The Impending Storm: Volume 7
Book Series: Prelude to Glory
Author: Ron Carter
Publisher: Bookcraft
Publishing date: 2003
Pages: 547
Number of Chapters: 38
This volume spans almost six years, November 1781 - Feb 1787
Chapter 1
November 1781
Word has reached London that things have gone horribly wrong in America for the British army. Powerful men in the king's cabinet convene to discuss the next move and fire all who vote to continue the war effort. They will end the war, but will teach America a lesson in the challenges of self-governing. (What comes next? You've been freed.) They will start by using their influence to discourage all foreign trade with this new nation. Britain's own commercial trading with the colonies ceases from this moment on. America, you're on your own.
Benedict Arnold is living in England and his name is also brought up in this meeting but his plan to end the war by sacrificing his country fizzles out. He will die a sick, lonely man in England in 1801 with second wife, Peggy and his children from his first marriage left destitute in Nova Scotia.
Chapter 2
Back in America, (it is still November, 1781) Washington's army is still assembled but no one knows what's going on. Are they to be paid? Where's the food? No one to fight, yet no word about being discharged, is the country still under threat?
Caleb Dunson is here, brooding over his life and past events for the reader's benefit (in case you missed the last few volumes!). Weeks and months pass as Washington moves part of the army north to keep an eye on the remaining British. Caleb stays behind with Primus, a colored soldier he befriended in the last book.
It is now April 1782 and the remaining camp is relocating to the northern end of Chesapeake Bay bordering Virginia and Maryland. Primus plans to go further north, perhaps to Canada, where he can live as a free black.
Chapter 3
April 1782
One morning, a battered American ship sails into their part of the Bay and docks near camp. It's Matthew! He's astonished to find his little brother Caleb here. He invites him and Primus along with him as he's on his way to report to his commanding officer. The news is grim. There's imminent threat of British ships sailing into the Chesapeake with intentions either to attack or blockade one of their most important commercial shipping ports. Since the first settlers landed, Chesapeake Bay has always been a vital trading port with the Jamaican and West Indies lines and England is not about to share.
Chapter 4
Matthew needs to go North to tell Washington this news of British activity successfully hindering their shipping routes. He's allowed a new boat to do this. Matthew invites Caleb and Primus to join his crew of which Matthew will be captain. All agree.
Not two days out they come upon a cargo ship, damaged in a recent storm. To the horror of all, it's a Dutch slave ship, slowly sinking while the barbaric crew dump black slaves too sick or injured to keep, but still alive, overboard!
Matthew orders the terrified slaves rescued and brought aboard. Seeing this, the Dutch captain cries foul but is overridden by Caleb's fists. Other Dutch crew join the fight but it's over quickly with Caleb only wounded after taking on so many men. Matthew is impressed at little bro's new talent in prize fighting but worried too. Something's not right with Caleb but never mind that now.
Matthew decides to use the war chest from the Dutch ship they've taken, buy a wagonload of supplies and let Caleb and Primus take these slaves North to freedom. He'll even write a legal Bill of Sale for Caleb in case they get stopped by bounty hunters. As the only white man in the group with any legal rights, Caleb shakes his head in wonderment at being a slave owner. Primus and the other slaves, following stereotype, gaze in worshipful awe at their white supremacist saviors, Matthew and Caleb, deciding their fates.
Chapter 5
May 1782
Sergeant Turlock has recovered from his injury and is alive and well in Washington's camp sixty miles north of New York City. Billy and Eli are here too. Once again, they have been summoned by General Washington on another "Go see what the British are up to," mission in the areas of what will one day become New York City's five Burroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, ect.
They go and try to blend in (not easy when you have a man who looks like Eli) but, inevitably, it's not long before two suspicious British soldiers give chase to these two American spies. Billy and Eli make a break for their canoe which carries them past the enemy cannon redoubts. They fake their own deaths in the water and escape.
Chapter 6
Billy and Eli report back to Washington. The British do not appear threatening. The war really is over. England is not planning any more attacks on their soil. Washington tells them the entire army will be discharged soon.
Dismissed, Billy and Eli return to their campsite to tell Turlock the latest news. All agree Home sounds good.
Once again, Eli tells Billy he REALLY should either send or better yet, just give those letters to Brigitte next time he sees her. Really, Billy, it's 1782. Your friends have only been telling you since 1777 to send those letters! (See volume II page 545-546, the first time Eli told Billy he was basically an idiot for hesitating.)
Chapter 7
September 1782
Since Congress controls the army, news of the peace treaty with the British means the army can't break up yet so they must wait. The men are uneasy, they want to go home but they need their pay first so they have something to bring their families. Our three friends share the burden as fall gives way to winter and a new camp. There's decent food and shelter this time but men are murmuring over the rumor that Congress is broke and will never pay up.
Chapter 8
January 1783
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Congress is facing its first economic crisis while the mood of Washington's army continues to sour. It's a short chapter.
Chapter 9
March 1783
Billy and Turlock sit in on a meeting discussing everyone's anger over no pay and the plan to mutiny against George Washington. There's enough support to do this. Papers are passed out. Greatly concerned, Billy and Turlock decide to take their copies to Washington himself who thanks them and they leave.
Washington seethes inwardly for he knows this mutiny has its roots in General Gates who has always disliked him and sought after his position. Alexander Hamilton warned him this might happen. Washington pens a short message to his friend, Hamilton, who is now in Philadelphia serving as a representative for the state of New York in Congress.
A second meeting has been called and everyone attends including Washington, Gates and all our fictional characters. The entire room is shocked into silence as Washington tries to read a prepared statement in his own defense but requires the use of spectacles to do so. No one has ever seen the great George Washington wear glasses! Many are moved to tears and, after the General exits, a unanimous vote to form a committee to rethink their decision to mutiny is accepted by all. This is why George Washington will forever be known as the Father of our country.
According to chapter notes, the spectacle story is true and proved pivotal in saving the nation. Alexander Hamilton and other men tried to persuade Washington to let Congress have the authority to stop such rebellion but Washington refused believing our country should be subject to civil authority, by the people, not military or government. And that's how we still do it today!
Chapter 10
June 1783
Billy is chilling out in his officer's quarters when the word comes. Time to leave! The army is hereby officially discharged and they can all go home! Well, for a short time anyway because the newly won nation still needs some kind of armed forces to prevent future attacks so everyone is being granted temporary leave. No pay, sorry, just the promise of future reimbursement. Billy, Eli and Turlock part ways.
