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VOLUME III NUMBER 4 SUMMER 1974

36 communities receive their national Bicentennial flag and certificates during special ceremonies at the State Capitol in Hartford.

Forty-one Connecticut towns (as of July 1) have re- well as emphasis on a "lasting reminder" project. Flags ceived national recognition as Bicentennial Communities. bearing the Bicentennial logo now fly proudly in each of This designation came upon approval of their Bicenten- these towns. To find out more about this program and how nial plans by the Bicentennial Ad- your community can apply, contact the American Revolu­ ministration. The three themes of Horizons, Heritage and tion Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut. Festival have been planned for by these communities, as

Ar e You On The Mapf^cu library Ansonia Morris Barkhamsted New Haven Berlin Newington Bloomfield Newtown Canterbury Norwalk Chester Norwich Cornwall Old Lyme Cromwell Old Saybrook Danbury Orange East Hampton Plymouth East Haven Roxbury Enfield Shelton Essex Suffield Glastonbury Torrington Groton Wallingford Guilford Waterford Hebron West Haven Lebanon Windsor Litchfield Windsor Locks 0 Middletown Woodbury Milford Arr.'-I CONNECTICUT BICENTENNIAL COMMUNITIES cVs v

fk.M (Editor's note: The folbwing article is re-printed in part, After considerable trouble convincing his fellow Ameri­ with permission, from the October, 1973 issue of Colonial cans that he was not an English spy or a Tory, Bissell went Heritage.) quickly to General 's headquarters and there, : A SPY'S AWARD with the help of Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, The Honorary Badge of Military Merit was founded by compiled his notes. General on , 1782 and was General Washington was impressed with Sergeant the first award ever designed to be presented to American Bissell's report, which was crisp and to the point and pro­ non-commissioned officers and enlisted men. vided the general with a clear-cut picture of British capa­ Through the years, the award underwent a series of bilities on Long Island and Staten Island and in New York changes, modifications and periods of disuse, and today it City. The report exists today in the Library of Congress is familiar as the Military Order of the Purple Heart. and carries on it the endorsement of the first Commander­ in-Chief. A heart-shaped pendant with a purple enamel field surrounding a bust of Washington and hung from a purple On June 8, 1783, when Bissell was awarded the badge, ribbon with silver piping, it is now a medal awarded as a the citation .. . in part . . . read: mark of valor through wounds received in combat. "Sergeant Bissell of the 2nd Connecticut Regiment, hav­ ing performed some important services within the knowl­ edge of the Commander-in-Chief, in which the fidelity, perseverence, and good sense of the said Sergeant Bissell were conspicuously manifested: it is therefore ordered that he be honored with the Badge of Merit. . ." The other two original Purple Hearts also went to Con­ necticut citizens, and both were presented by General Washington for meritorious efforts . . . spying behind the enemy lines. In addition to Sgt. Bissell, Sgt. Daniel Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line and Sgt. Elijah Churchill of the 2nd Continental Dragoons (which was also a Connecticut regiment) each received the honor badge.

In 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary War, only three men received the original award and among them was Sergeant of the 2nd Connecticut line regiment, who was honored not for wounds received but for service to his country as a military spy. At that time, Bissell's award was not a medal, but a strip of purple silk edged with silver braid carrying the word "MERIT' stitched across the front, in silver thread, and sewn to the left breast of the uniform coat. Bissell earned his award for action in August, 1781, when (under orders from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Harrison, an aide to Washington) he entered the City of New York > . . -: to gather military intelligence. For Bissell, there followed an arduous 13-months. Churchill's award reads: "Sgt. Churchill, of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, in several enterprises against While New York City was easy to enter, it proved Fort St. George and Fort Slongo on Long Island, in their impossible to leave, for the British Navy's press-gangs at (the boards of awards) opinion acted a very conspicuous the time were hard at work gathering up seamen to man and singularly meritorious part; that at the head of each his majesty's warships. To avoid the navy press-gangs, body of attack he not only acquitted himself with Bissell .. . a devoted land-soldier . . . took a more desire- great gallantry, firmness and address, but that the sur­ able course and joined a loyalist regiment which was then prise in one instance and the success of the attack in the under the command of the treasonous . other, proceeded in a considerable degree from his conduct Throughout his one year adventure and ordeal, Bissell and management." noted with specific detail the conditions in the British Sgt. Brown's citation reads, in part: ". . . in the assault camp, the strength, troop movements and locations of of the enemy's left redoubt at Yorktown, in Virginia, on fortifications and military batteries. the evening of October 14, 1781, he conducted a forlorn Because he could not be sure he might have the oppor­ hope with great bravery, propriety and deliberate firmness, tunity to return to his lines, Bissell entered his observations and that his general character appears unexceptionable." accurately in his journal. A crackdown by British head­ This was the first time in the history of the United quarters threatened that any soldier found to be keeping States Army that an honor badge was provided for the notes would be considered a spy. enlisted man in the ranks and the non-commissioned officer. In September, 1782, Sergeant Bissell's big opportunity So far as the known surviving records show, this honor arrived and he managed to escape from the British camp badge was granted ONLY to these three Connecticut men. by way of Staten Island, in New York harbor close by, to This Award of Merit is now at the Washington Canton­ the New Jersey shore. ment, a museum in New Windsor, near Newburg, New

