 The cavalcade of America, presented by DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. I'd like to tell you the story of a woman who worshiped a man who was wrong. The woman is Theodosia Burr. The man, her father, Aaron Burr. In the American way of life, Burr was wrong. He dreamed of an empire in what was to become part of the United States. Yet his daughter Theodosia, knowing the evil to say nothing of the folly of her father's ambitions, believed in him almost to the end. Why? The answer to that question lies in our play, which Robert Talman wrote for the cavalcade players. Our star is Ann Sterrett. The orchestra and the original musical score are under the direction of Don Burrys. DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry, presents Ann Sterrett as Theodosia Burr on the cavalcade of America. 1800, in the stately dining room of the mansion house of a country estate in Lower Manhattan. The host, a handsome, magnetic little man in Maroon, Westcott and fluffy white stock, is proposing traditional New Year toasts. He is Aaron Burr. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I offer a third and final toast to the next president of these United States. The one who will make us great, who, God willing, will open for us the great empire that lies for the world. Colonel Burr. Yes, General Hamilton? Your hospitality tonight has afforded me much pressure. I trust I shall have no occasion to alter that view. I believe I was merely proposing a toast, sir. Colonel Burr, you will know my views on Thomas Jefferson. You only seek to provoke me. General Hamilton. This is not the first occasion, sir. General Hamilton. I apologize, Mr. Theodosia. I feel very strongly in this matter. But, General Hamilton, how do you know father's toast was to be Thomas Jefferson? Why, I... Why, his democratic sympathies are notorious. But, General Hamilton, I thought we all believed in democracy. Well, I... When you put it that way, Mr. Theodosia. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, if my father were permitted, I should like to propose the next toast. Of course they are, my dear. To the next president of these United States. The one who will open for us the great empire that lies in the West. A toast, ladies and gentlemen, to the great unknown. Well spoken, Mr. Theodosia. And now let us drink once more, good people. To Mr. Theodosia Burr. Diplomatic extraordinary. The wisest and most beautiful of American politicians. You, the General Hamilton, would forget his political principles in the presence of a woman's beauty. And, father, you promised me you'd hold your temper with General Hamilton. Ah, you're right, Theodosia, you're right. We can't afford to antagonize anyone just now. But when this election is over, General Hamilton will discover that... That you are the author of a great political revolution, the guiding genius of the Democratic Party. So why bother with petty personal quarrels? Hmm. Again, you anticipate me, Theodosia. But it won't be easy. The election laws favor the property owners. And here in New York, those property owners are cheaply federalists. Father, I was thinking, how much property must a man possess in order to vote? Any amount. What are you driving at, Theodosia? Well, here on our farm, for instance. Couldn't we deed over just enough land to our tenants to give each of them a vote? And couldn't other Democrats do the same? Theodosia, you found the answer. Of course, why didn't I think of that before? New York is in our hands. Oh, but, Father, that still might not be enough to win. Oh, it will the way I'm going to do it. I get swore it out, he has a social club called Tammany. And it has a clubhouse called the Wigwam. We'll buy more clubhouses, one in every district. And everyone who joins becomes a part owner and also a voter. But if these new members of Tammany have no property in the first place, how are they to purchase a share in one of these new clubhouses? We'll give it them. And where will you get the money for such a venture? Oh, I'll raise a campaign fund. I... I won't be enough. Theodosia will need money. A great deal of money. Joseph Alston is one of the richest men in the South. Theo, you'll invite Joseph Alston here to tea tomorrow. Tomorrow? I would have already invited Washington Irving for tomorrow, Father. Put him off, Theo, and see Joseph Alston tomorrow. For me. All right, Father, if you insist. Thank you, my dear. I was sure that you would. Madam, is that Theo? This time, play the whole exercise through without