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
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
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!