2 York, where Washington's army spent their last winter of (Editor's note: The following article was submitted to 1782 on their way to Yorktown. the Gazette by Jeanne L. Edwards, a member of the The awarding of the Purple Heart vanished from public Lebanon Bicentennial committee.) sight and references to the scanty official records concern­ "Connecticut's family of towns is rich in American his­ ing it practically ceased. It wasn't given again until 1932, tory, but only one can rightfully claim decisions made on the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birthday, within its borders helped shape the destiny of this nation. when President Franklin D. Roosevelt resumed the pro­ That town is Lebanon." gram as we know it today. Those are the words of Mathias P. Harpin, written in 0 9 ft « the 1973 edition of the New London County Harpin's LEBANON PATRIOTS Connecticut Almanac. Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull's four sons History tells us virtually every significant personage of were famous patriots in their own right. the American Revolution set foot inside the War Office in Joseph was born in 1737, became a member of the Lebanon at one time or another, as much of the military , was appointed Commissary General strategies of the War were devised there. of the in 1776, centered his duties in "Let us consult Brother Jonathan", was a by-word of the Lebanon and died two years later from what was described times, as General Washington often sought the opinion of as overwork. Governor Trumbull. David Trumbull was his father's first assistant in busi­ A letter written by Washington himself states, in part, ness and at the Lebanon War Office. Born in 1752, he died ". . . but for Jonathan Trumbull, the war could not have in 1822. been carried on to a successful conclusion." Jonathan Trumbull Jr. was born in 1740, became an aide Today, the peaceful village of Lebanon still nestles in to Washington, a Senator and the second amongst the countryside in . Sur­ Trumbull Governor from 1797 to 1809, when he died in rounding the traditional green is the small War Office, the office after having served for 11-years and 8-months. Jonathan Trumbull house, historic Wadsworth Stables and the birthplace and homes of William Williams, signer of the Finally, John Trumbull (who was born in 1756) was the Declaration of Independence and son-in-law to Governor cartographer on General Washington's staff. The unex­ Trumbull. celled painter of Revolutionary scenes and persons, he was the youngest of the family and lived the longest, to the Greeting visitors as they approach Lebanon center, no ripe old age of 87. matter from which direction, is the tall spire of the First o « « » Congregational Church, reminding modern Lebanon of its heritage and the patriotic and religious faith of their fore- bearers. Today, every American has been summoned to recall the history of this Country and to participate in the cele­ bration of the nation's 200th anniversary. The Bicentennial committee of Lebanon, made up of several local residents, has already had several meetings in anticipation of being able to offer numerous functions to coincide with the historical event.

Due to the huge role the War Office played during the Revolution, the small red building, which ranks in name with the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, has been designated as Lebanon's Bicentennial symbol. It is also only fitting for Lebanon to hold a Governor's Ball to launch the celebration, for it was in that small southeastern Connecticut village that five Connecticut Governors were born or made their home. Heritage, Festival and Horizons '76 will all be observed Pictured here is the official Color Guard of the Con­ in Lebanon with a pageant, history classes in the schools, necticut ARBC. They have displayed the flags of the state tours and continued restoration of historic sites, a and nation at several ceremonies recently, including the fife and drum corps presentation and Colonial tea, to be Liberty tree-planting and Flag Day. From the Staff of held by the State Daughters of the American Revolution. Company B, 25th Marines, FMF, USMCR of Hartford members are Sargeants D. R. Felsing, G. R. Granger, Lebanon is proud of its heritage. J. Hufalar, and W. W. Trala. e « • a

3 DESIGNS SELECTED FOR 1976 COINS A colonial drummer boy, Independence Hall and a Liberty bell-moon combination will be the designs for the nation's 1976 coins, the dollar, half dollar and quarter, scheduled for circulation early next year. They will carry the double date 1776-1976 to mark the Bicentennial, with the new designs on the reverse sides of the coins. The other side of the coins will remain the same as they are now, except for the change in the date.

