The Cavalcade of America presented by DuPont. This evening, the Cavalcade of America presented by DuPont brings you a story which we have called Yankee Independence, the story of Connecticut's famed Charter Oak. It begins 242 years ago, and the crude buildings, implements, and other so-called conveniences of that era are indeed a far cry from those we all take for granted today. For America has progressed even more amazingly than many of us realize. Modern transportation has made the nation a neighborhood. The achievements of engineers, scientists, medical men, and countless others have been a tremendous impetus in our forward march. And in step with each phase of our progress has been the research chemist. He has created scores of new products, some of which have founded whole new industries. He has improved existing products that they may serve us better. And he faces a new year eager to break new trails, to contribute new ideas and products, and to continue to provide, as DuPont phrases it, better things for better living through chemistry. As our overture, Don Vorez and the Cavalcade Orchestra play a special setting of the ever popular Four Butterfly. Thank you guys. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. The facts of the story of the Charter Oak are clouded in legend, but many believe that the main events were substantially as we present them this evening. New England was colonized by people who put self-government above all other ideals. Although officially under the rule of the British Crown, extensive rights and privileges were given to the colonists by their charters. Connecticut people in particular came to regard their colony's charter as the symbol of its freedom, and they would sooner have parted with their possessions, their homes, or even their lives. But in 1686, the Privy Council in England decided to join all New England under one government and appointed Sir Edmund Amdros, governor of the United Province. The story of Connecticut's determined effort to keep its identity and to protect its charter is one that has become a New England legend. Let us turn back to June in the year 1687 at the Meeting House in Hartford. The general court of the colony is being called to order by the governor, Robert Tree. Gentlemen, I have called you here to consider a matter of grave importance to the life of this colony. For over 25 years, we've had a charter that has allowed us the rights of self-government. The charter has granted us all the territory westward, and our colony has grown and will continue to prosper with that charter as the safeguard of our rights. Now, His Majesty has appointed a governor who is to have supreme power over all New England. Your Excellency. Yes, Captain Wadsworth? Let us not submit. Let us appeal to the Privy Council. We still have our rights under the charter. Yes, yes. Gentlemen, it is useless. When His Majesty orders us to submit, we must submit or be in rebellion. I was informed this very morning that an officer of Governor Amdros is on his way here to take over the government of the colony. Then what can we do, sir? We can submit. Indeed, we must submit to the rule of Governor Amdros. But gentlemen, we must not relinquish our charter. We must save our charter. But how? That's what I have called you here to consider. How can we save the charter? Just don't give it up. But gentlemen, it is in my possession, and if I am ordered to give it up and refuse, I shall be disobedient to His Majesty. Your Excellency. Yes, Captain Wadsworth? If the charter were not in your possession, you couldn't give it up. True, but it is, Captain. Then, sir, I move you that this assembly forthwith take it out of your possession and entrust it to a committee for safekeeping. Yes, that is possible. Second the motion. You have heard the proposal. Those favoring? Aye. Opposed? He does so order. May I hear proposals for the members of the committee? Your Excellency, I propose Captain Wadsworth, Charles Willis, and John Talbot. But Talbot is not here. All the better, sir, since we cannot give up the charter except upon unanimous consent of the committee. A very good arrangement. Is there a second to the nominations for the charter committee? Second. Very well. Then we shall. Don't open the door until we have voted. All favoring? Aye. Opposed? He does so order. Open, I say. Open in the name of the King. Captain Wadsworth, I deliver this charter into your hands for safekeeping. We'll keep it, sir, and have a beer. Doorkeeper, open the door. Yes, sir. What's the meaning of this, sir? Why was I locked out? Your pardon, sir, but what authority have you to break into the assembly of the General Court of Connecticut? I've come to take over the government of this colony under the authority of Governor Andros. Indeed? And who are you, if we may be permitted to know? Of course. I am Samuel Bly. I have the honor to be Colonel in His Majesty's service. Are you Robert Treat? I am. Here are your orders. Thank you, sir. Hereby ordered, yes, yes, in compliance with the mandate of His Majesty. Yes, indeed. Colonel Bly, we