Chapter 11
Lingering members of Washington's army are still feeling rebellious and decide to take action. They march into Philadelphia, surround the State House where the Continental Congress meets. Their leader, Major Artemus Bates and his armed forces enter the large, high-ceilinged room to inform Congress (This Congress does not speak for me!) they've all been taken hostage. They have a list of demands which includes the money government still owes them for their service.
Alexander Hamilton faces off with Bates. If they want their demands met, they must give Congress time to act accordingly. Any major decisions in this new nation must be drafted, debated and a majority vote taken. Because the money will have to come from state coffers, it is vital the Pennsylvania Executive also be included in the final decisions. These things take time. Bates tells them they are out of time. He threatens to take his men over to the city powder magazine and blow up the city if they don't get what they want. Now.
Hamilton is not worried. (My dog speaks more eloquently than thee!) With his irreproachable logic, he reminds Bates if they fire one shot in this room or carry out their gunpowder threat, they will all be tried and hanged for mutiny, insurrection and civil disobedience. Dead men don't get paid. No sweat off our brow, Congress can easily spend your money elsewhere. Think about that!
Bates agrees to stand down while Congress votes unanimously to put this issue of how to fund the war veterans' demands at the top of today's "to-do" list. A message is sent that very day to George Washington who will call in a few favors from wealthy friends to raise the emergency money needed. Congress calls in the Pennsylvania State militia to defend them and the city but they refuse! Alexander Hamilton declares this cowardly action, "Disgusting!"
The author admits in the Chapter Notes he took some license in the conversation between Hamilton and Bates. While most of the actual conversation is quoted verbatim, Hamilton did not act as Voice, someone else did. Since Hamilton is already known to the reader, he made a good substitute. Hamilton's statement calling the local militia "weak and disgusting" is the only part he played in this historical drama.
Chapter 12
June 1783
It is Monday wash day in Boston and Kathleen is keeping busy outside with the tubs which she must do or fingers will point and tongues will wag. She multitasks caring for baby John, who just turned two, (he was born May 1781, see vol 6) while scrubbing laundry and staying on top of other chores. Matthew arrives, he's home! They share a tearful reunion as this is the first time they've seen each other since John was born.
For some reason, Kathleen's two younger siblings, Charles and Faith, whom she was left to care for after their mother died, have disappeared completely from the narrative. They haven't been seen since vol 6, chapter 27 when a very pregnant Kathleen gave them their lunch pails and sent them off to school.
Apparently, they never returned!
Margaret and the rest of the Dunson family come over to welcome Matthew home and it's a very nice family reunion. Billy hasn't arrived yet but Margaret reports Dorothy expects him home very soon.
Chapter 13
Billy is home and has his own joyful, tearful reunion with his mother and sister. Like Matthew, Billy is shocked at the state of Boston's commerce district. The shipping yard is quiet, shops are closed, the entire city is in a state of financial depression because no one has any hard currency. (Until Alexander Hamilton can start America's bank.) The common people are bartering and trading food and services to keep food on their tables. Billy was expecting to return to his old accounting job but, like all the other businesses, it too is boarded up, gone bankrupt. There is no work, no money, no jobs.
Chapter 14
The next day the Dunson and Weems families get together for breakfast at Matthew and Kathleen's home. There is a lot of catching up to do. Caleb is still traveling with the freed slaves and the story is recounted for the two families. Billy and Matthew excuse themselves to take a walk so they can discuss the financial situation of how to support their families. Maybe they can throw in their lots together and start some kind of shipping business...
Chapter 15
August 1783
Benjamin Franklin has been in France for so long but he's still alive and kicking and serving his country as ambassador. He's also on hand to represent the United States in negotiating the peace treaty (The Treaty of Paris) with England. Other Americans, John Jay and John Adams are also here to help while England has sent her own representatives. The war is truly over.
Chapter 16
October 1783
Billy works odd jobs for whoever will pay cash but it's meager. He returns home, discouraged, to eat supper. Matthew comes knocking with the latest news. The American shipping economy is failing because of the gridlock between the newly formed states who are all bankrupt. In a desperate attempt to get money, everyone set their own taxes on importing and exporting goods between the state lines and it's a mess. There are no laws and no one can agree on anything. However, there is one way to make a new shipping business like theirs work-the promise of pay after the goods are delivered. It just might work...
Chapter 17
November 1783
The setting is a tavern in New York City where Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington, wants to share one last meeting, and a round of drinks, with some of his most trusted men who fought so valiantly by his side in the War for Independence. There's a few pages as everyone remembers the long, bloody seven, almost eight years of fighting with their beloved General who was there with them every step of the way. Tears run freely as all drink a toast. Next, Washington invites all the men to come up so he can personally shake each hand. Henry Knox and German General von Steuben are the only two mentioned by name. Washington hugs all his officers one by one and every single man returns it. How we love this great founding father!
Chapter 18
December 1783
Caleb's home! He too is troubled by the great depression of Boston as he walks along the quiet shipping docks in the equally quiet harbor. Shame on Caleb, he left home six years ago (see vol 4, chapter 12) and never wrote his mother (okay he wrote ONE letter, but still) or came to visit or anything! Because this isn't the best part of town to be walking alone, he is assaulted in the snowy street by two men, desperate for money. Too bad they picked the wrong target as Caleb easily takes both men down. Learning the men are brothers and returning war veterans like himself, he gives them what cash he has in his pocket and doesn't call for the constable. He lets them go instead, scoffing at being a "hand of God" as the two men gratefully call him.
Margaret weeps welcoming her prodigal son, home at last, feeds him and makes a fuss over him. They talk as Caleb has lots of stories and adventures to share with his mother and siblings. Caleb joins them for evening prayers but when Margaret calls on him to say it, he declines. This troubles Margaret but hopes when Caleb meets with his big brother tomorrow to discuss the new family business, they can talk about war trauma and how to deal with it. Caleb is a very changed young man.
We learn the slaves and Primus were safely settled on some land in Nova Scotia, Canada with Primus as their leader who now has big dreams to return to Africa. Talk turns to this new shipping venture. Caleb will help but agrees it's very risky.
Chapter 19
Caleb checks on his old newspaper job but it too is gone, forced to foreclose just like everything else. He's walking away from the boarded up building when a distraction draws him to a gathering crowd. One man is about to kill another in an unfair fist fight. Like a comic book hero, Caleb jumps in swinging and intervenes, using his strength and those talented fists to bring down a man much larger than himself. The excitement over, the crowd breaks up. One lingering observer warns Caleb he just made himself some enemies as that man he just bested in front of everyone is a notorious prize fighter.
