New pages today, as promised. Since they’re a part of the scene which was started last week, I posted them all together (5-7) in the “Issues” section of the site.
Aww, come on now, Liz, what’s wrong with dreaming about Paul Revere? I’ve heard people downplay Mr. Revere’s infamous ride, saying things like, “Oh, that Longfellow poem got it all wrong” or, “You know, he wasn’t even the guy who made that ride!”
Paul, fret not. I’m here to clear your name! You are awesome. (Okay… except that propaganda print you made to inflame the populace over the the Boston “Massacre.” That was not cool.)
The poem is wrong in that Mr. Revere himself hung the lanterns in the North Church Tower, and was not waiting to count the lanterns from Charleston’s shore. This was to ensure that if he could not get out of Boston, the message would still be sent: The British are coming ‘by sea.’ As for not making the ride or not ‘really’ making the ride, there were two riders. Revere rowed across the Charles River and rode off sounding the alarm through Charleston. William Dawes rode through Roxbury & Cambridge, leaving Boston ‘by land’ (Boston Neck). The two then met up at Lexington and rode off toward Concord together issuing the alarm and warning John Hancock and Sam Adams to get the heck out of there before the British showed up to arrest them. Revere, Dawes, and a third rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott, were all arrested, and Revere was detained while the other two escaped. In my opinion, being in jail seems like a good reason to not have finished your ride. Apart from this, Mr. Revere was no stranger to making express rides, and, from what I read, was the fastest rider from Boston to New York and Philadelphia–trips he made numerous times. He was an active member in the Sons of Liberty, a probable participant in the Tea Party, a dang good silversmith, an okay print maker, and even a quasi-dentist. Aaaaand, if that’s not enough to impress you, Paul Revere is actually the man in the painting on a bottle of Sam Adams beer. Why? I have no clue. But thank you, Mr. Revere! Some of us still love you!
“(Okay… except that propaganda print you made to inflame the populace over the the Boston “Massacre.” That was not cool.)”
Well, come now! It’s not Paul’s fault that he got his information from Sam Adams! It was going to be one-sided no matter what happened. After all, this is Sam Adams.
I am sad that we’ve apparently started post-Bunker Hill, and missed poor departed Joseph. He always seems to be forgotten… Ah well, you didn’t forget. Thanks.
He made Crispus Attucks white to garner more sympathy. I think he knew what he was doing. ;) Good thing John Adams took the case and brought real, if unpopular, justice.
Oh, you’ll get to see Bunker Hill, Dr. Joseph, Tea Parties, etc, if you’re patient. Flashbacks, my friend.
True, true… But still, Paul’s a good guy. He demanded his own court-martial so he could be acquitted (if I remember from my reading several years ago correctly) of cowardice. By the way, are you familiar with the name Clay Jenkinson? He has a radio show called the Thomas Jefferson hour, which I think you might enjoy. I did when it was in my area, and recently rediscovered it online. Thanks for making something historical to break up the monotony of the day-to-day life and bringing history to the public. I really appreciate it.
I truly hope to see those flash backs. I can’t imagine what Joseph would look like;)
Thank you. Can’t wait to read more of your posting. Good day!