Everyone has heard about the Deerfield "Massacre" but how many people know what really happened? Round Tablers can now smugly (but we're never too smug) inform their historical friends that they have the inside story, thanks to their sojourn at the Williams Club on February 1 with Professors Kevin Sweeney and Evan Haefeli, authors of the superb book, Captors and Captives. These two gentleman have spent ten years exploring this much misunderstood event and they told us so many new things, for a while we felt as if we were in some kind of history kindergarten. Deerfield was not a massacre. It was a raid, in which both sides suffered heavy casualties. The goal was not to wipe out the frontier town, but to take captives for ransom or, in the case of many of the attacking Indians, for adoption. The two speakers explored the identities and motives of the various tribes in the raid and even had a portrait of the veteran French commander, who had several dozen of his soldiers with him. The authors explained French strategy --to keep the colonists on the defensive in the ongoing wars. We got a dramatic account of how the raiders penetrated the stockade by climbing snowdrifts outside the walls in the darkness, then shot or tomahawked all those who resisted and departed with 112 captives. When colonists from nearby towns pursued them, the victors coolly ambushed them. Equally interesting was the aftermath, in which roughly half the captives eventually returned to Deerfield. Those who stayed in Canada married Frenchmen or women and in some cases Indians. Our speakers stressed the ferocious hostility between Catholics and Protestants, which affected everyone on both sides. The French wanted to raise the captured children as Catholics and tried to prevent the Indians from adopting them. By the time our speakers sat down, they had explored the motivations of both sides, captors and captives, and we knew a lot more about life on the early 18th century frontier. It was an evening to remember.
David A. Weiss gave us a comprehensive report on His Excellency, George Washington, which has been perched on the bestseller list for several weeks. David began by quoting Ellis's reason for writing the book: "To strip away the ivy and mythology that had grown up over Washington and recover the flesh and blood man." David thought he had largely succeeded. Ellis's strongest point is his writing. He draws three dimensional portraits, not only of Washington but of Hamilton, Jefferson, Monroe and other Revolutionary figures. In less than 300 pages he managed to portray the whole Revolutionary era through the profile of Washington. Ellis takes us inside the mind of Washington, describing how he made decisions by balancing the pros and cons until what he should do became clear to him. David thought this technique gave substance to the narrative. Ellis stresses what he considers most important in Washington's life, especially the western frontier. He handles the dilemma Washington faced with his slaves. He wanted to supplant them with hired workers but did not want to break up families. Ellis also emphasizes Washington's almost obsessive concern to leave a legacy. Why else in the middle of a war would he assign a group to spend two years copying his correspondence? David had a few quibbles. The book ends too abruptly, a day or two after Washington's funeral. David thought matters such as what happened to the slaves Washington had freed in his will should have been covered. Ellis also never gives the reader a clear picture of Washington's daily routine, either at home or as commander in chief of the army, or as president. The book needs more personal touches, such as the glimpse of GW's servant, Billy Lee, powdering his hair each morning. Quibbles aside, David found the book a most enjoyable read.
Eagle-eyed Alice Fleming, wife of Tom, discovered the following plaque on 22nd Street and Second Avenue. "Site of Rose Hill, General Horatio Gates's estate. Major General Thaddeus Kosciusko, colonel in the Continental Army, designer of fortifications at West Point, veteran of the northern and the southern campaigns -- the patriot of two continents -- stayed here 10-29 of September 1797 to visit his former commander, to renew friendships forged in the struggle for American Liberty and to mourn the passing of comrades in arms. He received here the sympathy and well wishes of New Yorkers for his bearing and gallantry in leading the Polish insurrection of 1794 against overwhelming invading forces. 'He is as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known. And of that liberty which is to go to all, and not to the few and rich alone.' Thomas Jefferson to Gates, 1798."
