and in 1694 the King decided that the charter was in full
legal force. It served as the fundamental order of Connecticut
government down to the Revolution and until 1818, when a new state
constitution superseded it.

The oak in which the charter was so well hidden was called from that
time the "Charter Oak." It stood until August 21, 1856, when it fell.
At sunset of that day the bells of Hartford tolled, and mourning was
displayed for the historic old tree. And today interested tourists may
see the spot where the Charter Oak stood and see a piece of the old
tree in the State House.








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