cock, claimed
(by Mr. Hildeburn) to have written the tragi-comedy of 'The Fall of
British Tyranny,' should not be cast aside so cheerfully in favour of
Thomas Forrest."

Seilhamer and Durang, referring to the matter, mention Joseph Leacock as
a claimant for the authorship of "The Disappointment," and say that he
was a jeweler and a silversmith in Philadelphia; they also mention John
Leacock, the Coroner. Durang, in the "History of the Philadelphia
Stage," throws all weight in favour of Thomas Forrest. Sonneck says
further, regarding the matter,--"We may dispose of Joseph by saying that
he seems to have been among the dead when, in 1796, the second edition
of 'The Disappointment,' revised and corrected by the author, was
issued. On the other hand, Coroner John Leacock figures in the
Philadelphia Directories even later."

So the matter stands. The play, however, is a very definite
contribution, illustrating how quickly the American spirit changed in
the days preceding the Revolution. Imagine, in 1762, the students of the
College of New Jersey giving a piece entitled "The Military Glory of
Great Britain;"[4] and so short a time afterwards, only fourteen years,
in fact, a piece with the title, "The Fall of British Tyranny," being
greeted by the theatre-going public! Leacock's attempt may be taken as
the first example that we have of an American chronicle play. And it is
likewise significant as being the first literary piece in which George
Washington appears as a character. In the advertisement, the play is
thus described (see Ford):

"A pleasing scene between Roger and Dick, two shepherds near Lexington.

"Clarissa, etc. A very moving scene on the death of Dr. Warren, etc., in
a chamber near Boston, the morning after the battle of Bunker's Hill.

"A humorous scene between the Boatswain and a Sailor on board a
man-of-war, near Norfolk in Virginia.

"Two very laughable scenes between the Boatswain, two Sailors and the
Cook, exhibiting specimens of seafaring oratory, and peculiar eloquence
of those sons of Neptune, touching Tories, Convicts, and Black Regulars:
and between Lord Kidnapper and the Boatswain.

"A very black scene between Lord Kidnapper and Major Cudjo.

"A religious scene between Lord Kidnapper, Chaplain, and the Captain.

"A scene, the Lord Mayor, etc., going to St. James's with the address.

"A droll scene, a council of war in Boston, Admiral Tombstone, Elbow
Room, Mr. Caper, General Clinton and Ear