Sure enough, later that day, after many unsuccessful job inquires, Caleb notices he's being followed. The stranger tells him that man he humiliated earlier today wants revenge. Caleb says fine, tomorrow we end this and a time and place is determined. He goes home to his supper, saying nothing to his family about what happened.
Next day, the biggest bully on the waterfront wants to fight but not if Caleb reports him to the authorities. Another man suggests a secluded showdown with lots of spectators (and a purse). Caleb hates the idea. His mentor, Charles Dorman, always stressed that fighting is for self defense only, never for money, but Caleb, not wanting a repeat of what happened in the army, really wants to settle this with this man he defeated and sees no other way out.
Chapter 20
December 1783
George Washington has tendered his letter of resignation! Congress is aghast. Washington wants to go home. Permission is granted. No choice in the matter really, you don't say no to this man!
Chapter 21
December 1783
After a meeting with Matthew to discuss the start up of the business, Billy looks over the paperwork then leaves his house late in the afternoon to call on Matthew at his home. Billy is nervous because he wants to show Matthew the love letters and confess this torch he's been carrying all these years for Brigitte, his best friend's little sister. In the absence of their deceased father, will Matthew give his blessing if Billy comes calling, formally, on Brigitte with intentions to court her? Does Matthew even approve of such a plain, unattractive, poor man attempting to court a woman so high above him? (He doesn't have a dollar to his name, an acre of land, a troop to command, a dollop of fame, just a couple college credits but hardly what I'd call a top notch brain!) Matthew mimics exactly what Turlock and Eli told Billy, if you love this woman go get her!
The next day, while leaving church, Billy takes Brigitte aside and they walk. At long last he gives her the letters, asks her to just read them and to take all the time she needs in giving him an answer.
In a daze, Brigitte enters her house and goes straight to her room to read the letters and swoon.
Margaret, concerned, knocks and enters. Brigitte shows her the letters and tells all.
Over at the Weems house, Billy is having the same conversation with Dorothy. Though they have yet to speak to each other formally about this sudden development, both mothers approve the match.
Chapter 22
Time for the big waterfront prizefight showdown. The location is a seedy, run down old warehouse by the docks. Caleb faces his opponent but lets the other man win, falling to the canvas, pretending to be beaten. The whole thing is over in less than three minutes and the crowd is very disappointed but, oh well it's over. Even though he didn't win the purse, Caleb never wants to fight for money ever again.
Chapter 23
January 1784
It's the first official day of Dunson & Weems shipping (D&W shipping from here on out) now open for business! A solemn, sober event as the previous owner of this shipping office signs over the papers doubtful these young men will succeed. Their first crew has been rounded up, plans are underway with a promise to the bank that money will be found to make their first mortgage payment.
Caleb will also be joining the crew of the first and only merchant ship to be sailing out of Boston harbor in months.
They are headed to Virginia to pick up the first order-a long overdue tobacco shipment. If they succeed, the merchant in New York will pay them lots of cold, hard cash and they will make a profit. It's a very dangerous venture, hard to round up enough sailors to make up their first crew who, if they fail, will walk out on them. Coincidentally, one man, the one who tried to rob Caleb from Chapter 18, is also part of the crew. He proves he can be trusted by speaking up in Caleb's behalf when the other men tattle on Caleb to Matthew about the secret prizefight which Caleb sort of won by forfeit. Matthew and Billy shake their heads and hope Caleb can stay out of trouble.
Chapter 24
March 1784
In Vermont, Eli is back at the farm of his sister, Lydia, and brother-in-law. His daughter, Laura, is now four. He brings in a deer for the family table and enjoys a pleasant dinner. He is happily settled into his life here, he even has his own place near Lydia's who continues to raise Laura as her own daughter while he lives alone.
Next morning, a stranger pulls up looking for Eli Stroud. He's a lawyer from New York City with good news. A probate. Remember in Vol 3, To Decide Our Destiny, chapter 14 when Mary was nearly killed in the fire that burned her childhood mansion home to the ground, rescued by the old British doctor who bequeathed a nice fortune on her but in Vol 4, The Hand of Providence, chapter 8, Mary learned war and legal issues prevented her from claiming the money? Well, it's all come full circle. That distant relative in England who tried to lay claim on the money is dead. The war is over. The money is sitting in a New York City bank. All Eli needs is the proper legal papers so he can rightfully claim his late wife's fortune as next of kin.
Chapter 25
The D&W ship from Boston arrives in the Jamestown, Virginia harbor with little trouble but the captain and crew, including Caleb, aren't very happy to learn if they want the tobacco, they must first pay a ridiculous tariff, as well as taxes, not just to Virginia but to Maryland as well because both states share the same river. Here sits a fully loaded ship which they can't sail back to Boston due to these stupid state politics! Of course they didn't bring enough money to pay both fees to the two states. What will they do?
Caleb recalls his history lesson, the Boston tea party of 1773. He was just a child at the time but why not do the same thing here? Defy authority, sneak on board, take the guards on the ship hostage and just sail her out. They can come back for their own ship later. With both states fighting over water rights, who will dare fire the first shot?
They start a fire on the opposite side of town as a distraction and get away. It worked! Three days later they arrive in New York City, unload the cargo and get their well deserved pay to take home to Boston.
Chapter 26
March 1784
Priscilla "Prissy" Dunson, twin sister to Adam, now eleven years old, steals softly into Margaret's bedroom one night to talk. What's wrong with Brigitte? Is she okay, is she in trouble? Why is she so quiet and, most importantly, why did she put Richard Buchanan's things away? Margaret tells her and it's a sweet mother/daughter discussion about what it means to really fall in love and get married to the right man, (from the right country) in the right place at the right time. Billy is practically family. He's a good man and he and Brigitte will make a nice family. Prissy thinks this is the most romantic love story she's ever heard. Her mother promises it will be just as wonderful for her.
Chapter 27
Caleb and all the men are back! And have they got a story to tell the owners of D&W shipping, but it's not over yet. That ship they took to Jamestown is now stuck in the harbor, under confiscation until the fees, taxes, tariffs and anything else the states can think up, are paid in full. Nobody has any legal rights on trading goods between the new states. They will be unable to retrieve their ship until it's all figured out. What a mess!
