Location - Performer
Atrium - Master of Ceremonies - “Ladies & Gentlemen, Please rise
for
our National Anthem sung by the lovely Cathy Foy”
Atrium - Cathy Foy - The Star-Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Atrium - Master of Ceremonies - “Thank you Ms. Foy. Good morning
Americans all... My name is George Theofanis and I will be portraying
the famous patriot of the American Revolution “Samuel Adams”. For over
two centuries, the Freemasons in America set aside the month of
September to honor the great Constitution of these United States because
for it was on September 17, 1787 that document was signed. The
Freemasons have proclaimed the month of September as Constitution Month
to remind everyone that we must never allow this freedom to be lost.
We are gathered here to celebrate our heritage and to remember with
pride the people that have made this country what it is. I hope you
enjoy this journey of a search for a more perfect Union.
Atrium - John Adams - “Our colonization commenced in 1620, with an
influx of people who were tired of oppression, religious persecution and
lack of freedom, and they risked body and soul to come to this
unchartered land and risk everything for a new found freedom. It was a
difficult struggle, filled with adversity. But somehow, they persevered
and prospered, and 150 years later, they were still in this land called
America, and slowly emerging as a new entity in the world as it
existed...and struggling to be free forever from the chains which bound
them to England. They had become quite independent during that time,
and resentful of the Mother Country when she imposed unfair taxes and
even more oppressive regimentation on their daily lives. Things were
coming to a head in Boston, under the guidance and constant prodding of
Samuel Adams, and his assortment of Freemasons, banded together as “The
Sons of Liberty... Allow me to set the scene... Boston has become a
seething cauldron of discontent. The British have imposed the Townsend
Stamp Act upon the citizens which was an order to pay extremely high
taxes and tariffs on British imports or be subject to extreme penalty
including death.” ...
Signal for Wes Koga to fire five (5) shots.. Boom-boom,
Boom-boom-boom!
Ladies and Gentlemen, John Hancock.
Atrium - John Hancock - “A British warship armed with 50 cannons has
just sailed into the harbor! The custom officials have accused me and
the others of not paying taxes and duties. They have seized my sloop
and cargo...They have massacred our townsmen for tossing snowballs at
their guard post. We must put an end to this tyranny it is nothing more
than Taxation without Representation!”
Atrium - John Adams - The Boston Massacre, as History named it, drew the
people of the colonies together. And for the next three years, a
relative sort of peace existed...neither side anxious to sacrifice lives
in a futile display of power or rebellion. But Sam Adams was far from
done with his orchestration of this Revolution.
Atrium - Samuel Adams - “Friends, Brethren and Country folk...British
soldiers occupy the buildings and threaten businesses on a daily basis.
Women and children are unsafe on the streets. Commerce is disrupted,
and unfair taxes and tariffs rob our purses. Now five of our townsmen
have been massacred. How many more must die before we take a stand!
“Sons of Liberty, This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!”
Atrium - John Hancock & Sam Adams - “Let every man do what is
right in
his own eye!”
Tea Party Reveler(s) - Commence their reveling!
Tea Party Reveler #1 - “Saltwater tea for us all, boys!” (laughter)
Tea Party Reveler #2 -”The Harbor,..a tea pot tonight!” (more laughter )
Tea Party Reveler #3 - “How would tea mingle with salt water?”
Tea Party Reveler #4 - “Tea for the fishes!”
Tea Party Reveler #5 - “How many lumps with your tea my lord?” (Raise
club)
Tea Party Reveler #6 - “A tea party for His Majesty?”
Tea Party Reveler #7 - “No taxation without representation!”
Tea Party Reveler #8 - “What is the price for freedom?”
Tea Party Reveler #9 - “Give King George his Royal cup of tea!”
Tea Party Reveler #10 - “Perhaps our loyal governor will join us for
tea?”
Tea Party Reveler #11 - “Yeah O dreadful effects of the stamp act!”
Tea Party Reveler #12 - Sharks and tea, how lovely!”
Tea Party Reveler #13 - Tea time for Neptune!”
(Bagpipes, Drum and fife lead procession to Falls of Clyde” the
specific predesignated actors will throw the mock tea boxes into the
harbor repeat reveling per box) Bow of the Falls of Clyde -
Tea Party Reveler #1 - “Saltwater tea for us all, boys!” (laughter)
Tea Party Reveler #2 -”The Harbor,..a tea pot tonight!” (more laughter )
Tea Party Reveler #3 - “How would tea mingle with salt water?”
Tea Party Reveler #4 - “Tea for the fishes!”
Tea Party Reveler #5 - “How many lumps with your tea my lord?” (Raise
club)
Tea Party Reveler #6 - “A tea party for His Majesty?”
Tea Party Reveler #7 - “No taxation without representation!”
Tea Party Reveler #8 - “What is the price for freedom?”
Tea Party Reveler #9 - “Give King George his Royal cup of tea!”
Tea Party Reveler #10 - “Perhaps our loyal governor will join us for
tea?”
Tea Party Reveler #11 - “Yeah O dreadful effects of the stamp act!”
Tea Party Reveler #12 - Sharks and tea, how lovely!”
Tea Party Reveler #13 - Tea time for Neptune!”
Gang Plank - - Once again a restless peace ensued, and except for the
retaliatory actions taken by British Parliament and by the King, such as
'The Intolerable Acts', there was little physical punishment. However
King George was taking the colonies more serious now, and he ordered
troops and ships to Virginia, just in case of trouble. Virginia reacted
quickly, and in an address before the Second Virginia Convention held
March 23, 1773, a gentleman from Hanover County Virginia, delivered this
impassioned plea - Patrick Henry.
