 In just a moment, we will bring you General Benjamin Franklin sparring Charles Lawson with Kathleen Lockhart on the Cavalcade of America. But first, here is Gaines Whitman for DuPont. Throughout the country, there are thousands of DuPont authorized refinishers, body repair and sink shops. They are specialists in screwing out bumps and dents that mark the good looks of your car. In cleaning up rust spots along the door jams, window and cow dents, where the old finish is worn out. These shops put on a factory match finish in DuPont, Duco or Dulux so perfectly you won't be able to find the places that have been repaired. Look at your car tomorrow. If it needs a touch up or overall paint job, take it to the DuPont authorized refinisher before the rain and snow of winter cause more rust and corrosion. Duco and Dulux finishes are among the DuPont company's better things for better living through chemistry. America, the pony expressed, the covered wagon, America, the jet propelled plane, America means skyscrapers and haylofts, the track of a pioneered flintlock and the sound of a riveter's machine, the glow of the fireside and the glare of a blast furnace against the midnight sky. America is your story. America is you and everyone you know. Tonight, the DuPont company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry, presents Charles Lawton with Kathleen Lockhart in General Benjamin Franklin on the Cavalcade of America. It is late at night in the St. Louis Philadelphia mansion of Robert Hunter Morris, his majesty's colonial governor for the crown colony of Pennsylvania. In his study, the governor reads over a letter he has just composed to the most distinguished American of that day. To Benjamin Franklin Esquire, the French Indian Declaration of War has brought terror to the western border of Pennsylvania. Your appointment is a member of our committee for defense and title due to know that it lengths his gracious majesty has been pleased to order General Edward Braddock and a force of British regulars to our rescue. It is hereby directed by request that you repair the sacred town Maryland for an earliest possible meeting with General Braddock. Please refer your most obedient servant, Robert Hunter Morris, governor. Oh Ben, you didn't even listen to me read this letter from the governor. Pompous windbag. 15 words for a one word surface. Then what are you doing? Building a coffin. What? Building a coffin. What a horrible thing to say. Not at all. Debbie, it's true. Quite a creditable job. Ben, thanks and you may be a witty assembly. But I'll not have you testing your sayings on me. I love you, Debbie, not for the world when I use your beautiful head as a sounding block. A little paint and mistress Katie will be pleased, I'm sure. Lady Ben, what are you saying? Now, what about Mrs. Katie? That's not for her. Oh, no. It's for her squirrel. Oh, now, Ben. Begin at the beginning. For her pet squirrel, my dear. Died last night. Our attempts to doctor it were unsuccessful. So that's where you were until after midnight, doctoring a squirrel. There be to little, Mistress Katie. The squirrel was more than a pet. It was a way of life. The center of an orbit round which Katie's existence moved. Oh, Ben. We've seen the way they are. With the friends from the Indians pressing our very homes, you stay up until all our doctoring a squirrel for a neighbor's child. Would you have me any other way, Debbie? Of course not, dear. But now, what about this letter? Oh, I suppose I shall have to take a coach to Frederick Town and meet General Braddock. What's the time? Where to what? What? Oh, I took it apart. I'd forgotten. Again? Oh, well. Never mind. You can take the evening coach. You'll have plenty of time, but you'd better get tied it up. Good suits, all right. Is that all wrong, dear? You're going to meet a general, Ben. I'm sure the general will be splendid enough for both of us, my dear. Now I've got to hurry, whereas where's my wetsuit? Here, where you'll throw it. On the floor. Thank you. Now what are you hurrying for? You've got to this evening. