“I will make the sun shine through you” — Connecticut Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin

Today, the Connecticut Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin remembers the bloodless coup of the people in Hartford against the governor of New York on October 26, 1693.

From A Complete History of the United States of America, published in 1821, by Frederick Butler:

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In the midst of these distresses, new difficulties arose from a new source. Col. Benjamin Fletcher entered up on his appointment as governor of New York; vested with full powers to command the militia of Connecticut, and the neighboring colonies.

This threw the colony into a general alarm; to give up the command of the militia, was next to resigning the charter.

Connecticut refused the command, and petitioned the king for redress, and Major-General Winthrop was sent over as their special agent to his majesty.

Another agent was sent to New York, to treat with Governor Fletcher at the same time; but to no effect.

And in the October session of assembly, Colonel Fletcher came to Hartford, and demanded the surrendry of the militia, in his majesty’s name, and in the most laconic terms; this was refused.

Col. Bayard, by his Excellency’s command, tendered a commission to Governor Treat, empowering him to command, as usual, and assured him that no invasion of the rights of the colony was intended; but claimed the command of the militia, as belonging of right to his majesty, and accompanied his demands with threats.

Col. Fletcher ordered the trainbands of Hartford to assemble for duty, that he might beat up for volunteers, and they assembled accordingly.

Col. Bayard attempted to read the commission of Col. Fletcher, when Capt. Wadsworth, the senior officer, ordered the drums to beat; this interrupted the commission, and was repeated again and again.

And when Capt. Wadsworth saw that Bayard was determined to proceed, he turned to his Excellency and said, “Sir, if I am interrupted again, I will make the sun shine through you instantly.”

His manner showed him to be in earnest, and his Excellency found the assemblage of the people so fast increasing, withdrew from the scene, and left the colony, on his way back to New York.

The assembly voted 500l. to support their agent in England, and 600l. in compliance with his majesty’s requisition, to fortify Albany; and at the same time, made general provision for the defense of the river towns, in the county of Hampshire, in Massachusetts.

General Winthrop, as agent for Connecticut, was graciously received in England, and his majesty in council, determined that the militia of Connecticut, should remain agreeable to charter; except a particular quota of 120 men, which should be subject to the command of Governor Fletcher; 1694.

Agents at the same time were appointed, to co-operate with agents from New York and Massachusetts, to treat with the Five Nations and 400l. was voted to defray the expense.

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Another historical view showed more interaction with between Fletcher and Wadsworth.

From The History and Topography of the United States, Volume I, edited by John Howard Hinton, A. M.:

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But a short time elapsed, before the colonists were again called on to defend their privileges from what they deemed an unjust encroachment.

Colonel Fletcher, governor of New York, had been vested with plenary powers to command the militia of Connecticut, and insisted on the exercise of that command.

The legislature of Connecticut, deeming that authority to be expressly given to the colony by charter, would not submit to his requisition; but, desirous of maintaining a good understanding with Governor Fletcher, endeavored to make terms with him, until his majesty’s pleasure should be further known.

All their negotiations were, however, unsuccessful; and, on the 26th of October, he came to Hartford, while the assembly was sitting, and, in his majesty’s name, demanded submission; but the refusal was resolutely persisted in.

After the requisition had been repeatedly made, with plausible explanations and serious menaces, Fletcher ordered his commission and instructions to be read in audience of the trainbands of Hartford, which had assembled upon his order.

Captain Wadsworth, the senior officer, who was exercising his soldiers, instantly called out, “Beat the drums!” which, in a moment, overwhelmed every voice.

Fletcher commanded silence.

No sooner was a second attempt made to read, than Wadsworth vociferated, “Drum, drum! I say.”

The drummers instantly beat up again, with the greatest possible spirit.

“Silence, silence,” exclaimed the governor.

At the first moment of a pause, Wadsworth called out earnestly, “Drum, drum, I say;” and, turning to his Excellency, said, “If I am interrupted again, I will make the sun shine through you in a moment.”

Colonel Fletcher declined putting Wadsworth to the test, and abandoning the contest, returned with his suite to New York.

It has been already observed, that the history of the American colonies has been decidedly undervalued and neglected.

This must have been the case even with the best educated classes of society, or surely, after such specimens of determined independence of spirit as the history of this colony, and of Massachusetts, exhibits, the measures which ultimately led to an entire separation would never have received the sanction of the British senate.

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The Connecticut Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin shows with an image of a different type of drum corps, circa 1905.

Connecticut Tercentenary Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin