The sentiment was received heartily by the others, and with glasses raised high all drank deeply as only Englishmen can drink,—with no “heel-taps.”
The conference being over, General Clinton took Barclugh by the arm and escorted him to another room for his arrangements to return to Philadelphia. The other three remained in the council chamber, to see that King George, the aristocracy and British sordidness, were well remembered with innumerable glasses of Madeira.
Lord Carlisle and William Eden were ordinary representatives of English hangers-on to royalty’s apron strings. Both were fat and lymphatic. No enterprise thrilled their souls. They were more than pleased to accept the established order of their condition so long as the government was good,—to them and theirs. They were as pliable as putty in the hands of the controlling influence of the monarchy. They wanted a fat living out of government with little service in return.
William Eden had his hobby, especially when a chance to tell it over his Madeira offered. Filling his glass, and turning to Carlisle, he stupidly rehearsed his theories:
“My Lord, you know I have very decided policy in regard to subduing the King’s enemies. (By Jove, that’s good Madeira.)
“To make it the interest of Congress to close with us (the King’s Commissioners) will be of the first consequence. (How’s that, Andre?)
“Well, from the many conversations which I have held with the men of substance here in New York and from the nature of things, you know that we ought to propose a scheme of government (My Lord, a government as is a government), by a Parliament in the Colonies, composed of an order of nobles or patricians,—and a lower house of delegates from the different Colonial assemblies,—to be given to the provinces upon their return to allegiance to our King.”
“That’s it, that’s it, Eden, allegiance is what we want,” interjected Carlisle, enthusiastically.
Another glass of Madeira and Eden laboriously gathered up his avoirdupois and continued:
“That form of government would have a general influence upon the minds of those who now possess authority in America, as their present precarious power would be by this means secured to themselves and handed down to their descendants.”