"Charles L. Harness-George Washington Slept Here" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

mob. The British flag was dragged through the streets of Charleston and burnt before the doors of their
consul. There was nowhere George could turn for objective advice. Knox and Hamilton had resigned
from the cabinet. Only Randolph remained, and he was suspected of treason. And besides the Treaty,
George had to go back to Philadelphia that fall and give his Annual Report to Congress. 'Sena,' he said
to me, 'what the hell am I do to?' 'George darling,' I said, 'just now the main thing is to keep the status
quo. Hold off war at almost any cost, at least for fifteen or twenty years. Let this lusty young country
grow rich-- able to defend itself-- against the British, French, Spanish, the Barbary pirates, everybody.'
'But the South,' he said. 'They want to ship cotton to Europe, but under Article Twelve of the Treaty they
can't, because it would compete with cotton from the British West Indies. The South will scream if I sign.'
'Look, honey,' I said, 'rewrite the West Indies Article, then sign the damned Treaty, and get it over to
London before Congress reconvenes. The British will sign. Believe me.'
"I remember how he looked at me. He refused to wear his spectacles, so he couldn't really tell
whether I looked old or young. Actually, at the time, I was made up to look about forty, but with a nice
figure and a good complexion. I applied more pressure. 'George, dear, the British don't want any trouble
from us. They've got enough right there in Europe. The French have a bloody revolution in progress. A
young artillery captain named Bonaparte has just run the British out of Toulon.' 'You are well informed,
my girl.' 'I read the papers, General.' He said, 'And I suppose you have some thoughts about my Seventh
Report to Congress?' 'I have indeed. Tell them-- and the country-- they never had it so good. Wayne's
victory over the Indians at Fallen Timbers has brought peace in the southwest. In the northwest the Jay
Treaty will bring peace with the British. Also, the Treaty will frighten the pants off the Spanish, and they'll
concede commercial rights the full length of the Mississippi. Our population continues to grow, and the
country to prosper. New canals and new roads are opening everywhere.' George stared at me. His
mouth was wide open, and I could see the silver mechanism on his false teeth. 'Well, by God,' he said.
'You're right! Anything else?' 'My friend,' I said. 'you rode in here shivering even in your long underwear.
I remind you it's the middle of July. Even with all the doors and windows open, it's still quite warm. And
now you've stopped shivering and you've begun to perspire. I'd be pleased if you would let me launder
your linen.'" She stopped and looked at Potts. "I gave him a towel."
"Yes. That's where we came in."
"He just needed a rest. Just a couple of days... and nights."
"Yes."
"Actually, I think he forgot some of his linens."
Potts thought about the coin packing. He nodded.
Sena said, "He went back to Philadelphia, signed the Treaty in August, and gave his
State-of-the-Nation in December. Of course he had to put it in the stilted formal language of the day: "I
invite you to join me in profound gratitude to the Author of all good for the numerous and extraordinary
blessings we enjoy.' But there it all was."
Potts was thoughtful. "And it all came about just as you predicted."
"Almost exactly. But nowadays, who cares?"
"I care."
"You're a good soul, Oliver." She took his hand and led him to the bay window, where the full moon
was shining in, sinking slowly but measurably just over the horizon, and just behind the tower, giving the
illusion that a colossal skeleton was rising up over the edge of the land. They could almost hear a victory
shriek.
Potts felt Sena trembling. "Your people will come for you," he said.
"No, I don't think they care. I'm not really real, you know. I'm just a figment of my own imagination."
"They care, and they'll come."
"Even if they want to, I'm not sure they can. The gate doesn't open for another sixty days."
"This is an emergency. They'll do something special. They'll be here." He held her against him.
"Keep talking," she said. "Tell me how they will come."
"A great big white ship, rockets blazing, will sit down on the courthouse lawn-- "