Henry Fisk Carlton

Name: Washington Crossing the Delaware
Author: Henry Fisk Carlton

Biographical details

Henry Fisk Carlton (1859–1935) was an American author renowned for his historical narratives that dramatize pivotal moments in early American history. His works, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware and The Story of Nathan Hale, explore themes of individual agency, moral conviction, and the tension between duty and personal sacrifice.

Through dialogues rich in ideological conflict, Carlton examines figures navigating revolutionary ideals and colonial governance, as seen in The Tree That Saved Connecticut. His texts remain vital for their vivid portrayal of historical struggles and the enduring resonance of democratic principles.

Quotes by Henry Fisk Carlton

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ JONES
So you are not bound by the Virginia charter in these waters.
PETER
Forsooth, Captain, I'd not thought on that.
JONES
You have here all the rights of free-born Englishmen. And if you rise like men and demand that your Elders hearken to your voice, who shall gainsay you?
PETER
Aye—who—who, indeed? If we vote to land here, 'tis not mutiny. [Pg 24]
JONES
Nay, 'tis but your right, if you want to land here.
PETER
We do—we do! Not a man in the company but would stay here if he had his way.
JONES
Then have your way—like Englishmen! Go to your cabin. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
Why, what's wrong with a staff appointment? I'd be honored if it were offered to me.
HULL
Yes, so was I. That's why I'm here. I was a lieutenant of artillery when General Washington asked me to join his staff. I jumped at the chance—
HALE
Who wouldn't?
HULL
I wouldn't, again! Why, all I've done for two months is write letters, sit at a desk, answer questions, and run errands! It's no duty for a man who craves action!
HALE
Yes, William, you have always been a fire eater. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ WADSWORTH
Not at all, sir! You have put yourself in the wrong.
BLIGH
But—but—you forced me to make that change in the order.
TREAT
I believe, Colonel, we merely pointed out that your order was inadequate; we did not force you to commit forgery.
BLIGH
Oh, this is a trick! This is a trick! I demand the immediate surrender of the government and the charter!
TREAT
What is the will of the Assembly? Can we deliver up the government under an order which is obviously forged?
ALL
No, no! No indeed!
TREAT
The vote is against you, Colonel.
BLIGH
Andros will come himself and attend to this affair. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ JONES
Because your Elder, Master Carver, says fix the ship and go on.
PETER
If Elder Carver says that, then there be naught that we kin do.
JONES
You'd stay packed in the ship's cabin, facing sickness and death, rather than rise up like men and tell the Elder what you will and what you won't do, eh?
PETER
Elder Carver and the twelve masters have the voice; we have naught to do but to obey.
JONES
Can it be that forty English freemen can't vote down twelve masters?
PETER
Under our charter the freemen have no voice. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
I can do that, too, sir.
CUNNINGHAM
All right, then, do it! And if you have any further statement or confession to make, now is the time to do it.
HALE
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
CUNNINGHAM
Humph! Now, guard, when I give the word, kick the ladder and let the rebel swing. Are you ready?
VOICE
Ready.
CUNNINGHAM
Steady—now! [noise of ladder, gasp, etc.] [pause] So let all spies, rebels, and traitors swing! March the guard off!
VOICE
Guard—fall in! Quick step— [etc.]
MONTRESSOR [to himself]
Poor fellow—and he's hardly more than a boy. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ RODNEY
Oh, nonsense! [rattle of paper] [Pg 15]
PRUDENCE
I do wish people could leave a sick man alone—always bothering you!
RODNEY
Quiet! What's this—what's this? They haven't voted on the Lee Resolution yet! They need me! Prudence, my riding boots!
PRUDENCE
Your riding boots! Have you gone crazy, Caesar?
RODNEY
Don't stand and argue! Please get my boots—there isn't a moment to lose! I've got to be in Philadelphia before nine o'clock tomorrow morning!
PRUDENCE
You can't go! It'll kill you! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
It is an order, sir.
WASHINGTON
Well, my boy, no man knows better than I the impossibility of some orders.
HALE
But, sir—
WASHINGTON
I hope, though, that this is not impossible. I have to have the information. The safety of my whole army depends upon it. I must know particularly where General Howe intends to strike next.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
If he comes across the East River, we can protect ourselves and keep out of his way. But if he comes across Long Island Sound—do you realize what that may mean to us?
HALE
Yes, sir. He can cut off our retreat. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ CARVER
I know but little of the New World. I know not even where the Great North River or the Great South River may be, but only this I know: King James and his Virginia Company would take it much amiss, that having a patent to lands in Virginia, we turned to the Dutch and settled under their flag.
ROBINSON
And what has King James ever done for us but persecute us, drive us from our homes, and make of us pilgrims upon the face of the earth? ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ It's completely disrupted, sir; and we can get no help from the civilian population.
WASHINGTON
I know—they've lost all faith in us, Colonel. Nothing but a victory can bring us again the loyalty and help of our own people! It's discouraging, Colonel, to think that now when we need it more than ever before, we can get no help! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ Sir!
