History Plays for the Grammar Grades Part 6

Who shall it be?

P. HENRY: I think Mr. Adams has a man in view.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Adams.

ADAMS: I have but one man in mind, a gentleman from Virginia, whose skill and experience as an officer, whose independent fortune, great talents and excellent universal character would command the approbation of all America and unite the Colonies better than any other person in the Union. If you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on the floor.

LEE: Mr. President.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Lee.

LEE: I nominate Colonel Washington as Commander in Chief of the American Army.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS: I second that motion.

HANc.o.c.k: It has been moved and seconded that Colonel Washington be made Commander in Chief of the American Army. All those in favor say Aye.

Aye! Aye!

HANc.o.c.k: Not in favor, no. (All Aye). Then General Washington is Commander in Chief of the American Army.

(Cheers).

(Goes to ante room and brings in Washington who left during Mr.

Adams' speech).

Gentlemen, this is General Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Army.

(More Cheers).

WASHINGTON: I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity I do not think myself equal to the task I am honored with.

_End of Act III._

ACT IV.

INTRODUCTION:

The signing of the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776 by a Congress of representatives of the Colonies a.s.sembled in the State House in Philadelphia.

The next act will be the signing of the Declaration of Independence as written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.

PRES. HANc.o.c.k: After several days of debating in Congress the Declaration of Independence as written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia is about to be accepted. Is there anything more to say on the subject, gentlemen? Mr. Jefferson have you?

JEFFERSON: Mr. Hanc.o.c.k and Gentlemen. We feel that good reasons must be shown to the world and to those brave Englishmen, Pitt and Burke who have been our defenders for breaking away from our Mother Country.

We have tried to show these causes in the paper that I have written.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Adams.

ADAMS: Mr. Hanc.o.c.k. We believe that all men are created equal with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The present King of England has shown himself a tyrant in his treatment of the Colonies by his repeated acts. Thomas Jefferson has written these facts so the world may see them.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Sherman.

SHERMAN: Mr. Hanc.o.c.k. He has taxed us unjustly, without giving us a voice in the matter. He has tried to force us to pay the debts of England. These are more reasons we wish to give to the world for our present action.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Franklin.

FRANKLIN: We have sent pet.i.tions to him asking him to stop these abuses. He has answered with insult. A prince with such a character is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. We therefore, declare we are enemies in war, in peace friends.

MR. LEE: Mr. Hanc.o.c.k.

HANc.o.c.k: Mr. Lee.

LEE: I make a motion that the Declaration of Independence as written by Mr. Jefferson be accepted and the news be given to the world that we are a free people.

MEMBER OF HOUSE: I second that motion.

HANc.o.c.k: It has been moved and seconded that the Declaration of Independence be accepted and the news be given to the world that we are a free people. All those in favor say Aye.

Aye! Aye!

Contrary minded, No. And now gentlemen, I sign my name in large letters so George Third may read it without spectacles (writes name).

We must all hang together in this matter.

FRANKLIN: Yes, we must all hang together, or we will hang separately.

HANc.o.c.k: And now let the news be given to the world that we are a free people.

BOY: Ring! Grandpa, Ring! Oh Ring for Liberty!

_End of Washington Act._

GEORGE ROGERS CLARK

INTRODUCTION:

George Rogers Clark was born in Virginia in 1752. Clark liked to roam the woods. He became a surveyor and an Indian fighter at the age of twenty-one. He was a great leader in Kentucky along with Boone and fought the Indians many times. The British officers aroused the Indians. They paid a certain sum for each scalp of an American. Clark decided to strike a blow at the British across the Ohio. He drilled his men at Corn Island at the falls of the Ohio, the beginning of Louisville. In June he shot the falls and after a long march they reached the old French town of Kaskaskia.

The first Act will be a dance at Kaskaskia.

ACT I.

(British and French dancing. Enter Clark and stands at door.