stopping. Can't keep my mind on the music today, Natalie. You are thinking about young Washington Irving, no? Perhaps. But your father tells you to see Monsieur Alston, so... love flies out the window, come, sir. Oh, you're wrong, Natalie. I'm not in love. Not really. But I do know Father needs me. You will always need you. When was it ever any different? When I first came to live in this house just after your mother's death. I found you playing hostess at the age of 12. I know, but how could I help? Now, at 17, you become manager of a political campaign. Why do you not do something for yourself before it is too late? How can I? Without him, I'm nothing. He taught me all I know. Not your beauty, and not your wisdom. Can you be content with such gifts? Never to have any life of your own? Yes, more than content. If it should help, my father realizes greatness. Yes, what is it, Pompey? Uh, Miss Theo, Mars Alston has arrived. Oh, I'll meet him on the terrace, Pompey. Yes, Miss. Coming along, Natalie? Oh, thank you, no. I think I'll stay with my music. Madame Isabel, remember what I said. Miss Theo. Welcome to Richmond Hill Farms, Mr. Alston. How delighted I was to receive your invitation. Now, surprise. A very lovely day is out here. You like arm and hat and spring time, Mr. Alston? I find it a bit chilly, Miss. Oh, you'd rather go inside. No, no, not at all. I was just admiring the view of the river from here. The Hudson, how I love it. Can you believe it, Mr. Alston? Father thinks Manhattan Island will someday be an enormous city, like London, or Paris. Indeed, you may be right. I'm told that more and more of the Boston trade puts in here these days. And I suppose you're eager to get back home to your plantations, Mr. Alston. I have remained thus long only in the hope of seeing you again. You flatter me, sir. How lovely you look today. And you seem changed before you were so cold, so distant. I didn't mean to be, Mr. Alston. Truly, I didn't. That is, Father and I shall miss you most often. Oh, I had no idea Colonel Burr held me in so high regard. Oh, he does indeed, Mr. Alston. He thinks of you as fire, almost as his own son. Phil, if you could only know what happiness those words have given me. Oh, Mr. Alston, please. I didn't mean to. Oh, there's Father, coming up the drive. Hello. Greetings, Alston. How are you, Colonel? Well, sir, that's a handsome mount you have there. What? Southern horse flesh, Mr. Alston? The best. Like taking for a kendo? Round the drive? Privilege, sir. Steadiffs may be a bit high for you. Oh, they'll serve, I believe. Join you in a moment, Miss Phil. Careful. He's spirited. Phil, how'd it go? Father, I'm afraid I've made a terrible blunder. You offended him. Oh, worse, much worse. I told him you thought of him almost as a son, and I believe he took it for a proposal. God, when's the wedding to be? Wedding. Well, surely you mean to accept him, Theo? Of course not. I don't love him. Well, besides, I'd have to live down there in South Carolina, away from you, Father. Oh, you'll get used to it. Married couples aren't always in love at first, Theo. Talk as if it were already decided. You will decide it, Theo, because I trust your mind as if it were my own. Father, please stop pacing so. Sit down, relax. Theo, I'm all on edge. After these months of campaigning, I'm exhausted. Well, all you worry won't get Mr. Sporthart here any sooner with the election returns. Here come Mr. Sporthart now, Colonel. Have last-dive news for you, Colonel. Yes, yes, what is it, Mr. Sporthart? We've carried New York City by some 500 votes. Thanks to your brilliant strategy, Colonel Burr and Mr. Alston's generous contribution, we've won New York. And those electoral votes will elect Jefferson. Is it final and certain? Even the opposition admits it. And, sir, you are acclaimed the greatest man in the party, the greatest next to Mr. Jefferson. The greatest next to Mr. Jefferson? Yes, Mr. Theo. They already talk of your father as the next vice president. Perhaps the vice presidency isn't the poor beginning. Let's drink to it. Indeed, Colonel. And I would like to toast two happy events. To Mr. Theo, your betrothal to Mr. Alston, and to you, Colonel, your great victory for the Democratic Party. Thank you, Mr. Sporthart. I rejoice that the party has won. Sounds beginning again. Isn't it ever any different on this dreary plantation, Natalie? Close the window, shut it out. Madame, I do not like it any better than you. But I say it is my job. I am philosophical. Your job is wife to Mr. Alston. Voila. And