To fill in a few gaps, Alice did some research. Kosciusko's 1794 insurrection was against Russian invaders, who had occupied Poland in 1792. He was defeated and spent two years in prison before being freed. When he came to America in 1797, Congress voted him $15,000 (about $250,000 in current dollars) and 500 acres of land in Ohio. He returned to Europe and sought Napoleon's cooperation in freeing Poland. But the Man of Destiny declined to help him. At the end of his life (1817) Kosciusko freed his serfs in Poland and ordered his Ohio land to be sold to found a school for African-American children in Newark.
As for General Gates, he had married a rich New York widow after his first wife died, and lived happily with her at Rose Hill until his death in 1806. The old boy stayed interested in revolutions. In 1800, Horatio let Aaron Burr put him at the head of his Jeffersonian Republican ticket for the New York state assembly. They won, ousting Alexander Hamilton and his Federalists. New York gave its electoral votes to Jefferson and Burr and the Federalists were toast, politically speaking. That no doubt gave enormous pleasure to Gates, who never forgot the insulting letter Lt. Colonel Hamilton had written him in 1777, peremptorily demanding him to give up most of his army after the victory at Saratoga, to reinforce Washington in Pennsylvania.
Jack Gardner, professor emeritus of history at Delaware State University, is rapidly becoming our point man for the Revolution on the internet. His latest report concerns a move by the Library of Congress's Prints and Photographic Division to enlarge its online catalog. They now have more than 700 prints and drawings relating to the Revolution online. To take a look, scroll down the "What's New" page at : www.loc.gov/rr/print/whatsnew.html and select the link labeled "Retrieve these records."
In February, Jack Buchanan orated on his fine book, The Road to Valley Forge, at Fraunces Tavern, as part of their evening lecture series. He was followed in February by Carol Berkin, who won applause at our podium for her book on the Constitution, A Brilliant Solution. Tom Fleming ventured to Auburn University in Alabama to tell them about his "Encounters with History" which included not a little about the Revolution.
The mystery of Charles Morgan, whose tombstone in northern New York claims he was "Revolty Spy. One of the captors of Major Andre" continues to agitate Round Tablers. (Check the February newsletter). John Nagy, our reigning expert on espionage in the Revolution (we're still eagerly awaiting his book) reported he has found only one Charles Morgan who was a spy. He entered Cornwallis's camp in Virginia in 1781 pretending to be a deserter. His orders were to tell the British that Lafayette, the commander of the opposing American army, had enough boats to transport all his troops and attack Cornwallis in a single landing. Morgan returned with five British deserters and a prisoner. John admits Virginia is a long way from Westchester County, where Andre was captured. In his files is another Morgan, who operated out of South Amboy, NJ, looking for spies and smugglers going to Staten Island and watching British movements. His first name remains unknown. John recommends a search of the Revolutionary War pension applications. Any volunteers?
Andrea Meyer has taken time from her college courses to advance another theory. She thinks the tombstoned Charles Morgan fits in with her friend (and fellow RTabler) John Burke's research, which suggests there were others who were assigned to capture Andre (and Arnold) and the three who accidentally caught Andre were merely highwayman in search of loot. See ProseedTec@AOL.com for more information.
Becky Akers, meanwhile, avers that Morgan may have been part of a group of seven irregulars who split up that morning so they might better rob passers-by. The three who caught Andre, Van Wart, Paulding and Williams, reunited with the other four and all seven headed for the American outpost, where they handed Andre over to Colonel Jameson. Becky thinks Charles Morgan may have been one of the other four highwaymen, who are unknown to history. She is seeking a publisher for her book on Arnold's real motivation for committing treason and has been studying the story for years.
An overflow crowd recently gathered at the New York Historical Society to hear a debate on who did more for the country, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The evening began with comments from the president of the NYHS and the president of the Virginia Historical Society, who remarked that if their founding president heard about them defending TJ, he would revolve in his grave. The founder was John Marshall, who loathed "Cousin Tom."