ANDROS
Wadsworth, give me the charter!
WADSWORTH
But, sir, I gave it to you.
ANDROS
You did not!
WADSWORTH
But I have here your receipt for it!
ANDROS
Give me back that receipt!
WADSWORTH
I shall certainly do nothing of the kind, sir. I gave you the charter; you gave me this receipt for it. I have here twenty witnesses to the transaction!
ANDROS
I'm being tricked! I say I will have that charter. It's somewhere here, and I'll have it. [calling] Colonel Bligh!
BLIGH [distance]
Yes, sir!
ANDROS
Surround this place with your soldiers. Don't let a single man leave until he has been searched! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ CARVER
We have no right to land here. Our charter grants us land in Virginia, not here!
JONES
I can't help that. The ship is in bad shape—I won't risk sailing her any farther without repairs.
CARVER
Very well, you may stop here for repairs, but we must go on as soon as they are made. [Pg 19]
JONES
It will take some time.
CARVER
My people will help you. We must speed the work.
JONES
Of course, I'll speed it all I can, but a man can't do any more than he can do.
CARVER
Well, get to it at once—this very day! We must get away from here within a fortnight or winter will be upon us. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ WASHINGTON
I want you all to realize that this is a desperate chance. Failure means—well, we might as well face it—it means the end of our cause; but success—well, gentlemen, we can only hope and pray for success! (knock) Will you see who's at the door, Colonel Reed?
REED
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Tell whoever it is to come back later—I'm in council.
REED
Yes, sir. (a mumble at the door) I beg pardon, sir, they've just brought in a prisoner.
WASHINGTON
Good, tell them to wait outside.
REED
They say, sir, it's Honeyman the Tory, and you left orders—
WASHINGTON
Honeyman? Excellent! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ Congress is adjourned until nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
ALL [confusion and noise]
It can't be done!
It's useless!
We can never get them to vote with us!
We must be united!
We can never unite on independence! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ ANDROS
Here, sir, are my orders. [rattle of paper] [Pg 8]
TREAT
And here, sir, is a true copy of our charter. [rattle of paper]
ANDROS
My orders supersede your charter.
TREAT
Our charter is a royal grant, and cannot be superseded except for cause by due process of law.
ANDROS
I shall take possession under my orders. You can appeal to the Privy Council for redress.
TREAT
You can take possession only after every man in this fort is dead!
ANDROS
Do you still insist on this ridiculous show of force?
TREAT
I do! If you make a move to land your troops, we will open fire! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ And so Rodney, with his mud-spattered clothes, booted and spurred as he had ridden, went into the meeting of Congress and secured the adherence of Delaware to the Lee Resolution. When Congress was called to order and the vote taken, every Colony voted for independence, and, as New York did not vote at all, there was not a dissenting voice in the victory! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Exactly! Now, Mrs. Chichester, let's set a trap for him. Will you help me?
MRS. CHICHESTER
I will that! A rebel—and like as not a spy—in my tavern!
DREW
Go in to him, engage him in conversation, then look out the window and remark that you see a small boat landing. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ JONES
Aye, so it will—and the winters in this country are bad.
CARVER
Then we must start south without delay.
JONES
Look you, Master Carver—
CARVER
Well, Captain?
JONES
Belikes 'twill be a month or more before I can make the Mayflower seaworthy—
CARVER
A month? Surely you can do better than that?
JONES
Perhaps not so well—why don't you land here? ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word (in) means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while (off) indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions (off, coming in) are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words (mob) or (crowd noise) you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ POND
That's true enough. You look—well—more like a country schoolmaster than anything else.
HALE
That's what I hope to pass for.
POND
How long will you be on Long Island?
HALE
I shall try to be through my business in a week. I wonder if you would meet me at the same place you are going to leave me—say, a week from tonight? [Pg 18]
POND
I'll send a small boat ashore for you, soon after dark a week from tonight.
HALE
Good! I'll be there—unless—
POND
Yes?
HALE
Unless I am unexpectedly detained.
POND
Oh, sir—we won't even think of that! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ CARVER
But we can do naught else—
PETER
Aye, we kin land here, and find a goodly place to build our homes and prepare against the winter that will be down upon us long before we kin get to Virginia. [mob agrees heartily] [Pg 28]
CARVER
Men—men—quiet—hark to me! We've no right under our charter to settle here!
PETER
Then tear up the charter. [mob agrees]
CARVER
Tear up the charter? Have no government? Nay, we can't do that!
PETER
We be freemen, Master Carver; we have a right to a voice in what we'll do, and what we won't do—and we all want to land here, don't we, men? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ New Brunswick—Trenton—across the Delaware into Pennsylvania.
REED
Yes sir, if we have any army left by then.
WASHINGTON