Amidships - Patrick Henry - “There are those who say we are weak and
unable to cope with such a formidable foe...But when shall we be
stronger?...next week?...next year?...when we are totally disarmed and a
British Soldier stands guard in every house? No sir... we are not
weak...we are not weak if we make proper use of the means that the God
of Nature hath placed in our power”...”Give me Liberty or give me
death!”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - In January 1776, Thomas Paine, a
political theorist and writer who had come to America from England in
1774, published a 50 page pamphlet, Common Sense. Within three months
100,000 copies of the pamphlet were sold. Paine attacked the idea of
hereditary monarchy, declaring that one honest man was worth more to
society than ”all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.” He presented
the alternatives and underlined the problems of the colonies.--
Circulated throughout the colonies, Common Sense pamphlet helped to
crystallize the desire for separation. Thomas Paine ...
Amidships - Thomas Paine - “Continued submission to a tyrannical king
and an outworn government?, or liberty and happiness as a
self-sufficient, independent republic? These are the times that try
man’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in the
midst of crisis shrink away from the service of their country. Yet by
Heaven, I love a man that can smile in the whirlwind of trouble. He
whose heart is firm will pursue his principles even unto death. Death
in any form is less terrible than tyranny. The penalty for treason is
as follows: You are to be hanged by the neck, but not until you are
dead. While you are still living, you will be taken down and revived.
Your bowels will be torn out and burned before your faces. Your heads
will then be cut off, your bodies divided into four quarters, boiled
in oil and given to the King for his just disposal. We have it in our
power to begin the whole world over again. Tis not the concern of a
day, a year or an age. Our future generations will be greatly affected
by these proceedings. In this belief, we pledge our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor!”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - There still remained the task,
however, of gaining each colony’s approval of a formal declaration. On
May 10, 1776 -- one year to the day since the second Continental
Congress had first met -- a resolution was adopted calling for
separation. Now only a formal declaration was needed. On June 7, 1776
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia Introduced a resolution...
Amidships - Richard Henry Lee - ”I declare that these United Colonies
are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states that they
are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all
political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and
ought to be, totally dissolved."...
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - John Adams, a successful lawyer from
Boston, Massachusetts, left his farm, his wife and children to attend
the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The struggles of that Congress
in drafting a Declaration of Independence, drove him to abstraction.
Gang Plank - John Adams - “ I have had it with this Congress. They
have
no stomach to do what must be done, instead constantly assign items to
the committee, never to be heard of again. They debate in the committee
all day and let the issue drown in its own verbiage. Can’t anyone just
speak plainly...and mean it? The time has come for us to take a stand,
and the resolution that stands before us is the answer. Sink or swim,
live or die, survive or perish, I am for this resolution. I give my
heart and my hand to this vote. Is any man among us so weak as now to
hope for a reconciliation with England? You and I may rue this action.
We may not live to see the time that this Declaration shall be made
good. We may die slaves...Be it so! If it is the pleasure of heaven
that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, this victim
shall be ready. But while I do live, let me have a country, and in that
a FREE country. Whatever may be our fate, be assured that this
Declaration will stand. It may cost treasure, it may cost blood, but
IT WILL STAND. Through the thick gloom of the present, I see the
brightness of the future, as the sun in heaven. We shall make this a
glorious day, an immortal day...When we are in our graves, our children
will honor it. They will celebrate it with Thanksgiving...with
festivity with bonfires and illuminations. On its annual return, they
will shed tears, not of subjection and slavery, not of agony and
distress, but of gratitude and joy. I leave off as I began, live or
die, survive or perish, I am for this Declaration. It is my living
sentiment, and by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment as
well. Independence Now...Independence Forever!”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies- John Adam’s lovely wife Abigail,
missing her husband due to his long absence to draft the Declaration of
Independence. She writes to him. (With a quill pen and parchment, she
reads)
Amidships - Abigail Adams - “My dearest Husband, and much loved
friend...I cannot express how I pray for your return to Boston. How
lonely are my days...How solitary are my nights...Declare the
Independence and Come Home, John. In your new code of Laws that it will
be necessary for you to make, I desire that you remember the ladies,
and be more generous to them than your ancestors have been. Do not put
unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. I cannot say that I
think that you have been very generous to the ladies. For whilst you
are proclaiming peace and good will to all Men, and emancipating all
nations, you insist in maintaining absolute power over all Wives.
Notwithstanding, you should remember that we have it in our power not
only to free ourselves, but to subdue our Masters and without violence,
throw both your natural and legal authority at your feet. Your loving
and determined, Abigail Adams”.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - This noble idea of freedom for all
begins with Thomas Jefferson and his introduction to the Declaration of
Independence...
Gang Plank - Thomas Jefferson - “Man was created for social intercourse,
but social intercourse cannot be maintained without a sense of justice;
then man must have been created with a sense of justice... We hold these
truths to be self evident...that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure
these...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power
from the consent of the governed.
The essential principles of our Government... form the bright
constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an
age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of
our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the
creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the
touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should
we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to
retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace,
liberty and safety."
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - In 1772, Elbridge Gerry's strong
anti-British sentiments won him election to the General Court of
Massachusetts. He was subsequently elected to the Massachusetts
provincial congress, where he assumed the task of procuring supplies
and military equipment to meet the needs of the patriot forces. The
heavy set congressmen Benjamin Harris sarcastically remarked to his
slimmer constituents as to the seriousness of the penalty for their
declarations.
