Distant Dreams (46 page)

Leland spread the paper on his desk and again read the article, still unable to believe the deed had really been done. In the words of the paper, the President’s intent had been “ . . . to repress alleged frauds, and to withhold any countenance or facilities in the power of the government from the monopoly of the public lands in the hands of speculators and capitalists, to the injury of actual settlers . . .” To achieve this he had directed, the newspaper read further, “that only gold and silver should be received as payment for public lands, except in the case of
bona fide
resident settlers who were not buying over 320 acres of public land.”

The conclusion of this was to further discredit banks, and Leland could well read the writing on the wall. There simply wasn’t enough gold or silver to back the number of drafts already in circulation. Jackson thought that by discrediting the bank drafts, he would discourage land sales and bring a stop to speculation and inflated prices. This way, honest settlers would be purchasing the land instead of greedy speculators.

A knock at his door made Leland glance up sharply from his seething thoughts.

“Hello, Father,” James said, striding into the bank office without waiting for an official welcome. “You were already gone from the house when I came down for breakfast, and Mother said you were quite enraged over something.”

Leland glanced up from the paper. “Have you seen this?”

“The paper? No, not at all. Why, should I have?” He plopped down in the chair opposite his father’s desk and waited for an answer.

“Jackson has gone behind the backs of Congress to inflict his will upon the people of this great nation. I’m enraged, all right. Read it for yourself!” He hurled the paper at a stun-faced James.

James read the words and shrugged. “Gold and silver is good, isn’t it?”

Leland shook his head in complete exasperation. “This circular will devalue bank drafts and leave everyone scrambling to hoard gold and silver. The bank may well fold because of this.”

“The article says he’s done this in order to aid westward settlers and lower the prices of inflated property.”

“That’s what he
says
, but you know as well as I do that he detests the banks and wishes to see them put under.”

“That’s ridiculous,” James replied. “The existence of your bank is an example of his encouragement, is it not? Did you not establish this institute upon the demise of the Bank of the United States?”

“This is different. Jackson fears the power of those who hold the wealth of the nation. He doesn’t want anyone to benefit too greatly from this land rush west, unless it benefits him as well. First the Distribution Bill and now this!”

“But the Distribution Bill certainly isn’t anything to cause you that much concern.”

“If you were working at my side, as you should be, you’d know full well just how devastating that bill will be to us.”

James shrugged and crossed his arms. “I would make a poor banker. My ignorance of your concern is proof of that.”

Leland slammed down his fists. “The Distribution Bill will pull a large sum of money from this bank. Without that money to invest and earn interest on, the bank makes no money. Take enough of the assets from the bank, and before you know it, the bank will fail for lack of resources and earnings. Furthermore, if word gets out that I’m concerned in the least about this distribution, people will remove their money under the misguided notion that the bank is already in severe jeopardy.”

“Is it?”

“Is it what?” By now Leland was red-faced and breathless.

“Is it a misguided notion that the bank is in jeopardy?” James’ eyes never left his father’s face.

Leland’s attempt to regain control left him momentarily vulnerable to his son’s scrutiny. “Banking,” he finally said, sitting down hard, “is a troubling business.”

“Yet you wish me to be a part of it?” James asked in disbelief. “How have I grieved you that you would wish this headache upon your only child?”

Leland nodded and said, “Perhaps you’re right. Maybe you are better off with your railroads. As a matter of fact, I have seen the error of my thinking in regard to the future of those iron beasts. I have decided to join with Adams in the line he has proposed.”

“What? Why, that’s marvelous news, Father!”

Leland calmed a bit. “Yes, well, time will tell whether this venture is worthy of our praise or not.”

“I must say, I’m impressed. You had once thought so little of the railroad. What changed your mind?”

“Perhaps you did, in part. Our discussion with Joseph Adams was an enlightening one for me. I had never truly understood the possibilities for the future in light of the slow return on one’s investment.”

“While it is true that initial costs keep stockholders from realizing much in the way of return on their money, the outcome in the long run will be tremendous. Mark my words!” James added.

