“Be careful what you wish for, James. You have been to Oxford and know more history than I. Didn’t the stern Roman Republic fall into decadence? And in England, after they cut off King Charles’s head, Cromwell’s rule turned into such a dictatorship that the English brought back the monarchy again.”

“We shall have to do better.”

“A fine claim, my boy, but no country of any size has ever managed it.”

“Have faith, Father.”

“I haven’t, but never mind. Another question. The purpose of the present meeting in Philadelphia is to produce a document declaring the colonies’ intention to be independent, is it not?”

“Certainly.”

“Why is it so important?”

“Do you want my honest answer?”

“Of course.”

“Because, if we don’t, the French won’t take us seriously.”

“The French? This is for the French?”

“No. For ourselves as well. But for the French, it’s essential. Consider, the British have a navy which controls the seas. We colonists have only privateers. Against the Royal Navy, we haven’t a chance. But the French maintain a powerful navy, and they are a huge supplier of arms—down in the South, they are already supplying the Patriots, though in secret. But we cannot prevail over Britain, unless we have the French and their fleet. And much as they’d like to strike a blow against Britain, it will be expensive for them, and they won’t risk much unless they know that we truly mean business. That’s why we need a declaration. To show the French that we’re serious.”

“Then you are truly the enemies of Britain,” his father sighed, “to entangle yourselves with her greatest enemy.” John Master shook his head. “Not only that, James. The kingdom of France is a papist tyranny. It represents everything you say you’re against.”

“Necessity, Father.”

“Well, I’m not sure it will work. I don’t believe the colonies will hold together. The differences, especially between North and South, are too great. They haven’t managed to agree in Philadelphia yet. Georgia didn’t even send proper delegates.”

“You may be right. I can’t deny it.”

His father nodded sadly, then poured more wine into James’s glass. And for some time longer, the two men discussed these desperate issues, without a cross word passing between them. And knowing how much pain her father must be suffering, Abigail could only admire his restraint.

Yet James too, she thought, must have made a sacrifice. For he could surely have remained in England and argued the colonists’ cause, without any risk to himself.