Gang Plank - Elbridge Gerry - "I humbly conceive, that the People
ought
... to be apprised of their Situation & to have the Opportunity of
Choosing their Submission to Slavery, or of righteously supporting with
their Lives, their Rights and Liberties."
Gang Plank - Benjamin Harris - “As brother Franklin said we must all
hang together or we shall surely hang separately. (loudly & laughingly
to Congressman Elbridge Gerry) Yet, my weight gives me an advantage
over the thinner signers. All will be over with me in a moment, but you
will be kicking in the air for a half an hour after I am gone!”
(Hold
up hang noose and wave it in hand)
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - We now pay tribute to a group of 5
delegates (of which approximately 20 were Freemasons) met in
Philadelphia that long and hot summer two centuries ago. No air
conditioning existed and uncomfortable seats in a stuffy room greeted
these patriots. Each had a burning desire to form this great document
for freedom. Of the 39 who signed, it is believed 13 of those
were
Freemasons. The exact number of signers who were Freemasons is not
known. (Present are Jefferson Sam and John Adams, Ben Franklin and John
Hancock, John Hancock remains to sign the giant Declaration of
Independence!)
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Thomas Jefferson
(With a quill pen and parchment, he reads aloud...)
Gang Plank - Thomas Jefferson - “It is over and finished now. Seven
weeks of labor on a Document that could have easily required seven years
to complete. From the beginning of 2260 words, to the final result of
1331. nothing escaped the piercing gaze of the delegates, each with his
own agenda, each with his own idiosyncrasies as to language and style.
Maybe Franklin was right,...never write anything which will be edited by
the public. There were many sacred cows left untouched...the absence of
the mention of Slavery will need be dealt with somewhere in the
future...the Powers delineated to this Government will by necessity
demand definition and clarification...It may even require another
Convention where Delegates can pick and pry to their hearts content
while the grist from their efforts brings the wheels of progress to a
grinding halt. This union of friends may survive a Revolution, but will
it survive the introspection of its member states? Only time will
tell. I wonder if future generations will be able to keep this new
Nation of Ours...I wonder if they will be able to keep it”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - We now find Betsy Ross with
her
trusty needle and thread and sewing a new design on a piece of
clothe,...
(At the podium, with a needle and thread and clothe, she reads aloud...)
Gang Plank - Betsy Ross - “The city of Philadelphia has come alive with
the news of this ‘Declaration’ and with the excitement there is an
ever-growing fear of the consequences of this brash course of action.
What will happen now? Will our city be attacked by the British? Will
our homes be burned and ransacked by Red-coated soldiers? Will our
neighbors discuss our lives with British authorities? Is that stranger
passing down the street marking our homes for future retaliation? We
cannot walk around in fear forever. We must stand and be counted...We
must avow our support of this new venture and display our loyalty in a
bold manner, proclaiming to all that pass, that we are Americans,
Independent Americans, Free Americans. The despised English Jack that
once graced our homes will be replaced by a new ensign, a banner which
will wave forever as a symbol of that Freedom.
General Washington was at my upholstery shop yesterday, with plans for a
new flag for this new country. It consists of thirteen stripes,
alternating red and white, (the red for bravery and white for purity of
our cause) and a field of blue, denoting the valor of the people who
founded this country, and on this field a constellation of thirteen
stars, representing each of the thirteen colonies that comprise this new
Nation of Free Citizens...Americans one and all. Long may it wave...
On the bow - (Black Powder Rifle(s) & Cannon(s) Volley(s)
Amidships -Sojourners - (Heroes Hoist flag up the yard arm to a drum
roll)
A Toast to the Flag
Here’s to the red of it---There’s not a thread of it, No, nor a shred of
it, In all the spread of it, From foot to head, But heroes bled for it,
Faced steel and lead for it, Precious blood shed for it, Bathing it Red!
Here’s to the white of it---Thrilled by the sight of it, Who knows the
right of it, But feels the might of it, Through day and night?
Womanhood’s care for it, Made manhood dare for it, Purity’s prayer for
it, Keeps it so white!
Here’s to the blue of it---Beauteous view of it, Heavenly hue of it,
Star-spangled dew of it, Constant and true; Diadem gleam for it, States
stand supreme for it, Liberty’s beam for it, Brightens the blue!
Here’s to the whole of it---Stars, stripes and pole of it, Body and soul
of it, O, and the roll of it, Sun shining through; Hearts in accord for
it, swear by the sword for it, Thanking the Lord for it, Red White and
Blue!
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Things were moving rapidly now. With
these immortal words ringing in their ears, fathers and farmers
everywhere were taking up arms and being trained to resist the awesome
forces of the Crown. We literally turned plowshares into swords, and
prepared ourselves to fight for our Country and for the Freedom we so
passionately desired.. And on the night of April 18, 1775, in the words
of Paul Revere,
Amidships - Paul Revere - (With Lantern) “We have organized a
plan to
alert the militia units scattered throughout the countryside with the
use of warning lanterns. One if by land, two if by sea... The water
crossing by the Redcoats would speed the arrival of the British in
Cambridge by five hours, and lesson the reaction time available to the
Colonialists. The lives of Sam Adams and John Hancock hang in the
balance of this warning. May God speed my brothers on their way and
deliver them from the menace of the British troops. I hung the lanterns
for all to see, and proceeded to the boat awaiting me, and was myself
rowed to Cambridge, right under the guns of a British Man-O-War
especially positioned to halt such an action. I had shredded a
petticoat, offered to by a Patriots wife, to muffle the oars, we made
good our crossing. Once safely ashore, I launched myself into the saddle
of “Brown Beauty” and the great adventure began...The Redcoats are
coming! The Redcoats are coming!”
