grieve me all the same. France was our great ally once. Now I believe our courses have separated—perhaps forever.”
The president was alluding to the political rift between the Federalists—some said they controlled Washington’s thinking through Alexander Hamilton—and Jefferson, the Francophile, who had resigned his position as secretary of state and gone home to Virginia.
“Experience is a good teacher, if she is only heeded,” Washington continued. “I would hope the next president of these states would avoid permanent alliances of any kind. Even though conditions have changed radically in France in twenty years, she still expects us to grant her favored status because of her past support. Our refusal may pose difficulties for us.”
Philip set his port aside. “You refer to the next president, sir. The reports are true, then? You won’t relent and seek a third term?”
Washington shook his head. “When a man passes sixty, a certain vigor departs. But I am sure your widely read newspaper, as well as you personally, will stand behind the gentleman I hope to see elected by year’s end.”
He laid a hand on the shoulder of the preening Adams.
“Among men of Federalist persuasion, Mr. Adams has no peers and no rivals,” Philip answered smoothly. “Of course my paper will endorse his candidacy.”
Robert Morris—and even Adams himself—murmured approval.
Abraham was beginning to understand the pleasure his father took in associating with these opulently dressed, rather aristocratic gentlemen. They were the movers of the new nation. Abraham sensed an unspoken bond between them. They shared, and enjoyed, power. Philip was happy to be included.
President Washington faced Abraham. But his words were for the older Kent. “And your son? Does he intend to carry on the family endeavor? Will my successor have his support along with yours?”
Philip’s glance challenged Abraham. “I have every hope the answer to both questions will be affirmative.”
Abraham’s jaws clenched. A burst of laughter from the ladies kept him from speaking up, and mentioning his plan to travel west. With the rest of the gentlemen, he turned toward the women. He saw Elizabeth chatting in lively fashion with the beautiful Mrs. Bingham. He was delighted to see color back in her cheeks—
He decided not to reopen the argument with his father in such dignified surroundings.
iii
The Kents stayed a week in Philadelphia, attending the theater and visiting tourist attractions such as Bartram’s famous botanical gardens, the Charles Peale museum with its amazing display of mastodon bones, and the old State House where the Declaration had been presented by the self-exiled Mr. Jefferson. Then the two carriages resumed their journey south. Peggy had persuaded Philip to follow through on a chance remark the day the trip first came up. At her request, Philip intended to show the young couple the prosperous, populous state of Virginia where Peggy had spent much of her life.
The spring weather turned stormy. The roads became bogs. Progress was slow and the carriages stopped frequently. Alarmed, Abraham watched Elizabeth growing pale again. She was unable to travel for more than a few hours without succumbing to fits of nausea.
For the first time, he wondered about her health. She had always been slender and somewhat delicate. Now he asked himself whether she was suited for a long trip west, not to mention the hard work that would follow. Perhaps he shouldn’t be so quick to reject his father’s offer of a good job—
He didn’t express his doubts to the girl. They were having enough trouble just making a few miles a day on the wretched roads.
Their route took them near the ten-square-mile tract of land straddling the Potomac River where the capital would eventually be located. The site had been chosen in a political horse trade. Former Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton had been instrumental in moving the permanent seat of the
The president was alluding to the political rift between the Federalists—some said they controlled Washington’s thinking through Alexander Hamilton—and Jefferson, the Francophile, who had resigned his position as secretary of state and gone home to Virginia.
“Experience is a good teacher, if she is only heeded,” Washington continued. “I would hope the next president of these states would avoid permanent alliances of any kind. Even though conditions have changed radically in France in twenty years, she still expects us to grant her favored status because of her past support. Our refusal may pose difficulties for us.”
Philip set his port aside. “You refer to the next president, sir. The reports are true, then? You won’t relent and seek a third term?”
Washington shook his head. “When a man passes sixty, a certain vigor departs. But I am sure your widely read newspaper, as well as you personally, will stand behind the gentleman I hope to see elected by year’s end.”
He laid a hand on the shoulder of the preening Adams.
“Among men of Federalist persuasion, Mr. Adams has no peers and no rivals,” Philip answered smoothly. “Of course my paper will endorse his candidacy.”
Robert Morris—and even Adams himself—murmured approval.
Abraham was beginning to understand the pleasure his father took in associating with these opulently dressed, rather aristocratic gentlemen. They were the movers of the new nation. Abraham sensed an unspoken bond between them. They shared, and enjoyed, power. Philip was happy to be included.
President Washington faced Abraham. But his words were for the older Kent. “And your son? Does he intend to carry on the family endeavor? Will my successor have his support along with yours?”
Philip’s glance challenged Abraham. “I have every hope the answer to both questions will be affirmative.”
Abraham’s jaws clenched. A burst of laughter from the ladies kept him from speaking up, and mentioning his plan to travel west. With the rest of the gentlemen, he turned toward the women. He saw Elizabeth chatting in lively fashion with the beautiful Mrs. Bingham. He was delighted to see color back in her cheeks—
He decided not to reopen the argument with his father in such dignified surroundings.
iii
The Kents stayed a week in Philadelphia, attending the theater and visiting tourist attractions such as Bartram’s famous botanical gardens, the Charles Peale museum with its amazing display of mastodon bones, and the old State House where the Declaration had been presented by the self-exiled Mr. Jefferson. Then the two carriages resumed their journey south. Peggy had persuaded Philip to follow through on a chance remark the day the trip first came up. At her request, Philip intended to show the young couple the prosperous, populous state of Virginia where Peggy had spent much of her life.
The spring weather turned stormy. The roads became bogs. Progress was slow and the carriages stopped frequently. Alarmed, Abraham watched Elizabeth growing pale again. She was unable to travel for more than a few hours without succumbing to fits of nausea.
For the first time, he wondered about her health. She had always been slender and somewhat delicate. Now he asked himself whether she was suited for a long trip west, not to mention the hard work that would follow. Perhaps he shouldn’t be so quick to reject his father’s offer of a good job—
He didn’t express his doubts to the girl. They were having enough trouble just making a few miles a day on the wretched roads.
Their route took them near the ten-square-mile tract of land straddling the Potomac River where the capital would eventually be located. The site had been chosen in a political horse trade. Former Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton had been instrumental in moving the permanent seat of the
Similar Books