Chapter 28
April 1784
Eli is on his way to Boston to find Billy. He needs his signature, in writing, as his legal witness for his marriage to Mary so he can claim the estate as next of kin. Eli runs into an old friend we've never met before, an old mountain man, Ormond Sykes, who lives alone in the wilderness, surviving in the forest like Natty Bumppo and dressing like an Indian. He ran into some bear trouble. Eli helps him tend his leg wound where Mama bear tried to take a bite out of him, just like when he helped Billy in Volume 4, chapter 2. When Sykes learns Eli is on his way to civilization, he asks him to take a message about the local uprisings in these parts, which includes possible British regrouping to attack the colonists, to the proper authorities. Eli will do it so Sykes can stay in the shelter Eli helped him make and recover.
Chapter 29
Matthew has gone to Annapolis, Maryland where the Continental Congress is now currently meeting. (They really must find a more permanent place to establish a capital city for the United States.) He plans to meet with one Thomas Jefferson to get advice on what to do back in Boston to help establish order.
Jefferson is happy to meet Matthew who has a letter of introduction from a prominent man in Boston. Matthew learns Jefferson is just as frustrated. A new nation, a new country and nobody can agree on who has the authority to run it. All the people in contention, but, (before they come crawling back to King George III) he tells Matthew, there is something a common merchant man like him can do for his community and country. Go back home to Boston, organize your neighbors and friends into a Committee of Correspondence. Get everyone talking and working together to address and solve our most serious issues. Matthew agrees to do this and returns home.
Chapter 30
Billy can't believe it when Eli strolls into their shipping office, completely unannounced. He shows Billy the papers, tells him all about the fortune he's on his way to claim. They go see a lawyer to assure Billy's signature is legally notarized as witness to the Stroud/Flint marriage and return to the office where Eli asks Billy to draft a letter for him to send to George Washington. There's trouble everywhere, as Ormond Sykes, Eli and Billy already know. Billy promises to send the letter. Eli is on his way to New York City.
Chapter 31
Margaret and Caleb talk one early morning as neither one could sleep. Caleb offends her by denying the existence of God. They are interrupted by Brigitte who remains while Caleb retreats to his room, not in the mood to continue this discussion. Both women agree they are worried about Caleb's attitude. They hope he hasn't permanently turned his back on religion and can almost hear John turning over in his grave.
Chapter 32
Matthew's back from his Annapolis trip in time for supper at his home. Next day, he meets Billy and Caleb at the office to discuss what Thomas Jefferson told him to do. Since Caleb once worked as a copy boy for their local paper, Matthew thinks he's the best person to publish committee ideas for public consideration.
Then Billy tells his partner the bad news, they have three days to find money for additional taxes and fees on their business or the bank will foreclose them. They didn't turn a big enough profit and they can't process any more orders. There's also that little problem with their company ship down in that Virginia harbor still waiting to be straightened out. Where will they ever get the money?
Just then, like a delivering angel, in walks Eli, carrying a small chest full of hard British sterling that he doesn't know what to do with. Could they use it?
Chapter 33
May 1784
Thanks to Eli's investment "bailout" (he's now a partner in their business, of course) their business is booming, offers from reputable merchants are pouring in. Their fleet of ships now totals six.
Latest news from Annapolis is, before a new nation can be formed, all the states must first come together and talk, if they can ever stop arguing. The question of what to do about slavery is also a major sore point between North and South. Figuring out who should have all the power is proving harder than anyone thought.
Chapter 34
September 1784
Some farmers in a wagon pull up outside the D&W office one day. Nathan Tredwell introduces himself as their leader. They've come from a large town upstate, several miles east of Boston where there's trouble due to rich men demanding poor farmers pay high taxes, evicting them off their land if they don't pay up, just like they do in Great Britain. This isn't Great Britain. Violent protests are erupting in these and similar areas all over the New England states. These farmers heard about Matthew's committee and came to see if anybody could help them.
Caleb agrees to go with them. He will also write about the experience which will make for a good news story. On the way, he and the party come across a homeless family in desperate need of help, just one of many forced off their farm. The mother just gave birth here on the side of the road but she's dying. The baby too. The father and young daughter are in shock, too scared and intimidated to do anything but sit there and watch her die.
Caleb goes for a midwife and wet nurse. The young daughter helps the midwife deliver the afterbirth, the cause of the mother's illness, the newborn is nursing, both will be okay. Caleb slips off into the woods, returning the next morning with a deer to feed the family.
Their good deeds done, the group gets back on the road. Their destination is Springfield where a large public meeting will be held on Monday. Caleb is put up with the family of one of his new friends.
Chapter 35
Sunday passes with Caleb attending the local church service and sharing Sunday dinner with the family. On Monday evening, a large crowd, both rich and poor, gather to witness the community discussion about debts nobody can pay and how to do it without making everyone homeless. Caleb is standing in the back when he notices action outside, troublemakers who don't agree with this meeting of compromise, sent by the rich farmers to stop it. Caleb nips it in the bud by marching them inside where the crowd, learning their intentions, demands justice. The local sheriff takes them away to be tried later. This act unifies the entire community.
Next day, like the Lone Ranger, Caleb knows his work here is finished and he can move on. It takes six days to walk back to Boston where he makes his report to Billy and Matthew. He wrote it all down too.
There's going to be a big conference next year in March in Annapolis with representatives from almost all the states, like Virginia and Maryland, to discuss how they can all come together to form one nation.
Chapter 36
April 1785
Matthew is back from this big conference which was actually moved to Mount Vernon (historically called The Mount Vernon Compact), George Washington's estate. He tells Kathleen all about it. Washington was a gracious host and Matthew was very impressed by his large mansion and the luxury enjoyed by all. The conference went well with important first steps taken to fix the currency problems among the states who, until now, have all been printing their own money. Agreement over tariffs and taxes needing to be changed was decided too but something major will have to be done soon. In the meantime, there's talk of holding another conference and inviting other big states like Pennsylvania, to come. The D&W shipping business is chugging along, leaving Matthew free to attend these conferences.
Kathleen tells him in less than nine months, their son, John, is going to have a baby brother or sister.
Chapter 37
November 1786
George Washington reflects on last year's Mount Vernon conference held here on his estate. Mail arrives and he reads a short letter from Matthew Dunson and another from Nathan Tredwell in Springfield, MA included by Matthew to give Washington an idea of the growing discontent among war veterans who feel slighted working their farms with nothing to show for it while the rich men in the area grab all the wealth they fought so hard for. What happened to living in a free country? There's murmuring everywhere as Washington learns as he opens up letter after letter from civilians all with the same complaints.