On the bow - (Black Powder Rifle(s) & Cannon(s) Volley(s)
Master of Ceremonies... Thanks to Paul Revere, the British missed John
Hancock and Sam Adams at Lexington that morning, but encountered the
first of the Colonial Militia determined to stop their March and drive
them from the field, but instead they themselves were forced to retreat,
leaving nine fallen comrades on that bloody green. The British marched
on to Concord, and North of town, at Concord Bridge, indeed the advance
was stemmed.
The British were forced to retreat to Boston in shame-filled defeat and
disarray at the hands of a rag-tag army, stunned and disheartened that
the mightiest Army in the world had been humbled by a handful of rebels,
armed with squirrel rifles, and antique blunderbusses. A great day for
Americans. But all was not roses with the Colonial cause, for the
victory was short-lived and the battle far from over.
Amidships - Joseph Warren - “We have begun defensive preparations for a
state of war on June 17th 1775 - Our first major battle between the
British and American troops will be at Bunker Hill. There are over 2000
British soldiers storming the hill”. As the British get within 15
paces we let loose a deadly volley of rifle fire and halt the British
advance. The British then regroup and attack 30 minutes later with the
same result. A third attack, however, succeeds as we run out of
ammunition and are left only with bayonets and stones to defend
ourselves. The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half
their force, over a thousand casualties, with the Americans losing about
400, including their important colonial leader,... Myself,... General
Joseph Warren.
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!”
On the bow - (Black Powder Rifle(s) & Cannon(s) Volley(s)
(General Warren Falls...)
Gang Plank - Sojourner - ...”Ah many a noble heart was hushed in the
battle’s din that day; and many a long life’s hope was crushed...the
sorrowful tidings -- how Warren fell.”
Gang Pank - Master of Ceremonies...September 22, 1776 - After he is
caught spying on British troops on Long Island, Nathan Hale is denied
his request for a minister or even a bible by the provost marshal and is
executed without a trial, his last words of undaunted patriotism...
(Led by a British Soldier with a hangman's noose around his neck, drum
role..)
Amidships - Nathan Hale - “Farewell to my dear wife and sweet children.
Tell them not to be sad for me, but remember this day with pride of our
noble purpose. The enemy may take my life but you will not be left
alone. The brethren will take care of my widow and orphaned children.
My life is not given in vain, it is given for our great nation in the
name of liberty, justice and freedom for all. I only regret that I have
but one life to lose for my country!”
(Place hoodwink over Nathan’s head, then the noose, Redcoat “fake hit”
with rifle butt, Nathan falls to the deck, switch the noose and hoist
effigy up the yard arm to a slow snar drum roll)
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Five thousand black
slaves and
freedmen voluntarily fought -- and died -- for America to win
independence from British rule. As a tribute to their patriotism, here
is a brief account of five of them.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Crispus Attucks
Amidships - Crispus Attucks-- I was a runaway slave who believed
fiercely in freedom. My command to the people of Boston was "do
not be
afraid". I struck out against the redcoats and became the first
patriot to die in the attack of the Boston Massacre that spurred the
American Revolution.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Lambert Latham
Amidships - Lambert Latham-- I was a slave and volunteer soldier who,
upon killing a British soldier to avenge the murder of my commander, was
bayoneted 33 times by other British soldiers. Despite my valiant act and
death, my only recognition is at the bottom of a Boston monument, which
insultingly misstates my nickname, Lambo, as Sambo.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - James Forten
Amidships - James Forten -- I was a 15-year-old powderboy who, upon my
ship's capture, declined an offer from the captain's son to escape to
England to live as an aristocrat, saying "I am... a prisoner for the
liberties of my country. I never, never shall prove a traitor to her
interests!" Sentenced to a notorious slave ship, I again denied escape
for myself, allowing a younger fellow prisoner to take my place hiding
in the clothing chest of a departing officer.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Salem Poor
Amidships - Salem Poor -- I was a 28-year-old freed man who voluntarily
enlisted, I shot and killed British Lt. Col. James Abercrombie. Though
14 American officers sought Congress to bestow reward recognition to me,
there is no record Congress ever did so. I am still waiting.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Oliver Cromwell
Amidships - Oliver Cromwell -- I enlisted as a private at age 20, I
gallantly served under General George Washington at numerous battles,
including that at the crossing of the Delaware and at Yorktown, where I
saw the last American killed in the Revolution. Despite a dedicated
six-year tour of volunteer duty, l died a pauper at the age of 100,
without even a marker for my grave.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Prince Hall is recognized as the
Father of Black Masonry in the United States.
General George Washington, John Hancock and Prince Hall all stand
together Amidships - ...
Amidships - Prince Hall - "l was born a free man in British West
Indies
in 1748. My father, Thomas Prince Hall, was an Englishman and my mother
a free black woman of French extraction. In 1765 I worked my passage
on a ship to Boston, where I worked as a leather worker, a trade learned
from my father. In Boston, l pressed my friend John Hancock to be
allowed to join the Continental Army and I was one of a few African
Americans who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill which was actually
the battle of Breeds Hill. I later became a minister in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church with a charge in Cambridge and fought for the
abolition of slavery.