are ready to turn the government over to Governor Andros. Then, sir, you will deliver up the charter to me. Sir, the charter, the charter, read the rest of the order. Governor Treat is hereby ordered to deliver up the formatted charter, but Colonel Bly, I cannot deliver up the charter. Why not? Because, sir, it is not in my possession. It has been entrusted by the General Court to a special committee. Indeed, and who comprises the committee? The clerk will read the names of the committee. May it please you, sir, the committee consists of Captain Wadsworth, Charles Willis, and John Talcott. Are any of those men here? Yes, sir. I am Captain Wadsworth. Captain Wadsworth, I order you to deliver up the charter to me. Oh, yes. And have you an order for it there? Indeed, I have. Governor Treat has just read it. May I be allowed to see it? Of course. Governor Treat, will you let this gentleman read the order and be satisfied? Certainly. Thank you, Governor. Oh, yes, yes indeed. Governor Treat is hereby ordered, but, Colonel, this is an order upon Governor Treat. Of course. Now, are you satisfied? Well, I am deeply sorry, sir. I do not see how the committee can comply with this order. Why not, Prey? Is it not properly signed and sealed? Oh, yes, signed properly, but it is drawn against the Governor and not against the charter committee. This is too much. Governor Andros warned me that you'd be stubborn and stiff-necked, but I have the charter. Here, I'll change that order. Give it here. Here you are, sir. Yes, a quill. So, the charter committee is hereby ordered. Well, now I hope you are satisfied. Are you satisfied with this, Governor? Hmm. Does this not seem to be a forgery, Captain Lodgeworth? It not only seems to be, sir, but it is. I saw him make an illegal change in the order. All of us saw him. All of us saw him. I should say that the change invalidated the whole order. What? Are you trying to put me in wrong? Not at all, sir. You put yourself in the wrong. But you forced me to make that change in the order. I believe, Colonel, we merely pointed out that your order was inadequate. I did not force you to commit forgery. This is a trick. A trick, I say. I demand the immediate surrender of the government and the charter. What is the will of the assembly? Can we deliver up the government under an order that is obviously forged? All those in favor, say aye. Contrary? No. The vote is against you, Colonel. Andros himself will come and attend to this affair. I'll wash my hands of it. He'll make you pay for the state work, and he'll get the charter. Andros came as Colonel Bly had threatened, though not for several months. But when he did come, he came in state with a company of soldiers, two trumpeters, and Colonel Bly. He intended this time to get the charter and no mistake. On the evening of October 31, 1687, the sexton of the State House is preparing the assembly room for the meeting of the General Court, its last meeting under the old charter, when the door opens and Captain Wadsworth enters, accompanied by Master Allen, the clerk of the court. Oh, good evening to you, Nathan. Evening, Captain Wadsworth. Evening, Master Allen. Good evening, Nathan. Is everything in readiness? I was just making ready to put the candles about. Then all will be ready, sir. Just a minute, Nathan. Aye, Captain. I think you'd best put them all on the Governor's table. The Governor's table? Aye, sir. So, one here, and one here. No, no, Nathan. Put them all together at this end of the table. This end by the window, Master Allen? I think that would be best, don't you, Captain? Of course. The Governor needs a great deal of light. But, sir, the draft from the window, it may blow them out. Well, if it does, Nathan, we'll just have to light them again. Very good, sir. Now, Allen, seeing that you're the clerk, you can sit at the Governor's table without exciting suspicion. Aye, Captain. Best put your chair next to the window. There. That's right. Have you the charter with you? Yes, yes. And when Andrus demands it, I'll produce it. Andrus must not be allowed to get his hands on it? That will be your duty. Willis will be waiting outside the window, next to your chair. When the candles go out, take the charter, toss it out the window. He'll put it in a safe place. Will any place in Hartford, or even Connecticut, be safe from Andrus? If he makes up his mind to find it, that will be our responsibility. Uh, Nathan? Aye, Captain. Good fire you have there. Aye, Captain. It, uh, may become too warm when the assembly gets here. If you think it's too much, Captain. No, no, no, no. But, uh, stand near a window so if there's a call for air, you can blow open the window. This window, sir? No. I think it would be better to stand beside the window here. By Master Allen's chair. Aye, sir. And don't leave it. And the moment I say, Sexton, it's warm in here, throw open the window. Aye, sir. But the breeze may blow the candles out there. That close to the window. Never mind the candles. Never mind them, aye, sir. Here comes Andrus with Governor Tweet. Throw open the door. Never mind, Nathan. I'll do it. You stay by that window. I'll do it. Governor Andrus, enter, sir. Thank you, sir. Governor Tweet, I now call you that for the last time. Show me to my place. Of course, sir. Captain Wadsworth, will you wash us to our places? Uh, right this way, Governor Andrus and, uh, Governor Tweet. We have arranged this place for you. Thank you. Captain. Eh, we need all the candles here, but they're for you, sir, and the clock. Yes, yes, of course. Oh, uh, Tweet, will you sit on my left? Thank you, sir. Will you call the assembly to order, please? The assembly will be in 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 Andrus. 