Washington moves to his desk and pens a letter to the one man he think can help most, James Madison.
Chapter 38
February 1787
Matthew's Committee of Correspondence is has matured into the Boston Committee of Merchants, which makes sense because he's now running a successful business with other merchants who managed to beat the economic depression. A letter from Washington arrives informing Matthew that there's trouble again in Springfield where shots were exchanged and people killed over economic conditions.
Hearing this Billy, Matthew and Caleb start packing for the trip. They plan to leave tomorrow. Matthew and Caleb take off early while Billy stays behind, putting in some extra hours.
He is just finishing up his paperwork when Brigitte walks in. She's here to give him an answer. (Sheesh, Brigitte, when Billy gave you those letters back in Chapter 21 it was 1783! Sure took your sweet time deciding if you love him or not.) They kiss and it's official, she loves him and they're engaged!
Billy goes home where Dorothy and Trudy scream at the news.
Next morning, the men load a wagon for their trip. Billy tells his good news. Caleb is the first to formally give his blessing while Matthew simply hugs him. They hit the road and arrive at Nathan Tredwell's farmhouse where Nathan's wife informs them her husband and oldest boys have been gone since last month, left to join the resistance movements. There's talk of a possible battle.
The men find the area where thousands of men have assembled into a militia ready to fight those not in agreement with them.
Matthew brings a letter from George Washington himself, giving him the authority to intervene. The leader is impressed but regrets there's nothing anyone can do. They will fight to defend their cause.
Matthew and company go talk to the leader of the opposing camp who says, thanks, but we're tired of waiting on Congress to come up with a new plan. After six years fighting for our freedom, the only way to compromise with our enemies appears to be with muskets. We fight!
The men get back in their wagon and are about to pull out when...Hey Eli! What are you doing here? Eli took the liberty of scouting the two camps. It's pretty much settled, there will be fighting tomorrow morning with cannon and muskets. Nobody knows how to stop it but Eli has an idea...
(This is a really long chapter) Back in good old "Batman and Robin" mode, Billy and Eli sneak into one of the camps, knock out a picket and set fire to a powder magazine. (Very original, guys.) To the west, Matthew and Caleb calmly enter the tent of the other leader and tell him all that noise and explosions he's hearing is the enemy coming to attack and maybe it would be best if they just pack up and go home and forget all this.
Some leave, but the battle still takes place. Eli returns to Vermont, while Matthew and his group return to Boston. Well guys, we tried.
This battle between Shay's followers and Massachusetts State Militia made up of disgruntled war veterans still waiting for their pay and some respect for all their service really did take place.
THE END
A second meeting has been called and everyone attends including Washington, Gates and all our fictional characters. The entire room is shocked into silence as Washington tries to read a prepared statement in his own defense but requires the use of spectacles to do so. No one has ever seen the great George Washington wear glasses! Many are moved to tears and, after the General exits, a unanimous vote to form a committee to rethink their decision to mutiny is accepted by all. This is why George Washington will forever be known as the Father of our country.
According to chapter notes, the spectacle story is true and proved pivotal in saving the nation. Alexander Hamilton and other men tried to persuade Washington to let Congress have the authority to stop such rebellion but Washington refused believing our country should be subject to civil authority, by the people, not military or government. And that's how we still do it today!
Chapter 10
June 1783
Billy is chilling out in his officer's quarters when the word comes. Time to leave! The army is hereby officially discharged and they can all go home! Well, for a short time anyway because the newly won nation still needs some kind of armed forces to prevent future attacks so everyone is being granted temporary leave. No pay, sorry, just the promise of future reimbursement. Billy, Eli and Turlock part ways.
Chapter 11
Lingering members of Washington's army are still feeling rebellious and decide to take action. They march into Philadelphia, surround the State House where the Continental Congress meets. Their leader, Major Artemus Bates and his armed forces enter the large, high-ceilinged room to inform Congress (This Congress does not speak for me!) they've all been taken hostage. They have a list of demands which includes the money government still owes them for their service.
Alexander Hamilton faces off with Bates. If they want their demands met, they must give Congress time to act accordingly. Any major decisions in this new nation must be drafted, debated and a majority vote taken. Because the money will have to come from state coffers, it is vital the Pennsylvania Executive also be included in the final decisions. These things take time. Bates tells them they are out of time. He threatens to take his men over to the city powder magazine and blow up the city if they don't get what they want. Now.
Hamilton is not worried. (My dog speaks more eloquently than thee!) With his irreproachable logic, he reminds Bates if they fire one shot in this room or carry out their gunpowder threat, they will all be tried and hanged for mutiny, insurrection and civil disobedience. Dead men don't get paid. No sweat off our brow, Congress can easily spend your money elsewhere. Think about that!
Bates agrees to stand down while Congress votes unanimously to put this issue of how to fund the war veterans' demands at the top of today's "to-do" list. A message is sent that very day to George Washington who will call in a few favors from wealthy friends to raise the emergency money needed. Congress calls in the Pennsylvania State militia to defend them and the city but they refuse! Alexander Hamilton declares this cowardly action, "Disgusting!"
The author admits in the Chapter Notes he took some license in the conversation between Hamilton and Bates. While most of the actual conversation is quoted verbatim, Hamilton did not act as Voice, someone else did. Since Hamilton is already known to the reader, he made a good substitute. Hamilton's statement calling the local militia "weak and disgusting" is the only part he played in this historical drama.
Chapter 12
June 1783
It is Monday wash day in Boston and Kathleen is keeping busy outside with the tubs which she must do or fingers will point and tongues will wag. She multitasks caring for baby John, who just turned two, (he was born May 1781, see vol 6) while scrubbing laundry and staying on top of other chores. Matthew arrives, he's home! They share a tearful reunion as this is the first time they've seen each other since John was born.
For some reason, Kathleen's two younger siblings, Charles and Faith, whom she was left to care for after their mother died, have disappeared completely from the narrative. They haven't been seen since vol 6, chapter 27 when a very pregnant Kathleen gave them their lunch pails and sent them off to school.
Apparently, they never returned!
Margaret and the rest of the Dunson family come over to welcome Matthew home and it's a very nice family reunion. Billy hasn't arrived yet but Margaret reports Dorothy expects him home very soon.