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. The funeral sets for two o'clock. I promise Katie we should have a grand funeral. General Braddock, sir? This is Mr. Benjamin Franklin. I am honored, sir. My honor, general. That'll be all, captain. Yes, sir. You were delayed, Mr. Franklin? Delayed? Oh, no, no, no. The coach was on time. Oh. Would you sit down? Thank you. Master McGarrar, Mr. Franklin. Yes, if you please, sir. Your health, sir. Thank you. General Braddock, as a member of the Defense Committee, I am here to place myself at your service. Franklin, you're a civilian. I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but a successful military campaign requires a scientific knowledge of professional soldiers. Forgive me, sir, but the art of war is a life's work. The time we're better spent in the science of avoiding war, general. Yes, that may be, but we have war now. The king of all of me here, the two-line regiments, will sweep the French from their Indian allies from the Ohio. I propose to get on with it. I propose, sir, to help you in any way I can. Good. My idea was to raise a volunteer army, a militia of citizens. Citizens? You mean farmers, trappers, tradesmen and whatnot? No, well, better than nothing, I suppose. On the contrary, sir, not only do we Americans believe that the man fights better for his own soil than an imported soldier would, but our militia men know the enemy. I venture to say that the skilled might of his majesty's forces will prevail. Good, sir. I mean, you're just merely a man with a musket after all. Or a man with arrows, sir. Arrows are silent. In the forests, they come from nowhere. A generation I plead with you not to send your columns into the forests in Manta Ray, wearing those scarlet coats there. Some of us have learned valuable lessons from Indian fighting. You know our general, our colonel, but George Washington, of course, I suggest you rely on his advice. I think you said he was a colonel. Yes, yes, yes, I see general as I see the point all too clearly. Then see this clearly, if you will, sir. My orders are from the king. I'm to attack in this story for you came and the enemy there. I have my regular and I'm in command. Colonel Washington says he is not in command. Franklin. Yes, sir. Perhaps if you were a soldier, you'd understand these matters. Oh, by the way, were you a soldier? Oh, yes, I was one. Oh, it's good, Aceman. Where did you serve, sir? I took my turn at Century Duty, drinking George's water some years ago. Century Duty? What was your rank, Mr. Franklin? Common, soldier general. I see. But you were, of course, in combat. I'm to remember having seen muskets fired, sir, or heard them, but as for coming to a brush with the enemy, I cannot claim that. I see. It was quite a responsible position, general. I guarded some cannon Governor Clinton had mounted. The cannon were loaded. I think, no, come back. Don't be so serious. This is only going to be a skirmish, at best. Indians may be a formidable enemy of you, colonials. But are the kings regular and discipline true? Very well, General Braddock. I pray, of course, for the entire success of your expedition. More than half of them killed, destroyed. I knew it, Debbie. I knew it. Wasn't your fault, dear. You did all you could. If you'd only listened to Washington, I can't blame him for disregarding my advice. I'm not a soldier, and I never will be. But Washington... Now sit down, dear. Now what's to be done? I don't know, Debbie. Then you'd better eat something. I don't want anything there, but, dear, you'd better go and see Governor Morris. What could we have done? You've talked to him before. He's never been enthusiastic about your defense, man. Well, he's got to be now. Now that the Indians are breathing down his neck, and Braddock's dead, along with half of his force. This could be less of a younger man, dear. You'll be 50 soon. Well, maybe we are descending our own homes, and 50 or 150. I can't stop now. I'm going to see Governor Morris. And if he doesn't see eye to eye with me this time, I'll... I'll... Now, now, don't quarrel with him, dear. I have the greatest respect for Governor Morris. Thank you, your pardon, Governor Morris. Benjamin Franklin is here to see you. Franklin? What does he want again? I don't know. Your Excellency is dark. This man's more troubling the Indians. He had a good plan, sir. Now that he does that... Oh, I haven't come in. Yes, sir. Ah, Franklin, come in. Come in. Well, Excellency, I am delighted to see you again. Thank you. I'm glad to see you. Dead will think Franklin. Dead will think Braddock's defeat. It was more than that, your Excellency. What do you mean? It was the end of our protection. The people, sir, are demanding protection. Oh, what can I do? Braddock was a good general. He was an excellent general, had an extremely courageous man, but that was not enough. What can I tell the people? What do you intend to do, of course, sir? Um, yes, of course. Um, yes, your Excellency. Oh, nothing, nothing. Well, compounded Franklin, don't just sit there. What do you suggest? Volunteer, militia, your Excellency. These people aren't fighters. General Braddock's