Black Freemasonry began during the War of Independence, when fourteen
other free black men were initiated into Lodge # 441, Irish
Constitution, attached to the 38th Regiment of Foot, British Army
Garrisoned at Castle Williams (now Fort Independence) Boston Harbor on
March 6, 1775. The warrant was granted on September 29, 1784 under the
name of African Lodge, # 459 on the register of the Grand Lodge of
England by authority of then Grand Master, the Duke of Cumberland,
delivered in Boston on April 29, 1787 by Captain James Scott,
brother-in-law of John Hancock and Master of the Neptune. l was the
first Master of the lodge which was organized one week later, May 6,
1787. I was appointed Grand Master in 1807. Today, the Prince Hall
fraternity has over 4,500 lodges worldwide, forming 44 independent
jurisdictions with a membership of over 300,000 Masons. Prince Hall
made it possible for African Americans to be recognized and enjoy all
privileges of free and accepted Masonry.”
General George Washington, John Hancock and Prince Hall Salute one
another... John Hancock and Prince Hall step down amidships, General
George Washington remains.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - August 10, 1777 General George
Washington and the Continental Army were camped in rural Warwick
Township in the County of Bucks, Pennsylvania. The Moland family's
farmhouse became his headquarters. For the next thirteen days Washington
stayed at “Headquarters Farm” as it was now known and the Continental
Army kept watch for British Army scouts and prepared for battle. These
next battles would be the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. The
Marquis de Lafayette joined the Continental Army when he was a mere 19
years old. Washington was so impressed with the young man that their
friendship grew to be me more like a father and son.
Amidships - MARQUIS de LAFAYETTE - “I was born on September 6, 1757,
at
the family castle "Chavaniac" in Auvergne, France. My full name was
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert de Motier. My father, as soldier,
died at the Battle of Minden just weeks before my birth, and my mother
died in 1770, leaving me a vast estate. I refused a prominent position
in the French court to become a soldier in 1771. I withdrew from service
in 1776, outfitted my own ship, named the Victoire, and sailed with 15
other young adventurers to fight with the Americans. At first, my
services were refused, but owing to my connections to the French Court,
and my offer to serve at my own expense, I was commissioned a Major
General in the Continental Army on July 31, 1777. Soon I became close
friends with Washington, with whom I served at Valley Forge, Tappan, New
York and Virginia. I used my power and money to support the fledgling
country. I again met General Washington at a dinner in Philadelphia and
on July 31, and was appointed by Congress a Major-General in the Army
of the United States.
Amidships - George Washington "It is somewhat embarrassing to us to show
our newly formed army to an Officer who has just come from the
prestigious army of France,
Amidships - Marquis de Lafayette - "My Brother Washington,
I am here
to learn, not to teach."
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Ladies and gentlemen, here now we
find the father of our Nation, General George Washington in the utmost
concern for our country as he writes to congress for aid and
assistance...
(George Washington, with a quill pen and parchment, he reads aloud...)
Amidships - George Washington - “To the Continental Congress of the
United States...my dear and most honorable sirs...I look to you each day
that I might find some small ray of light to share with my embattled
army. Our rations are as thin as the soles of our shoes, and indeed
some of our soldiers have boiled and eaten their shoes for sustenance.
You can track our troops movement by the blood trail in the snow.
When a horse falls in it’s tracks from malnutrition and over-work, the
carcass will not survive the night.. There is no tea or coffee and the
men make hot brew from the leaves of any tree that still has foliage
sweetening it with whatever starchy rots they van forage from the
over-picked countryside. Yet there is no whimper of discord, no mewing
of discontent, no mutterings of defeat. However, I fear that the seeds
of dissension, dormant for so long in the ranks, will, in the absence
of relief, soon sprout into bitter weeds, that will choke out this
tenuous existence of patriotism, and encourage the men to return to
their hearths and homes, where their subsistence will not be a daily
chore, and life will not be a constant struggle for survival. By the
first day of the New Year, our troops will dwindle to less than 3000,
hardly an adequate force necessary to combat the 11,000 British Regulars
and 33,000 Hessians that consistently face us. I daily pray for the
wisdom to continue this struggle, and seek the miracle that will enable
our cause to triumph. Gentlemen, Please, I beg of you...is anybody
there?...Sincerely, General George Washington”
(Black Powder Rifle(s) & Cannon(s) Volley(s)
Gang Plank - Privateer Captain - At the outset of the American
Revolution, the state of the American army under the command of General
George Washington was nothing to be proud of. Washington's forces lacked
in equipment, training and numbers. Washington was sure his land troops
existed, but he had no such assurances about the navy, there was none.
Washington knew that a war against Britain would have to be fought, at
least in part, by targeting their arriving ships. Commissioning a navy
became one of Washington's earliest goals. He knew the Americans had no
chance of winning the war if the British were able to land and launch
ships as much as they liked, up and down the coast. He did everything
within his power to create a traditional navy for the Americans, but
almost as soon as he looked into the venture, he discovered that a
national navy could not be organized and equipped in a few weeks or
months.
Amidships - Privateer group #1 - Faced with the dilemma of needing a
navy and being unable to build one, Washington arranged and paid for
several officers in his army who had some seafaring experience to arm
and acquire the services of any vessel and crew floating in American
waters. His officers found eager volunteers among the many American
sailors who had been amateur privateers just a few years before.