Chapter 13
Billy is home and has his own joyful, tearful reunion with his mother and sister. Like Matthew, Billy is shocked at the state of Boston's commerce district. The shipping yard is quiet, shops are closed, the entire city is in a state of financial depression because no one has any hard currency. (Until Alexander Hamilton can start America's bank.) The common people are bartering and trading food and services to keep food on their tables. Billy was expecting to return to his old accounting job but, like all the other businesses, it too is boarded up, gone bankrupt. There is no work, no money, no jobs.
Chapter 14
The next day the Dunson and Weems families get together for breakfast at Matthew and Kathleen's home. There is a lot of catching up to do. Caleb is still traveling with the freed slaves and the story is recounted for the two families. Billy and Matthew excuse themselves to take a walk so they can discuss the financial situation of how to support their families. Maybe they can throw in their lots together and start some kind of shipping business...
Chapter 15
August 1783
Benjamin Franklin has been in France for so long but he's still alive and kicking and serving his country as ambassador. He's also on hand to represent the United States in negotiating the peace treaty (The Treaty of Paris) with England. Other Americans, John Jay and John Adams are also here to help while England has sent her own representatives. The war is truly over.
Chapter 16
October 1783
Billy works odd jobs for whoever will pay cash but it's meager. He returns home, discouraged, to eat supper. Matthew comes knocking with the latest news. The American shipping economy is failing because of the gridlock between the newly formed states who are all bankrupt. In a desperate attempt to get money, everyone set their own taxes on importing and exporting goods between the state lines and it's a mess. There are no laws and no one can agree on anything. However, there is one way to make a new shipping business like theirs work-the promise of pay after the goods are delivered. It just might work...
Chapter 17
November 1783
The setting is a tavern in New York City where Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington, wants to share one last meeting, and a round of drinks, with some of his most trusted men who fought so valiantly by his side in the War for Independence. There's a few pages as everyone remembers the long, bloody seven, almost eight years of fighting with their beloved General who was there with them every step of the way. Tears run freely as all drink a toast. Next, Washington invites all the men to come up so he can personally shake each hand. Henry Knox and German General von Steuben are the only two mentioned by name. Washington hugs all his officers one by one and every single man returns it. How we love this great founding father!
Chapter 18
December 1783
Caleb's home! He too is troubled by the great depression of Boston as he walks along the quiet shipping docks in the equally quiet harbor. Shame on Caleb, he left home six years ago (see vol 4, chapter 12) and never wrote his mother (okay he wrote ONE letter, but still) or came to visit or anything! Because this isn't the best part of town to be walking alone, he is assaulted in the snowy street by two men, desperate for money. Too bad they picked the wrong target as Caleb easily takes both men down. Learning the men are brothers and returning war veterans like himself, he gives them what cash he has in his pocket and doesn't call for the constable. He lets them go instead, scoffing at being a "hand of God" as the two men gratefully call him.
Margaret weeps welcoming her prodigal son, home at last, feeds him and makes a fuss over him. They talk as Caleb has lots of stories and adventures to share with his mother and siblings. Caleb joins them for evening prayers but when Margaret calls on him to say it, he declines. This troubles Margaret but hopes when Caleb meets with his big brother tomorrow to discuss the new family business, they can talk about war trauma and how to deal with it. Caleb is a very changed young man.
We learn the slaves and Primus were safely settled on some land in Nova Scotia, Canada with Primus as their leader who now has big dreams to return to Africa. Talk turns to this new shipping venture. Caleb will help but agrees it's very risky.
Chapter 19
Caleb checks on his old newspaper job but it too is gone, forced to foreclose just like everything else. He's walking away from the boarded up building when a distraction draws him to a gathering crowd. One man is about to kill another in an unfair fist fight. Like a comic book hero, Caleb jumps in swinging and intervenes, using his strength and those talented fists to bring down a man much larger than himself. The excitement over, the crowd breaks up. One lingering observer warns Caleb he just made himself some enemies as that man he just bested in front of everyone is a notorious prize fighter.
Sure enough, later that day, after many unsuccessful job inquires, Caleb notices he's being followed. The stranger tells him that man he humiliated earlier today wants revenge. Caleb says fine, tomorrow we end this and a time and place is determined. He goes home to his supper, saying nothing to his family about what happened.
Next day, the biggest bully on the waterfront wants to fight but not if Caleb reports him to the authorities. Another man suggests a secluded showdown with lots of spectators (and a purse). Caleb hates the idea. His mentor, Charles Dorman, always stressed that fighting is for self defense only, never for money, but Caleb, not wanting a repeat of what happened in the army, really wants to settle this with this man he defeated and sees no other way out.
Chapter 20
December 1783
George Washington has tendered his letter of resignation! Congress is aghast. Washington wants to go home. Permission is granted. No choice in the matter really, you don't say no to this man!
Chapter 21
December 1783
After a meeting with Matthew to discuss the start up of the business, Billy looks over the paperwork then leaves his house late in the afternoon to call on Matthew at his home. Billy is nervous because he wants to show Matthew the love letters and confess this torch he's been carrying all these years for Brigitte, his best friend's little sister. In the absence of their deceased father, will Matthew give his blessing if Billy comes calling, formally, on Brigitte with intentions to court her? Does Matthew even approve of such a plain, unattractive, poor man attempting to court a woman so high above him? (He doesn't have a dollar to his name, an acre of land, a troop to command, a dollop of fame, just a couple college credits but hardly what I'd call a top notch brain!) Matthew mimics exactly what Turlock and Eli told Billy, if you love this woman go get her!
The next day, while leaving church, Billy takes Brigitte aside and they walk. At long last he gives her the letters, asks her to just read them and to take all the time she needs in giving him an answer.
In a daze, Brigitte enters her house and goes straight to her room to read the letters and swoon.
Margaret, concerned, knocks and enters. Brigitte shows her the letters and tells all.
Over at the Weems house, Billy is having the same conversation with Dorothy. Though they have yet to speak to each other formally about this sudden development, both mothers approve the match.
Chapter 22
Time for the big waterfront prizefight showdown. The location is a seedy, run down old warehouse by the docks. Caleb faces his opponent but lets the other man win, falling to the canvas, pretending to be beaten. The whole thing is over in less than three minutes and the crowd is very disappointed but, oh well it's over. Even though he didn't win the purse, Caleb never wants to fight for money ever again.