Leland noted his son’s enthusiasm. “I suppose I am glad you have pursued the Baltimore and Ohio. With the knowledge you gain there, perhaps you can one day come on board our company and offer the expertise we will need to see us through to completion.”

“Why not start now?” James questioned. “I have never been adverse to working at your side, Father, only to working at your side in a bank. What son would not be proud to assist his father in such a futuristic adventure? Especially one that holds such promise.”

Leland felt slightly panicked. He didn’t like the idea at all of James’ involvement in his shady scheme. “The B&O is a good experience for you and will allow you training that we will need. At this time, there is more in the way of bureaucracy and paperwork than what would keep your interest. However, when we actually find ourselves starting the venture in a physical sense, then yes, it would be my honor to have you at my side.”

James smiled broadly. The pride in his expression made Leland want to look away, but instead he held his son’s admiring gaze. Of course he would do nothing to see James ruined, but perhaps after enough time had passed with little action to the P&GF line, James would lose interest and stay with his beloved B&O.

50

Wedding Plans

By August the heat and humidity had driven most of the area families north. People feared the sickness that always seemed to come in the damp unbearable weather of summer. Fevers, particularly yellow fever, ran rampant all along the Potomac.

Hampton Cabot wrote regularly, much to Carolina’s dismay. He had requested permission of her father to correspond directly with her and had received the same without it ever being mentioned to her. Now, through these letters, he was constantly pledging his undying devotion. The latest missive told of his impending arrival, and Carolina sincerely prayed she would have cause to be elsewhere when he arrived.

James was a regular visitor to the plantation, and Carolina usually found reason to avoid him as well. At least she could enjoy York’s visits as the family sat around the dining table with him. And amid talk of James and Virginia’s upcoming wedding, York mentioned a certain young woman named Lucille Alexander.

“Her father is a congressman from Philadelphia, and they are renting a house in the city,” York announced at the table one evening.

“How wonderful!” Margaret exclaimed. “I’ve heard of the Philadelphia Alexanders. A splendid family with a well-respected name.”

York exchanged a smile with Carolina. Carolina was glad for York’s company. She’d missed him greatly in his absences at school, but with his move to Washington she was reminded of just how fleeting their childhood was. Now Virginia was marrying, and York, with his interest in this Alexander woman, might well do the same. Maine was off to seminary in England and seldom came home for any reason, given the distance and expense of crossing the Atlantic.

“So the wedding is to be in six weeks?” York questioned, bringing the focus of the conversation to Virginia and James.

“There’s still so much work to be done. I fear I’ll never be ready in time,” Virginia said in a way that let everyone know she expected sympathy.

“Poor dear,” Margaret cooed. “You’ll deserve a good rest when it’s all finished.”

“Yes, no doubt a long honeymoon abroad would do the trick,” Joseph said with a sly glance at James. “I’ve been speaking with James about sponsoring such a trip.”

“Oh, Papa!” Virginia exclaimed. “Truly? A trip to Europe!”

“My parents believe it to be overly praised.” James seemed almost uninterested in the conversation. Or perhaps that was simply Carolina’s imagination.

“Europe?” Virginia questioned in complete disbelief. “I can’t believe it! Perhaps old people have not the capacity to properly appreciate it. I’ve always wanted to honeymoon abroad, and now my dream will come true. Oh, thank you, Papa.”

Her pleasure was as evident as James’ indifference. Carolina found herself studying him, wondering what secret it was that troubled his soul. It was so subtle, except to one who was a close observer. Later when they retired to the sitting room upstairs, Carolina momentarily relented of her determination to avoid him and tried to strike up a conversation with James, hoping to fathom the cause of his peculiar mood.

She started first with the trip abroad. “Exactly how long will you be abroad?” she asked casually, looking at Virginia but hoping James would speak.

“At least three months,” Virginia replied. “You simply cannot go abroad for a shorter time.”

“But, Virginia . . . dear, I don’t have three months to give,” James said.