Privateering was exactly the same as piracy, except that a privateer
choose a country to have allegiance to and only pirated enemies of that
country. Following Washington's lead, merchants and investors began
commissioning privateers left and right. The privateers were contracted
to search out British merchants, board them, take their cargo and
capture their crews and passengers. At first, the privateers
encountered easy marks. Britain did not expect any American military
action on the high seas, and so British merchant ships were only lightly
defended.
Amidships - Privateer group #2 - The captured cargo of these ships
caused more than monetary damages for the British merchants. The Lee,
brought in the British ship “Nancy”. The cargo turned out to be 2,000
muskets, 2,000 bayonets, 3,000 rounds of shot for 12-pounders, some
gunpowder and 50 fire shells. Until this raid, there had hardly been a
bayonet in the whole Continental Army. The British couldn't
afford to
have Americans capturing their soldiers, munitions, supplies and
merchant ships. They began escorting transports and merchant ships in
convoys, complete with warships. The Americans were forced to seek out a
new naval resource. The earlier American ships were sailed by patriots
who had some experience as amateur privateers. When British warships
entered the picture, professional privateers were called in to do what
was outside the talent of the amateurs. This second batch of privateers
were incredibly loyal among the Revolutionaries, but were less of the
good-natured patriotic sort, and more of the blood thirsty profit hungry
sort.
Amidships - Privateer group #3 - Privateers were not out to take down
the entire British navy through gory and drawn-out battles. They were
interested in making money and living to spend it. British warships
were unable to arrive on schedule, or to attack important American trade
systems. Individual citizens and then colonies granted commissions to
privateers. Congress authorized privateering against enemies of the
colonies and began issuing commissions for owners and captains of
ships. Congress set strict rules about prizes, prisoners and reporting,
and required that one-third of the crew must be landsmen to protect the
fledgling navy from losing all its men to privateering. All money for
funding congress came from privateer contributions. Congress simply
signed the papers and offered their blessings. But, when the privateers
sold off the stolen booty, some of the profit went to fund Congress.
Under congressional rules, commissions and bonds were expensive, running
from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of a ship. Still, there
were thousands of wishful privateers seeking them from Congress. It is
estimated that 2,000 commissions were issued and that between 250 and
400 privateer ships were always functioning.
Amidships - French Privateer group #4 - When the French fleet finally
arrived to assist the American cause, it was the money earned by
privateers that was used to pay for their provisions. On July 17, 1778
France declared war on Britain and made a Treaty of Amity with the
''United States of North America.'' One of the provisions of the treaty
was that each country would leave its ports open for the other's
privateers. The full support of France, along with the privateers,
cinched the war for the Americans, and in 1783 the war came to an end
with the Treaty of Paris. Though they were out for money more than
glory, the privateers did well for the revolution. According to Lloyd's
of London, they captured 3,087 ships, and provided arms and supplies for
American and French forces. Perhaps their most important and understated
role of all was as morale boosters for the colonial rebels. Every
newspaper rushed to print the latest privateering adventures, and the
people took a national pride in how well the pirates succeeding in
thwarting the British.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Our fledgling nation needed a
fearless Commodore to head her Navy. There was only one navel officer
who fit the description... Captain John Paul Jones. At the outbreak of
war with Britain in 1775, John Paul Jones went to Philadelphia, and,
with the help of John Hancock of the Continental Congress, obtained a
commission in the Continental Navy.
Amidships -John Hancock - (Appoints John Paul Jones and salutes him) As
of this date the red stripes shall be mandated for the flag of our
nation (“Don’t Tread on me!”) By the powers vested in me by congress
I
hereby appoint Captain John Paul Jones Commodore of the Continental
Navy.
(Hoist “Don’t tread on Me” flag to a drum roll)
Amidships - John Paul Jones - This battle is a reminder of the
importance of our freedom. for we must not lose our fledgling nation. We
are committed to victory, In 1777 I took command of the sloop
Ranger.
Sailing to France, I received from the first salute given to the new
American flag by a foreign warship.
During the spring we terrorized the coast of Scotland and England by
making daring raids ashore and destroying many British vessels. The
French government converted a French merchantman, the Duras, which I
renamed Bonhomme Richard (Poor Richard) in honor of Benjamin Franklin.
Now being promoted to commodore and in command of a mixed fleet of
American and French ships, my claim to fame came on September 23, 1779.
We fell upon a convoy of British merchant vessels escorted by the
Serapis and Countess of Scarborough. Challenging the Serapis, I
maneuvered Bonhomme Richard alongside her and lashed the two ships
together. With the muzzles of both of the ship’s guns touching, we fired
into each ship’s insides. Our vessel was smaller, set on fire and
sinking, but I rejected the British demand for surrender; saying:
"I have not yet begun to fight!".
(Fire black powder pistol into the air)
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - More than three hours after the
bloody battle began, the Serapis surrendered, and John Paul Jones took
command of her and the whole convoy.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - The departure of men for war forced
women to take up many jobs. The women who stayed behind or were widowed,
operated the farms, ran the printing presses, served as artisans and
shopkeepers & em dash; doing whatever needed to be done. Some women
gathered their children and followed their husbands to the army. They
went with the army wherever it moved, and they helped to nurse the
wounded, make camp, cook, do the laundry, carry out clerical tasks, and,
in battle, carry water and bullets to the soldiers, even load and fire
muskets and cannons. We now pay tribute to those women.
Gang Plank - Woman dressed as a man - We know of at least one woman,
and there were probably more, who passed as a man and fought as a
soldier. Deborah Sampson enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment in
1782 and served for more than a year. Margaret Corbin followed her
husband to war from their home in Pennsylvania. When he was killed while
commanding a cannon at the Battle of Fort Washington, New York (November
16, 1776), she filled his place until she was severely wounded herself.