Chapter 23
January 1784
It's the first official day of Dunson & Weems shipping (D&W shipping from here on out) now open for business! A solemn, sober event as the previous owner of this shipping office signs over the papers doubtful these young men will succeed. Their first crew has been rounded up, plans are underway with a promise to the bank that money will be found to make their first mortgage payment.
Caleb will also be joining the crew of the first and only merchant ship to be sailing out of Boston harbor in months.
They are headed to Virginia to pick up the first order-a long overdue tobacco shipment. If they succeed, the merchant in New York will pay them lots of cold, hard cash and they will make a profit. It's a very dangerous venture, hard to round up enough sailors to make up their first crew who, if they fail, will walk out on them. Coincidentally, one man, the one who tried to rob Caleb from Chapter 18, is also part of the crew. He proves he can be trusted by speaking up in Caleb's behalf when the other men tattle on Caleb to Matthew about the secret prizefight which Caleb sort of won by forfeit. Matthew and Billy shake their heads and hope Caleb can stay out of trouble.
Chapter 24
March 1784
In Vermont, Eli is back at the farm of his sister, Lydia, and brother-in-law. His daughter, Laura, is now four. He brings in a deer for the family table and enjoys a pleasant dinner. He is happily settled into his life here, he even has his own place near Lydia's who continues to raise Laura as her own daughter while he lives alone.
Next morning, a stranger pulls up looking for Eli Stroud. He's a lawyer from New York City with good news. A probate. Remember in Vol 3, To Decide Our Destiny, chapter 14 when Mary was nearly killed in the fire that burned her childhood mansion home to the ground, rescued by the old British doctor who bequeathed a nice fortune on her but in Vol 4, The Hand of Providence, chapter 8, Mary learned war and legal issues prevented her from claiming the money? Well, it's all come full circle. That distant relative in England who tried to lay claim on the money is dead. The war is over. The money is sitting in a New York City bank. All Eli needs is the proper legal papers so he can rightfully claim his late wife's fortune as next of kin.
Chapter 25
The D&W ship from Boston arrives in the Jamestown, Virginia harbor with little trouble but the captain and crew, including Caleb, aren't very happy to learn if they want the tobacco, they must first pay a ridiculous tariff, as well as taxes, not just to Virginia but to Maryland as well because both states share the same river. Here sits a fully loaded ship which they can't sail back to Boston due to these stupid state politics! Of course they didn't bring enough money to pay both fees to the two states. What will they do?
Caleb recalls his history lesson, the Boston tea party of 1773. He was just a child at the time but why not do the same thing here? Defy authority, sneak on board, take the guards on the ship hostage and just sail her out. They can come back for their own ship later. With both states fighting over water rights, who will dare fire the first shot?
They start a fire on the opposite side of town as a distraction and get away. It worked! Three days later they arrive in New York City, unload the cargo and get their well deserved pay to take home to Boston.
Chapter 26
March 1784
Priscilla "Prissy" Dunson, twin sister to Adam, now eleven years old, steals softly into Margaret's bedroom one night to talk. What's wrong with Brigitte? Is she okay, is she in trouble? Why is she so quiet and, most importantly, why did she put Richard Buchanan's things away? Margaret tells her and it's a sweet mother/daughter discussion about what it means to really fall in love and get married to the right man, (from the right country) in the right place at the right time. Billy is practically family. He's a good man and he and Brigitte will make a nice family. Prissy thinks this is the most romantic love story she's ever heard. Her mother promises it will be just as wonderful for her.
Chapter 27
Caleb and all the men are back! And have they got a story to tell the owners of D&W shipping, but it's not over yet. That ship they took to Jamestown is now stuck in the harbor, under confiscation until the fees, taxes, tariffs and anything else the states can think up, are paid in full. Nobody has any legal rights on trading goods between the new states. They will be unable to retrieve their ship until it's all figured out. What a mess!
Chapter 28
April 1784
Eli is on his way to Boston to find Billy. He needs his signature, in writing, as his legal witness for his marriage to Mary so he can claim the estate as next of kin. Eli runs into an old friend we've never met before, an old mountain man, Ormond Sykes, who lives alone in the wilderness, surviving in the forest like Natty Bumppo and dressing like an Indian. He ran into some bear trouble. Eli helps him tend his leg wound where Mama bear tried to take a bite out of him, just like when he helped Billy in Volume 4, chapter 2. When Sykes learns Eli is on his way to civilization, he asks him to take a message about the local uprisings in these parts, which includes possible British regrouping to attack the colonists, to the proper authorities. Eli will do it so Sykes can stay in the shelter Eli helped him make and recover.
Chapter 29
Matthew has gone to Annapolis, Maryland where the Continental Congress is now currently meeting. (They really must find a more permanent place to establish a capital city for the United States.) He plans to meet with one Thomas Jefferson to get advice on what to do back in Boston to help establish order.
Jefferson is happy to meet Matthew who has a letter of introduction from a prominent man in Boston. Matthew learns Jefferson is just as frustrated. A new nation, a new country and nobody can agree on who has the authority to run it. All the people in contention, but, (before they come crawling back to King George III) he tells Matthew, there is something a common merchant man like him can do for his community and country. Go back home to Boston, organize your neighbors and friends into a Committee of Correspondence. Get everyone talking and working together to address and solve our most serious issues. Matthew agrees to do this and returns home.
Chapter 30
Billy can't believe it when Eli strolls into their shipping office, completely unannounced. He shows Billy the papers, tells him all about the fortune he's on his way to claim. They go see a lawyer to assure Billy's signature is legally notarized as witness to the Stroud/Flint marriage and return to the office where Eli asks Billy to draft a letter for him to send to George Washington. There's trouble everywhere, as Ormond Sykes, Eli and Billy already know. Billy promises to send the letter. Eli is on his way to New York City.
Chapter 31
Margaret and Caleb talk one early morning as neither one could sleep. Caleb offends her by denying the existence of God. They are interrupted by Brigitte who remains while Caleb retreats to his room, not in the mood to continue this discussion. Both women agree they are worried about Caleb's attitude. They hope he hasn't permanently turned his back on religion and can almost hear John turning over in his grave.
Chapter 32
Matthew's back from his Annapolis trip in time for supper at his home. Next day, he meets Billy and Caleb at the office to discuss what Thomas Jefferson told him to do. Since Caleb once worked as a copy boy for their local paper, Matthew thinks he's the best person to publish committee ideas for public consideration.
Then Billy tells his partner the bad news, they have three days to find money for additional taxes and fees on their business or the bank will foreclose them. They didn't turn a big enough profit and they can't process any more orders. There's also that little problem with their company ship down in that Virginia harbor still waiting to be straightened out. Where will they ever get the money?