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RARE 1776 DOCUMENT DISCOVERED IN WOODBRIDGE actors and re-creators of British units of Foot, with infor­ mation on the regulations, rules, arms, uniforms, and other (Editor's note: This article was written by Robert W. equipment, manual exercise, marching maneuvers, military Granger, Assistant Managing Editor of the New Haven establishment, camps, guards, reviews, Articles of War, Journal-Courier, and is re-printed in the Gazette with his Warrant of 1768, and many other suggestions on how to permission.) form and maintain a re-created regiment of foot such as Appropriately, with the approach of the nation's Bicen­ the American Contingent of the Tenth Regiment of Foot tennial, the Amity-Woodbridge Historical Society recently in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. came into possession of one of the earliest copies of the The cost of the book is $14.00 and can be purchased Declaration of Independence. by writing to Vincent J-R Kehoe, 52 New Spalding Street, The document is in the form of a small broadside and Lowell, Massachusetts 01851. is apparently one of the printed copies of the Declaration 0 o o o prepared in Philadelphia in 1776. Such broadsides were BOOKS distributed for informational purposes within the thirteen What kind of men were responsible for an act of revolu­ original colonies. tion that resulted in one of the most significant changes in This paper was obtained as part of a bequest in the world history? will of a Woodbridge woman who died last spring. A For a nation preparing to celebrate the Bicentennial of member of the historical society has revealed that a similar that act, the new book, "Signers of document was sold by another owner last year for $404,000 the Declaration", provides interesting insights into the to a Texas buyer. lives of a group of men—some famous, but most unknown Due to its fragile and damaged condition, the source —who defied the British Empire to set up this nation and said, the society's copy would probably be worth less, but put her on a path to greatness. The book has been issued would still be considered very valuable. It is currently as part of the National Park Service's observance of the lodged in a safe deposit box in an area bank. Bicentennial. The 310 page hardcover book not only out­ The paper was part of the personal property willed to lines the lives of the 56 men whose names appear on the the society by the late Miss Bernice Baldwin of Wood- Declaration—pointing out that most signed on August 2, bridge. How she obtained it was not explained but the 1776, and the final signature was not made until a year source gave the following details on how his organization's later—but also the history surrounding the signing and the good fortune occurred. principal buildings and residences associated with the men Miss Baldwin was the stepdaughter of the late Halsted and the event. Bishop and inherited his home in Woodbridge. The build­ Prepared by National Park Service personnel, "Signers ing, located at 1907 Litchfield Turnpike, was erected in of the Declaration" is available from the Superintendent 1763 by one Thomas Darling for use as a tavern. of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, Woodbridge bought the property from Miss Baldwin D.C. 20402 and the price is $5.65. in 1967 as part of the town's open space program, with 0 0 0 0 the stipulation that the woman be given life use of the The National Geographic Society and Public Television dwelling. The town took over last spring when she died, Station WQED in Pittsburgh will produce a series of a but her personal goods included many antiques which dozen films on the American Revolution, scheduled for were claimed by the society. release in the spring of 1975. Members of the history group made a search of the attic For more information, contact Windsor P. Booth, Nation­ and discovered a trunk containing papers and books. The al Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. 20036. biggest find of all came when Miss Baldwin's attorney 0 0 0 0 called to inform the group that more property was stored On the air since this July 4th, "Bicentennial Minutes" in the vault of a New Haven bank, where the copy of the are a CBS contribution to the Bicentennial. The 60-second Declaration was found. "programs" each focus on an event which took place on Due to its brittle condition, the source said, the docu­ the same day 200 years ago. These are seen during prime ment was taken to Yale where it was washed and encased time every evening and are narrated by well-known per­ in plastic. sonalities. Tune in for a minute of history. The historical society is attempting to obtain the use CBS and NBC continue to vie for the lead in special of the former tavern-dwelling to house a museum, but has programs related to the Bicentennial celebration, with both yet to receive a decision by the town, the source said. networks planning at least thirteen specials, each. One CBS