The debaters were the creme de la creme of the argumentative class: Matthew Adams, a nationally ranked member of the American Parliamentary Debate Association, spoke on Jefferson's behalf. Matthew Schwartz, former president of the same debate association, spoke on behalf of Hamilton. Adams argued that Jefferson's declaration defined the character of the nation. Schwartz countered that Hamilton was the founder of modern America, thanks to his role in creating the Constitution and launching the nation's monetary system. He attacked Jefferson for his negative view of cities, and contrasted Hamilton's efforts to abolish slavery in New York and New Jersey with Jefferson's claim to oppose it and his failure to act against it.
Jefferson was in turn defended by Adrienne Penta, who spoke of his role in pushing separation of church and state and made the rather astonishing claim that TJ was a Christian. Hamilton was next supported by Columbia law school student Jeffrey Williams, who also played the race card against Jefferson and then claimed that today the dollar had "more currency" than the Declaration of Independence. The winner was chosen by a show of hands. Surprise surprise, Hamilton won. A Jeffersonian in the audience accused the mostly New York majority of bias. Columbia's provost, historian Alan Brinkley, veered toward Jefferson in the last word -- Hamilton may have done more for the American economy, he said. But Jefferson supplied the nation with an ideology, which is equally necessary for the pursuit of collective happiness.
Our friend and supporter, collector of historic documents Joe Rubinfine has a startling find in his latest catalogue: a part of George Washington's undelivered -- and ultimately lost -- first inaugural address. It was written by his former aide, David Humphreys, who had been designated his official biographer. Washington copied it in his own hand to send it to James Madison for advice. Madison suggested putting it aside. After Washington's death, the manuscript -- 73 pages -- was given to Jared Sparks, who was creating an edition of Washington's writings. Sparks considered it worthless and cut it to pieces and gave them to anyone requesting something in Washington's handwriting. Some parts were eventually recovered and these are what Mr. Rubinfine is offering for sale for $75,000.
Our friends at Fraunces Tavern (the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York) have opened a fine exhibition on the life and times of John Jay, touted as the only Founding Father to be born and raised in New York City. Whether or not this statement is in response to the New-York Historical Society's Alexander Hamilton exhibit, I will leave to you; but it is also a bit off the mark, for Robert R. Livingston also fits this description.Since Livingston never signed the Declaration of Independence he helped write, and basically became a minor revolutionary figure, one can certainly say that John Jay is the only important Founding Father to be a native New Yorker.
The small but extremely interesting exhibition is divided into sections dealing with Jay's service as a congressional delegate, minister to Spain, peace treaty negotiator, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and author of the Federalist Papers, the 1st Chief Justice of the United States and New York governor. Various artifacts add to the panels, including furniture, jewelry, paintings and a copy of the book framing the Constitutional debate.
However, the most interesting aspect of the exhibition is Jay's attitude towards slavery. Jay was a founding member of New York Manumission Society, its first President, and living until 1829, fought against passage of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. He was totally against the expansion of slavery into the territories, and proclaimed that slavery should be banned throughout the entire United States. And yet, John Jay owned slaves and did not free them until he was certain that they had paid him back economically with their work! Our Founding Fathers were, at least on the issue of slavery, extremely conflicted between morality and business. The Jay exhibition runs until June 17th, 2005; admission is charged.
Fraunces Tavern is also exhibiting a collection of artifacts associated with the Sons of the Revolution including a model of the Nathan Hale statue they dedicated at City Hall park in 1893, medals, awards, portraits, the Society's official tie (still worn by members), and the original Tiffany display cases used during the museum's opening in 1907. And the Flag Gallery is always a treat.
"It was too easy," the crowd roared as 11 members won a free dinner by answering that the Battle of Trenton Monument and Grant's Tomb have in common architect John H. Duncan (who also designed the Sailor and Soldiers' Monument in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn).
So now the Quiz Master gets tough!!
Name the two American Revolutionary figures whose direct descendants have played major league baseball.
A free dinner for all persons who answer correctly. You must answer by phone, e-mail or snail mail: no in-person answers accepted at the meeting.