America (film)

For works with similar titles, see America.

D. W. Griffith
Presents
America
or
Love and Sacrifice

 

Copyright 1924, by D. W. Griffith, Inc.

Cast of Characters

Nathan Holden		Neil Hamilton
Nancy Montague		Carol Dempster
Captain Walter Butler		Lionel Barrymore
Judge Montague		Erville Alderson
Captain Hare		Louis Wolheim
Charles Philip Edward Montague		Charles Emmett Mack
Gen. George Washington		Arthur Dewey
Paul Revere		Harry O'Neill
A refugee mother		Lucile LaVerne

Produced under the
personal direction of
D. W. Griffith

 

Story by
Robert W. Chambers

 

Historical arrangement by
John L. E. Pell

 

Copyright 1924, D. W. Griffith, Inc.

The story of the sacrifice made for freedom in the American Revolution is that of a civil war between two groups of English people; one group, the Americans, being merely Englishmen who settled on the American Continent.

The government which Canada and Australia now enjoy was absolutely denied to America through the stubborn and false ideals of the autocratic powers guiding the hand of King George the Third.

The trouble began when England taxed her American colonies to help defray the expenses of the French and Indian War. The Colonies, not represented in the English Parliament, objected to taxation without representation.

The village of Lexington, in Massachusetts, where the sacrifice began.

Buckman Tavern.

The home of a poor young farmer, Nathan Holden, some distance from Lexington, on the road to Boston.

Nathan Holden, (whose ancestors fought with Cromwell), a noted express rider of the day, sometimes carrying despatches as far as the sister colony of Virginia—a comrade of Paul Revere.

And dreams he of the time when express riding to Virginia, by chance he met the famous belle, Miss Nancy Montague.

And though she was of high degree, far far above his station—

Afterwards, he swore—

"Love may come and love may go, And sigh like the wind from tree to tree, But I shall love no more, no more, Till this fair maid come back to me!"

Williamsburg, capital of Virginia.

In Virginia there were a few families descended from the English nobility. They lived like princes on vast estates. Perhaps the most important of these was the Montague family—the Montague estate on the James River.

Often with gay parties, but tonight——

The Montagues are tenderly devoted to one another.

The visitor, Colonel George Washington, descended from the Washingtons of Sulgrove Manorhouse, Northamptonshire, England, was always a good listener.

Nancy Montague—the cause of Nathan Holden's youthful dreams—had just returned from her presentation at Court in London, where she was the reigning belle.

Charles Montague, just returned from England with the latest fads. Despite his foppery, he is the most dangerous swordsman, and one of the best shots in Virginia.

"Son, it is time you were concerning yourself with something more important than London fashions."

"Oh, father, don't chide him!"

"Colonel George, it is whispered that, if there is any trouble in America, you are likely to stand against our King."

"I shall always try to stand against injustice, Miss Nancy, but I still have faith in England's justice to Englishmen that there shall be no conflict between the Colonies and their Mother."

"Whatever happens, we are always your friends, Colonel George."

In the court of King George the Third were evil counselors who strengthened the King's belief in the wisdom of kingly power to mean absolute autocracy.

King George the Third,—who defied public opinion and believed in personal rule, looked upon America as a rebel colony of Englishmen who wanted more than he thought was good for them.

In the British House of Parliament.

William Pitt, England's greatest commoner, one of a great line of Englishmen who have maintained the spirit of freedom for the world, comes from his sickbed to defend the American Colonies.

"I see not one single American in this great hall. If they have no representation here, what right have we to tax them. Remember, America is the son——not the bastard——of England."

In the King's Closet. Perhaps Sir Francis Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts, was mainly responsible in creating the misunderstanding between the King and his Colonists in America, these Colonies which still called England their home.

The King, as well as a certain group around him, failed to understand the spirit of the Colonists who still felt a great attachment for the Mother Country.

"They have no right to refuse to pay this tax—they are our flesh and blood and as such owe us allegiance. If other means fail—the bayonet!"