regulars were picked troops. Where are they now? I don't think so. These men will be fighting for their homes, for America. I haven't got the right to authorise the organisation of militia. The proprietor isn't here. Oh, he's in London. Isn't there another plan? Yes, yes, there is another plan. We can sit quietly and let the Indians scalp us while we sleep. That would solve our problems. It would also necessitate recolonising, sir. Oh, how can you joke at a time like this? Believe me, Excellency, I am not joking. Either we organise militia and defend ourselves, or we give up America. And I, for one, do not intend to do that. All right, all right, militia then. Good. I'll inform the assembly. Oh, uh, uh, just a moment. Since you're the originator of this plan, I think you should stay with it. What were you? The expedition is going to need a leader. Yes. A man, experienced, well-liked, popular. We'll find someone. I, uh, don't think there is a need to look further, Mr. Franklin. Oh, not talking about me, sir. I am. Why, I am no soldier. If I appoint you, you will be. Pointing me doesn't make a soldier of me. I have known head for battle. I'm a man of peace. You are all for action a moment ago. I still am, but action led by someone who is capable, sir. You know that I am no soldier of your excellency, and I know it too. It's of the hands and those that fire the muskets preserve this promising land of ours. So consider yourself appointed. The successful campaign may require a general, an actor, an actor and a singer, Mr. Franklin. Um, is this, uh, an order your excellency? Considering. No, Mr. Franklin. And I can do nothing else, but haven't helped the campaign. You are listening to Charles Lawton as Ben Franklin and Kathleen Lockhart as Debbie in General Benjamin Franklin on the Cavalty of America sponsored by the Vupont Company to make sure of better things for better living through chemistry. As the second part of our story opens, Benjamin Franklin has convinced Governor Morris that recruiting volunteer militia is the only means of defending the colony of Pennsylvania. However, Franklin did not count on being appointed leader of the expedition, and just now we'll find him at his headquarters. Will someone please poke up the fire? Yes, General. And stop calling me General. Yes, sir? Oh, thank you, sir. You cannot don't shout from the door. Close it and come in. Yes, sir. Oh, what's the trouble with you? Well, sir, I think the rain is going to turn to snow. Is that your opinion? Or have you dispatched runners reporting from Jupiter previous? Well, I thought you ought to know. Now that I do know, what can I do about it? Nothing, sir. Exactly. Thank you, sir. Oh, just a moment, Lieutenant. Sir? Thank you for telling me. You must forgive an old man who's tetanus, middle tempos, soldiering is not my order of things, you know. Of course, sir. You're wet, you sit by the fire and warm yourself. I have work to do. You'll not be able to do it if you come down with cold and fever. Sit by the fire, Lieutenant. All right. Thank you. Thank you, sir. There never was a good war or a bad peace. Sir, I must speak to you. For the geese catching the clock, then you do not stand by the door shouting at me. Sir? We shall have to move immediately. Oh, why? The snow will make the trails impassable. And we must reach a defensible position by dawn. Yes, sir. Well, we'll move. Yes, sir. Where are those camper bowls? Here, sir. Camper bowls, General? Yes, Captain McLaughlin. My dear wife made me take them along to prevent me catching cold. Oh, I see, sir. They smell horrible. They do, sir. However, if they do not prevent a cold, they will serve one purpose. One purpose? So what is that? These camper bowls will keep any Indians off, provided the savages are upwind from it. This is a comfortable house, Captain McLaughlin. Yes, sir. It is. It's upling at place. No, I suppose we'll have to discuss this campaign. We will, sir. I have a map here of the region. Now, it looks as though we shall have to give battle before we reach Gnadenhouten. Where? Gnadenhouten. Oh, go on. Now, here's Gnadenhouten. Don't say that again. I can see it on the map. Yes, sir. Here's the path before Gnadenhouten. Yes, sir. Shall I go on? By all means. Thank you, sir. Now, if we get through the path before dawn, we can reach Gnadenhouten. Just a moment, Captain. This path is quite narrow, isn't it? Yes, General. And it wouldn't take us quite a while to move through it. But I think we can make it, sir. If we didn't, we should be like the Persians before the path of Thermopylae. Persian, sir? Yes. Remember, Captain? Oh, yes, sir. The