The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [169]
He felt something uncomfortable in Vergennes’ words, thought, He has something on his mind. Well, let’s get to it. The chairs were pulled out, and Franklin waited for his hosts to sit, aware that Temple had done the same.
Gerard was still full of pleasantries, was speaking to Temple, the mundane questions about the young man’s experiences in Paris. Franklin did not hear the words, focused on Vergennes, could see that the older man was avoiding his gaze. Franklin said, “Excuse me, Your Excellency, Monsieur Gerard, but certainly you are aware that I have requested this meeting to resume that most unpleasant of my official duties. I must request in the strongest terms you will allow, that your government acknowledge and accept the terms we have previously requested. My country has a desperate need for an alliance with a foreign power. By all that His Majesty King Louis has generously provided, my congress is convinced that a formal alliance with France is the most suitable and desirable partnership we could achieve.”
Gerard glanced toward Vergennes, and Franklin was certain now, Yes, he has something to say, something official. Vergennes leaned forward, put his hands on the table, stared down at them for a moment, said, “Doctor, His Majesty continues to be concerned about the state of affairs in your country. You must certainly be aware that the loss of your capital city to the English is a blow to your cause not easily repaired. It would have been better had your army demonstrated some success against General Howe. His Majesty is concerned that your situation has worsened to such a level that the repayment of his generous loans to your cause may be in jeopardy.”
The word bored a deep hole in his brain. Loans. So, Louis has changed his mind. The generous grants of assistance have become loans. There was a silent moment, and Gerard said, “Ah, but of course, Doctor, your General Washington made an admirable assault at . . . yes, at Germantown. Quite impressive! Following up a defeat with an attack!”
Vergennes allowed Gerard to have his say, stared at the table in front of him, said, “It would have been better, of course, if General Washington had prevailed at Germantown.”
Franklin felt a cold sickness, a chill flowing down through his stiff legs. He had made an extraordinary effort to put the best appearances to the situation in Pennsylvania. It had been Gerard himself who had informed Franklin that Philadelphia had fallen, and Franklin had responded with a joke, that in fact, Howe had instead been captured by the city. There was a seriousness to the quip, Franklin desperate to communicate a different view to the French, that the fall of Philadelphia was not such a catastrophe after all. Howe’s occupation and defense of the city would surely cost more in British troop strength than it would gain them. But Franklin was not a military man, could not be clear in the details, could not paint a positive portrait of a loss that even he felt in some awful place. His daughter was there, young Benny’s family, and his aging sister Jane, and he had heard nothing from them since the reports of the horrible turn of events. But it was still his job to make a fight of a different sort, that if Washington had his struggles on the battlefield, Franklin must still wage a different war at Versailles. He looked at Vergennes, could see the man’s discomfort. Yes, you know very well what you have said, the meaning of your new word. Loan.
Vergennes met his eyes for the first time, and Franklin saw regret, a hint of sadness. So, it may not have been your decision, you may not have agreed. But you had no choice, you have made it official. The king of France now believes an alliance is unwise. He took a deep breath. No anger, be careful. You must still do your job.
“Your Excellency, forgive me, but I detect a hesitation in Your