At the Green Dragon Tavern, in Boston. Here resistance to what they considered usurption of their rights had been organized by the two leaders, Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

His Majesty put power into the angry hands of Governor Bernard, so Boston's port is closed, her people out of work and starving.

Nathan Holden was a Minute Man and also a member of the Sons of Liberty.

The Boston Committee of Public Safety sends Holden to Virginia with news of this terrible blow at American liberty.

The Montagues leave for the House of Burgesses, where the legislature is in session.

Nathan Holden carries the alarming news that Boston, an American city, is now under subjugation, as though it were a conquered province.

The House of Burgesses.

The Montagues arrive.

"Oh, there is Colonel Washington——"

"Ah, what happiness to marry such a man!"

Nathan is determined that the legislature shall hear his news from Boston.

"Oh, that's the bold young man from Boston!"

The House receives the news of Boston's plight.

"Sir, you are wrong. I, too, am a Virginian, but first I owe allegiance to my King."

"Sit down, you Tory!"

Note: At this time "Tories" signified those, born in America, whose sympathies were against the American.

The young Montagues, nervous at the treatment their father is receiving, withdraw.

"Await me here. I will summon the coach."

It was an act of great daring for Holden even to speak to one so far above him in station as Nancy Montague.

"Miss Montague, I long to ask your pardon for the verses I sent you."

"They were exceedingly bold, sir."

"But did have an agreeable flavor."

Virginia voted sympathy for the colony of Massachusetts, and appointed a day of penance and prayer in her behalf, still none dreaming of separation from the Mother Country.

"I shall not listen to that treasonable document."

The little Tory had slight knowledge of politics, but always her father's enemies were her own.

"Express—Boston!"

"Deliver this to your committee of Public Safety."

Threatening clouds of war.

---

The parting of old friends.

"Good bye, George—though we walk different paths, pray God that our old friendship shall endure."

"Good bye, Miss Nancy."

"Charles, you are the son of an honourable father—do your duty—but do it as you see it."

Montague goes North to confer with General Gage and Governor Carleton of Canada, and to organize friends of the King against the threatened rebellion—also, to win the great Indian forces to the British cause.

Sir Ashley Montague, brother of the Virginia Montague, in his home in Northern New York.

Sir Ashley Montague sometimes jests with the old shoemaker.

"Indians pow-wowin'—gettin' too excitin' 'round here—I'm goin' South."

Nearby—the council fires of the great Indian Confederacy

Captain Walter Butler, a deputy for the King's Superintendent of Indian Affairs, requests that the Indians side with the King against the Americans in the threatened war.

Sachems of The Long House assures Captain Butler of their friendship.

The war chiefs' solemn pledge.

Walter Butler at his hunting lodge. Though American born, he was America's bitterest foe.

Walter Butler, foreseeing the threatened war, dreams of an opportunity through which he may become leader, betray his King, and over the ruins of his country establish a new empire with himself as Viceroy.

"Follow me; for a new empire and a new world!"

Captain Butler leaves for Boston to confer with General Gage concerning the use of thousand of savage warriors.

Sir Ashley Montague wishes him Godspeed.

Boston.

The Montagues arrive at the headquarters of the British Commander, General Gage.

Nathan had read in the "Boston Gazette" all about the Montagues' arrival——

Captain Butler arrives in Boston.

"Captain Walter Butler."

"I promise you absolutely that the warriors of the Six Nations will remain loyal to the King."

"The King, your Father across the sea, sends his greetings."

"The impudence of your Massachusetts rebels is unbelievable."

"Softly, my dear sir! Let us first use diplomacy."

"The gallows, the bayonet, or this——"

"—that is the diplomacy to use on the American rebels."

"Pardon my zeal, your Excellency."

A little assembly at General Gage's. At the first sight of Nancy, Butler determined to add her to his conquests.

Butler finds an opportune moment.

"Since I first beheld you, I have loved—for the first time ever in my life."

Nancy is moved by Butler's picturesque story of his loneliness.

The Committee of Public Safety—news of a warrant to arrest the Rebel leaders, Hancock and Adams, as traitors against the King.