4 effort is a 13-part series, "The American Parade", to be shown over the next three years. NBC plans at least a half dozen hour long programs based on Carl Sandburg's lengthy biography of Abraham Lincoln. Also planned is a six part series of interrelated dramas created by James Michener. Additionally, NBC and the BBC are co-produc­ ing a two hour special, studying the impact of inventions by Americans on the nation's history. ABC has announced only four specials in its "American Heritage" series, but ABC says more specials may be coming and other Bicen­ tennial programs are in the planning stage. PBS's entry in the Bicentennial special field include 17 lectures, each of them one hour long. • o o o Danbury has released a tentative list of activities for GILES GIBBS, JR., the local Bicentennial year, 1976. The many, varied events HIS BOOK FOR THE FIFE, 1777 include: a "Parade of Patriots" to be handled by local Fifers of all ages will be delighted with this colonial veteran's organizations on July 4, 1976, together with fire­ music notebook of a young Connecticut patriot and soldier, works displays by the Danbury Jaycees. A Colonial Tea by Giles Gibbs, born in Ellington in 1760. This edited version, the Mary Wooster Chapter of the D.A.R. is scheduled for published recently by the Connecticut Historical Society, April 30th, 1976 and a huge Colonial Ball will be held on contains the many tunes of the revolutionary period re­ May 8th, in concert with the Danbury Chamber of Com­ corded, and played, by Giles; including the earliest known merce. Other 1976 events in Danbury: Special concerts version of "Yankee Doodle." Spiral bound and well-printed, by the Danbury Music Centre, a prestigious local musical it is ready for the music stand. organization; square dances with an area-famous caller, This book retails for $2.00 and is available to Fife and and drum corps competitions. Drum Corps in lots of 10 copies or more at $1.00 each Then, in late April of 1977, Danbury will stage a mas­ (plus delivery and state sales tax if within Connecticut). sive reenactment of the British attack on that City, in It is available at The Connecticut Historical Society, conjunction with Bethel and Ridgefield. Many other Con­ 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, and at bookstores. necticut towns in the area are expected to participate in ft O O 0 this re-enactment. WALLINGFORD LIBRARY SUGGESTS 16-BOOKS o « o o The Wallingford Library has recommended nine novels West Haven's Bicentennial commission is seeking funds and seven non-fiction works for general readers interested for an iron fence to enclose an old cemetery in the town in the American Revolution. that contains the graves of several Revolutionary War The non-fiction works are: American Heritage Book of soldiers. It will join with New Haven in 1976 to commem­ the Revolution; Flight from the Republic; The Tories of orate the British raid into the area two hundred years ago. the American Revolution; The Spirits of '76; Peculiar Serv­ o o « o ice; Minutemen and Mariners; Those Damned Rebels and Windhams' Bicentennial Committee and the Windham Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution. Regional Vocational Technical School provided a reenact­ Fiction titles are: Man from Mt. Vernon; Drums Along ment on June 23 of the town's support in 1774 of the the Mohawk; Citizen Tom Paine; Toll of the Brave; Guns beleaguered people of Boston, when more than 250 sheep of Burgoyne; Arundel; Oliver Wiswell; Rabble in Arms were driven there for their aid. A church service, break­ and The Day Must Dawn. fast, and "sheep drives" in both Windham and Boston o o « o were held. o o ft o Gary Dunlop, a senior at Danbury High School, won first place in a contest sponsored by the Danbury Commit­ tee for a design for the cover of the Bicentennial cookbook to be published in September. # a # o At the Homestead on June 1, Coventry presented "A Day in the Life of a Colonial Soldier" which included the participation by the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums, Knowlton's Rangers, First Artillery De­ tachment, and the Company of Artificers. All phases of camp life, plus field crafts and troop battles were shown. The Windsor Locks Bicentennial theme will center on its role in transportation, which will include events planned around the canal and Bradley International Airport. Also, Scout Troop 262, led by Bicentennial chairman Howard The Wallingford Public Library recently added the five White, sported Bicentennial neckerchiefs for their trip to volume monograph series on Connecticut's revolutionary Philadelphia. The Connecticut logo on the scarves may be period to their collection. (See enclosed flyer for details.) a first in Scouting participation in the Bicentennial in New Photo courtesy of Charles R. Clulee, Wallingford. England. °

