The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [212]
“His ambitions have been made known to the commanding general before. General Lee feels that what is good for him is good for the country. He places great value in his own abilities and dismisses the abilities of everyone else.”
“What are his abilities?”
Greene sniffed, thought a moment.
“Apparently, he makes a good prisoner. From all he tells us, the British fell over themselves to make him comfortable. One must wonder what he offered them in return.”
“You do not suggest, surely . . .”
“That he’s a traitor? I wouldn’t go that far. But I must be honest with you, General. I do not believe that man will perform any good service for this army. General Washington would not be pleased to hear me say that. And I am certain General Lee has a good deal to say about me as well.”
Lafayette looked down now, said, “I cannot repeat anything, sir. But I cannot believe General Washington would have faith in such a man if he is what you describe.”
Greene shrugged.
“General Washington is not blessed with the luxury of opinion or of choice. He must make do with the material he has at hand. I hope to God I am mistaken in my feelings for General Lee. But if I am not, I pray General Washington is not made to suffer some disaster because of it.”
THE OFFICE WAS CROWDED, ALL THE SENIOR COMMANDERS PRESENT, except for one conspicuous absence. Lee had not yet emerged from his room. Greene could see the annoyance on Washington’s face, and Washington said, “We shall begin. Those not present can be advised later. We have been informed of the imminent arrival in Philadelphia of a new delegation from London. They have supposedly been accorded the power to grant concessions toward a cessation of hostilities between our countries. I have been advised that this power excludes one significant concession. They do not come with any offering of independence.”
Washington looked around the room, and Greene felt a strange anger brewing in the man.
“I am pleased that the congress is not regarding this commission in a positive light. I am advising you of this so that you do not allow yourselves, and the men in your command, to view this in any way other than as an act of desperation. I believe, and this view is shared by congress, that King George and his ministers have been . . . um . . . the only term I can use is . . . frightened. Word of our alliance with France has certainly burned its way through London. But rather than concede that a wider war, with greater loss of life is so abhorrent that peace should be sought, they have instead responded by an outrageous attempt to divide our country. This is a ruse, diabolical and base. It has one purpose, to distract us from our cause. Any man who might waver from support of this war might now be tempted to see this offer as a ray of hope. The English continue to perplex me with their misunderstanding of the American will. They come to us now, driven by the fear of a new and powerful enemy, and they offer those terms which we sought with such energy three years ago. They ignore that their armies have killed and maimed and distressed so many of us, and offer us a crooked and brittle branch from a poisoned olive tree.”
The room was silent, the men glancing at each other. Greene was surprised by the show of rage from Washington, said, “Sir, can we be certain that the congress agrees with your assessment? Can we depend on their firmness?”
“Without question, Mr. Greene. Without question.”
“Then, sir, we should not despair the resolve of the American people. If this delegation offers no more than a fantasy of a return to some halcyon days, it is likely that their mission will be brief.”
Washington seemed calmer, looked around at the faces.
“I pray to the Almighty you are correct, Mr. Greene. This, however, is not my only purpose for calling you here. My scouts report from Philadelphia that a large quantity of British ships have raised sail and have departed the city. In fact, the suggestion is