Glad that only she and her sister were occupying the room with James, Carolina waited for the protest that Virginia was sure to make.

“Whatever do you mean?” Virginia was true to Carolina’s expectations. “This is our honeymoon trip, and I expect for everything else to take second place. Three months would put us back home in time for the Christmas social season.”

“I’m sorry, Virginia. I’ve just agreed to work full time with the B&O. After our marriage we’ll move to Harper’s Ferry, where I’ll help work with the survey crew.”

“Harper’s Ferry!” Virginia exclaimed, losing all pretense of self-control. “I do not wish to live in Harper’s Ferry. Why didn’t you tell me of this earlier?”

“I only made my mind up yesterday,” James explained. “This is the first opportunity I’ve had to discuss the matter. I thought it better to wait until we were alone”—he glanced at Carolina apologetically— “or nearly alone, to discuss it.”

Virginia assumed an unbecoming pout. Carolina had never thought her sister anything but beautiful, but when she struck this pose it made her appear shrewish and harsh. Carolina felt a little guilty for starting the dispute. Had she done so on purpose? She couldn’t admit to herself that she had, but she made an attempt to repair the damage by changing the subject.

“What will you do with the surveyors?”

James smiled weakly and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I voiced an interest in the expansion, and Ben Latrobe has been brought back on board by the B&O. He’s in charge of surveying the line west from Harper’s Ferry to Cumberland. Cumberland is the next goal, and that will extend the line another forty or so miles toward the Ohio.”

“But I thought the company to be nearly bankrupt,” Carolina commented. She noted Virginia’s scornful look.

“They have suffered a great deal, but both Baltimore and the state have agreed to an additional stock subscription of three million dollars each. That’s a total of six million dollars to be disbursed at one million a year over six years’ time. The funds from Baltimore can only be used for expansion west of Harper’s. They are desperate to connect to the West and pull in some of the freight business and passenger travel that thus far the Erie Canal has so greatly controlled.”

“It sounds absolutely marvelous. Truly an adventure.”

“Yes, but one which I had hoped my new wife would accompany me on.” James offered a rather imploring glance to Virginia.

“Whatever do you mean?” Virginia asked.

“Simply that in order to live as man and wife, you will have to move west where I will be.”

Virginia blushed and Carolina rolled her eyes when no one was looking.

“Keeping a home for you has always been important to me,” Virginia said from behind a fan. She batted her eyes coyly and smiled. “Any decent young lady would seek to make a socially acceptable home. I sought to entertain and lift you up in the eyes of your peers.”

“I do appreciate that, Virginia,” said James.

“How do you expect that to happen buried somewhere in the wilderness?”

“Pleasing society is not as important to me as fulfillment in my work.”

“But I want to live in a big city!” Virginia whined, suddenly losing all pretense at coyness. Her words caused even Carolina to raise her eyebrows. Virginia was undaunted. “I insist we live at least in Baltimore!” The whine turned into a demand.

James was quiet for several minutes, and when the clock chimed the hour he got to his feet. “You could always live in Washington with my parents. I believe that might well be the compromise we’re looking for. As for Europe, I’m afraid I told your father it would have to wait until next spring at best. I have committed myself to the B&O, and a man is only as good as his word. For now, I must bid you good evening. If you would care to see me out, I would be happy for your company.”

Virginia frowned. “See yourself out, James Baldwin! I’m quite miffed with you and cannot bear the thought of letting you see me cry.”

Carolina wanted to laugh at this. If Virginia cried any tears, they’d be from rage, not from sorrow.

“Very well, I bid you good night.”

With that James was gone, and Carolina felt it impossible to remain silent. “How can you treat him so rudely? Mother raised you better than that.”

Virginia’s searing look would have wilted a person of lesser strength, but Carolina was used to her sister’s tirades. “You know nothing of men, little sister. And if you ever do snag a man who will overlook your eccentricities, you will better understand that certain liberties may be taken with your intended. I am simply being honest with James. He needs to know here and now that I should be consulted in all decisions.”