Gang Plank - Lady Patriot - More famous, though no more courageous, was
an artillery wife, Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher)
shared the rigors of Valley Forge with her husband, William Hays. Her
actions during the battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778) became legendary.
That day at Monmouth was as hot as Valley Forge was cold. Someone
had
to cool the hot guns and bathe the parched throats with water. Across
that bullet-swept ground, a striped skirt fluttered. Mary Hays McCauly
was earning her nickname "Molly Pitcher" by bringing pitcher
after
pitcher of cool spring water to the exhausted and thirsty men.
She also tended to the wounded and once, heaving a crippled continental
soldier up on her strong young back, carried him out of reach of
hard-charging British. On her next trip with water she found her
artilleryman husband back with the guns again, replacing a casualty.
While she watched, Hays fell wounded. The piece, its crew too depleted
to serve it, was about to be withdrawn. Without hesitation, Molly
stepped forward and took the rammer staff from her fallen husband's
hands. For the second time on an American battlefield, a woman manned a
gun. We find Molly a midship maning her husband’s
post.
Amidships - Molly Pitcher - (Sets down her wooden pitcher of water,
Gives her dying husband a sip of water, then removes the ram rod from
her husband’s clenched fists while exclaiming),... Damn you King George
(she runs the ram rod down the barrel of the cannon, removes the ramrod,
moves to the rear of the cannon, exclaiming) God Bless America! (then
she pulls the lanyard...)...
Ka-boom!
Amidships - George Washington - Hand salutes Molly, removes her bonnet
and replaces it with a tricorn hat with the black and red feather
upright of an artillerman.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Resolutely, Molly stayed at her post
in the face of heavy enemy fire, ably acting as a matross (gunner). For
her heroic role, General Washington himself issued her a warrant as
a
noncommissioned officer. Thereafter, she was widely hailed as
"Sergeant
Molly." A flag staff and cannon stand at her grave site at Carlisle,
Pennsylvania. A sculpture on the battle monument commemorates her
courageous deed.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Today as we celebrate our
Constitution, who better to introduce to you that historic document then
the great, great, grandnephew of Benjamin Franklin himself David
Franklin portraying Benjamin Franklin...
Amidships - Ben Franklin - “I am much older than the other delegates and
i am opposed to anything which tends to debase the spirit of the common
people. If honesty was the companion of wealth and poverty were exposed
to peculiar temptation, would it not be less true that the possession of
property increased the desire for more property? Some of the greatest
rogues are some of the richest rogues. I must confess that at present
there are many parts of this Constitution of which I do not approve and
I am not sure I will ever approve. For having lived long, I have
experienced many instances of being obliged by better information to
change even on important subjects. If this new form of Government
proves defective, the “Right of Amendment” must be invoked. This
rightfully protects our descendants from any hardships imposed upon them
by this convention. We must run every risk of trusting future
generations to rectify our errors. I doubt that a second convention
could do any better than we have with this one. The absence of a Bill
of Rights concerns me greatly, but perhaps that is yet to come. For now
I will consent to this new form of Government, because I expect no
better, and I am not absolutely sure it is the best, Sirs, I agree to
this Constitution with all its faults, indeed if they are such. You the
people, must learn to create the kind of laws that will make this
country strong, just and happy. You will have that power, use it
wisely”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - We must always be ready and willing
to speak openly and to defend the preservation of this great document so
that we may continue to enjoy this freedom forever. The Constitution
guarantees that freedom. In the words of Alexander Hamilton and Josiah
Quincy.
Amidships - Alexander Hamilton - “It is the truth, which the experience
of age has attested, that the people are most in danger when the means
of injuring their rights are in the possession of those of whom they
entertain the least suspicion”.
Amidships - Josiah Quincy - Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor
will threats of a “halter” intimidate. For, under God, we are determined
that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called to make
our exit, we will die free men.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - The Constitution guarantees freedom
for all. A great many Americans do not realize that the Bill of Rights
represents the first ten Amendments to our Constitution. This
Constitution allows freedom of speech. As Henry Clay said...
Amidships - Henry Clay - “The Constitution of the United States was made
not merely for the generation that existed, but for
posterity...unlimited, undefined, endless and perpetual posterity.” The
gentleman [Mr. Quincy] cannot have forgotten his own sentiment, uttered
even on the floor of this House, “Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we
must.”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Yes a very powerful document but
the people needed protection of their rights, enter Patrick Henry...
“Bill of Rights”
Amidships - Patrick Henry - The Constitution is a very powerful document
indeed but the people need protection of their basic rights. In my weak
judgment, a Government is strong when it applies to the most important
end of all Governments, the rights and privileges of the people. In the
Honorable Member's proposal, jury trial, the press, and religion, and
other essential rights, are not to be given up. What are they the world
will say, that you intended to give them up. When you go into an
enumeration of your rights, and stop that enumeration, the inevitable
conclusion is, that what is omitted is intended to be surrendered. What
can avail your specious, imaginary balances, your rope-dancing,
chain-rattling, ridiculous ideal checks and contrivances. The
anti-Federalists, demanding a more concise, unequivocal Constitution,
one that laid out for all to see the right of the people and limitations
of the power of government, claimed that the brevity of the document
only revealed its inferior nature. Those essential rights of mankind
without which liberty cannot exist. I oppose ratification of the
Constitution of these united colonies if it does not include a Bill of
Rights."