"We shall be sent to England for trial!"

"For Englishmen, because they live in America, are no longer considered fit to sit in trial upon fellow Englishmen."

Hancock and Adams flee to Lexington, where the Minute Men determine to protect them with their lives.

The Montague family, bound for Canada over the old Mohawk trail, also arrive in Lexington on the fateful night of April 18th, 1775,—

—little dreaming of the impending disaster which is to change their fate forever.

Montague enraged at the sight of the rebels under arms.

One of them has trouble in catching the air of a new song called "Yankee Doodle."

Nathan has discovered that the Montagues are stopping for the night at Lexington.

"If you expect me to read your love verses, you must not fight against my King."

"Torry, or no Torry! King, or no King! I love you—and shall until I die!"

Later——

"Like it 'round these parts—nice and quiet."

"Ladies—they bother me, too."

Ended—their last game.

Reported that the British troops are preparing to seize the arms and ammunition at Concord, and to arrest Hancock and Adams.

"Send for Paul Revere."

To keep out witches!

"Just one word of farewell!"

"The memory of you as I first saw you will live with me until I die."

"I swear to you, sir, I meant no harm."

"You scoundrel! No harm in attempting to enter a girl's bedroom?"

"This common farmer—this scoundrel of a rebel, comes here to dishonor your sister."

"Explanations are quickest made with a pair o' pistols."

"Father, he was not in the room; he just—"

While on the Charlestown Shore, across from Boston, their fate—and the Nation's—trembles.

Paul Revere prepares to carry the message of alarm.

The old North Church—arranging the signal.

The signal for the British march shall be—One, if by land; Two, if by sea.

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

Two Regulars posted to intercept American messengers.

"To arms—to arms—the Regulars are coming!"

"The fate of a nation was riding that night!"

"To arms! To arms!!"

The Minute Men gather in defense of their liberty——the Spirit of America!

"My sister's honor—how dare you address a Montague!"

"To arms!"

"One!"

Lexington.

"To arms! The British are coming!!"

But the Great Call—

Hancock and Adams warned.

"Why, the fools mean to resist His Majesty's Regulars!"

The Regulars!

The roll call of the Minute Men.

"Major Pitcairn is safely on the way, sir."

Dawn!

By the blood of their ancestors, 77 resolute sons of England bar the way of 800 British Regulars.

Nathan also—

Parker, Captain of the Minute Men.

"Disperse, ye rebels—Lay down your arms, and disperse!"

"Stand your ground! If they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

Nathan's friend, Jonas Parker, had sworn he would never run from a Regular.

After a warning volley, the accidental shot that began the war.

Oh, Spirit of Washington!

"Charles, where are you?"

"Whatever side you fight on, I—I'll love you—forever."

Nathan rides to warn his friends at Concord.

"Oh, there is nothing to fear—these rebels will not fight."

Hiding the military stores at Concord.

Concord Bridge.

Nathan arrives.

"We ran from them this morning—but we run no more."

"Leave hands off that bridge!"

The Shot heard 'round the World!

The Regulars retreat from Concord.

"Where is my son—find him—find him!"

But his son was very busy in the Rebel ranks.

Nathan sent back to rally the Minute Men and punish the Regulars at Lexington.

"What have you rebels done with my son?"

"Lay down your arms! You traitors——You rebels!"

"Go into the house, Mr. Montague."

"That——that farmer fired on me."

"I didn't—I didn't."

"Nathan—find him."

"You—you have killed my father—you rebel!"

After the battle—

"They—they cut us to pieces!"

Butler dreams a dream of autocratic power—

Charles could no longer be true to England without being disloyal to America, his birthplace.

"It would kill father if he knew you were going to fight against the King."

"I am not fighting the King—I am fighting injustice—it is my duty."

"Things gettin' too excitin' 'round here—I'm goin' North."

Bunker Hill, from Boston Harbor.

The redoubt.

"Hold your fire until you see the whites of their eyes!"

"Fire!"