Just then, like a delivering angel, in walks Eli, carrying a small chest full of hard British sterling that he doesn't know what to do with. Could they use it?
Chapter 33
May 1784
Thanks to Eli's investment "bailout" (he's now a partner in their business, of course) their business is booming, offers from reputable merchants are pouring in. Their fleet of ships now totals six.
Latest news from Annapolis is, before a new nation can be formed, all the states must first come together and talk, if they can ever stop arguing. The question of what to do about slavery is also a major sore point between North and South. Figuring out who should have all the power is proving harder than anyone thought.
Chapter 34
September 1784
Some farmers in a wagon pull up outside the D&W office one day. Nathan Tredwell introduces himself as their leader. They've come from a large town upstate, several miles east of Boston where there's trouble due to rich men demanding poor farmers pay high taxes, evicting them off their land if they don't pay up, just like they do in Great Britain. This isn't Great Britain. Violent protests are erupting in these and similar areas all over the New England states. These farmers heard about Matthew's committee and came to see if anybody could help them.
Caleb agrees to go with them. He will also write about the experience which will make for a good news story. On the way, he and the party come across a homeless family in desperate need of help, just one of many forced off their farm. The mother just gave birth here on the side of the road but she's dying. The baby too. The father and young daughter are in shock, too scared and intimidated to do anything but sit there and watch her die.
Caleb goes for a midwife and wet nurse. The young daughter helps the midwife deliver the afterbirth, the cause of the mother's illness, the newborn is nursing, both will be okay. Caleb slips off into the woods, returning the next morning with a deer to feed the family.
Their good deeds done, the group gets back on the road. Their destination is Springfield where a large public meeting will be held on Monday. Caleb is put up with the family of one of his new friends.
Chapter 35
Sunday passes with Caleb attending the local church service and sharing Sunday dinner with the family. On Monday evening, a large crowd, both rich and poor, gather to witness the community discussion about debts nobody can pay and how to do it without making everyone homeless. Caleb is standing in the back when he notices action outside, troublemakers who don't agree with this meeting of compromise, sent by the rich farmers to stop it. Caleb nips it in the bud by marching them inside where the crowd, learning their intentions, demands justice. The local sheriff takes them away to be tried later. This act unifies the entire community.
Next day, like the Lone Ranger, Caleb knows his work here is finished and he can move on. It takes six days to walk back to Boston where he makes his report to Billy and Matthew. He wrote it all down too.
There's going to be a big conference next year in March in Annapolis with representatives from almost all the states, like Virginia and Maryland, to discuss how they can all come together to form one nation.
Chapter 36
April 1785
Matthew is back from this big conference which was actually moved to Mount Vernon (historically called The Mount Vernon Compact), George Washington's estate. He tells Kathleen all about it. Washington was a gracious host and Matthew was very impressed by his large mansion and the luxury enjoyed by all. The conference went well with important first steps taken to fix the currency problems among the states who, until now, have all been printing their own money. Agreement over tariffs and taxes needing to be changed was decided too but something major will have to be done soon. In the meantime, there's talk of holding another conference and inviting other big states like Pennsylvania, to come. The D&W shipping business is chugging along, leaving Matthew free to attend these conferences.
Kathleen tells him in less than nine months, their son, John, is going to have a baby brother or sister.
Chapter 37
November 1786
George Washington reflects on last year's Mount Vernon conference held here on his estate. Mail arrives and he reads a short letter from Matthew Dunson and another from Nathan Tredwell in Springfield, MA included by Matthew to give Washington an idea of the growing discontent among war veterans who feel slighted working their farms with nothing to show for it while the rich men in the area grab all the wealth they fought so hard for. What happened to living in a free country? There's murmuring everywhere as Washington learns as he opens up letter after letter from civilians all with the same complaints.
Washington moves to his desk and pens a letter to the one man he think can help most, James Madison.
Chapter 38
February 1787
Matthew's Committee of Correspondence is has matured into the Boston Committee of Merchants, which makes sense because he's now running a successful business with other merchants who managed to beat the economic depression. A letter from Washington arrives informing Matthew that there's trouble again in Springfield where shots were exchanged and people killed over economic conditions.
Hearing this Billy, Matthew and Caleb start packing for the trip. They plan to leave tomorrow. Matthew and Caleb take off early while Billy stays behind, putting in some extra hours.
He is just finishing up his paperwork when Brigitte walks in. She's here to give him an answer. (Sheesh, Brigitte, when Billy gave you those letters back in Chapter 21 it was 1783! Sure took your sweet time deciding if you love him or not.) They kiss and it's official, she loves him and they're engaged!
Billy goes home where Dorothy and Trudy scream at the news.
Next morning, the men load a wagon for their trip. Billy tells his good news. Caleb is the first to formally give his blessing while Matthew simply hugs him. They hit the road and arrive at Nathan Tredwell's farmhouse where Nathan's wife informs them her husband and oldest boys have been gone since last month, left to join the resistance movements. There's talk of a possible battle.
The men find the area where thousands of men have assembled into a militia ready to fight those not in agreement with them.
Matthew brings a letter from George Washington himself, giving him the authority to intervene. The leader is impressed but regrets there's nothing anyone can do. They will fight to defend their cause.
Matthew and company go talk to the leader of the opposing camp who says, thanks, but we're tired of waiting on Congress to come up with a new plan. After six years fighting for our freedom, the only way to compromise with our enemies appears to be with muskets. We fight!
The men get back in their wagon and are about to pull out when...Hey Eli! What are you doing here? Eli took the liberty of scouting the two camps. It's pretty much settled, there will be fighting tomorrow morning with cannon and muskets. Nobody knows how to stop it but Eli has an idea...
(This is a really long chapter) Back in good old "Batman and Robin" mode, Billy and Eli sneak into one of the camps, knock out a picket and set fire to a powder magazine. (Very original, guys.) To the west, Matthew and Caleb calmly enter the tent of the other leader and tell him all that noise and explosions he's hearing is the enemy coming to attack and maybe it would be best if they just pack up and go home and forget all this.
Some leave, but the battle still takes place. Eli returns to Vermont, while Matthew and his group return to Boston. Well guys, we tried.
This battle between Shay's followers and Massachusetts State Militia made up of disgruntled war veterans still waiting for their pay and some respect for all their service really did take place.
THE END
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