Here were three representatives of English authority presented with the problem of subduing the rebellious Colonies. Each one, however, had his own pet theory of serving the King, ostensibly for the glory of the King, but primarily to gain glory for himself.
Clinton could see no means of ending the war except by military subjugation; Carlisle was entirely for conciliation and Barclugh was bent on subornation. All of these theories were launched upon the Colonists at the same time by the subtle minds of George III and his advisers.
Barclugh was impatient to begin the discussion, so he pulled his chair up to the table and began to tell his story unceremoniously:
“Gentlemen, my mission is to create a diversion among the men of substance in the Colonies, and I shall do it on a commercial basis. If the military can do its part and pound the army of Mr. Washington into a defensive position and at the same time subjugate the southern Colonies as is planned by the War Lord, I will overcome the men of substance by means of finance and commerce. Their commercial instincts will overshadow the phantom of independence. The merchants will desire peace and the old order of stable money and settled commerce. They cannot resist the consideration of self-interests. Then Lord Carlisle and his commissioners can proclaim that the Colonists may have all of the political freedom and the representation that they desire, as long as they keep up their allegiance to the throne of England.
“But above all where the Colonists will fail,” concluded Barclugh, “will be in their lack of gold. When the gold of England is put in the balance, the men of substance will see the hopelessness of their cause.”
“Right you are, Mr. Barclugh!” exclaimed Lord Carlisle. “We can grant them a few titles of nobility also which they will not be able to resist.”
“But gentlemen,” added Clinton, “the military could put the forces of Mr. Washington on the defensive at once if we could only take that stronghold of West Point. That is our stumbling-block. Our ships could control the Hudson and cut New England off from the rest, if we could ascend above West Point. There lies the key to the military situation. West Point is the Gibraltar of America.
“But,” continued Clinton, “how do you propose to reach Philadelphia, Mr. Barclugh?”
“My plan is, General Clinton,” replied Barclugh, “to embark here, on one of your ships which will take me to the east shore of the Chesapeake Bay and land me in the night. I shall make my way by land through Delaware to Wilmington, thence to Philadelphia. My story shall be that I was landed by a French privateer that was cruising in these waters.”
“Very well laid, sir!” exclaimed General Clinton, rubbing his hands. “I have the very ship, the Vulture, Captain Sutherland, that can take you on board at once and proceed on the mission.”