The hostess escorted Mr. Barclugh to Mrs. Arnold for her dinner partner, and General Arnold to Miss Chew. Colonel Hamilton was selected to accompany Miss Greydon, and the Reverend Mr. White, Miss Logan. Mr. Wilson offered his arm to Miss Shippen and then Mr. Thomas Milling his to the Rector’s wife, Mrs. White. The hostess graciously took the arm of the eldest of the guests, Judge Shippen, and led the party to table in the spacious dining-hall.
Mrs. Arnold at once put Roderick Barclugh at his ease by entering into a lively conversation. Her young and gay spirits shone out serenely as she said:
“I do wish, Mr. Barclugh, that this horrid war were ended, so that we could once more live in peace and enjoy our homes and society. Do you not think some good man could convince the best Americans of the folly of their cause? Why, I believe I could if I were a man,” as she archly tossed her head smilingly toward her escort.
“You could charm them into your way of thinking, madam, at all events. I believe seriously, however, much might be gained for society by such a course. Against such resources as the Bank of England controls, this war does seem a hopeless task,” concluded Barclugh.
At table the Reverend Mr. White invoked the divine blessing upon the assembled guests and prayed that “the havocs of war would cease by the intercession of the divine wisdom; that the mother country would be brought to a just realization of the needs of the Colonies; and that the Colonies would find their true welfare in the safety and protection of the British Constitution and laws,”—these were the sentiments of the Chaplain of Congress expressed in private.
Mrs. FitzMaurice watched Colonel Hamilton’s face to ascertain how these sentiments of her reverend brother affected one so close to the Commander-in-Chief, but seeing that the Colonel was very enthusiastic in paying his gallantries to the bevy of young ladies around him, she became convinced that the British Constitution had Hamilton’s good will.
The hostess turned to Colonel Hamilton, however, and remarked:
“Now, Colonel, we know that you get to see the young ladies very seldom from your camp, but, come, do let us hear of the Commander-in-Chief, and what the news is about him.”
“Indeed, madam, I beg your forbearance,” replied Hamilton, “General Washington is quite well, but he feels very much discouraged. He complains bitterly about the principal men of the Colonies being detained at home by private and Colonial affairs, so that the responsible positions of Congress have fallen into the hands of incapable and indifferent men. Everything drifts aimlessly along, while many of our able men retire from Congress in order to prosecute schemes for private gain instead of devoting their energies to the welfare of the nation.”