Announcements

Board of Governors Stuff

The board met before the June meeting and unanimously nominated Chairman Dave Jacobs to another one year tour. Long time member Mark Damowne was elected to the board.

The board decided to alter our eating fees as follows: Henceforth, non-members must pay $30 for a dinner. As Treasurer Jim Davis pointed out, this may motivate some people to join -- or pay their back dues.

Treasurer Davis noted that 1998 will see the Round Table's 40th Anniversary. It was agreed that we should devote one dinner to celebrating it, the month to be determined after further discussion.

The Board recommended that members who belong to other historical organizations, such as the Civil War Round Table, should be asked to deliver to their groups a sheaf of broadsides of our upcoming meetings. the editors of the newsletter will prepare them.

A proposal to create a Sam Puner Memorial Grant was considered and tabled for the time being. A suggested candidate was John Hayes, the historian of the Revolutionary cavalry.

The Treasurer said the exchequer was healthy, thanks to Sam Puner's legacy.

Historical Tidbits From the Treasurer

I present for your consideration the continuing story of our third president's drinking tastes. As you recall, in December 1996 we were treated to James Gabler's presentation of Jefferson's passion for good wine. We also enjoyed a glass of a modern vintage of the president's preferred stock.

In February, I reported that the Metropolitan Museum of Art was offering reproductions of Mr. Jefferson's wine glasses for $25 and $30. The auction house, Sotheby's, has now entered the fray, announcing they will soon sell three 197 year old bottles of Jefferson's beloved Madiera. Since this is a cooked wine, it should be drinkable.

Sotheby's expects the bottles to sell for $15,000 each, and suggests that they could be used at millennium galas (in the year 2000 or 2001 depending on the knowledge of the hosts) where they would be opened and people could take a drink at $10,000 a swig.

My friends, it is pleasing to note that the wisdom of our founding father, Benjamin Franklin will still hold true in the 21st Century: ``A fool and his money are soon parted.''

Speaking of Benjamin Franklin, in June the Pacific International Stamp Exhibition in San Francisco celebrated the 150th anniversary of the issuance of the USA's first postage stamps. In 1847, the Postal Department issued a blue 5 cent Franklin and a red 10 cent Washington.

My friends, it is certainly a reflection upon our changing cultural landscape, that the the precise moment of this historic anniversary, the Postal Service is also honoring Bugs Bunny.

The Treasurer's Trivia Treat

Our money man, Jim Davis, reports the answer to his April 1997 trivia question (colleges established before July 4, 1776) are:


Harvard	1636
William and Mary	1693
Yale	1701
Moravian College (Bethlehem, Pa.)	1742
Delaware (Newark)	1743
Columbia	1754
Brown	1764
Rutgers	1766
Dartmouth	1769
College of Charleston (S.C.)	1770
Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pa.)	1773

The October Quiz

The first three persons persons who submit the correct answers to Jim at the Oct. 7th meeting will be treated to a free before dinner spirit (from the treasurer's private funds, of course).

The following is a quote from a letter:
Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was decided in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men...It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, spirits, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the country to the other, from this time forward, forevermore!
- Who wrote the letter?
- Who received the letter?
- To what date does the word `yesterday' refer?
(Tie Breaker Question) Under the United States Constitution, what is the maximum number of years a person may serve as President?

The Landmark Maven

As we begin a new season, let's delve into the unmarked. This site was once occupied by a small comfortable colonial home of the early merchant class. Unfortunately there is no plaque to commemorate its existence. In fact, there seems to have been a concerted effort to obliterate the record of its appearance and the name of its occupant. there is even a controversy about the actual site. Some opt for 56 Wall Street, others for the corner of Peral and Hanover Streets. At either place there are now castles of commerce to the left and right of you. Due west is Trinity Church and not too far south is our own Fraunces Tavern. Roll this over in your mind and try to picture the controversial New Yorker who lived at either of these two addresses. He was a patron of Trinity Church, a pillar of the community, and an generally respected and well liked man -- but not by all. This scene of contentment and prosperity was shattered one day by a troop of redcoats banging on the front door. Our historical neighbor went out the back door and did not surrender to the Crown's hot pursuit until he was overtaken in Boston. From there he was deported in chains to England. there he was hustled over to the Old Bailey and then to Newgate and finally to Execution Dock. We know what the verdict was back in 1701 but today we are not so sure about our historical neighbor, who knew Wall Street at a time when business was really cut throat.

He was the master of the good ships Adventure Galley, Quedah Merchant, and Antonio: William Kidd, aka Captain Kydd.

For Sale

Former chairman Bill Hildebrandt is still in possession of about two dozen Round Table drinking mugs. Originally priced at ten dollars, they are now available for five. Send the money to Bill at 17 Barbara Dr., Syosset, NY 11791. These things are practically unbreakable and will enhance the intelligence of your kitchen.

Thanks to Peter Ford, we have available two Xeroxed copies of The Montressor Journals. This treasure trove of information about the British Army in America can be purchased at $40.00 per set, from Tom Fleming. Send him the money at 315 E. 72nd Street, NYC 10021. In both cases make checks payable to the Round Table.

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