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - “In July 1780 France’s Louis
XVI
had sent to America an expeditionary force of 6,000 men under the Comte
Jean de Rochambeau. In addition the French fleet harassed British
shipping and prevented reinforcement and resupply of British forces in
Virginia by a British fleet sailing from New York City. French and
American armies and navies, totaling 18,000 men, parried with Cornwallis
all through the summer and into the fall. Finally, on October 19,
1781, after being trapped at Yorktown near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay,
Cornwallis surrendered his army of 8,000 British soldiers. Although
Cornwallis’s defeat did not immediately end the war -- which would drag
on inconclusively for almost two more years -- a new British government
decided to pursue peace negotiations in Paris in early 1782, with the
American side represented by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay.
On April 15, 1783, Congress approved the final treaty, and Great
Britain and its former colonies signed it on September 3, 1783 Known as
the Treaty of Paris, the colonies, now states, to which Great Britain
granted the territory west to the Mississippi River, north to Canada and
south to Florida, which was returned to Spain. After six years of war
and conflict, the War for Independence was at an end.
On the Bow - (Black Powder Rifle(s) & Cannon(s) Volley(s)
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - The fledgling colonies that Richard
Henry Lee had spoken of more than seven years before, had finally become
“free and independent states.” Yet all was NOT well and the task of
knitting together a nation remained. Internal dissension, bickering and
arguing was the rule of the day with colony pitted against colony in
matters of currency, tariffs, taxes, and Trade. It could be readily seen
that some sort of order must be instituted if we were to survive. All of
Europe was watching with salivating jaws, ready, nay eager, to snap up
any morsels of this country that may fall by the wayside. James Madison
of Virginia seemed capable of creating the necessary order that would
hopefully insure our survival as a Nation.
Amidships - James Madison - “The United States Government under the
Articles of Confederation is in a dire State of Emergency. Our country
at the age of eleven years is floundering. The people are divided, rich
against poor, the states are divided, small state against large state.
Thirteen separate sovereign nations badgering, bartering and backbiting
to attain supremacy. If this country is to survive, we must create a
new form, a new structure. Just as the planets rotate around the
sun,
the states must rotate around a strong government. Otherwise,
this
chaos will continue until the powers of Europe decide to swoop in and
joyfully pick up the pieces of this failed government. The arguments
that this ‘centralized government’ will usurp the right of each state to
exercise it's independence are unfounded and exaggerated. With this new
Constitution, the only sacrifices to be made will be done so for the
greater freedom of all concerned. A two branch system of government is
essential in order to place checks and balances in effect against future
despotism and tyranny.
We must not replace a foreign tyrant with a domestic one with a more
republican image. Our greatest concern, in fact our only concern is to
establish a practical system of self- government, ever remembering the
reality of human nature. If men were angels there would be no need for
laws, or government.
In order to make this plan a 'living' one, a clause ensuring the right
of Amendment must be included in the document that will fully protect
our descendants from any hardships imposed by this Constitutional
Convention. If the Law is wrong, it will be your responsibly, nay your
duty to change it. You must make it right. You will have that power.
That is our gift to you..that is our promise. But you must fulfill that
promise!”
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - On June 21, 1788 - In Virginia, the
Federalists, led by James Madison, finally prevail as ratification of
the Constitution (with a proposed bill of rights and 20 other changes)
is endorsed by a close vote of 89 to 75. Thus was born a new nation,
conceived in Liberty, hard won with Patriots blood!
Ladies & Gentlemen once again Mr. Ben Biship...
On the bow (Shriners children release 100 Red, White and Blue Pigeons)
Amidships - Ben Bishop - “God Bless America ”
Amidships - Student - “Recently in a nation-wide poll, 46% of the adult
population did not know that the purpose of the Constitution was to
create a federal government and to closely define its powers and
authority. >From that same poll, 26% thought the Constitution was
formed to declare independence from England. Furthermore, of that poll,
49% thought the President can suspend the Constitution.”
Amidships - Student - Please repeat the “The American Creed” with us:
The American Creed
I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people,
by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the
governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many
sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon
those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which
American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore
believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its
Constitution; to obey its Laws; to respect its Flag; and to defend it
against all enemies.
Gang Plank - Master of Ceremonies - Introduce - National Sojourners
Amidships - Sojourners - Flag Building Ceremony - Thirty Minutes, along
with all the multi-cultural members of the community placing the symbols
on the flag.
Amidships - Worthy Brother Patriot - I represent the not one, but many
different people. I represent the average ordinary Freemasons of the
time. Those Brethren who were not famous, who did not serve in congress,
who were not the lawyers, judges, and politicians of the day. Those men
who were not the first Grand Masters, the Grand Wardens, or other
Grand Officers. Those men who were Initiated, Passed, and Raised. Those
men who may or may not have progressed through the line. Those men who
never received the Grand Honors, save at the time they were called to
the Grand Lodge on High. I represent the Craft. Those men who tended
their farms, who ran their shops, who were happy to be making a living.
Those nameless men who, when it would have been just as easy to have
stayed at home and watched history go by their windows, stood shoulder
to shoulder at Lexington and Concord, at Bunker Hill, at Trenton, at
Valley Forge, and finally at Yorktown. Those men who following the war
simply went home, content to be living in a country where they were free
to do as they pleased. Free to worship God in the manner in which they
chose. Free to attend lodge wherever and whenever they wished. Free to
be in a country where all men could stand together and say, "We hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." I
represent the Freemasons.