The Power and the Glory Read Online Free PDF

enough food and spirits to keep everybody happy. The date is set for two weeks from today, but I suggest we move it up a few days now that we have our lads safely home. We still must allow time to send word to everyone and allow them to make arrangements, of course.”
    â€œWhatever you say, General. Just please let us help wherever we can.”
    â€œIt’s always a pleasure to call on the Cutler family. Especially your beautiful women.”
    With that, Lincoln’s jocular tone turned more serious. “Have you responded to the president? He’s home, you know, and has sent word that he and Mrs. Adams are planning to attend our celebration. In his letter, he asked me to press you about your proposed commission on board . . . Constellation , isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œShe’s the one being fitted out in Baltimore.”
    â€œYes, sir. At Fell’s Point.”
    â€œWell, the shipwrights of Baltimore are famous for building quality schooners. Let’s see how they do with a Navy frigate.” Lincoln shook his head. “I must say, I was surprised and not a little disappointed that you were not awarded a commission in Constitution .” Lincoln said this as though it had been a foregone conclusion that Richard Cutler would be selected from among a sea of worthy officer candidates to serve in the ship of his choice in the new U.S. Navy. “Though I do understand the logic of having officers from different parts of the country serving on board each ship. And I understand that Constellation is now off her cradle and at dockside.”
    â€œThat’s my understanding as well, sir.”
    â€œAnd? How have you left things with Mr. Adams?”
    â€œBy now he should have my response. I wrote to thank him for his patronage and to say that I would be honored to meet with Captain Truxtun.”
    â€œExcellent. Well done, my boy. When do you think this meeting with Truxtun will take place?”
    â€œI don’t know, sir. That depends on Captain Truxtun.”
    â€œYes, of course, of course. Everything in its own good time. I should tell you that sources of mine who are acquainted with Thomas Truxtun assure me that he is an excellent sea officer. You may be aware that he was impressed into the Royal Navy before the war and was offered a midshipman’s warrant—which he declined. During the war he earned
quite the reputation as a privateer captain.” He slowly exhaled a lingering wisp of tobacco smoke. “Is Katherine accepting of all this?”
    â€œI believe she is, General,” Richard replied, although his tone suggested that he was not entirely convinced. “She is the daughter of a Royal Navy captain, you know, so she’s used to this sort of thing. And Lord knows she has uncanny instincts. I’d wager that she has been expecting this to happen for some time.”
    Lincoln smiled. “Knowing your wife as I do, Richard, I won’t take that wager. What about the rest of your family?”
    â€œThe same. I haven’t told Caleb yet.”
    Lincoln clapped a hand on Richard’s shoulder and looked him square in the eye. “I’m proud of you, my boy. We all are. No man has a greater calling than to serve his country in her time of need. And despite what many of our countrymen seem unable or unwilling to accept, this is a time of need. America can make peace only if she is prepared to make war. And I fear it’s going to take a war to convince the world that the United States is willing to stand up for its principles. If we’re not willing to stand up, if we don’t put an end to these despicable attacks on our merchant fleet, then Mr. Hamilton is right. We are a bankrupt nation, morally and financially. We will have fought the Revolution for nothing. We’d have been better off remaining a British colony.”
    â€œI agree, General,” Richard said, leaving aside for the moment the grim reality