We have some loyal souls who will stand with us to the end. We may have to retreat to the back country of Pennsylvania; but winter is coming, Lord Howe is not an energetic foe, and he will hardly press us after the snow falls. Then if we can fill up our depleted ranks we'll be ready for him in the spring. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ ANDROS
I have here the original court order, declaring your charter forfeit, and I shall now trouble your Charter Committee to produce the original document.
TREAT
One moment, sir. Has not every Englishman a right to defend his case before a court of law? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ RODNEY [in]
I don't know—the saddle slipped—then it came clear off and I came with it.
URIAH
Here—hold the hosses, will ye—let me see thet saddle! Ah-ha!—Girth broken!
RODNEY
Can you fix it?
URIAH
Ain't got time.
RODNEY
I'm afraid I can't—can't keep a seat bareback.
URIAH
Here—you climb on my hoss—I'll take your'n.
RODNEY
But—
URIAH
Not another word—climb aboard, thar. [sound of getting Rodney on horse] All right, boy, stand still. Thar we be! Go along with ye!
BOTH
Tch—tch—giddap! [sound of horses' hoofs]
ANNOUNCER
And now five miles farther into the next remount station. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ We have our rights under the charter.
ALL
Yes, yes! Let us not submit!
TREAT
It is useless, gentlemen. When we are ordered to submit, we must submit or be in rebellion.
WADSWORTH
When may we expect the order? [Pg 10]
TREAT
I was informed this very morning that an officer of Governor Andros was on his way here to take over the government of the colony, and we might expect him this very day.
WADSWORTH
Then what can we do, sir?
TREAT
We can submit—indeed we must submit to the rule of Governor Andros, but, gentlemen, we must not relinquish our charter!
ALL
No, no! We must save our charter. [etc.] ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ He is not! I know every young blood hereabouts. An' he's not a native here, I kin warrant ye that.
DREW
I have it!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What—don't scare a body to death! What have ye got?
DREW
I know where I've seen him! He's a rebel. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ Often an excellent meal and a taste of fine wine carry more conviction than hours of argument. As I see it now, we must swing South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Delaware into line before tomorrow morning. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ And so in the cabin of the Mayflower the masters of the company, twelve in number, met in the first American legislative assembly and drew up one of the most famous documents in American history—the Mayflower Compact—which organized the first self-governing community in the New World. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ The men are formed, sir.
WASHINGTON
Men, we are about to start upon our most important offensive. Upon the results of our efforts this morning depends the outcome of our struggle for liberty and independence.
I shall take the first brigade and half the artillery with me down the Pennington road. The rest of the detachment under command of General Green will take the river road. It should take us about four hours to reach the outposts of Trenton. Now, it is necessary for us to attack simultaneously, so will the officers all set their watches with mine. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ In the year 1661 Connecticut received from the hand of Charles the Second a very liberal charter granting to the people of the colony almost complete self-government and to the colony an enormous stretch of territory extending westward to the Pacific Ocean. For fifteen years the colony prospered under the generous charter. Then in 1676 trouble arose with the Governor of New York, Sir Edmund Andros, about the boundary line between the two colonies. Andros demanded authority over all the land west of the Connecticut River. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ And John Honeyman left Washington's camp to set about making his position secure with the British. He became one of the regular meat contractors for Cornwallis's army, which pursued Washington across the state of New Jersey during the next month.
Washington did not hurry his retreat, but he always got away. Finally about the first of December, he came to Trenton, where he halted for a week and sent men up and down the river to collect all the boats on the Delaware. He knew that he would be forced to retreat into Pennsylvania; and he proposed to leave no means for the enemy to follow him. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR
The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.
The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ RODNEY
I've got to go—I'm needed. If you won't get the boots, I will!
PRUDENCE
Oh, please, sir, whoever you are—
URIAH
I'm Uriah Clarke, ma'm—at yer service.
PRUDENCE
Please, please, don't let him go! He can't stand it—he's too weak. He's been terribly ill—the physician told him he must rest—he could never stand a trip like that! [Pg 16]
URIAH
But, ma'm, he's got to git thar. And I give my word thet I'd hev him thar tomorrow mornin'.
PRUDENCE
Your word—what's your word to a man's life!
URIAH
What's a man's life to the life of his country!
RODNEY [coming in]
All right, I'm ready—let's start! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ What's that?
SOLDIER
Don't know, sounds funny. See anything, Corporal?
CORPORAL
There, I see him! Huh, it's just a farmer crackin' his driving whip.
SOLDIER
Yah, I see him. What's he got in his other hand? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Tree That Saved Connecticut