I'm homesick, Natalie, for New York, the father. Lie down and try to get some rest, my little one. I get my sewing and bring it here to keep you company, you sweet Natalie. Mr. Alston. The war must speak to you urgently. Leave the room at Zell at once. Certainly, Mr. Alston. Good night, madame. Joseph, have you gone mad? Speaking to Natalie like that, bursting into my room without knocking. And who has a better right? Now listen to this. Listen carefully. It's an item in a New York paper that just arrived. Alexander Hamilton, foully assassinated by Aaron Burr. Under the cloak of the Code Dwello, the iniquitous vice president has at last fiendishly done away with the arch enemy to his schemes and intrigues against the republic. The glorious soldier and statesman, General Alexander Hamilton. Joseph, give me that piece. For this, I poured my inheritance into your wretched father's career to bring disgrace on my family. But this is just a federal, Mr. Counterfeit, Joseph. Hemmock was always provoking, father. Must have been a matter of honor. What does your father know of honor? Didn't he gain his present lofty position by intrigue and conniving every step of the way? You call it intrigue. I call it brilliant strategy. Marrying you off to me against your will. That was brilliant strategy, too, wasn't it? Joseph, you knew. You thought me so stupid. I did love you. I hoped I could make you love me. At any rate, I told myself the marriage did credit to my family. Now this. I married you to help my father with my own free will, Joseph. And I'd do it again. Aaron Burr is a great man. I'd think so even if he weren't my father. Then go back to him. You hate it here so much, go on back. You'd really like to turn me out, wouldn't you? Save your face with your fat, pompous friends. See you. But you can't. Because that man, you hate so. Aaron Burr is going to have a grandchild. It's funny, isn't it? Theo, I must remind you. The name of our son will be Alston, not Burr. And he'll be my son, not Aaron Burr's. Remember that, Theo. What is it, Natalie? Can you burr, Madame, your father? He's here. My father? Theo. My own little Theo. How did you get here, father? I thought... Yes. I'm still a fugitive from what they choose to call justice. I have plans, Theo. Great plans. Now where's my grandchild, Theo? Come, I'll let you see him. Oh, so much has happened, father. What do you mean by shooting Alexander Hamilton? You sound so callous. Why not? Hamilton was finished long before that duo. When I shot him, I did him a favor. I made him a great man. Where's his grandson of mine? Oh, here's the nursery, father. He's sleeping, so be quiet. Yes, of course. I've christened him there for you, father. Let's begin his lesson soon, Theo. We can't even talk yet, father. You will soon. You knew both Latin and French were due in a half. Little Byrne must be taught Spanish above all. Remember that, Theo. Spanish? Why Spanish, father? Because he'll inherit a great empire one day, Theo. And his subjects will speak Spanish. What are you talking about? I have plans to liberate the West from Spain. And when I have, I shall be emperor. And you, a princess royal. And this little man, the heir to a great crown. Father, that doesn't sound like you. Doesn't sound like us. You question my plan? I do. Or it's not the West to be joined to the United States when it's liberated. Surely its people want democracy. This country breaks off at the Alleghenes. It must be two or more nations. And as for democracy, I don't say with that pack yelling for my blood in Washington. I was wrong when I credited the common people with intelligence. Father, that doesn't sound like you. This is wild. I hate to think of you believing it. Oh, come along with me, my princess. To where my armies are gathering, to the West. I can't. There's Joseph. What about my husband? You've handled Joseph before, Theo. You can do it again for me. Very well, father. I'll do it for you. Sorry now, father. The higher river road. A secret landing just ahead where you see that lantern. Father, there's a man coming out on the road. He has a gun. It's all right, Theo. Oh! Who goes there? Water! Whoa! It's all right, Sentry. It's I, Burm. Oh, Your Majesty. I'm sorry, Simon. This is my daughter. We'll leave as soon as possible. A royal highness is prettier than I dare to hope. Your Majesty. Thank you, Sentry. Careful, Theo. Hold that lantern a little higher, please. How carefully you're putting here, Theo. There's the gang planche. Where did you get the money to