Tempest at Dawn by James D. Best Read Free Book Online

count on it. Shays was one of their own. His rebellion
might spark others, but I believe they’ll bide their time as long
as I lead the convention.”
    “ You believe that will hold them off?”
Gouverneur Morris asked.
    Washington spoke in a low voice. “Yes, along
with secrecy.” Washington met everyone’s eyes. “Gentlemen, if they
know our path and disapprove, they’ll take action.”
    “ This is indeed disquieting. How do we
inform the other delegates without causing panic?” Gouverneur
Morris said.
    “ Individually,” Madison said. “Each
delegate must believe that he is the sole recipient of this
privileged and clandestine information. Each must swear to speak
naught of it.”
    “ But they will. It will be relayed in
hushed tones in taverns and coffeehouses.”
    “ That will further two aims: the
election of the general as president and acceptance of secrecy,”
Madison said.
    “ Jemmy’s right,” Washington said. “We
can hardly announce the threat in open assembly. Are we all
agreed?”
    Everyone nodded their heads, but the table
assumed a foreboding mood.
    “ If I may, I have one more issue.”
Madison shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Are we sure we want
Edmund Randolph to present the Virginia Plan?”
    Washington gave Madison a stern look.
“Jemmy, we’ve covered this ground. Randolph has a rightful claim to
present the plan. As the governor, he is the senior member of our
delegation.”
    Madison found this statement
disingenuous. Randolph held the office of governor, but everyone,
from delegate to newspaper vendor, knew that Washington was the
real power in the Virginia delegation. Madison held no illusion
that Washington would present the plan  his poor delivery made him a reluctant
speaker  but Madison had hoped
to persuade the general to appoint someone stronger than the
weak-willed Randolph to this weighty task.
    It wasn’t their first time discussing such
matters. The seven members of the Virginia delegation had met
privately each morning and then joined the Pennsylvanians at three
in the afternoon for dinner. There was a difference, however,
between building agreement between the two delegations and this
confidential discussion with the leaders.
    Madison believed his mission both crucial
and right. The United States experiment must not fail. He knew, was
certain in his heart, that the fifteen resolves in the Virginia
Plan encompassed the necessary characteristics for a republic to
endure, defend itself, and protect the liberty of its citizens.
This mighty objective stoked his ambition and excused his
connivance.
    This lofty—no, noble—goal required ample
cunning to bind the conflicting interests of the states. If Gen.
Washington presided, and they carefully directed the committees,
then nothing should take them by surprise. There would be
setbacks—fierce resistance from some quarters—but momentum and
common need would propel events along the desired course. He
relaxed and sat back in his chair, confident that the convention
could be controlled to his ends.

    Their business settled, the general and
Robert Morris prepared to leave. The owner of the Indian Queen
appeared instantly.
    Bowing respectfully, he asked, “Gentlemen,
is there anything else you desire … another ale, tea and cakes, a
plate of cheese? We have excellent cognacs.”
    “ No, no,” Morris said. “We’re ready to
retire. Thank you for your hospitality.”
    The innkeeper never looked at Morris;
instead he aimed a witless grin at Washington. “My pleasure. The
general’s always welcome at the Indian Queen.”
    All evening, Madison had found the
innkeeper’s solicitous behavior irritating. Now he was amused by
his inadvertent slight toward the rest of the party. Washington
often elicited bumbling adulation.
    “ Thank you,” Washington said, with a
regal nod of the head. “We’ll be in Philadelphia for a spell, so
we’ll visit your fine establishment again.”
    “ Yes, the Federal Convention.