“ Those favoring—
ALL
Aye!
TREAT
Opposed—it is a vote. Will someone propose the committee?
VOICE
Your Excellency, I propose Captain Wadsworth, Charles Willys, and John Talcott.
TREAT
But Talcott is not here.
WADSWORTH
All the better, sir, since we cannot give up the charter except upon unanimous consent of the committee.
TREAT
A very good arrangement. Is there a second to the nomination for the Charter Committee?
VOICE
Second! [loud knock]
TREAT
Don't open until we have had the vote! All favoring—
ALL
Aye! [knocking]
BLIGH [outside]
Open, in the name of the King!
TREAT
Opposed? Carried! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Caesar Rodney's Ride

“ It's a matter of life and death for a nation—our country!
URIAH
Is et somethin' to do with Congress, sir?
MCKEEN
It is.
URIAH
Wal', sir, I'm a Son of Liberty, and et's my sworn duty to go whar I'm wanted fer liberty, and ef thet's et—
MCKEEN
It is. [Pg 11]
URIAH
Then I'll go.
MCKEEN
I'll pay your price.
URIAH
Thar won't be no price! I'll git yer man to Philadelphia tomorrow mornin' ef I hev to carry him myself. Who's yer man?
MCKEEN
Caesar Rodney of Dover, Delaware. Here's a letter for him. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.
When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you each have a copy of the book in your hands. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ I consent to your wishes. [cheers] But it behooves us to enter into a compact, one with the other—that no man may say, once we have landed in New England, that we have no law and cannot punish the disobedient. [Pg 29]
PETER
May it please ye, sir, we be more than willing for the masters to write a compact that all can sign to be governed like any free-born Englishmen by the will o' the majority— [all agree]
CARVER
So be it—let the masters of the company join me in my cabin, and we shall make a compact joining all the company of freemen into a body politic. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ HONEYMAN (loud)
I demand to be set free. Ye'll all answer to yer King fer this. (door shuts)
WASHINGTON (low)
What news? [Pg 26]
HONEYMAN
Across the river in Trenton there ain't but a thousand Hessians.
WASHINGTON
Who's commanding?
HONEYMAN
Colonel Rall, and he ain't none too keerful—no patrols up er down the river—nobody at all north of him, and six miles to the nearest post on the south of him.
WASHINGTON
Excellent—excellent! We can do it! I'll order the attack tomorrow night! We'll trap them! We'll fight for once instead of retreat—we'll—
HONEYMAN
Beggin' yer pardon, sir. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
You can do it without endangering yourself or your boat?
POND
There'll be no difficulty about landing you. There is, however, a British man-of-war, the Halifax, in these waters. We have to watch out for her. But it's dark enough tonight to be perfectly safe.
HALE
Good! Can we go at once?
POND
Yes, sir. [calling] Bos'n!
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
POND
Get the ship under way for Long Island! Bring her into that secluded cove near Huntington! You know the place. [Pg 17]
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir! [calling] All hands on deck! Man the windlass! Weigh anchor! [etc.] [mob, setting sails, etc.] ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ So Carver gathered together his company in the common cabin, and standing before the stern-faced, storm-weary gathering, the Elder spoke:
CARVER
Men of the Pilgrim company, as no doubt you are all well aware by now, the land we made this morning with such joy and thanksgiving in our hearts is not the land of the Virginia Plantation.
ALL
Aye, we know as much! So we have heard. [etc.] [Pg 27]
CARVER
But our ship is sore distressed from the buffeting of the storms, and Captain Jones must needs make repairs before we can sail on to our destination. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, Washington Crossing the Delaware

“ HONEYMAN
I cal'ate I be.
WASHINGTON
Have you any information now?
HONEYMAN
A mite.
WASHINGTON
Well?
HONEYMAN
Lord Cornwallis is bringin' 15,000 men across the Hudson tonight, to git ye. [Pg 11]
WASHINGTON
We'll be gone.
HONEYMAN
That's fu'st-rate! Now I'll be goin'—an' I'll keep ye informed when I know anything ye ought to know.
WASHINGTON
Just a moment, Honeyman. How are you going to get your information to me? ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Landing of the Pilgrims

“ This time, since the season was far advanced and the Pilgrims feared that winter would be upon them before they could get established in their new home, the Speedwell was left behind, and on September 16, 1620, the Mayflower left alone for the New World. Halfway across the ocean the ship was beset by a long series of storms, so severe that it took more than two months for the ship to make the trip across the Atlantic. ”

Henry Fisk Carlton

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