Greeks held off a large Persian force at Thermopylae. Ah, yes. You know your classics. Our artists of Indians have their Leonidas. We should take no chance of being caught in the path, flanked from all sides. But we must reach Gnadenhouten. Captain, order Captain Isaac Wayne to move his company to the left. Why is it the path? Captain Fouke to move to the right. Captain Weatherhold to move up ahead. Then your own attachment to stay well to the right. But, General, we're here. Entirely empty. We'll keep a hundred men. A hundred? Against all those Indians? In fact, I hope to make the Indians commit the main body of their force to an attack here. It may work. It may not. Sir? You have something to add to this plan? Nothing, sir. He accepts it without question. You're my commander, sir. You think I'm a madman, Captain? No, sir. Your military bearing, Captain, is second only to your tact. What time is it, Captain? I'm a few minutes before dawn, sir. The Indian believes that if he dies before dawn, his spirit will not go to the happy hunting grounds. We have a few minutes. Are there any orders for me, sir? I don't think so, Captain. You just remain here. Here? In the house? Well, my company listens to that. There's a crack of dawn, Captain. I knew it. The Indians are attacking us here. Yeah. I hope it's the main body of their force. If it is, we'll never get back to Philadelphia, sir. The Indians? The traitors. Any orders? I have back-hats to move, Captain. Those are all the orders, sir? They seem to be sufficient for the moment. Isn't that so, Captain? Lieutenant, have our men form a circle around the house. Wagon's an equipment to be piled as barricades. Yes, sir. I should have thought of that, Captain. You knew we were in a trap here, didn't you, sir? I had some idea, but yes. Have you not confirmed? Not yet. I don't think so. You're counting on our other companies to hear the fighting and close in. Isn't that it, General? That was in the nine years. They don't get here in time. If any comes to the floor, Captain, Benjamin Franklin will die with you. Do you see any of the Indians? Well, they're behind every tree and rock, but I can't see them. Sit down, Captain. Sit down? Well, we're committed to this. If it works, well and good. If it doesn't, we may as well meet the thing calmly. That's impressive. Sit down! Sit down, Ben Franklin, and keep your feet in that hot tub. The big toe is floating right off my foot, Debbie. It blips through and over. He's just a little wide. It'll float right back on again. Now move your feet to the one side or this hot water will scald you. That water's too hot, Debbie. Hey, fine soldier. I never know how you survived all those weeks in the field. And the birthday too? Yes, I know. You're past 50 now. I hope you'll begin to ask for age. Do try to forget my age, Debbie, only to save yourself by comparison. I heard all about it, Ben Franklin. What an utterly hot, foolhardy thing to do. Now, now, now, Debbie, it's all over and done. Oh, but you might have been killed. Scalded. Yes, there was a possibility. Possibility? You deliberately had those savages attacked you. It's an old maneuver, my dear, for which I take no credit. I believe that Julius Caesar used it several times. I think it was a favorite trick of Alexander the Great. Ben Franklin, you're neither Julius Caesar nor Alexander the Great. I granted, my dear, Debbie. I'm not a gentleman of the sword, but rather of the pen-wether-brown suit. I got rid of it. Debbie, that was a shabby trick. I love that suit. Oh, Ben, Ben, you risked your life and all you think about is that old suit. It was comfortable. It was a disgrace to the deputy first master and the general. Well, I'm not a general, Debbie, and I never was. It turns out that my appointment was as a colonel in the Philadelphia Regiment, and just as well. Debbie, my feet aren't made for marching. The woman, they wouldn't give you a horse. They did, but the horse and I were at odds as to when I should go up and come down. So I marched. Now, who's that at this hour? Don't dance to it, my dear. Don't be a goose. It might be important. Nothing is important but peace and quiet. Debbie, who is it? Debbie? The message to you, dear. No, open it, dear. Oh, no. No. What is it? A family of family that let to do to fail for England. What? Let me see that. Agent for Pennsylvania. Then you can't do it. You just come back from that campaign and tell him you can't accept, but you won't accept. Let the young man in do it. My age favors me this time, Debbie. You've done your share, dear. Do you want me to stop, Debbie? You, an England. You'll