Tempest at Dawn (60 page)

Franklin took on a thoughtful pose. “There’s risk.
Clinton could make public our negotiations with Congress.”

“
The doctor’s right—we must engage on the
periphery.” Washington looked up at Hamilton. “Alex, I’d like you
to return to New York. Investigate this newspaper story and see if
you can determine its source. Also, ascertain the risk from your
fellow members in the Cincinnati.”

Hamilton retook his chair. “Of course, sir. Anything
else?”

“
Wrap your extraordinary mind around the New
York ratification. Clinton knows we must have them in the union.
Figure out a way to mitigate the price.” Washington patted Hamilton
on the knee. “You’re a good warrior, Alex, but this battle will be
fought with your other admirable quality—your wits.”

The next day they came to the clause “to make war.”
Pinckney opened. “I oppose vesting this power in the combined
Congress. I propose the Senate alone.”

Butler argued that the power should be vested in the
president, and Gerry huffed, “I never expected to hear a motion to
empower the president to make war.”

Madison moved to strike out “make” and insert
“declare,” which he believed would leave the executive free to
repel sudden attacks.

He was irritated to see that Sherman again
disagreed. “The current provision stands well. The president should
be able to repel an invasion but not commence war.
Declare
narrows congressional power
too much.”

Madison could not restrain a small smile when
the convention overruled Sherman’s objection and then voted to
replace the word
make
with
declare
.

Rutledge gained the floor in a snit. “This
convention is interminable. I’m sure the public grows
impatient

I know I do. I move
that the convention henceforth meet precisely at ten o’clock and
never adjourn prior to four o’clock.”

Madison smiled. Rutledge intended to punish their
dalliance. Nothing would light a fire under an assembly more than
hampering their freedom to entertain each other with public money.
But when the vote came, Madison saw that he had underestimated the
delegates’ impatience. Only Pennsylvania voted against the motion,
because its members could conduct business outside of session
hours. Good. It would be difficult to keep his notes current, but
Madison would rather things moved fast.

Mason brought up a new war powers issue. “Except for
a few garrisons, there should be no standing army in time of peace.
Therefore, we must rely upon the militia to defend the nation. I
move to add the power to regulate the militia to the general
government.”

Gerry flicked his head as unconsciously as a horse
swiped its tail at pesky flies. “Gentlemen, a standing army is like
a standing member: an excellent assurance of domestic tranquility,
but a dangerous temptation to foreign adventure.”

Instead of laughter, Gerry received stony silence.
He sputtered unintelligibly and then continued pugnaciously. “As we
speak, preparations are being made to use force against us. The
governor of New York has rallied his militia and drills them for
war against those who support this plan. Power over the militia
must be taken from ruthless demagogues.” After more comments
supporting a militia controlled by the general government, Gerry
offered an inane stipulation. “We should never need a standing army
of more than a thousand troops.”

Washington, in a stage whisper, muttered, “Then the
Constitution should include a rule that invading forces must be
limited to the same number.”

Madison’s head bounced in surprise. That might have
been the first full sentence Washington had uttered in these long
months, but by the time he raised his sight, Washington had
shrouded himself in a placid expression that conveyed not the
slightest emotion.

Sherman stood and clasped his left wrist with his
right hand. “The states want their militia to defend against
invasions and to enforce their laws. They’ll not give on this
point.”

As Madison gathered up his things for the day, he
shook his head in disbelief. Sherman’s comment showed that his
biases had not been totally shed.

“
What are your thoughts on the assumption of
state debts?” Sherman stood at Madison’s elbow.

“
My thoughts, or the Virginia delegation’s
position?”

“
Both, if you can convey them.”

Madison ceased gathering up his belongings. Sherman
had been assigned to a new committee to work out the remaining open
issues. “Have a seat. The chamber is about empty.”

“
Thank you.” Sherman pulled a chair around
catercorner to Madison.

“
We’ve repaid much of our war debt,” Madison
said. “Other states have not. Virginia feels it’s unfair to punish
responsible states.”

“
How does James Madison feel?”

Madison needed a moment to think. “I think it’s a
good idea.”

“
Why?”

“
I wish I could give you a new argument to
take into committee, but the only reason I can think of is to
improve ratification.”

“
Would you put your head to it?” Sherman
looked thoughtful. “Despite the unfairness, we still need Virginia
to ratify.”

“
I’ll scratch out some thoughts. What’s your
opinion?”

“
I believe it is an issue for the First
Congress. I’d rather we stay mute on the subject.”

“
Because?”

“
Because it’ll require hard bargaining. Too
hard to allow us to conclude our proceedings in a timely
fashion.”

“
Do you own Connecticut bonds?”

“
I do.”

“
Then federal assumption would benefit you
personally.”

“
I am here to serve my country.”

“
Which country is that: the United States or
Connecticut?”

“
Connecticut today, the United States the day
I sign the Constitution.”

Madison was startled by the forthrightness of
Sherman’s response. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“
Which country demands your
loyalty?”

“
The United States of America—since the
Annapolis Convention.” Madison hesitated. “No. Long
before.”

“
That may account for the friction between
us.”

“
Perhaps, but I’m pleased to know we’ll be
allies after the signing ceremony.”

Sherman gave a rare, wide smile. “That, my good sir,
is yet to be seen.” Sherman stood and nestled his tricorn under his
arm. “Good afternoon, Mr. Madison. And thank you.”

Chapter 35

Sherman gave two raps with the door knocker and was
pleasantly surprised to see Gen. Washington answer the door. “Mr.
Sherman, thank you for accepting my invitation.”

“
I’m always at your disposal,
General.”