Volunteers to replenish the supply of powder.

For the cause——Montague dares!

His boy's letters written while at school.

"I know my boy is fighting for his King."

Despite tremendous losses, with their usual dogged bravery, again and again they tried until the last time—

Driven but not beaten—who shall lead them?

In Philadelphia, at the Continental Congress—

George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American Army.

A shelter for wounded Rebels.

"Good-bye——Mother will be waiting for you."

He had heard of his son's death, and demanded to see him again for the last time.

The daughter, afraid of fatal consequences, if he knew his only son had fought for the Rebel cause—

And then——

It was such sacrifices as these that made possible the momentous event of the Fourth of July, 1776!

The signing of the Declaration of Independence—the beginning of a new English speaking nation.

The bell of liberty——tolling for freedom!

It was on the Northern frontier that the King's forces made a tremendous effort to split America in two, and to join Canada with New York. Here they combined the Tories and the Indians to destroy the great grain regions, without which Washington's army would be starved into submission.

Fort Esperance, usually called Fort Sacrifice, in the Mohawk Valley,—the massacres that occured here are but examples of similar events from Canada to the Gulf, in which thousands were sacrificed that Freedom might live.

Under a flag, Montague escapes to his brother's home in Northern New York.

Sir Ashley Montague's vast estate was used as a rendezvous for Indians and Tory Sympathizers.

Walter Butler's forces on the way to Oriskany. His magnetism and real ability had gathered an army of malcontents from American territory, uniformed as "Butler's Greens".

Walter Butler visits Ashley Court.

 

Note: At an affair given in Quebec, after the Cherry Valley massacres, British Officers of the Regular Army refused to take the hand of this renegade.

The scourge of the North Country was Walter Butler, a renegade American, who spared neither age nor sex. In this one section alone twelve thousand farms were devastated and the land drenched with blood.

Captain Hare, a Tory—an American renegade—uses the excuse of war for his own personal passions and savagery.

Captain Hare, enamored of Nancy, makes a terrible vow.

Butler had so far managed to deceive the Loyalists as to his real intentions. Before the Cherry Valley massacres few dreamed of his real character.

"My real purpose was to see you."

Joseph Brant, who, though a Mohawk Indian Chief, was well educated and had been received at Court. When he returned to the warpath, however, he became a terrible foe.

"I know of no man to whom I had rather give my daughter's hand than to yourself, Captain Butler."

At Valley Forge, where the Rebels endured tremendous privations for the cause which they believed to be so just.

Sometimes—

Some were without sufficient clothing even to venture from their cabins to gather firewood; others——

But at the darkest hour!

Not even the privations Nathan endured could still the great flame for Nancy.

Nancy had always dreamed of Nathan as her first real love—sometimes it does strike deep.

A wagon needed at the hospital camp—

In the British House of Parliament—

Edmund Burke protests against the use of savages in the war against America. The Duke of Richmond and James Fox also passionately protest in public against the use of savages in this war.

The King, although now busy waging other wars in Europe, was determined to use all means in his power to subdue the Americans.

When Washington received the news of the outrages committed by Butler and his associates, he was aroused to one of his tempers—unusual, but terrifying.

General Morgan, Commander of Morgan's Riflemen, Washington's favorite unit, suggests that Captain Holden be sent to rid the North Country of Walter Butler.

"The borderland must be freed. I regret I can spare no more men."

On Nathan's breast the insignia of the famous Morgan's Riflemen.

Liberty or Death

"Well, I'm back—nothin' but fightin' and shootin' down there."

In the Spring—Morgan's Men—Virginia's pride, under Captain Holden, provided with clothing and horses at Albany, patrol the Northland.

While passing Ashley Court, Holden———

Nancy learns that a Military Court has discovered the man responsible for the wounding of the father, and that Nathan has been exonerated.

"Through these many days, bitter with cold, starvation and death, there has never been a day that my thoughts have not been with you."

"You know how my father feels toward all rebels."

"He has suffered enough, and shall never suffer again through me."