build such a boat, father? From you, my little gold mine. We're going to have a fleet of them. Joseph, you made himself one of the plantations. Yes. There's an investment on his part. But that man, calling you, Your Majesty, calling me... You'll get used to that while we're going. Who are these people we're going to stay with? The Blenahassets. A fabulously wealthy couple. They built a great chateau on an island down this river. A palace in the wilderness. They're a bit eccentric, Theo. But they're useful to me in establishing a western empire. And I give them what they want. What do they want? They want to live in a dream. And you, father. What about you? Isn't that what you want? Your Majesty. How much longer are we going to have to wait for these armies of yours to materialize? Now, don't rush His Majesty, Harmon. After all, an empire can't be built in a day. Rome wasn't, you know? I suppose not. Blenahasset. Going just as fast as I can. The moment Jefferson declares war on Spain... We can't be absolutely sure Jefferson will declare war, father. Supposing he doesn't. I suppose he doesn't, Your Majesty. Then we'll float what forces and supplies we have down the New Orleans and join General Wilkinson's army there. The Spanish border forces are exceedingly small. After all, Harmon, what's a few thousand pounds to all the gold of the Aztecs? And the ambassador ship to the Court of St. James. Listen. Listen. What's that? A marauder landing on my island. Fetched him a musket. I said, get him a musket. I distinctly heard a marauder. No, no, no, Prince, our prince consort. Prince, what nonsense. Phil, go unpack your things. You're coming home with me at once. Joseph, you will remember your manners. I'm sorry, Phil. Colonel Byrne, Madam. But there's no time to lose. Joseph, it's no use. I'm going to New Orleans with Father. Phil, you're mad. They're talking of arresting the whole lot of you for treason. You're not safe here. I'm safe wherever my father is, Joseph. If you've done this to a bird, taking her away from her home or child to follow this crazy dream, you have a hypnotized. Hypnotized, Orson? Hardly, my dear fellow. Theo is a woman with a mind of her own. You tried to fit her into your narrow little world, but she was too big for it. Now you come here gibbering about hypnosis. Go back to your swamp. Theo and I have had enough of you. Whether she's interested in me or not, she should know her son has been ill. Dangerously ill. I don't believe it. Father, I have something to say about this. Careful of what you say. Our fate is in your hands, Your Royal Highness. Oh, do be quiet. Joseph, is he all right now? He's better now, but the fever may recur at any time. Theo, can't you see there's just a device of this rascal and lawyer back? I don't care if it is. I want to see my little boy. And I'm sick of all this royalty rubbish. You're living in a dream. All of you. Yes, you too, Father. My little boy is sick. He needs me. That's real. People are real. Can't you see how empty it makes all this? You may go to your child, Theo, but remember, when the Empire is established, I expect you to fulfill your obligations. Well, I won't. I hope there never is any Empire. I hope you fail. Fail? You really mean this? I really mean it. That's the only thing that ever could have made me fail, Theo. The only thing. What have you got there, Mummy? It's a peasant and your gampy bear. It's a musical box. Listen. Oh, it's pretty. Very pretty. When will I see gampy again, Mummy? I don't know, darling. Your gampy is in terrible trouble. You put him in jail, and there are same things about him that aren't true. Why don't you go and tell them the truth, Mummy? Well, maybe I will. If Daddy thinks it's all right. Yes, it's all right, Theo. Joseph, I didn't hear you come in. I heard what you said, Theodosia. I will carry out my part of this... this compact we pledge our lives to. I'll go with you to your father's trial in Richmond. Thank you, Joseph. Thank you. These verses, Aaron Burr charged with treason and misdemeanor. Judge Marshall presided. The jury will rise. Gentlemen of the jury, how do you find? Because no act of overt treason has been proved in this court. The jury finds the defendant not guilty. Not guilty because not proved guilty. Your Honor, I object. Yes, Colonel Burr? I'm either guilty or not guilty. I demand that the verdict be rendered in the proper form. The verdict will stand. But the clerk will record the simple verdict of not guilty. Court adjourned. Father. Theo, my