Complete Prologue Speeches
| Samuel Adams: (Spoken in December, 1773) | |
It was November of 1773, when I saw those three ships bearing tea sail into Boston Harbor. I, Samuel Adams, Clerk of the Massachusetts Legislature, and patriot, was furious that they were allowed to dock. This was not permitted in Philadelphia and New York. Well, here in Boston, the Sons of Liberty took care of that tea!
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| Mercy Warren: (Spoken in March, 1774) | |
| Mercy Otis Warren,
poet and historian, March, 1774. It’s hardly a secret that of all
our colonial cities, England hates Boston the most. The King wishes to
punish us for the “tea party”, and is going to close our port
in June! He wants to make an example of us. Be it known to Britain that
even American daughters are patriots. We will aid the good work with our
female efforts.
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in July, 1774) | |
| John Andrews, Boston
Merchant and Selectman, July, 1774. Our port is closed. It has been a
long and difficult summer here in Boston. Our sister colonies have pledged
to support us. There is talk of establishing a colonial congress to unite
our efforts.
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| Samuel Adams: (Spoken in July, 1774) | |
| We detest the presence
of His Majesty’s troops in our town. Militias are mustering from
New England to the Carolinas. The King shall not prevail!
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| William Emerson: (Spoken in August, 1774) | |
| William Emerson,
pastor of the First Parish Church here in Concord. People everywhere are
angry. By order of the King, we can no longer hold our own town meetings
as we have been doing for over a hundred years! And they have removed
all our judges and sheriffs, and replaced them with appointments from
the Crown. We are determined not to let any of this happen. No court will
open, and no British judge will rule, no matter what! My wife, Phebe,
witnessed a confrontation right here in Concord.
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| Phebe Emerson: (Spoken in September, 1774) | |
| Yes, it was the
last week in September. The court was scheduled to meet, and the King’s
Justices had just arrived. I saw a crowd of townspeople, at least a hundred
strong, some with arms, blocking the courthouse door. The Justices retired
to Ephraim Jones’ inn to discuss the situation. They suggested to
the townspeople that the court should be opened but that no business would
be conducted. The people would have none of it, and the Justices made
no further effort. We have received word that British Justices in many
other towns have been forced to resign or suffer the severest of consequences.
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in January, 1775) | |
| January, 1775. All
through the fall and winter, we have had constant brushes between the
citizens and the soldiers. The King has now officially declared Massachusetts
in a state of rebellion. Because of the volatile situation here in Boston,
there have been skirmishes elsewhere. Our new continental congress has
decreed that all colonies should make preparations for war.
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| William Emerson: (Spoken in March, 1775) | |
| In Concord, we
formed two companies of “Minutemen.” These young volunteers
from our general militia will stand ready on a moment’s notice in
the event of an emergency. In April, the “illegal” Provincial
Congress will convene right here in the Meeting House to direct the resistance
in all of Massachusetts.
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| Samuel Adams: (Spoken in April, 1775) | |
| On the 19th of April,
I was in Lexington. John Hancock and I had just finished meeting with
the Provincial Congress. We were staying with Reverend Jonas Clarke. We
were alarmed quite early in the morning by express rider Paul Revere that
British troops were heading to Lexington. Word had it they were looking
to arrest John and me. The town militia, under Captain Parker, collected
on the green - about 70 or so. John and I made our escape before the regulars
entered the Common. We later learned that eight patriots were left dead
upon the ground, ten wounded, in this murderous action by the British!
The regulars then proceeded on to Concord to seize and destroy munitions
that were deposited there.
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| Phebe Emerson: (Spoken in April, 1775) | |
| The first sight
of the advancing British force was a breathtaking spectacle: a long flowing
ribbon of scarlet and white and sparkling steel, 700 strong, with drums
beating! They began searching every home, looting as they went. They took
saddles, bridles, shirts, shoes, plates, buttons, and even the Meeting
House Bible. My husband and I tried to comfort the terrified women and
children who came running to the Manse. And then William went to sustain
our militia, offering encouragement to the young soldiers, some of whom
were frozen with fear.
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| William Emerson: (Spoken in April, 1775) | |
| Recruits from neighboring
towns joined our men on Punkatasset Hill. As the redcoats entered the
town, they searched for war supplies and burned gun carriages. We saw
the smoke and it appeared as though the town was set on fire! Our militia
had grown to 500 men, so Colonel Barrett gave the order to approach the
100 British Guards stationed at the bridge. They were unsettled by our
numbers and fired first. Two were killed on each side and several enemy
wounded. The British troops soon quitted their post in the greatest disorder
and confusion. They paid a dear price as they marched back to Boston,
with our men lying in ambush all along the way.
