The glory road; Crispus Attucks

This program was produced by W. Biggio the national educational radio under a grant from the National Home Library Foundation. Run settlements and villages in the wilderness. Modern City. From the Boston Massacre and civil war battle front filled skies over Europe in World War II. And the struggle of a century of freedom in the 20th. Americans have helped make American history. These are a few of the travelers along that lonely road. Nation today Crispus Attucks. Part of the big.

Three fired in the Revolutionary War must be. One of those. And the part he played in our struggle. It began when a certain advertisement in a Massachusetts newspaper ran away from his Master William Brown on the 30th of September. Twenty seven years of age named Crispus Attucks 62 inches tall short Karl who ran away and returned to his master against hiding or caring all along. But no one collected the reward Crispus Attucks had apparently vanished years past the trying years when England was attempting to enforce a series of taxes upon her American colonies and the colonists believing their rights had been invaded.

We're searching for ways to resist. They were restless and angry. One day late 1768 Boston crowd stood by as British troops marched from their ships into the town. Among those watching was a tall negro grey Samuel Crispus Attucks Good afternoon good afternoon. What's happening here. Well the soldiers involved. No no I've been wrong at sea on a whaler. We just duck and the first thing ashore I see is a cult sent by King George to keep the peace. That isn't funny. Something like that. And why not. Gentle man Mr. Nilar tobacconist. Yes pray tell why not. Britain ghastly fails and we here in America should help pay the cost of our own governments and military defense. No one likes to pay taxes I know but if this or any other American colony is to be tax shouldn't it have a voice in the levying of those taxes. Get your British Parliament property taxes on a from 3000 miles away with no Massachusetts men in Parliament to say either yes or no.

If we're to be taxed then our elected representatives in our assemblies must vote for it. But gentlemen these taxes are for our benefit. Then let them be voted on by our own Massachusetts assembly. They call it regulating trade but I call it taxing us without our consent. Taxation without representation. Mr need you spoke of benefit. Have you seen as I have sailors walking the streets of our port towns looking for work. All because parliament says cargos can no longer be carried in Colonial ships but must be carried on English ships. What benefit do those sailors and their hungry families receive. I enter one of our merchants who have lost their money and gone out of business. Gentle Man England has only the colonies best interests at heart. After all. I we not all Englishman even Crispus Attucks Mr. ragtime Why does parliament trample so on an Englishman's rights and liberty. Can you know what it is to be without rights and liberties without freedom. Way out I think not.

No you can't possibly know what it means to be without freedom. Crispus Attucks a runaway slave knew all too well. That as a seaman for the last eight years he also knew the meaning of a life of freedom. Now in the months following the arrival of the British troops he could be found walking about the docks in the crowds that gathered everywhere or in the tavern. He came to be familiar with the temper of Bostons people. He also learned a little about the British soldier. Why Mr. Radek What brings you to the King's Arms. The night is cold and I thought the warmth of a good fire where you find you here at the King's Arms joined in attack and avail. Yes thank you. Wait on another tank and a plate of bread. MR know what stock tobacco you're still banded around why is it that it's the latest arrival from Virginia got down to my shop tomorrow and I'll sell you a pack only three shillings

three shillings. Yet you see the tobacco isn't shipped here directly from Virginia. It's present to England and what with the tax and shipping charges by the time it arrives at your tobacco shop to be sold upright it can't be any less than three shelling. You could smuggle in that the bag and not pay any tax at all and all that would be disloyal. We in the colonies must pay our fair share of taxes even when the taxes are unjust and unfair. You fail to see that this isn't a matter of money but of ideas of principles of rights. Oh Mr. Addicks we've been all through that before. Little by little our rights and freedoms are being stripped from us and now with these red coats corner the punt down things are worse than ever. As you passed along to the streets seem peaceful No Mr New York the streets are not quiet and I saw a few people who seemed that the terrible state of affairs. It must be most difficult for the troops to keep order and order wherever these red coats go they cause trouble. Mr

X you seem to have a little respect for His Majesty still get respect by thinkers from respect to the people of Boston. These red coats strutting about telling us what we can or can't do. Why they treat us as though we were their mortal enemies that soldiers of the cane sent to impart his laws. Sam Adams says the quartering of troops upon the people of Boston without the consent of assembly is as illegal as quartering troops in London without gets out of parliament Mr. X. This is traitorous talk traitorous. If so then there may be many traitors at large in Boston. I'll tell you this Mr. Neal I believe I know the value of freedom and if I feel that freedom is in danger I'll fight with everything I have my bare hands if need be to protect to resist tyranny. I'll fight to the end. We're going to Majesty so what's the question at the bank. You know right through my property does this happen. I'm an Englishman.

I've got my rights this is property Cap'n he has the right to protect you keep out of this fellow smuggled in without payment of tax no sugar and if I did be sure you'll never find it. What's your tone when you speak to one of his majesty's officers a word of warning to your landlord under constant observation. And as for you my friend you would fare well. Yes mister I'll fight to the end. British troops had arrived in 1768 by 1770 their presence had aroused a great deal of anger and resentment the sense of army against us pushing us around breaking into our home you know because of no one will own me now or ever.

But. Some of the seven sky was clear the snow was. Dry our. Tempers were ready to explode. Christmas after. One noisy bar where one night snowball fight. Now let's see what do we use for target. I know an old British soldier ready. Fire. Was always you know it must be cold if you were on your way. Look at him his face is red just like a lobster. You are me. Get a move on. They're just boys. Can't you take a joke with you from the pattern is it can seem to mind your own business can you now have a voice. Oh you will will you. Here's a horse. Knowing your rights may not be if half

that's enough. Maybe some of you think that musket is a weapon. Cowardly boy alone. I have enough the way to get rid of these soldiers is the main guard I was waiting for. Sam gray color people drive on the road right. Jackson is one of the fallen Crispus Attucks. They were yelling and arming themselves with sheer luck. What's going on here. Attention. Stand there coward.

Thank. You. All. Christmas was the first in what was soon to be called the Boston Massacre. For all the townsmen sacrificed their lives as the first martyrs in the cause of American liberty. Over 100 years later a monument to the memory resurrected involves. A special poem written for the occasion said in heart and although two Crispus Attucks was leader and voice that the first to define the first to die with Maverick car and hold it riot or revolution. Mob crowd as. Such deaths have been seeded nations such lives shall be honored. And in the monument still these words of John. On that night March 5th 1770 the foundation of American independence was laid. On. This program. Crispus Attucks in the series

Glory Road was written by Chloe letterer and Norman wiser and produced by Norman wiser heard in the cast. Walter Clifford Seymour. Paul Lucas Samuel Seidler Jay Patterson and Tom Campbell as Crispus Attucks. Your narrator has been Joan Pollack a grant from the National Home Library Foundation has made possible the production of this program for national educational radio. This is the national educational radio network.