The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [115]
The three commissioners had agreed that an effort should be made to seek aid from King Charles of Spain, and Lee had leapt at the opportunity to leave Paris. Spain and France were allied in a somewhat weak coalition against England, the rivalry for control of the oceans that had produced centuries of warfare. Spain did not possess France’s wealth, but there was motivation in Madrid for Charles to join with Louis should war actually erupt on this side of the Atlantic. England controlled Gibraltar, the impregnable fortress that guarded the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. That the English should occupy what was in effect part of the Spanish mainland was an embarrassment to Spanish pride. If any war was to be fought against England, King Charles had one eye firmly focused on claiming Gibraltar.
While Lee was making the journey to Madrid, Deane had once again resumed his complicated negotiations for the discreet shipments of supplies. He was frequently away from Paris, though neither Deane nor Franklin considered his absence a problem. Today, it just meant that Franklin would respond to Vergennes’ invitation by himself.
THE RECEPTION FROM VERGENNES WAS AS ENTHUSIASTIC AS THE MAN’S official position would allow, and Franklin could sense the joyous mood in every one of the French servants and secretaries. The scene had begun as before, Franklin escorted to the powder blue room, but there was no waiting now, Vergennes arriving seconds after Franklin was left alone. Franklin still didn’t know why Vergennes had called him, would not allow his optimism to run wild, knew that all of the old issues were still in place. Washington’s victories had certainly eased some of the pessimism of the French court, but the war in America had not yet ended. Louis would understand that with the coming of spring, the British would resolve to reverse their embarrassments in New Jersey. Even if the French were now to offer direct military assistance to the Continental Congress, it would not make a direct impact in America for many months. Washington’s army and the American cause might yet be swept away.
THEY SAT AGAIN AT THE GRAND TABLE, FRANKLIN ADJUSTING HIMSELF to the comfort of the soft chair. Behind Vergennes, the two familiar secretaries flanked the small table, inkstands full, preparing to record what was said.
“Doctor, I have received confirmation from the navy that four American ships, bearing military supplies, have been at anchor in Le Havre. As a result of the most stern protests from the English, I have not allowed these ships to sail. If I did, it would be a clear violation of our treaty with England and could lead to a declaration of war. However, only this morning I received the dreadful news that the carelessness of the port guards has allowed these ships to escape to the open sea. Where they will reappear is a source of extreme speculation. However, I leave such speculation to the English.”
Franklin could not hide his smile, examined Vergennes’ expression for any break in the man’s formal seriousness.
“Thank you, Your Excellency. For, um, not speculating.”
“There is no reason to thank me, Doctor. Those ships will be the objects of a widespread search by British warships. There is no guarantee any of them will reach their intended port. Wherever that might be.”
Franklin tried to mimic Vergennes’ seriousness.
“Your Excellency is quite correct. I wish only for the safety of their crews . . . and cargo.”
He was adapting easily to the rules of the game. The English had grudgingly accepted the French gifts of money to America, King George no more eager than the French to declare another war. But openly supplying the Americans with French weaponry was an escalation the British could not ignore. American ships that docked in French ports were free to take on whatever cargo their captains could arrange. But the only way they could carry that cargo anywhere