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
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
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
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.