Tempest at Dawn (8 page)

“
Unfortunately, the money to purchase
foreign goods grows scarce,” Franklin said. “Our general justly
worries about the defense of our new nation, but we must delay this
discussion. We’ll have plenty of time to resolve issues once the
convention starts. This simple old man foresees a future bright
with marvelous innovations, stunning fashions, and liberty
unshackled from European intrigue.”

“
My dear doctor,” said Gouverneur
Morris, “your views refresh my worrisome soul. Perhaps, when our
sessions get stormy, you can use your wit, like your famous
lightning rod, to dissipate the negative energy.” Morris added with
a wink, “Little Jemmy’s grand innovation may not rise as easily as
one of those celebrated balloons.”

Sherman followed Washington when he saw the
general move away from the crowd.

“
General, may I have a private
moment?”

“
Of course, Mr. Sherman.”

They stepped around the corner of Franklin’s
home to a quiet spot. As Washington faced him, Sherman marveled at
his immaculate dress. The buff and blue colors had a hint of the
military without looking martial. Washington’s shoes glistened with
a luster that could only come from fastidious care. Sherman
couldn’t help but glance at his own scuffed footwear.

“
What’s on your mind,
Roger?”

“
As I’m sure you’re aware, many of the
small states feel uneasy about the plan that Gouverneur Morris
alluded to. Perhaps we’re unduly apprehensive, but fear is the
handmaiden of the unknown.”

“
I gather you have a specific
request?”

“
I believe a Committee of the Whole
will alleviate anxiety and hold the convention together at its
crucial beginning.”

“
Is there a threat to bolt the
convention?”

“
I didn’t mean to imply
that.”

Washington only stared in response.

Sherman tried to regain the initiative. “A
Committee of the Whole is a standard practice for delicate issues.
It would be seen as a sign of fairness and would engender
goodwill.”

Washington looked thoughtful. Sherman knew
he was calculating. A Committee of the Whole, like any committee,
could not pass resolutions but only report out recommendations.
Declaring the entire assemblage a committee created something like
a rehearsal. As issues were debated and voted on, the parliamentary
device would expose strategies and the strength of coalitions. A
second vote would be required when the Committee of the Whole
dissolved and the actual convention reconvened.

A long moment elapsed before Washington
spoke. “If I agree to support you in this, will you promise to
argue for careful reflection by the hesitant states? More
important, and crucial to my support, will you keep Connecticut at
the convention?”

Now it was Sherman’s turn for silent
contemplation. He knew the proposition would carry a price, but he
hadn’t expected it to be so personal. If he agreed, he would have
to represent the small states’ views, while arguing for their
continued consideration of the plan: a difficult thread to
weave.

“
You have my word,
General.”

“
Good. Then I will use my feeble
influence to get a Committee of the Whole.”

Sherman smiled. “I’m sure your feeble
influence will be sufficient. You undoubtedly will be president of
the convention.”

“
That’s a responsibility I neither
seek nor covet. The convention must make its own
choice.”

“
General, this convention needs your
leadership to garner the support and energy necessary for our great
task. Surely you won’t decline?”

Washington turned his back to Sherman and
walked two paces. He stood there a second and then spoke without
turning around. “Others have made your argument.” Another
hesitation. “I will not decline, but I’ll consent with great
reluctance.” The general appeared to have a new thought and turned
back to face Sherman. “If a draft does ensue, will you encourage
the small states to support my candidacy?”

Was this another condition for a Committee
of the Whole?

“
General, I’d be honored to urge your
election to my fellow delegates. I believe it both necessary and
richly deserved.”

“
Thank you, Roger. I appreciate your
confidence.”

As Washington turned to other guests,
Sherman wondered who had got the better of the exchange.

Sherman migrated with others toward the
dining room. A servant with a deep melodic voice had delivered the
call to supper. No one hesitated. The aromas had roused people’s
appetites, and all the guests were anxious to experience one of
Franklin’s famed dinners. Book-lined walls, expensive rugs,
beautifully crafted furniture, and a perfectly arranged table
promised a refined meal. Six uniformed black servants stood
silently against the wall as the guests milled around, looking for
their name placards.

Sherman took his assigned seat and looked
down from his end of the table toward Franklin and his daughter.
Americans thought of Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat and
philosopher. In Europe, his reputation as a scientist gave him
entry into the most exclusive circles. Women found him charming and
attentive. In Philadelphia, many admired him for his wealth and
business acumen. Most of the delegates, however, didn’t take
Franklin seriously. They loved his hospitality but grew tired of
his anecdotal manner and believed his political skills enfeebled.
He had grown old and had been out of the country far too long.

Sherman disagreed. He vowed to watch him
carefully.

The guests quieted as the servants
disappeared. Once everyone had settled, Franklin tapped his glass,
saying, “Welcome, and thank you all. You delight an old man with
your presence. This convention is a momentous occasion, one that
will challenge us. This afternoon, however, remember that our
convention has not yet started, so there is no need to bore
ourselves with talk of politics. Enjoy yourself, eat heartily, and
freshen old acquaintanceships. We’re about to engage in an arduous
endeavor. Let us approach it with camaraderie and cheer. I’d now
like to offer a small prayer to inaugurate our auspicious
undertaking and this distinguished gathering.”

At the end of Franklin’s short prayer, the
servants emerged in pairs, one carrying a large tureen, while the
other bore a soup ladle as if it were a scepter. The servants
paused just long enough for the rich aroma to waft through the
room, and then swiftly dispersed to three points around the table
to eloquently ladle a portion of cod chowder to each guest. The
table, already set with breads and porter, suddenly became a tangle
of reaching arms, clinking glasses, and genial conversation.

