Thanks to longtime member Ron Blumer, Round Tablers had a special treat on April 10. We saw a preview of the forthcoming PBS film on Alexander Hamilton. Ron researched and wrote the film and his wife, Muffie Meyer, produced it. In his remarks preceding the excerpt we saw, Ron said he had concluded from years of study that Hamilton's contribution to the country was his "almost obsessive and passionate belief that the United States should be truly united." Ron opined that it was a mistake to consider him just a money man. He wanted a United States that was a strong industrial nation and a military power. The excerpt was from the 1790s, when, as Ron put it, "the rubber hit the road." All the fine words about We the People met political realities. It was Hamilton's era. He became the second most powerful man in the country as President Washington's Secretary of the Treasury and "the sparks began to fly." The applause in our Williams Club dining room was as sustained and enthusiastic as it was throughout the nation when Alexander Hamilton went onscreen on May 14.
Thanks to our hardworking book chair, Lynne Saginaw, we had our usual array of books to ponder. David Weiss gave us his take on The General and Mrs. Washington, the Untold Story of A Marriage and a Revolution by Bruce Chadwick. David noted that there are dozens of books on Washington published each year but no more than twenty have been written about Martha in the last two decades. He found Chadwick's characterization of her penetrating and lively. She was not beautiful or flirtatious but she had the knack of charming everyone. Women, including critical types such as Abigail Adams, liked her as much as men did. We will never know much about her "romantic relationship" to Washington. Martha burned all their letters shortly before her death. Nevertheless, David thought Chadwick has done an excellent job of telling this "untold" story.
Joseph Smith reviewed Benjamin Lincoln And the American Revolution by David B. Mattern. Joe confessed that he was skeptical at first that there would be much to tell about this relatively obscure soldier. He soon changed his mind and found himself taking a journey "not only through American history, but through a life." He was moved by this story of a man who left a "prosperous farm and thriving family" to risk his life and fortune in the Revolutionary struggle. From his service at Saratoga through the sieges of Savannah and Charleston to the climax at Yorktown, Lincoln was one of Washington's steadiest generals. Joe praised the book's clarity and "captivation" which is backed by 56 pages of footnotes. He closed his review with a surprising and moving portrayal of General Lincoln making up his mind to join the war to prevent "too heavy a weight on the necks of my children."
Eugene Zuk told us about The Pirates Lafitte by William C. Davis. This "very detailed study" follows the two brothers from their birthplace in France to Louisiana after President Thomas Jefferson bought the territory from Napoleon. Pierre came first, arriving in 1803. Jean arrived in 1809. For a while they made a living as peddlers but they soon turned to smuggling and then to piracy. Thomas Jefferson's weak federal government and almost nonexistent navy permitted them to flourish. They also had the sympathy of the local Creoles. Whenever a Lafitte pirate was brought to court, the jury set him free. Then came the outbreak of war between Great Britain and America. In 1814 the British sent an army and fleet to conquer the territory. Pierre happened to be in jail. Local bigwigs set him free on his promise to help General Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans. The brothers kept their word and with the help of British stupidity, the Americans beat off the enemy attack. Afterward, the Lafittes went back to piracy, with a focus on South America. The Americans, inclined to weaken Spain, did little to stop them. In 1821, Pierre died, supposedly of natural causes, while trying to rob a Mexican village. Jean was killed in a sea battle in 1821. Eugene thought the book was well done but looong — 490 pages plus 187 pages of notes and bibliography.
Every federal congressmen in New Jersey, plus Ron Chernow, author of a prizewinning biography of the Treasury Secretary, have urged Congress to come up with $10 million to make a national park out of Paterson's 118 acre historic manufacturing district. Originally it was a Hamilton brainstorm that did not fly. He wanted the government to make the town an industrial colossus but the venture went bankrupt instead. But in the 19th Century, thanks to its abundant water power, Paterson boomed, turning out tons of silk cloth and other textiles, plus locomotives, Colt revolvers and even a submarine. All these industries went elsewhere in the 20th Century and Paterson has long been a study in urban blight. The congressmen hope a national park would restore a little prosperity to the city. But the National Park Service says it does not want or need another industrial national park. They already have one in Lowell, Massachusetts, thanks to pressure tactics exerted by the Bay State's congressmen. Our support goes to Paterson nonetheless. It has a lot more history behind it than Lowell.
There are not many 225th Revolutionary anniversaries left. On April 29, they celebrated a big one at Newburgh — the arrival of George and Martha Washington in 1782 to begin a long sojourn at the Hasbrouck House. The historic site, which is run by New York State, has been beautifully preserved. The house sits on several acres of green lawn, surrounded by stone walls. The Brigade of the American Revolution was on hand, several hundred strong, to greet the general. The day began with a talk by Tom Fleming, drawn from his forthcoming book (due in September), The Perils of Peace. Tom's subject was "George Washington's Tears." He gave people a new way of looking at the tears Washington shed at Fraunces Tavern and at Annapolis, when he resigned his commission. At about 2:30, General Washington arrived in full uniform on a magnificent horse. Beside him rode a dragoon, flourishing a standard. He dismounted and gave the men a spirited speech. The brigade responded with three cheers and proceeded to perform numerous evolutions on the drill field, climaxed by a blast of musketry known as a Feu de Joie. George was admirably well played by John Koopman. Also performing was Jack Sherry playing Benjamin Franklin. He carried the tatters of a kite on his arm, and mournfully explained that it had recently crashed, but not before he discovered electricity. Congressman Maurice Hinchey of the 22nd district was also present. A good time was had by all, including a large crowd of approving civilians.