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| Samuel Adams: (Spoken in June, 1775) | |
| Following Lexington
and Concord, hostilities broke out throughout the colonies. In June, one
of the bloodiest battles occurred right here in Boston - at Bunker’s
Hill. Seven hundred brave patriots held off more than 3,000 of the enemy
for as long as they could, killing or wounding at least half of them.
(Pause) The British burned Charlestown to the ground.
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| Hannah Winthrop: (Spoken in June, 1775) | |
| I saw the smoke.
Hannah Winthrop, wife of Dr. John Winthrop. They did this after repeated
promises that if we would aid the British troops upon their return from
Concord, Charlestown would be the last place that would suffer harm! Well,
Charlestown houses and beds received those weary troops; the women poured
balm into their wounds, made broths to support their exhausted spirits.
Some of the unhappy victims died holding hands that gave relief. And in
return for this kindness, they make five hundred householders miserable.
The British are determined to bring Massachusetts to her knees!
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in July, 1775) | |
| July, 1775. A total
of eleven redcoat regiments are now quartered here in Boston. The city
is occupied. Our wharfs are deserted, our stores are closed, and thousands
of residents have fled. Our once-great seaport is a corpse, rotting on
its own empty piers – lifetimes of labor lost.
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| Hannah Winthrop: (Spoken in July, 1775) | |
| Food and supplies
are pouring in from all the colonies: flour, sheep, cattle, pork, grain,
salt provisions of all kinds. This will help keep the people alive, but
it is still a very difficult existence for everyone. I am among the more
fortunate, married as I am to a doctor. But for many, it’s pork
and beans one day, and beans and pork another.
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| Sam Adams: (Spoken in August, 1775) | |
| A proclamation was
issued for people to give in their names to go out of town, designed to
continue the vexation of the people. Many are being imprisoned without
cause and charged with sedition.
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in September, 1775) | |
| It’s hard to stay cooped up here in Boston, but I find it absolutely necessary. The soldiery think they have a license to plunder the house or store of anyone who leaves the city. Families have been forced out and their homes taken by the troops. Living through the bombardments night and day is nerve-rattling. | |
| Mercy Warren: (Spoken in October, 1775) | |
| The Light Horse
Regiment took possession of the Old South Meeting House. Imagine - for
a riding school! The lovely pulpits, pews and seats were all cut to pieces
and carried off in a savage manner - for firewood!
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in December, 1775) | |
| Thankfully this
past July, General George Washington of Virginia assumed command of our
growing Continental Army over in Cambridge. Throughout the fall and winter,
we have received news of other intense conflicts – the battles of
Roxbury Neck, Gloucester Harbor, Montreal, Quebec.
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| Phebe Emerson: (Spoken in January, 1776) | |
| Despite all these
hostilities, many people still talk of some kind of reconciliation with
England, as opposed to separation - a worrisome trend. To them freedom
is appealing, but frightening, and seems not at all possible. This new
year of 1776 has brought us new hope in the form of a small pamphlet entitled
“Common Sense”, written by a Mr. Thomas Paine.
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| Mercy Warren: (Spoken in January , 1776) | |
| Mr. Paine, in the
plainest of language, has destroyed the idea of kingship over America.
It is a call for American independence. His arguments have appealed alike
to the man at the plow, the soldier in camp and the statesman at his desk.
Everyone is reading it, and gaining in courage!
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| Samuel Adams: (Spoken in February, 1776) | |
| February, 1776.
England has prohibited all trade with the colonies, and denounced resisters
and rebel leaders. . . like me, as traitors, to be punished by hanging.
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| John Andrews: (Spoken in March, 1776) | |
| In March, General
Washington ordered the Continental Army to bombard the British fleet in
the harbor using cannon placed on Dorchester Heights. It was a brilliant
strategy! And on Saint Patrick’s Day the British finally sailed
out of Boston Harbor. Thus was this distressed town relieved from its
long and cruel siege.
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| Hannah Winthrop: (Spoken in May, 1776) | |
| I feel privileged
to receive posts from my dear friend, Mercy Otis Warren. She is a fine
and insightful correspondent. And she has often shared her thoughts with
me during these momentous times. Her latest letter arrived this May of
1776.
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| Mercy Warren: (Spoken, as reading a letter, in May, 1776) | |
| My dearest Hannah, Here in our colony of Massachusetts I feel the current flowing swiftly toward independence! General Washington’s victory in removing the tyrants from Boston has provided a new note of confidence. The freemen of Massachusetts have gathered in their town meetings and solemnly debated the great question, and on the whole it is clear that here the vote is “Yea”. And our own John Adams of Quincy is in Philadelphia right now proclaiming the need for all colonies to choose independence. I pray he is successful and that it is done speedily. In the spirit of freedom, Yours,
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