After the first course, Franklin again
gained everyone’s attention. He remained seated but spoke in an
engaging manner, as if talking to each guest individually.

“
Prior to our next course, I wish to
propose a toast.” Franklin looked up and down the long table. “I
hope great good from our meeting. Failure will strengthen the
opinion of some political writers that popular governments cannot
support themselves.”

Raising his porter, Franklin said in a
slightly louder voice, “To our company of delegates, men of
character and ability. May they work in harmony and with unerring
wisdom to grant us an energetic republican government.”

The guests shouted, Hear! Hear! and other
affirmative noises from every corner of the room, as they raised
their glasses in toast and acknowledgment of their host.

Once again, the six servants reappeared with
a flourish, each bearing a platter of oysters. This time they
dispersed to six points around the table, bowed slightly in unison,
and then extended the platters to guests.

Sherman looked around at his dinner
companions. He had been seated with the delegations from New Jersey
and Delaware.

George Read, of Delaware, following his
gaze, said, “Strange that they seated us together. I’d have thought
the Pennsylvanians would have wanted to keep us apart.”

“
They don’t fear us talking to each
other; they fear us talking to those who might waver,” Sherman
said.

“
You believe they’re plotting the
convention?” Read asked.

“
Of course,” Sherman answered
matter-of-factly, his attention on the other end of the table.
Talent seemed disproportionately distributed to the large states.
Sherman wanted to see who conversed with intimate camaraderie, who
inclined their heads with conspiratorial intent, and who seemed
argumentative.

Paterson ignored Sherman’s obvious
distraction. “We cannot allow the large states to dictate the
proceedings. We must fight.”

“
Not the early moves. The Virginians
are too well organized. We’d lose.” Turning his full frame to face
his dinner companions, Sherman explained, “The general will be a
fair presiding officer, and his election cannot be stopped in any
case. If the rules reported out tilt in their favor, we’ll have an
opportunity to challenge them or quit a treacherous affair with
honor.” Sherman looked directly at Paterson. “Most important, we
don’t have an alternative plan. We must begin working on one
immediately.”

Paterson’s eyes blazed. “We must challenge
them immediately. Why wait to write a plan?”

“
Because we have no choice,” Sherman
answered. “The Virginians, and their friends from Pennsylvania,
have the votes to control the early days of the
convention.”

“
Then we ought to go home. They can’t
form a government without us.”

“
Of course they can,” Sherman said.
“And without our participation, it will surely match your worst
fears.”

“
Then we’ll reject it.”

“
Connecticut isn’t ready to go it
alone. The wisest course is for us to concentrate on designing a
superior plan—one acceptable to the states and to
Congress.”

“
I don’t like passivity,” Paterson
said. “Do you know what’s in their plan?”

“
Only the same rumors you’ve heard.
But I know their inclinations and Madison’s mind. The plan will be
far too ambitious.”

Washington interrupted their conversation to
offer another toast. “To the good doctor, since no one entertains
more respect for your character, none can salute you with more
sincerity. Thank you for this enchanting afternoon.”

As glasses were again raised, the six
servants swept back into the room, bearing huge platters of pork,
roasted beef, turkey, and chicken pieces. Each platter had a ring
of potatoes, squash, and asparagus surrounding the meats. Even as a
provincial New Englander, Sherman knew this opulent display of meat
was uniquely American, a way of celebrating their new abundance and
escape from European scarcity. He suspected that Franklin served a
different meal to his friends visiting from Europe.

Paterson fidgeted beside him and then said
angrily, “My instructions won’t allow me to participate in any
scheme that threatens to dissolve the states.” Sherman noted that
Paterson’s jaw jutted out so far, he could hang a lantern on it.
“We cannot sit idle.”

Sherman sighed. “For the moment, we must
allow the Virginians to believe that they control events. Our
initial strategy must be to simply present our views without
threat. Meanwhile, we prepare, and then act when we can startle and
bewilder their coalition.”

Read looked uncomfortable. “This intrigue is
beyond my skills and temperament. Delaware needs Dickinson in
Philadelphia. I intend to write him this evening and urge him to
hurry.”

“
Excellent,” Sherman said. “John can
add weight to our side.”

John Dickinson was an old friend and
political compatriot. Sherman had been disappointed to learn that
he hadn’t arrived yet and was glad to hear that Read would try to
hurry his departure for Philadelphia.

Sherman returned his attention to the other
end of the table. He noticed a collective angry gaze from the far
side of the room.

“
Mr. Madison?”

Madison had started to merge with the throng
moving toward Dr. Franklin’s dining room. When he turned, he felt
annoyed that the hand on his shoulder belonged to Charles Pinckney.
“This isn’t an opportune time. We’ve been called to dinner. It
would insult our host to tarry.”

“
This herd will take forever to file
into the house. We have a few moments.”

“
Can we talk during the meal? I’ll be
seated next to you.”

“
This is private.”

Remembering Sherman’s foray into the South
Carolina camp, Madison made a decision. “Let’s step out of
earshot.” While everyone else gravitated toward the house, Madison
led Pinckney to a quiet corner in the garden. “What’s on your mind,
Charles?”

“
I’ve written a proposal for the new
government.”

“
Do you mean improvements to the
Virginia Plan?”

“
No. I’ve drawn up an entire system.
It has similarities to your plan but diverges in critical areas. I
wish to present it to the convention.”

Madison realized that the threat to South
Carolina’s allegiance came from someone other than Sherman. “This
is awkward and your timing poor,” Madison said. “We must join the
other guests.”

“
A simple ‘yes, of course,’ takes but
a moment.”

“
My answer cannot be that simple. You
have promised to support the Virginia Plan. The introduction of a
competing scheme will throw the convention into chaos.”