To celebrate the 232nd anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, retired Colonel Peter Ford of the Royal Welch Fusileers hurled the following volley of memorable remarks into cyberspace. A copy landed on the editor's desk. Ready, set, go!
"What a glorious morning this is!" — Samuel Adams to John Hancock at the battle of Lexington. ++ "The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth!" Thomas Paine ++ "We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an Angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?" — John Page ++ "Our cause is noble. It is the cause of mankind!" — George Washington ++ "The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. the Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments and affections of the people was the real American Revolution." — John Adams ++ Patriotism itself is a necessary link in the golden chains of our affections and virtue — Stephen Decatur ++ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" — Thomas Jefferson ++ "Is life so dear, is peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." — Patrick Henry.
Ex-Col. Ford also reminded us that we're celebrating another 225th Anniversary in May — the creation of the Purple Heart Award by General Washington. He called it "the Badge of Military Merit" and designed the purple cloth trimmed with white lace in 1782. In 1783, he presented the first award to Sergeant Elijah Churchill of Connecticut , who distinguished himself raiding British forts and supply depots on Long Island. When Congress declined to continue the Continental Army after the war (ignoring Washington's advice) the award fell into disuse. It was revived on Feb. 22, 1932, Washington's 200th birthday.
William J. Dean, a trustee of the New York Society Library, recently explored a long forgotten archive that has intriguing glimpses of the reading habits of some of the founding fathers. The library was launched in1754 but from 1776 to 1788 it was out of business, thanks to the British occupation and New York's postwar disarray. It reopened in 1789, in Federal Hall, when the new federal government came to New York. It had 239 subscribers and 3100 books. Members of the government were ex-officio members. On July 31, 1789 VP John Adams took out Elements of Criticism by Lord Kames. On Aug. 21, he withdrew the second volume of this noted work. On October 2, President Washington took home Law of Nations by Emmerich de Vattel and volume 12 of debates in the House of Commons. Around the same time, Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton borrowed two novels, The Amours of Count Paviano and Eleanora and Edward Mortimer by A Lady. Aaron Burr perused Revolutions in Geneva, a volume of Jonathan Swift and "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Gibbon. He also read nine volumes of Voltaire and worked his way through the 44 volumes of A Universal History. It should be noted that Mr. Burr was only a state legislator at this time. Maybe that gave him more free time. However, his literary appetite pales (as does everyone else's) beside the number of books charged to Chief Justice John Jay of the U.S. Supreme Court. He read Fanny Burney's women's rights novel, Cecilia, or the Memoirs of an Heiress, Don Quixote, Captain James Cook's A Voyage Toward the South Pole and Around the World and the Marquis de Chastellux's Travels in North America 1780-1782, plus Comte de Buffon's Natural History, and books on China, Spain, as well as The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada. Maybe the late Richard Morris of Columbia was right when he maintained that Jay should be ranked with the premier founders. When it came to brainpower, he was probably number one.
Round Tabler Fred Cookinham, head of one of New York's most innovative tour guide services, has a new walking tour that should make buffs and ordinary citizens vibrate: Fred calls it "Manhattan's Colonial Roads." It's a 5-8 mile all day hike from Fraunces Tavern to the Mount Vernon Hotel (formerly Abigail Adams Smith's home ) on E. 61st Street. A lunch break and two rest stops are on the schedule, lest you fear exhaustion. Maps and pictures will enable the walkers to experience how Manhattan looked 200-300 years ago, as they stroll into the "countryside" of that era. Can anyone resist this experience? Call Fred at 917 607 9019 or go to www.indepthwalkingtours.com for more information.
A recent report in the New York Times and other sources relates the story of Julia Kean, (a member of the Kean clan of New Jersey and the future wife of Secretary of State Hamilton Fish,) who, in 1826 as a 10-year-old, began a scrapbook collecting every conceivable item that could spark a young girl's interest: playing cards, fashion items, holiday events, and invitations for balls celebrating the ends of the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Fortunately for Revolutionary Roundtables, she also saved two letters written to her ancestors: one from George Washington and the other from Thomas Jefferson.
Washington's letter, written in May, 1787 to Jacob Morris (Julia's grandfather) comments upon the Constitutional Convention (of which, of course, he was President) saying that "The happiness of this Country depend much upon the deliberations" which "however, can only lay the foundation" for the future country. It's success would come from the people. The letter, only 111 words long, is basically incomplete as it refers to "enclosures" concerning Horatio Gates (not one of GW's favorite Generals). Hopefully, they will be found among the large amount of family papers now contributed to Kean University. ( Thomas Jefferson's letter was written to Julia's step-grandfather, a Polish count who was about to return to Europe as a member of Napoleon's army, which could turn out to be as interesting).
It seems that there will always be groups of people who bury historical documents in books, behind picture frames, in attics and basements and leave it to future generations to discover them, preferring their private protection to public display and/or sale: the treasures of their lifetime.
On May 7th, 2007 at the Harvard Club, The Society of American Historians announced that Eric Foner of Columbia University will be succeeded as their President by one Thomas Fleming, who is rumored to spend his time mostly at the Williams Club. Tom joins a distinguished list of past Presidents including David McCullough, Kenneth Jackson, and Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. The Board of Governors of the ARRT congratulates Tom on this singular honor, but politely reminds all historical associations that the ARRT-NY has first claim on Mr. Fleming (with the exception of Alice Fleming, of course).
The April answers:
Alexander Hamilton's hero was Julius Caesar, which when told to Thomas Jefferson, considered it typical of Hamilton's desire to create a dictatorship from the ruins of democracy.
Answer both correctly (by phone, email or snail mail) for a free dinner!!