hts under
our royal charter.

ANDROS

Confound your charter! I'll see to it that you lose it! Good day, sir.

TREAT

Good day!

ANNOUNCER

So Governor Andros took his departure without gaining possession of the
territory he claimed. For the next ten years Connecticut continued in
undisputed possession of her charter, and then on December 19, 1686,
Andros was appointed Governor of all New England. News of this
appointment reached Connecticut several months later.

Our next scene is at the State House in Hartford. It is June of 1687.
The General Court of the Connecticut Colony is in session. As our scene
opens, Governor Treat is addressing the Assembly.

TREAT

Gentlemen! I have called you here to consider a matter of grave
importance to the life of this colony. As you know, His Majesty has
seen fit to deprive us of our rights under our charter and has
appointed a Governor who is to have supreme power over this colony and
all of New England.

WADSWORTH

Your Excellency--

TREAT

Yes, Captain Wadsworth?

WADSWORTH

Let us not submit! Let us appeal to the Privy Council! We have our
rights under the charter.

ALL

Yes, yes! Let us not submit!

TREAT

It is useless, gentlemen. When we are ordered to submit, we must submit
or be in rebellion.

WADSWORTH

When may we expect the order?

TREAT

I was informed this very morning that an officer of Governor Andros was
on his way here to take over the government of the colony, and we might
expect him this very day.

WADSWORTH

Then what can we do, sir?

TREAT

We can submit--indeed we must submit to the rule of Governor Andros,
but, gentlemen, we must not relinquish our charter!

ALL

No, no! We must save our charter. [_etc._]

TREAT

But how can we save it? If I am ordered to give it up, what can I do? I
have it here. It is in my possession. How can I hold it against an
order to relinquish it?

WADSWORTH

Your Excellency, if it is not in your possession, you cannot give it
up.

TREAT

But it is, Captain Wadsworth.

WADSWORTH

Then, sir, I move you that this Assembly forthwith take it out of your
possession and intrust it to a committee for safe-keeping.

TREAT

Yes, that is possible.

VOICE

Second!

TREAT

You have heard the proposal. Those favoring--

ALL

Aye!

TREAT

Opposed--it is a vote. Will someone propose the committee?

VOICE

Your Excellency, I propose Captain Wadsworth, Charles Willys, and