"Before I go I must see your father."

"It is true you would have nothing to fear from the British Regulars who fight American soldiers on the field bravely and squarely, but this Butler, with his crew of renegades, is a traitor to his King as well as common decency."

"Mr. Montague, I warn you not to remain in this house. The Tories and Indians of this murderous Butler turn even on their own people."

"Enough, sir—Leave!"

"Nevertheless, I am doomed to love you until I die!"

A year later—While Holden's forces are on the Pennsylvania border, Butler conducts a raid in the vicinity of Ashley Court.

Supplies for Washington's army.

Not the least of the many sacrifices was that of a Rebel Lieutenant Boyd of Morgan's Rifles, who allowed himself to be cut to pieces rather than reveal a military secret to Butler.

Butler, with his crew of renegades, raised from American soil, absolutely disobeyed orders from the far off War Department in England, and went his own way of depredation and outrage.

"Make him tell!"

Butler's followers, under cover of war, revenged personal spite and passions on neighboring enemies.

Captain Hare adopts the practice of the day in which certain renegade Tories painted themselves like Indians to mask their dreadful cruelty.

The Montagues' faith in their cause is so shaken by constant proof of the outrages daily committed by Butler and his men in their warfare against the Americans—

—that they are hardly surprised to see Sir Ashley shot down when he remonstrates against the raiding of his stables.

Northern American headquarters alarmed by reports that Butler is to strike the valley.

A spy reports that Butler is to hold a Council of War at Ashley Court to plan the attack.

"With our limited forces it is necessary to find his exact striking place, or our whole country may be destroyed."

Major Strong and Captain Nathan Holden arrive at Ashley Court to investigate.

Butler means to succeed where Burgoyne failed, sweep the country with flame, and establish his own empire upon its ashes.

"You will bring your Mohawks here at three o'clock, Joseph Brant."

"At three o'clock, Walter Butler."

"Captain Butler, by your leave!"

"Do you believe those idle tales concerning me?"

"Walter Butler, of the Cherry Valley massacres, is not welcome here."

"Arrest that man—he has turned traitor."

"Fear nothing, father; I am quite safe."

Butler's Council of War.

"Captain Hare, destroy Fort Sacrifice."

"Men, women, and children—this whole pack of American wolves—little wolves grow to big ones—leave none to grow."

Following his usual custom Captain Hare disguises himself in the dress of the savage.

"Warn the Valley!"

"Not that door——Butler's men!"

"Bring Miss Montague here."

"Wait here until I return."

"Captain Butler, you wouldn't keep me here among all these terrible people!"

"Were you not promised to me?"

"Don't pray to Him—for He's——"

"On you depend the lives of thousands—women and little children. All die if you fail to warn the Valley."

Nathan must sacrifice either his country or his loved one.

"Your duty—Washington's orders—America."

"The time is come to strike."

"My Mohawks say, now or not at all."

"Watch that girl until I return."

"I'll get the guns."

"To the fort——Butler's in the valley!!"

Nancy flees to the fort, the only refuge for people of both sides from Butler.

Butler's forces divide to strike.

"They are coming up the valley—only a few miles away."

"For God's sake—that grain convoy—turn it back."

The escape of the grain convoys.

Fleeing for refuge.

Captain Hare enraged at the news of the Montagues' escape to the Fort.

Captain Hare attacks the lower Valley.

They strike Fort Sacrifice.

"Mount——to Fort Sacrifice!"

A courier turns them to help break Butler's army at Johnson Hall.

The Americans attempt to break Butler's army at Johnson Hall.

"Hold them! Hold them!!"

"Fire low, you—"

Now flame the sacrificial fires!

The Riders strike the line.

"Charge"

A courier from Washington tells that an armistice has been declared, and peace is at hand.

So Holden taught Montague that great hearts raise themselves above birth or wealth.

The surrender of Cornwallis.

Washington.

Father had fought the making of a Montague into a Holden—but had lost!

Friends of old—again friends, to help solidify the power of the English speaking peoples in the work of the world.

The End