Fourth Citizen. It may be our good luck that we have been so slow in finishing up our arrangements. We really ought to provide for a patriotic address after the reading of the Declaration, and I hear that a likely young man is visiting in town for a few days, who is very good at public speeches. It is Colonel Aaron Burr of New Jersey, who was on General Putnam's staff in York state. I move that he be asked to give us an address at the church meeting to-morrow, and respond to a toast at the dinner afterwards, and that all other matters be ordered by a committee of three to be named by the Moderator.

Fifth Citizen. Mr. Moderator, I second the last motion.

The Moderator. Gentlemen, are you ready for the question on whether this motion shall pass? Those in favor will signify it by the uplifted hand. (All lift up their hands.) The motion is unanimously adopted. The chair will appoint as the committee of three, the Reverend Professor Daggett, Isaac Beers, and Captain James Hillhouse. (Clock strikes nine.) The hour has arrived at which it was voted to adjourn this meeting and I declare it adjourned without day.

(All give three cheers for the United States of America and depart, except the committee of three.)

Isaac Beers (addressing Professor Daggett). I see, Professor, that you have your cap and gown on. I thought you did not generally wear them when you were not on official duty.

Professor Daggett. Sir, I was never more on official duty than at this moment when we are planning to celebrate the Independence of the sovereign State of Connecticut. She gave the College its charter. She helped us to build Connecticut Hall. It is but a poor honor to her, that I should wear this gown and cap on this occasion; but it is the best that I have at my command. Were I a younger man, I should be in a soldier's coat, in another place. But it is not given to all to fight for their country, dear as it may be to them.

(The committee sit down on a bench and confer. An alarm bell is rung. The committee start up. Citizens appear at each of the main gateways, dressed and half dressed. Boys rush in crying, "Enemy's ships in the harbor!" "British ships off West Haven!" Captain James Hillhouse appears, on the Green, in front, and some of his military company in Continental uniform of blue and buff. Clock strikes ten. Colonel Burr appears in civilian dress and calls out: "Where is the first selectman? I must see him immediately."

A signal gun is discharged outside. The citizens gather in groups. Some drive across the Green, to the Northwest, carts laden with furniture.)

Tory Citizen (addressing Captain Peck.) Captain, I heard that you were getting up a proper celebration of Independence Day. I congratulate you on your success. It will be numerously attended, you may be sure.

Captain Peck. Sir, I know your sentiments. You are a Tory of the worst kind, Sir, dyed in the wool. Be off, or I will advise the Selectmen to arrest you for aiding and abetting the enemy.

(The Citizen slinks away.

Professor Daggett appears, still in academic costume, escorted by a dozen college students, under the command of one of them, George Welles.)

Professor Daggett. Captain Welles, I have come thus far with you, to wish you God speed; you and your company. Young gentlemen, I have tried to teach you something of what they call the humanities of a liberal education. You are now to face the inhumanities of savage invaders. You have a capable and brave commander. I know something of men, and something of him. Follow and obey him; and remember that you are called to fight for your country in an hour of your country's need. I know you will do credit to Yale.

(Two signal guns are discharged. A light artillery company of militia, some in Continental uniform, and some in civilian dress, pass through on their way to East Haven, with their guns. Lieutenant-Colonel Sabin mounts on a box and announces that he takes command of the town. The clock strikes five.

Professor Daggett takes off his cap and gown and gives them to his servant, who has followed him, leading his horse and carrying his musket. More students have now turned out, twenty privates, in all. Colonel Burr appears, mounted and in Continental uniform.)

Colonel Burr. Gentlemen, a proud day has arrived for you and for me. As some of you know, I had the honor until within a few weeks to be a sharer in the defence of our country. I have learned something of military art by the side of those great Connecticut soldiers, General Arnold and General Putnam. Captain Welles, you cannot yourself be present at each of the points where the enemy are likely to attempt an entrance. I know them from observations made here on previous visits. One is Neck Bridge; one the East Haven ferry; another the West Bridge; and another by Hotchkisstown. Lieutenant-Colonel Sabin has done me the honor to make me one of his temporary aides. Will you not, Captain, let me, as representing him, lead a squad of your command to the defence of the town at one of these points?

Captain Welles. It will give me pleasure, Colonel Burr, to put ten men under your command. (Facing his company.) "Attention! Shoulder arms! Right dress! Eyes front!" Comrades; ten men are wanted to accompany Colonel Burr, for the purpose you have heard him state. Those ready to volunteer on this service will take one step forward.

(All take one step forward.)

Captain Welles. The first man on the right of the line, and every other man in line will take one step forward.

(Ten men step forward.)

Captain Welles. Colonel Burr, I have the honor to turn over these men to your command for this day.

(Mounted couriers arrive with dispatches for the selectmen, Colonel Sabin and Colonel Burr, and are dispatched to neighboring towns with news.

Colonel Burr takes the command and leads off his squad, saying to Captain Welles that he shall repair first to Neck Bridge. Captain Welles replies that he will lead the balance of his company to West Bridge and Allingtown. He does so to music of drum and fife, following Captain Hillhouse, who leads off with his company, mostly in Continental uniform.

Professor Daggett rides up and passes them, with a long fowling piece in his hand. They cheer him as he passes. The British appear. Professor Daggett dismounts, ties his horse, and proceeds on foot. He fires his gun at the advanced British scouts. Adjutant Campbell, one of the British Guards, falls and is carried, desperately wounded, into a neighboring house. Captain Hillhouse, Captain Welles, and their commands retreat to West Bridge. As they retreat, Professor Daggett hides in a clump of bushes on the hill. He pokes his gun through the bushes and fires again. A British lieutenant with a squad of men goes to the spot and pulls him out of the bushes, with):

What are you doing there, you damned old rascal, firing on His Majesty's troops?

Professor Daggett. I am exercising the rights of war. Lieutenant. If I let you go this time, will you ever fire again on the troops of His Majesty?

Professor Daggett. Nothing more likely.

(Professor Daggett is then dragged down to the head of the British column and driven before it, being pricked occasionally by bayonets to make him keep ahead.

The clock strikes two. A mounted British aide rides ahead, and asks for the town authorities. The first selectman comes forward and is asked if he surrenders the town.)

First Selectman. I do, Sir, for there is no alternative.

(Citizens, militia, and students now straggle back in disorder, followed soon by the red-coats and Hessians. The latter (the Landgraves) have a uniform of a duller hue. The troops stack arms. General Garth halts and orders his brigade-adjutant to read a Proclamation to the inhabitants. A few citizens gather to hear it. General Tryon accompanies them.)

PROCLAMATION

"By Commodore Sir George Collier, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels in North America, and Major General William Tryon, commanding His Majesty's land forces on a separate expedition.

ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF CONNECTICUT

"The ungenerous and wanton insurrection against the sovereignty of Great Britain, into which this colony has been deluded by the artifices of designing men, for private purposes, might well justify in you every fear which conscious guilt could form, respecting the intentions of the present armament.

"Your towns, your property, yourselves, lie within the grasp of the power whose forbearance you have ungenerously construed into fear; but whose lenity has persisted in its mild and noble efforts, even though branded with the most unworthy imputation.

"The existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast ought to be a subject of constant reproof to your ingratitude. Can the strength of your whole province cope with the force which might at any time be poured through every district in your country? You are conscious it cannot. Why then will you persist in a ruinous and illjudged resistance? We hoped that you would recover from the phrenzy which has distracted this unhappy country; and we believe the day to be near come when the greater part of this continent will begin to blush at their delusion. You who lie so much in our power, afford the most striking monument of our mercy, and therefore ought to set the first example of returning allegiance.