It had somehow become noised abroad that the daring and successful American sailor Paul Jones was to call upon Mr. Franklin that morning, and the throng present were most anxious to see and lionize him. They knew too, that he must bring tidings as to the progress of the war.
Count de Vergennes, minister of foreign affairs, was present, and his interest was most marked; upon being introduced to Captain Jones he at once plunged into the subject of the American conflict.
“You and your countrymen have done excellently upon the sea,” admitted the count, “but upon the land you have not been so successful.”
“General Washington is still in the field. He will never surrender.”
“That may be true. But he is retreating, retreating—ever retreating. This does not win battles. The British are apparently triumphant upon every hand. Your army has been driven from Canada; you have evacuated Long Island; New York is in the hands of your country’s foes; and it is rumored that the American soldier is throwing down his arms and taking advantage of the pardon which General Howe offered all who would return.”
As he stood at a window some little distance from the group about the commander of the Ranger and the French minister, Ethan noted the eager interest of all. He also saw that Dr. Franklin had opened the letters which had been handed him but still held the secret packet with its seals unbroken; he smiled over the letters as one smiles who is highly pleased.
As the minister continued in the same strain for some time, it dawned upon Ethan that the news of Gates’ victory had not yet reached him, and with a thrill he realized that there was a surprise in store for those present. At length Dr. Franklin lifted his venerable head and said, with a quiet smile:
“But, my dear count, you have not yet heard of the affair of Burgoyne.”
The minister of foreign affairs laughed.
“You must not think us so far behind the times, monsieur,” he said. “Burgoyne compelled the Americans to retreat from Ticonderoga some time ago. And he followed this up by severely defeating them at a place called Hubbardton. This news reached us promptly and through a channel which we never question.”