``On Saturday and Sunday, August 15th and 16th, the City of Quebec and Parks Canada played host to two thousand American and Canadian reenactors of the 1775 siege and unsuccessful storming of the city by Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold. The pageantry of 18th Century military and musical display was shown to full advantage as the Crown forces paraded under arms through the heart of the ancient city to the reverberation of field drums, the skirl of bagpipes and the brilliance of unfurled regimental colors.
``On Sunday, spectators who witnessed the changing of the guard in the Citadel by the Royal 22nd Regiment of Canada, nicknamed `The Vandoos,' and the only French speaking regiment in the Canadian army, were treated to a display of 18th Century drill, music and volley firing by the recreated 23rd Regiment of Foot, the Royal Welch Fusiliers in America, as commanded by fellow Round Table member Peter Ford. The `Vandoos' are the sister regiment of the Royal Welch.
``The centerpiece of the weekend was a mid-afternoon battle outside the Citadel on the Plains of Abraham. Crowds for the two days were estimated at 110,000, remarkable given Quebec's resident population is only 167,000. Plans are afoot for another demonstration in the year 2000, the 225th anniversary of both the battle and the first year of the Revolution.''
So what does this have to do with our colonial and Revolutionary Heritage? Well, these pilgrims came to our shores with something more solid in their baggage -- a piece of Plymouth Rock, to be precise. The next time someone asks you where he or she can see Plymouth Rock, you can tell them to go to Brooklyn. They can pay their respects at the little church that proudly proclaims they really own a piece of the rock.
Both articles seemed to be oblivious to the fact that Nature had published a retraction of the original story. Mr. Truscott's use of the word conclusively seemed especially chutzpah-ish. He ignored a public statement by the author of the original Nature article, Dr. Eugene Foster, that the study ``could not prove anything conclusively'' (our italics).
The British medical journal, The Lancet has also assayed the controversy with a very skeptical eye. They noted that Byron Woodson, the descendant of Thomas Woodson, Sally's purported first son, whose DNA did not match Jefferson's, serenely announced he and his family remain convinced that Jefferson was their ancestor. The Lancet also noted that in Peoria, Ill. Janet Allen believes her family is descended from a son born to George Washington by one of his slaves, Venus. It is a claim, the Lancet editor writes with a presumably straight face, ``that is impossible to disprove.''
Tom was not present for Brookhiser's stint, so he doesn't know what he said, but he tells us that he (Tom) held forth on George's farewell to his officers -- the film was shot in the Long Room -- and the significance of his trip south from that tearful event to resign his commission -- an act that stunned the civilized world.
Tom also discussed GW as a presidential host, noting that his first levees were so formal, some people compared him to George III. But Mrs. Washington rescued him with a series of receptions that were more relaxed.
Tom also discussed Sam Fraunces's relationship to George, noting that it had its ups and downs. Sam won the Great Man's favor in 1776 by revealing the Hickey plot to poison him and abort the Revolution. During the war, Fraunces fled to New Jersey but was somehow captured by the British and dragged back to New York, where he was forced to cook for General James Robertson. He managed to work in not a little spying with this job, as well as a good deal of assistance to starving American prisoners of war.
In the presidential years, George hired Sam as his steward, but winced when he saw the bills. A story, possibly apocryphal, has him having near apoplexy when he was told that a shad Sam was serving cost $6.00. (The equivalent of about $96.00 today -- Four Seasons prices!) Sam took early retirement, but when the government moved to Philadelphia, Washington rehired him -- quite a tribute to his culinary abilities. No word from C-Span about when the show will run.
Organized into three sections, the exhibition covers Washington's three residences in New York, namely its defense (1776), the British evacuation and farewell to his officers (1783) and the first year of his presidency (1789-90). The first section contains wonderful maps of the city and depictions of the battle of Ft. Washington as well as Gilbert Stuart portraits including a full length of our hero, Alonzo Chappel's picture of Hamilton leaning against a gun battery, and a piece of George III's Bowling Green statue made of gilded lead.
Have you ever seen an Evacuation Day jug? You will here, and the famous farewell scene at Fraunces Tavern! But the best section is Washington's presidency. On display are portraits of Robert Livingston and George Clinton; the first presidential desk; Washington's inaugural flag; a door from the carriage that transported the Great Man to Federal Hall; clothing worn at the first inaugural ball, and descriptions of life in the presidential mansions. Washington had 14 white servants and brought 7 slaves with him from Mount Vernon.
Personal Washington items have not been left out. You can see another set of false teeth (did they bury him toothless?) and a lock of his hair. DNA tests anyone?
After viewing the exhibit, cross the hall for a look at the museums fine collection of furniture and period rooms; it contains wonderful portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. The gift shop has every notable New York City history book as well as Washington books by Willard Sterne Randall and North Callahan. Admission is $5.00.