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History Plays for the Grammar Grades

<div class="pagenum">[Pg 15]</div> <h2>GEORGE WASHINGTON and OTHER HEROES OF THE REVOLUTION</h2> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION: (Told by pupil).</h3> We are now going to tell you the story of George Washington and other heroes of the Revolutionary War. George Washington was the first president of the United States and was called "The Father of His Country." As a boy he was a skilful horseback rider and liked to go into the forest with his dog and hunt. He had a very good mother. His father called her "The Rose of Epping Forest"—a place in England. (Maps are used and pupil points out the places on maps with pointer). The first act will be George Washington talking to his mother. <h3>ACT I.</h3> Washington: Mother, it is decided that I should go to sea, is it not? Mrs. Washington: Yes, George, we had consented to your going to sea but I would much rather have you go back to school and have a good education. According to these old Virginia days the oldest son in the family, when the father dies, receives a plantation and your brother, Laurence, has received a plantation on the Potomac. Washington: Well, mother, if I give up my plans of going to sea and go back to school, what shall I do? Mrs. Washington: You will receive a plantation on the Rappahannock. Washington: Well, I shall give up all my plans and go back to school and I will try to excel in all my work. Mrs. Washington: You must excel in both work and play and remember the Golden Rule—"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Several boys knock and enter—boys bow and speak to Mrs. Washington). Boys: How do you do, Mrs. Washington. Mrs. Washington: How do you do, boys. First Boy: George, we want you to come out and play with us. Second Boy: Yes, we want you to be our captain. Third Boy: We will take a walk in the woods. Fourth Boy: And maybe have a swim in the old swimming pool. Washington: May I go out with the boys, mother? Mrs. Washington: Yes, George, but don't forget to come in before it gets too late. End of Act I. <hr class="major" /> <div class="pagenum">[Pg 16]</div> <h3>ACT II.</h3> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION:</h3> When George Washington was sixteen, he was made a surveyor for Lord Fairfax. At twenty he was put in Braddock's army and he saved the broken pieces. He was later elected to the house of Burgesses in Virginia. After Washington's brother, Laurence, died, Washington received the beautiful Mt. Vernon plantation on the Potomac. One day while Washington was on his way to Williamsburg, he met a beautiful woman named Mrs. Martha Custis, who later became his wife. The second act will be Washington, Patrick Henry and others in the house of Burgesses in Virginia. (House of Burgesses assembled. Class in House of Burgesses.) Speaker at Desk: As you know the French and Indian war has left both England and her colonies in debt and King George, thinking only of England, put a tax on tea and a Stamp Act on the Thirteen Colonies. Through such great men as Samuel Adams and our own Patrick Henry, these Acts have been repealed. Now we are confronted with the trouble in Boston. Shall the people of Boston be slaves or shall the thirteen colonies fight to save that town? (Exclamations from House). Fight! Fight! No! No! Fight! Speaker: I think Patrick Henry has a resolution to offer. Patrick Henry: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: I offer resolutions declaring that Virginia arm herself for the coming war. Men of House: Why should we fight England? It is the greatest country in the world and it is our Mother Country. Second Man of House: Why not send petitions to the King asking him to send his two armies out of Boston? Third Man of House: We cannot fight England. Look at Drake. He checked the Spanish Armada on the sea while Raleigh checked the Spanish on the land. If we fight England it will leave us weaker than we are. Fourth Man of House: If we fight our Mother Country now it will spoil the little nation we are trying to build up. We are not ready to fight. Patrick Henry: Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Mr. Henry. Henry: We must fight! I repeat it, Sir, we must fight. An appeal to arms and the God of Hosts is all that is left to us. They tell us, Sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next year, or next week? Sir, we are not weak if we make the proper use which the God of Nature has placed in our power. Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable, and let it come! Our brothers are all ready on the field. Why stand we here idle! Is life so dear or 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! (Much applause). End of Act II. <hr class="major" /> <div class="pagenum">[Pg 17]</div> <h3>ACT III.</h3> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION:</h3> The next act will be the second Continental Congress where George Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the American army and where Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and others were appointed to draw up the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Hancock, Speaker of the House: You all know that in the first Continental Congress we pledged to stand by Boston. If General Gage means to make war on that town, let him do it. Is there anything to say on the matter, gentlemen? Franklin: Mr. Hancock. Hancock: Mr. Franklin. Franklin: I say that the thirteen colonies should unite in order to fight Great Britain. Henry: Mr. Hancock. Hancock: Mr. Henry. Henry: I agree with Mr. Benjamin Franklin. I wish to repeat a statement I made once before. The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers and New Englanders are no more. I am not a Virginian but an American. (Applause). Richard Henry Lee: Mr. Hancock. Hancock: Mr. Lee. Lee: I make a motion that the thirteen colonies unite in order to fight and that we declare ourselves free and independent of Great Britain. Member of House: We must show reasons for separating from our Mother Country. Robert Livingston: We must show great men like Pitt and Burke why we want to separate from England. Member of Congress: I make a motion that a committee of men be appointed to draw up a Declaration of Independence. R. H. Lee: I second that motion. Speaker: It has been moved and seconded that a committee of men be appointed to draw up a declaration of independence. All those in favor say Aye! Contrary minded No! Aye! Aye! Speaker: I appoint Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and John Adams of Massachusetts to draw up a declaration of independence. And now gentlemen, the American Army needs a head. Who shall it be? P. Henry: I think Mr. Adams has a man in view. Hancock: 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. <div class="pagenum">[Pg 18]</div> Lee: Mr. President. Hancock: Mr. Lee. Lee: I nominate Colonel Washington as Commander in Chief of the American Army. Member of Congress: I second that motion. Hancock: 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! Hancock: 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. <h3>ACT IV.</h3> <h3 class="h3left">INTRODUCTION:</h3> The signing of the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776 by a Congress of representatives of the Colonies assembled 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. Hancock: 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. Hancock 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. Hancock: Mr. Adams. Adams: Mr. Hancock. 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. Hancock: Mr. Sherman. Sherman: Mr. Hancock. 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. Hancock: Mr. Franklin. <div class="pagenum">[Pg 19]</div> Franklin: We have sent petitions 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. Hancock. Hancock: 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. Hancock: 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. Hancock: 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. <hr class="major" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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