“Commissary receipts answer as well for money now as gold, but if we have a corporation of leading men of substance who lose their individual interests in the policy of the bank, why, we can issue a dictum that gold only will be received as money; then the vital interests of thousands at once are merged into the centralized body.
“Let me establish a bank in Philadelphia, and I shall lay the foundations of a rich man’s party that will bring the Colonists to the institutions of the mother country more effectually than armies or navies ever can.
“If the armies will conquer and hold the valley of the Hudson, and if the military will conquer and hold the southern provinces, the power of money will take Philadelphia with no loss of life. Then the Americans will tire of the war and be glad to surrender to the fair offers of His Majesty’s Commissioners.”
Lord Carlisle rubbed his hands with an excited air of satisfaction and said enthusiastically:
“Mr. Barclugh, you have outlined the whole matter. Nothing more is necessary. Eden and I are mere figureheads here, waiting for a decisive blow, so that we can ply our vocation.
“The army must act now on your initiative and the results are sure to be forthcoming,” continued Carlisle.
“Gentlemen,” proposed Lord Carlisle, as he arose with his glass partly filled with Madeira, “success to Mr. Barclugh and his enterprise.”
They all drank their Madeira, standing, in honor of Barclugh.
The financier arose after the compliment paid to him and said modestly:
“Gentlemen, I thank you for your expression of regard.” Then, raising his glass he continued: “My best wishes for a speedy conclusion of war between Great Britain and her Colonies on constitutional grounds.”