Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-06-24

ted slumoerS, he dreamed OF Hennett
and his more favored rival.
When Everard arose in the morning
he found the town in an uproar. ant
learned, for the first time, that Sir Ed
mund Andres was expected 10 arriv,
from Boston. In vain had the colony
plead its chartered rights to the king-h'
had determined to subdue the perverst
Puritans, and had given full power tt
his representatives. These had ALREADY
been executed in Massachusetts and il
Rhode Island, which had been despoileC
of their charters. Aadros was now on hi.
way to Hartford, 10 abolish all vesligei
of Republicanism. Printing presses
were TO be subject 10 his censOrs; Fpis
copacy was 10 be sustained, and every
Office. civil and military, was to be hi.
own appointment. The people felt al
most disposed to resist, and all was con
fusion.
About noon, the clear notes of the
trumpet came floating on the air from
the direction of Windsor and soon the
troops quartered in Hartford marched in
that direction to join the expected pro-
cession. The streets were crowded, and
there were few resting within fifty miles
distance who were not that day in Hart
ford.
Al length the roll of the drim was
heard, and soon the detachment of Royal
Fusileers came in sighl, their ranks ex-
tending clear across the street, and the
matches of their fire locks alight. They
were commanded by young Coffin, who
appeared in new scarlet uniform, richly
laced with gold, and carried his bright
halbert with naughty air. Then, gilt
tering with jeyeled order Of ki2ghood,
came Sir Edmund Andres, who is de-
scribed as erect and soldierlike, followed
by his council, those bitter foes of New
England. The malignant Randolph, the
renegade Dudley, and the profane Bull
livant, rode scornfuIly along. followed by
another detachment of Fusi.eers, equally
ready for attack as were their comrads
in the van. They waited but the word
10 deIuge the town with blood, and thus
enforce the edict of their vice regal
master.
The scene that ensued in the Hall Of
Assembly is one of the most sacred pa
ges of Americans history. All the af-
ternoon did gallant old Governor Treat
plead thai Connecticut might keep her
charter-the guarantee Of her rights,
which had been purchased by so much
blood and treasure poured out in the
wilderness. But it was of 20 avail, and
as the shades of evening darkened the
hall candles were lighted.
Sir Edmund Andres rose to conclude
the session. and, at his bidding, the Sec-
retary of State had laid long box, con-
tanning the precious parchment, on the
table before him All at once, as if b.
concert, the candles were suddenly ex-
tinguished, and some slight confusion
issued amorg the spectators. When
light was brought, and the candles were
re -lighted-lo the charter had disap-
peared!
Run to Lieutenant Coffin" shouted
Edmund Andros to the usher, "and tell
him 10 let no man pass
The official hastened to the outer door,
but the officer was not 10 be found, and,
after some delay, he so reported TO Sir
Edmund.
"What! the officer of my guard alb
sent Can it be possible that he is con-
niving at this foul robbery A hundred
pounds reward for the apprehension of
the traitor p
"May it please your excellency,' said
one Of he few Royalists in Hartford, Il
do not think that the young fellow is the
one TO tlame. He has been capiivated
by Goodman Morley's daughter. and l
saw him not long since, escortin5 her fl ON
hence to her home -
"Confdsi - muttered Eyerard, who
had lost all interest in the great question,
so buried were his thoughts under load
Of grl-f. Returning to his hot, he found
pressing invitation 10 go that evening
o the house OF William Wadsworih, upon
important business. L. bore the sign of
III association of Liberty men," or he
i-ould have bisregarded it, and he went
merely in compliince with lis secret
Ahe meeting was well attended, and,
when they were all seated around a hos
'itable board, Everard learned, rather to
lis surprise, that the royal charter had
'een distracted in accordance to a pre-
oncerted plan, and by their host.
"But where is it 90
"Where took shelter last night when ,
jealous mortal pursued me, said Mr..
Nadsworth, laughing. Ere Everard
ould recover from his astonishment, be
ontinued: ,
CATER all, gentleman, 1 did not feel !
ertain of success, till Henrietta Morley
horned me late last night, that she had t
0 far carried out our plan as to b ave OBJ q