need a new suit. Brown one. If you like. Oh, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. None of that now. Oh, you've done what you could, then. No, I don't think so. I know now that men war upon each other, not during the reason. And you know that too, Debbie? I do, then. But you're only one war. One man from a new world, Debbie. Maybe, Debbie, maybe I can bring some of the hope for the peace of the new world to the distracted old world, year in and year out, Europe cede. New struggles for questionable ends. Men are too prone to put their squabbles to the test of fire. There never was a good war, nor a bad peace. In a moment, our star, Charles Lawton, will return. But first, here is Gain Whitman, speaking for Japan. When your mother was a girl and went to the grocery to buy, let's say, soda crackers, the grocer man she'd be tapped off the cracker barrel, reached down and handed the crackers over the counter in a paper sack. Most foodstuffs, and a good many other things too, used to be sold in bulk. Packaging was developed by American business for a number of reasons. Cleanliness, convenience, accurate weight, and one last reason that's the most important of all, branding. When an American manufacturer prints his brand name on a package in big, bright letters, he is bidding for your attention, asking you to buy his product. But his brand is also a pledge. Also, if the product satisfies you, you buy that brand again. If it displeases you, you give it a cold look and a cold shoulder. A branded product competing with many others has to be good if the maker wants to stay in business. Women use the same brand of baking powder their mother's used because they know they can depend on it. Men buy the same maker of car year after year, and competition is always there to keep the maker of that car on its toes. If you have ever traveled in a foreign country, you'll remember how glad you were to find a box of face powder or a pair of shoes with a familiar American brand on it. There was something you knew, something you could trust. The rules of good business never change. Hundreds of years ago, people bought from the makers whose products gave them better service. We all do the same thing today. A brand on the product we buy is a modern device that helps us to make our choice quickly and conveniently. Only a few of the many products of DuPont chemical science reach you directly. By far, the greater number of DuPont compounds are sold to manufacturers who use them in making the products which they in turn sell to you. But every one of the thousands of boxes, barrels, and bags leading a DuPont plant, whether it goes to you or goes to industry, carries the DuPont brand that stands for a century and a half of experience and integrity in the manufacture of the DuPont company's better things or better living through chemistry. And now, here is our star, Charles Motton. As some of you may perhaps remember, the year at Sir Garay had the pleasure of acting in a quite different aspect to Benjamin Franklin's life than the one you've had tonight. To Benjamin Franklin the soldier was quite a new idea for me, as I imagine it was for most of us. The pattern for winning liberty has never been set. When the time comes, free men are able to take part freely in the battle for the beliefs they cherish. We see it today. Franklin saw it in his time. Calling, vocation, even age is no barrier to service. The DuPont cavalcade brings you Brian Donlevy in the Old Fall River Line. It's the romantic and authentic story of one of America's most colorful enterprises, the Fall River Line. The first stop on every traveler's list from presidents to barn diplomats and visiting celebrities. It's the story of Dan Hamilton, who fell in love with a boat on this famous line when he was 14 and spent the rest of his day ferrying boats across the Old Fall River Line. You'll also hear Harry von Tiltz's popular song about distilling both ships. The journalist next Monday drew the Old Fall River Line starring Brian Donlevy. The plot will soon be seen in the Benedict Bogus production A Miracle Can Happen. The music for tonight's DuPont cavalcade was composed and conducted by Robert Ambruster. Our cavalcade play was written by Zachary Metz. In the cast were George Buckeau, Joseph Cairns, William John Stone, Genius Matthews, J. Nobelow, Howard Duff and Raymond Lawrence. This is John Easton inviting you to listen next week through Brian Donlevy in the Old Fall River Line on the cavalcade of America brought to you by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. This is NDC, the National Broadcasting Company.