Descendents of America’s First Soldiers Volume 5 Issue 1 February 2003 Printed Four Times Yearly SPAIN AND CUBA IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES During the Revolution- lutionary War turned out to be a ary War of the United States the desired opportunity. Spanish help to the colonists was Although France and Spain considerable, and in many cases began their economic aid the decisive. However, American year of the Declaration of Inde- historians, with notable excep- pendence, there were some dif- tions, have ignored this fact, re- ferences in the foreign policy of ferring only to the French contri- the two Bourbon families. In butions. There is always the France, the ideological influence doubt about whether the reason of the encyclopedists and the at- for this omission could be the tractive personality of Benjamin ignorance by American historian Franklin, representative of the of foreign languages or the tradi- Continental Congress of Phila- tional Anglo-Saxon hostility delphia, made the American against Spain. Whatever the rea- Revolution very popular. In son the fact is that most Ameri- Spain, on the contrary, there was cans do not know about that fun- a more conservative and cautious damental aspect of their history. political philosophy because of It is also fair to add that there is a the possible damage the English similar ignorance in Spanish naval power could inflict on the America and the Spanish speak- Spanish American colonies and ing population of the United the Spanish maritime commerce. States, in spite of a growing bib- The main difference in the liography on the subject. political courses followed by the The historical and po- two allies were as follows: in re- litical antecedents of the French gard to France, the recognition and Spanish help can be found of American independence in in the Seven Years War (1756- December of 1777 and, scarcely 1763). In that war France and more than two years later, the Spain were defeated by England arrival of the first French expe- and lost among other possessions ditionary force under the com- Canada and Florida. However, as His Majesty Juan Carlos, King of Spain mand of the Count Rochambeau; a compensation to her ally, Photo contributed by Asuncion Valdes Nicolau with respect to Spain, a constant France ceded Louisiana to Spain. Palacio de La Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain economic and military aid kept When the colonists revolted secret for a long time and deliv- against England, France and ered through France, but a refusal to recognize the independence Spain saw the possibility of revenge, of recovering their posses- of the thirteen colonies. It should be added that the Spanish gov- sions and of neutralizing the English power. Both France and Spain ernment gave all its help aware of the possible liberal influence of were ruled by the house of Bourbon and were united by a family an independent and republican state near its American colonies. pact which was, in fact, a military alliance. Consequently the Revo- Continued Page 4 Column 1 Volume 5 Issue 1 February 2003 Page 2 SYRACUSE CHAPTER DEDICATES NEW GRAVESTONE 27 May, 2002 The Syracuse Chapter par- ticipated in a program, spearheaded by Ken Warner along with members of the Daughters and Children of the American Revolution, Sons of the Union Veterans and the Women’s Auxiliary Relief Corp. to dedicate a new Gravestone. The patriot being honored, Captain William Stevens, was the founder of the Town of Eldridge, NY., a member of the Bos- ton Tea Party, First Supervisor of the Town of Marcellus in 1794, which at that time included Eldridge. He was also first Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in Onondaga County and first Superintendent of the Salt Springs. He died in 1801; his wife pre- deceasing him in 1795. They are both buried, as are some of their descen- dants, in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Rte. 5, Eldridge, NY.” The ceremonies began at the town square where the local high school band played the National Anthem. This ceremony was indeed one of the most important events the village had in some time because the main street was lined with people seated in folding chairs for the gala parade which proceeded down the main street of the town to the cemetery. Everyone then climbed up the hill to the grave site and speeches were made about the importance of the deceased to the history of the community. Bob Picket, the Syracuse Chapter Chaplain, offered an opening prayer and concluded the event with a benediction. Our Chapter decorated the grave with a wreath. Compatriot Frank Decker O This award was presented to Frances in recognition of her out- ORISKANY BATTLE CHAPTER standing service to the SAR. Thanks to her husband Col. Dana The