dear. Congratulations, Burr. Thank you, Joseph. What will you do now, Father? I can't stay here, that's certain. Perhaps England will have me for a while, and then France for a while. When I run out of countries, maybe they'll let me come home. I wish I could go with you. No, Theo, you go back with Joseph. You two forget about me. I've been bad luck to you as I've been to everybody. Goodbye. God bless you both. Oh, Father. Goodbye, Theo. Goodbye, sir, and thank you. Funny he's admitting that after all these years. Admitting what, Joseph? About his being bad luck to everybody. Bad luck? My father? Never to me, Joseph. I'd rather not live than not be the daughter of Aaron Burr. Theodosia Burr followed her father's fateful star with a deep devotion and glowing faith. Through her wise decision in his great crisis, we of today are better able to understand the brilliant but tragic destiny that overshadowed Aaron Burr. America thanks Ann Sterrett and the Cavalcade players for their performance of the story of Theodosia Burr. And now DuPont brings you news of chemistry at work in our world. To every one of the 70 million tons of steel America is making this year, chemistry is adding its contribution. To name just one chemical used in steelmaking, in the hot, pickling baths that clean steel blooms, the steel industry will use more than 900,000 tons of sulfuric acid this year. There's a story in those pickling baths that reveals the extreme accuracy with which the modern chemist works. The problem is to remove the scale without harming the steel. Acid will attack scale, but it bites into metal too. So DuPont chemists added a specially devised inhibitor to the acid. DuPont sulfuric acid containing small amounts of this chemical inhibitor takes off the scale picked up by the sheets and bars during the rolling operation in such a way that the acid works only on the scale, not on the metal. Chemistry lends an invaluable helping hand all along the steel production line. DuPont alkali cleaners and degreasing solvents take off dirt and grease, speeding production, cutting costs and preparing the metal for finishes. DuPont fluxes and acids help with galvanizing, tinning and soldering. Tens of thousands of welding rods in use today owe their efficiency to DuPont silicate and titanium dioxide. Another thing chemistry does for steel is protect it. Chromium plate, one of the hardest electro plate surfaces known, is added to steel with the help of DuPont chromic acid. You know what chemical protection of this kind means in your own home. Not only plumbing fixtures, but toasters, washing machine and refrigerator parts, electric irons, scissors, even needles are chemically plated with metals that don't rust. The same sort of chemical plating is vital to industry. Think of a tool, for instance, say a high-speed drill. Machine shops today have drills whirling at speeds that would have been impossible a few years ago. They stand the gaff because their surface is plated with chromium. Thanks to chemistry again, it's possible nowadays to make steel hard on the outside and tough on the inside. Suppose you're cutting a set of gears. The teeth must have a hard, wear-resistant surface and tough, shock-resisting core. Here's what they do. They cut the gears out of steel that has the required qualities. Then they treat it with DuPont cyanides. The process is called case hardening. The result is an outer wear surface harder than glass around the core that's tough and strong. Steel is the pillar on which our modern civilization rests. Always important to us, it's of greater importance today than ever before. The direction of history itself may turn on the capacity of America to make steel, steel and more steel. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the men of steel are the chemists who bring us in the words of the DuPont pledge, better things for better living through chemistry. And now the star of next week's program, John McIntyre of the Cavalcade Players. When the Alamo fell in defense of liberty, America lost Davy Crockett. He died as a great many others for freedom. He was a frontiersman, as were many others who helped build this modern America. Today the crackle of his pistols, the voice that rang out over the plains of Texas are still. But Davy Crockett remains one of the best-loved heroes and legends. We hope you'll listen to his story on next week's Cavalcade of America. On the Cavalcade of America, your announcer is Clayton Collier, sending best wishes from DuPont. This is the National Broadcasting Company.