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 law-abiding people. We surrender the prerogatives of government under our charter with regret. But His Majesty commands, and we, his loyal subjects, have naught to do but obey. We are, sir, yours to command. Thank you, Master Tweet. I am agreeably pleased at the expression of obedience. In the name of His Majesty, I have I take command of the colony of Connecticut and order it joined to the colony of Massachusetts today, of which you shall be henceforth apart. Now you have only to surrender the charter to me to complete the ceremony of submission to the order of His Majesty. Captain Wadsworth. Yes, sir. Will you place the charter on the table? Certainly. Here it is, sir. Ah, at last. One moment, may it please Your Excellency. What now? Will you first sign the receipt for the charter so that the committee may be protected? Why, certainly if you wish. No matter, but I'll do it. Well, give me your quill clock. Here you are, sir, and paper. Yes. Eh, give, starter, signs. Oh, Sexton, it's warm in here. Aye, sir. What? I see. The lights! Quick, what's happened? The lights! Lights! Who blew out those candles? Close that window. What are you trying to do? It's just warm in here, sir. Close that window, I say. Quickly, close the window. I can't see the light. Light the candle, Sexton. Hurry now. What foolishness is this? We can't see the light. Light those candles. Aye, sir, at once, sir. The candles! Light the candles! Aye, sir. As soon as I find my printer, I is here, dear. Aye, right. Sorry I put you out, sir. I didn't think it, too. Now, Pete, hand me the charter. The charter? Why, why, sir, you had it. What? Had it? What are you talking about? Why, sir, I saw you reach for it just as the lights went out. Indeed I did not give it to me. Why, I swear, sir, then. Kwaku正和 what i guess it tribal i give it to you you will get it done but i have here yourDad forward give me back that that is impossible for you gave me this receive for what right at the earth twenty witnesses to the pandemic all right right right I have a substantially correct probably yes real don't let a single man even been. This is a legal you have no such war I do it whether it's illegal or not I have that top right here you have to start every spot in this town come on let's have a man here. 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 Willis the member of the committee. This is the home of Charles Willis indeed one of the top committee yes good. Search this place inside out come over I believe a thing on time very good sir that's the place captain thoroughly head up the floor you get back on the charlotte. But I find that father. Bring out the mouse through the house. It'll make him talk sir I protest again. You have no right to treat the members of the general court as you have been treating us for the last 12 hours. We do not propose to be held in custody any longer without due legal process we demand to be taken before the majesty. Right right. You. You. Just. Say you are. Every one of you. He like it my head on that top you had it that's all we know if you lost it it's your fault. You're not. I don't hear the house. Sir. Very. Indeed. So you are not to be there I am so bad if the top. Pardon sir but how should I know you were a member of the top of committee where you're not. I was. I could not attend last evening's session of the general court. So I see all you would have been in my custody long ago your friends and fellow conspirators here. And I seem to be with them now. You'll continue in custody until I lay my hand on that top of the top. But I thought. I think quiet. But this. You know something about why of course all of these gentlemen what you're doing what I. Well now. Last I found a reasonable man. Tell me what you know and you'll be suitably rewarded I'm surprised at all this mystery I have gone. The job was great. Come come come in your hands last night. You don't know that. What can you do you see the top three my own. I've seen it all I have used on the big it's not that what I do I should hate that but the fine tree perverted to the purpose and you won't go to the black yes come and be half a dozen soldiers in this out row yes sir. Now all in. Have you. We get something from you. You tell me what the top three is or will you be hanged by your thumbs and that's outlimb up and you already did go down to I feel you've forgotten yourself in