5 BICENTENNIAL BRIEFS Between 1775 and 1784 Connecticut provided so much in men, munitions, food, clothing, money and War material that it became known then (and is still known as) The Provision State. So far as is known, Connecticut provided a total of over 40,000 men during the period of the War. Today, there are recognized and honored over 8,000 graves of Connecti­ cut Revolutionary War soldiers within the State of Con­ necticut, out of a total of about 16,000 in all of the United CONNECTICUT COURANT (Hartford) States. Hartford, July 12, 1774 o o o o We hear from Canaan . . . inhabitants of that and the BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION neighboring Towns, assembled together . . . and raised a IN NEW FAIRFIELD ADOPTS Standard for Liberty, 78 feet high, and fixed a Scarlet Flag "INDEPENDENCE GARDENS" RESOLUTION on the Top, 15 Feet in Length, with the words LIBERTY The New Fairfield, Conn., Bicentennial Commission- and PROSPERITY chairman James S. Mellett identifies himself as an "organic (toasts were made to) The King, The Queen, the gardening buff for a number of years now"—passed the Royal House of Hanover, All Friends to America in Great- following resolution at its May 31 meeting: "Whereas: The Britain, Non-Importation, American Freedom, Relief in state of Connecticut provided foodstuffs for the armed Boston, Union of the Colonies, etc., etc. . . they endeav­ forces under General Washington and was therefore known oured to show that Liberty ... is the genuine Growth of as the 'Provision State'; Whereas: Modern farming prac­ America, . . . That Liberty and Prosperity were the darling tices consume inordinate amounts of energy; ... Be it Objects, for which, in Concurrence with all America, they therefore resolved that every able-bodied New Fairfielder would cheerfully sacrifice both their Lives and Fortunes. do design, construct, cultivate and maintain 'Independence August 9, 1774 issue Gardens' on their homesteads and thereby conserve fossil Hartford, August 9 fuel, supplement their diets with home-grown victuals, and The Committee of Correspondence for this Colony know the joys of cultivating God's good earth." met in this Place on Wednesday last, and nominated the Hon. Roger Sherman, and Capt. Joseph Trumbull, one of ETHNIC RACIAL COALITION which Gentlemen, with the Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, and Silas ESTABLISHED FOR BICENTENNIAL EFFORT Deane, Esq; (appointed Delegates on the Part of this Meeting in Washington at the end of June was a group Colony in general Congress at Philadelphia at their former of 75 minority and ethnic leaders from more than 30 cities Meeting) will attend the important Business of their and states. They were attending a conference sponsored Appointment. by the ARBA to promote total participation by all Ameri­ Editors note: The following is an excerpt from The cans in the Bicentennial. The meeting was historically American Campaigns of Rochambeau's Army, the Journal significant because it was the first time a government of Verger, p. 169, Vol. I. agency has sought the consultation of such a diverse racial and ethnic group. The inhabitants of Connecticut are the best people in the United States, without any doubt. They have a lively The final decision to create the coalition was presented curiosity and examined our troops and all our actions with to John Warner at the end of the meetings. The detailed evident astonishment. When they visited our camp, the report and recommendations given to Warner emphasized girls came without their mothers and entered our tents the need for full ethnic-racial participation in all Bicenten­ with the greatest confidence. nial planning and funding, and strongly urged the Admin­ I cannot refrain from reporting a very extraordinary istrator to encourage Federal agencies, corporations and custom of this charming province, which is known as other private organizations to support and include these "bundling." A stranger or a resident who frequents a house groups in their programs and activities. and takes a fancy to a daughter of the house may declare 9 O O O his love in the presence of her father and mother without HELP!!! their taking it amiss; if she looks with favor upon his The Papers of William Livingston, a Bicentennial project declaration and permits him to continue his suit, he is at under the auspices of the National Historical Publications perfect liberty to accompany her wherever he wants with­ Commission, The New Jersey Historical Commission, and out fear of reproach from her parents. Then, if he is on the New Jersey American Revolutionary Bicentennial Com­ good terms with the lady, he can propose bundling with mission, is interested in learning of any William Livingston her. This means going to bed with her. The man may re­ documents that are now either in private hands or small move his coat and shoes, nothing more, and the girl takes historical collections. off nothing but her kerchief. Then they lie down together William Livingston, a member of the Continental Con­ on the same bed, even in the presence of the mother—and gress and the U.S. Constitutional Convention, was Gover­ the most strict mother. If they are alone in the room and nor of New Jersey from 1776 until his death in 1790. Any­ indiscreet ardor leads the man to rashness or violent acts one knowing of the location of letters and other documents towards his Dulcinea, woe to him if the least cry escapes to or from Livingston spanning the years 1770 to 1790 is her, for then everybody in the house enters the room and asked to communicate with Professor Carl E. Prince, beats the lover for his too great impetuosity. Regardless Editor, the Papers of William Livingston, Department of of appearances, it is rare that a girl takes advantage of History, New York University, Washington Square, New this great freedom, which confirms the good faith of these York, N.Y., 10003. amiable citizens.