“
Then perhaps you’ll not object to a
walk?”

Sherman involuntarily glanced into the Robert Morris
house. “Sir? For privacy or pleasure?”

“
Pleasure and business. I have ordered a
carriage built, and I check the progress daily. We can talk along
the way.”

“
A walk will do my constitution good.” Sherman
stepped aside to give Washington room to pass him down the steps.
“I’m stiff as a ramrod after sitting in that steamy
chamber.”

Instead of marching past Sherman, Washington held
out an uplifted palm, signally that Sherman should descend the
stoop first. “Perhaps rheumatism is God’s curse on politicians.
Military service has its hazards, but at least a military man lives
outdoors.”

Sherman laughed as he walked down the three steps to
the broad sidewalk. “Yes sir, politicians are indoor
creatures.”

Washington descended the steps, apparently oblivious
to the deferential glances from the people in the street. “Not a
smidgen of fresh air lightens our stale breath. I fear we shall
expire in our own gases.”

“
Some would say we deserve such a
fate.”

“
Some would say.” Washington marched off at a
brisk pace.

They didn’t speak for half a block. Washington had a
motive for this invitation, so Sherman remained silent to allow the
general to lead the discussion.

When people became rare on the sidewalk, Washington
asked an odd question. “Whom do you know in Fairfield?”

Sherman thought a moment. “Politicians and
merchants. It’s along the route to New Haven.”

“
Is it a hotbed of Connecticut
loyalists?”

“
No.” Washington gave him an odd look, so
Sherman added, “It is a hotbed of plowmen.”

Washington nodded. “You’ve heard the rumors about
Frederick Augustus, the Bishop of Osnaburg?”

“
Yes.”

“
I dispatched Hamilton to investigate. He
discovered that the rumor surfaced first in a broadside printed in
Fairfield.”

This was news to Sherman. He had heard the rumor
that the convention was going to anoint the second son of George
III as king of the United States, but he hadn’t known that the
story had originated in Connecticut. “That doesn’t sound in
character with the town,” Sherman mused.

“
Someone in Fairfield wants to harm this
convention.”

“
This rumor spread too fast and furious to be
propelled from a coastal village.”

Washington smiled. “I believe you’re right. Someone
probably used a Fairfield sympathizer to hide his identity. Once
the printed word had lent respectability to the falsehood, they got
the rumor spread through larger newspapers.” Washington gave
Sherman a sideways glance. “Who would you suspect?”

Sherman didn’t hesitate. “Governor Clinton. He’s
devious enough, and Fairfield is close by New York.”

“
Then Alex isn’t overly
suspicious?”

“
I can’t render judgment on that score, sir,
but if Alex believes the most likely culprit is the esteemed
governor of the sovereign state of New York, I agree with
him.”

Washington walked a few more paces and then said,
“New York may ruin this convention yet. We need to squelch this
rumor.”

“
You think people give it
credence?”

“
An outrageous lie, if repeated often enough,
and with fervent indignation, will eventually be accepted as
truth.”

Sherman took half a step to avoid the leavings of a
dog. “They can accuse us of anything.”

Washington drew a folded piece of paper from his
coat. “I’d like you to read this.”

Sherman stopped walking and rested his buttocks
against a low fence as he withdrew his glasses. He recognized
Hamilton’s handwriting.

“
Many letters have been written to the
members of the Federal Convention from different quarters,
respecting the reports that we intend to establish a monarchical
government and to send for the Bishop of Osnaburg. Although we
cannot tell you what we are doing, we can tell you what we are not
doing

we never once thought of a
king.
”

Sherman extended the single page back to the
general. “What do you want me to do?”

Washington made no attempt to accept the piece of
paper. “Agree with the text and have it printed in Connecticut
newspapers.”

Sherman refolded the paper and slipped it into his
own pocket. “Anything else?”

“
After the notice has been printed, send
letters to influential people and tell them that powerful forces
outside the convention have spread this rumor because they want to
put public pressure on us to create a monarchy. Plead with them to
support our work, because otherwise a king might be thrust upon
us.”

Most politicians would be pleased to squash a
harmful rumor, but Washington went a step beyond. After deflecting
the blow, he used the force of the thrust against the perpetrators.
People underrated the general’s political skills, owing to his deft
sleight of hand.

“
Other states?” Sherman asked.

“
The statement will be printed in the
Pennsylvania Herald
and then throughout the country. Ben has
broad influence.”

Sherman thought that an understatement. Washington
suddenly started off again and quickly stepped into an alleyway
that ran alongside a leather shop. After they entered a courtyard
in the center of the block, Sherman spotted the carriage maker. A
furniture shop shared the small courtyard, and about half a dozen
smocked men worked on sundry pieces scattered around the open area.
Sherman briefly admired the quiet professionalism of the craftsmen
before noticing the handsome carriage sitting just inside the
wainwright’s wide double doors.

“
Watch out, man!”

The shout threw Sherman against the wall. Two gruff
men rolled large wheels with remarkable speed by slapping their
hands against them in an upward motion. The dirt pathway had
muffled the noise, catching Sherman by surprise.

“
Are those wheels for your carriage?” Sherman
asked as he brushed off his shoulders.

“
Mine are mounted. I watched them being made
across the street. Good solid craftsmanship.”

Wheels were a specialty trade, and most people would
have been satisfied with a brief inspection of the wheel maker’s
shop. The way Washington simultaneously handled so many interests
fascinated Sherman. He orchestrated political events taking place
in front of the curtain, directed the intricacies behind the
curtain, and at the same time, paid close attention to the small
details of his personal business.