your rage master willis is entitled to trial before any punishment can be meted out to a title and I'll have you hung up with him. That's the high. He'll be so free with that rebellious Connecticut men. Well I'll have that talk. I'm going to get your own good good what did you find that okay yeah you saw them. Give me the hand that. I mean found anything in the house come on nothing we told you that one moment governor. Get them on to it. Something to say I have to go. Tell that soldier to come down from that tree and I'll tell you all right. I'll get come down. Thought we'd frightened something out of you well captain sir you have lost the chopper that's clear you also have given us your receipt for it therefore you should have it and I intend to have it you can't I 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've never come by. Never Sergeant Gawr battery again yes sir we'll spank all these fellows up very good sir. Very well then but sir when you report to the privy council that you did not get the chopper and when we produce your signed receipt for it I fear that you will look very. Foolish. How will you explain that to the king what what do you mean his majesty might even be led to doubt the word of one of his trusted officers. Oh right. Very well give me the receipt after all your top over the you know good to revoke exactly that's a very sensible view to take Governor Andrews I can actually feel and here is the receipt sir oh you're very welcome. Come on. Yes sir. Drop your company and prepare to return the box. Come down all the trees. Company. In. Set. Fire. My king. Congratulations Captain one word a good bargain indeed it was another moment in the sergeant could have put his hand on that job I don't understand our good friend Willis had concealed in the hollow high up in that oak tree. By saving the charter Connecticut preserved her claim to separate government and in sixteen hundred and ninety four the privy council under a new southern decided that the charter was again in full legal force is served as the fundamental order of Connecticut government down to the revolution and until eighteen hundred and eighteen 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 twenty first eighteen hundred and fifty when age and time took their toll at sunset of that day the bells of Hartford toll and mourning was displayed for the historical tree the spirit of the charter oak still lives in our hearts and serves as a symbol of the rights and privileges of American independence. As the old year draws to a close America faces the new year with optimism and sleeves rolled up here are some figures that show how new life has come to our minds and forests our farms and cities during the year just closing the United States put approximately three hundred and thirty five million pounds of dynamite and other commercial explosives to work eighty million pounds more than in nineteen hundred and thirty five and five times the entire amount used in seven years of building the Panama Canal these figures are important because like the statistics on steel production they are an index of activity in many lines but figures alone do not tell the whole story of what these products of chemical research mean to the average person because dynamite and other blasting agents usually do their work far from the crowded centers of population many of us forget what an essential part they play in bringing us our food our shelter even our clothing perhaps the first thing that greeted you this morning was the alarm clock the metal in this contrivance was obtained with the use of commercial explosives as you step into a steaming shower you may thank dynamite for making possible a constant supply of pure water even for the coal or oil used to heat the water and warm the house as you sit down to the breakfast table you may realize that a number of the foods you eat come from farms cleared of stumps and boulders or drained by the use of explosives and the same is true of the plantations that produce cotton for clothing and other purposes the stone and metals and wood that comprise your home were rested from their natural setting by the power of dynamite and in the car or train that takes you into town we find other examples of its work indeed many of the comforts and conveniences we enjoy every day would be impossible without commercial explosives our bridges and tunnels harbors and canals huge skyscrapers and smooth highways are monuments to the amazing usefulness of these chemical products so as you go about the country you can find explosives at work on every hand coal and metals being mined roads being built dams going up stone being quarried evidence on all sides that america is again on the march forward evidence to the chemist's contributions in producing better things for better living through chemistry winning prestige for the american stage the story of joseph jefferson will be the subject of our broadcast next week with the passing of the old year we of du pont wish you all a very happy new year this is the columbia broadcasting system