6 ATTENTION: CHAIRMAN OF BICENTENNIAL f * I COMMITTEES The Bicentennial Times is in great need of action-ori­ ented, human interest pictures of Bicentennial projects now being undertaken in your community. The Bicenten­ nial Times presently serves in excess of 50,000 readers and the circulation of this newsletter is growing at an average of 100 readers per week. If you have any contribution to make to it, contact Lissa K. Vogt, Assistant Editor of the Bicentennial Times, American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, 736 Jack­ son Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20276. o « « o

Members of the nationally famous "Brigade of The American Revolution" will appear in Putnam Park, Red- ding, Connecticut August 17-18 to present drills, tactical battlefield demonstrations, and exhibitions of skills and crafts of the 18th century soldierThe Brigade will appear on Saturday, August 17 at 11:00 am, 1:30 and 3:00 pm and on Sunday, August 18 at 11:00, 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Putnam Park is a fitting setting for their appearance, as it was the most eastern encampment of the American Army NATHAN HALE appears on the official bicentennial under Connecticut's General Israel Putnam in the winter medal for the town of Coventry. The silver-dollar size of 1778-79. PUTNAM PARK is located fust south of Dan- medal was struck by Medallic Art Company of Danbury bury and Bethel and is readily reached from routes 1-84 and is available at $20 in silver and $2 in bronze from the and the Connecticut Turnpike. Admission is free. A.R.B.A. of Coventry, P. O. Box 1976, Coventry, Connect­ o o o o icut 06238. Paul Revere's ride from Massachusetts to Philadelphia, If your town has, or is planning to produce, a Bicenten­ carrying the "Suffolk Resolves", will be reenacted by mem­ nial medal, please contact the Director of the State Library bers of the North American Trail Riders Conference Sep­ Museum, Mr. David White. The museum would like to tember 8-15, 1974. It will follow as closely as possible acquire all Connecticut medals for their permanent collec­ the original route of the upper Post Road in Massachusetts tion. The address is: 231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. and Connecticut (including Springfield, Hartford, and O 0 0 o New Haven) and the Post Road across New Jersey to The Connecticut Commission on the Arts has created Philadelphia. a special $135,000 grant program for the state's observance o « o o of the Bicentennial. Categories for this fund include new works for presentation, display or performance during AN OPEN LETTER TO CITIZEN TOM PAINE 1976, purchase of art for public places in 1976, and con­ (Editor's note: This month's editorial space is being servation or restoration of important works of visual art given to Dr. Franklin S. Gross, Chairman of the Social in Connecticut. Also, other categories are: planning efforts Studies Department at Enrico Fermi High School in or feasibility studies directed at preservation, restoration Enfield). or adaptation of state architecture and experimentation by Dear Tom: arts institutions, sponsoring organizations and artists which will improve the arts climate and which begin in 1976. I drove through New Rochelle the other day, where you For further information write to: Connecticut Commission lived out your old age in a small stone farmhouse on a on the Arts, 340 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. quiet country road. o o # o You'd hardly recognize the place: New Rochelle is a AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FUND: Grants up to suburb of New York now, and people commute into the $1,000 are offered individuals and groups for new and city. They do that in automobiles—self-propelled carriages useful plans to stir community interest in local history. that are powered by ingenious gasoline-fueled engines, The program is "Rediscover America," and applications and race along hard-topped highways at a mile a minute involve a letter to explain the project, qualifications of proj­ (or would if the roads were not so clogged). ect personnel, listing of other community support and We have remained a democracy, you see, and every mailing of the application to America the Beautiful Fund, citizen reserves his Godgiven right to own and operate 219 Shoreham Bldg., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005. one of these vehicles. In the resulting crush, the air is filled In each case, information about (and application for) with the roar of engines, the honking of horns, and the funding of Bicentennial projects should be requested of curses of impatient commuters caught in the traffic jams. the individual agency involved. As additional information It is harder to hear bird calls—the robin and oriole do not on available money for the Bicentennial is received, we'll seem to regard the automobile as a harbinger of good pass it along