following article and photos were submitted by Chapter Presi- Roecker, Registrar, and Charles C. Pace Jr. the Oriskany Battle dent, Burke Muller but just a tad late to make the last issue. Ed Chapter has experienced an unbelievable surge of membership applications. In Just the first week of October 16 .prospective members submitted applications. Now the real work starts. This was in addition to 11 other applications being processed! Most of this interest is a result of the 225th Anniversary celebrations in the Mohawk Valley. Frances R. Roecker, Oneida Chapter DAR and Oriskany Battle Chapter President, Burke F. Muller At the Empire State Board of Managers meeting in September, the Chapter President Burke Miller presenting membership Certificates Oriskany Battle chapter was delighted to present the Martha Wash- to new member Joseph Dunckel for Father and Son, Brad Dunckel, ington Medal and Certificate to Frances R. Roecker, Registrar of who both joined on the same surname “Dunckel.” the Oneida Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Volume 5 Issue 1 February 2003 Page 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Book regarding the Revolutionary War. The EMPIRE PATRIOT book contains over 200 pages of pictures The Empire State Society “Susan and I hope your Christmas and information. The goal is to place these Sons of the American Revolution was a very joyful one and the coming year books in schools, libraries, etc. and they can Editor: Henry W. Croteau, Jr. 441 Route 23 will be a great one for each of you as well be purchased from Logan Cheek III, our Claverack, NY 12513-5145 as your families. ESSSAR Treasurer. SAR Members can Telephone 518-851-9040 I want to congratulate each of our obtain copies of this book for a cost of $10 E-Mail [email protected] newest members and am looking forward plus S&H. Contact him for more informa- Published Four Times Yearly to receiving word about our pending appli- tion. Feb. 1st, May 1st, Aug. 1st, Nov. 1st cations being approved. Roy Goold, our In traveling news, Susan and I Submissions must be received 30 days prior State Registrar, has informed me that we had were invited to Buffalo Chapter in early to mailing (15 days before publish date) and a “banner year” in 2002 with 126 New December for a Member Certificate are printed at the discretion of the Editor. Member Applications being filed (40 of Presentation which consisted of 15 new which were held over from last year) and They may be edited for length, content and members - 11 from one family. We had a accuracy. All submissions must include the 16 Supplementals. He also states “...this is great time and thank Buffalo Chapter for the highest total the Empire State Society name, address and telephone number of the their hospitality. Binghamton Chapter was has had in the past 15 years. Of particular sender. The Editor. next on our list before Christmas, but an note is Oriskany Battle Chapter who has ob- Send changes of address to: intestinal “bug” curtailed that visit. 1 hope tained 21 new applications, which nearly Jonathan E. Goebel, Secretary ESSSAR to be visiting Binghamton Chapter, other doubles it’s membership”. On a very inter- 96 Old Mill Pond Road Chapters in our Society, and have plans for esting note, Oriskany Battle Chapter re- Nassau, NY 12123-2633 cently had several members transfer to their attending the National Trustee’s Meeting Telephone 518-766-2142 Chapter, one of which will be 100 years in Louisville in March 2003. Our next ESSSAR Board of Managers meeting will young in February. His name is Maurice BIO OF CLARENCE HOTCHKISS be hosted by Saratoga Battle Chapter on Stephens Smith. 64 Chapin St, Binghamton, NY 13905 My thanks go out to Roy for all March 22, 2003. I hope to see you there. Phone 607-723-0516 his hard work in making sure these appli- FREEDOM’S PRICE E-mail <[email protected]> cations made their way to National, offer- “Those who expect to reap the blessings After graduating from Yale with a de- ing his advice on how to add other infor- of freedom must, like men, undergo the gree in mechanical engineering, Mr. Hotchkiss mation to prove a link, and to an those in- fatigue of supporting it” entered the Army for two years. He was stationed volved in recruiting new members for the - Thomas Paine at Aberdeen Proving grounds in Maryland, SAR. where he was assigned to the section which I received a Letter from President “They that can give up essential Liberty to tested prototype trucks and tanks. Completing his service, Mr. Hotchkiss General B. Rice Aston, the day before obtain a little temporary safety deserve entered Stow Mfg. Co., which made flexible Christmas, that I want to share with each of neither Liberty nor Safety” shafting and construction equipment, and you because YOU made this happen.