through the pages of the Gazette. news. 7 It is two centuries since you stirred America with "Com­ that is, if he has fifty cents to pay the toll. On our inflated mon Sense" and steeled us for battle in the times that currency, that is about the cost of a loaf of bread, which tried men's souls. In just a few years, we shall be celebrat­ is no great problem for most citizens, but to a struggling ing the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, working man who must come and go everyday, it means and people are already preparing for the party. the loss of, well, two loaves of bread. The jewelers and silversmiths are already taking large America has changed, Tom. There are two hundred advertisements in the newspapers and magazines to adver­ million of us now, and the country reaches all the way to tise costly souveniers for the affluent to display on their the Pacific Ocean in the West .. . to Mexico in the South mantels. Would you believe it, they are striking silver and . . . and with the acquisition of Alaska, all the way to the gold medals of all the great leaders of the Revolution- Arctic regions. We are, perhaps, the greatest military power Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, and you, Tom, are in­ in the world, the richest in industrial production, with free cluded in the list! public schools everywhere. Church and State are separated Anyone can acquire a set in a handsome velvet-lined by law and the Constitution remains the law of the land, case—anyone, that is, who has the fourteen hundred dollars although the Supreme Court has gained enormous power to pay for it. Our nation is a republic, and no one is re­ in deciding what the Constitution really means. quired to touch forelock to the gentry, as you were during Tools, happily, are everywhere, and inventors have found your boyhood in Thetford—but make no mistake, fourteen a way to harness electricity. They can capture a sound or hundred dollar sets of commemorative medals are produced an image, send it through the atmosphere, and re-capture for the gentry of our land, not for the working man. the image on devices called television sets. Almost all American homes have these sets, and thus can see pictures There are many changes in the land, Tom. Massachusetts that move and talk at their own firesides, bringing them is still more independent-minded than most states. In the serious plays and comedies, sporting events, and news of last election, it was the only state in the land to vote against the day. Their power to shape public opinion is enormous. the Republican candidate for President. (The word has Recently, a fifty-five year old male tennis player contested somewhat changed in meaning since your time, and in with a younger woman athlete, and more than eighty mil­ many respects the Republicans are now regarded as the lion Americans watched the event on their television sets. conservative political party.) The opposition are called The lady was named King (but was of Republican princi­ "Democrats" and some people feel that the Democrats of ples) clearly sympathetic to the revolution now being this time are more like the Republicans of your time, so waged bv American females for equal rights, which you you see, it is all very confusing. The President is beset with predicted two centuries ago. (By the way, she won the a domestic political scandal right now, which would prob­ match). ably displease you, but he has called for a Bicentennial The country survives, Tom. America! No province of a celebration dedicated to taking up the cause of "the un­ European power, but a strong, independent nation whose finished American Revolution", a philosophy which you leaders are elected by the people, and are subject to the should find agreeable, since the sentiments are clearly your same laws. The times that tried men's souls are not over— own. Remember Fort Lee, New Jersey where you stood with Washington in the darkest days of the Revolution, we have our problems. We make terrible mistakes in using watching through your telescope as the British and Hes­ and misusing our power, but we are still learning . . . still sions overran Manhattan Island? growing . . . and in the most crucial sense, after two turbulent centuries, we are still free and independent! Believe it or not, they've built a steel suspension bridge Your ashes were scattered in Europe by grave robbers, across the Hudson, just about at the spot you stood. They and the monument built for you in New Rochelle is mod­ named it the "", to his glory, est, but this much is certain: The spirit of Tom Paine still but the principles are in part derived from your first model lives in America, we thought you'd like to know. of an iron bridge. So, some of the glory is reflected on you. Your friend and admirer, It is a miracle of engineering, and any citizen can cross­ Franklin S. Gross

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