Read The Power and the Glory for Free Online Page B

delegate, Elbridge Gerry, is a Massachusetts man from Marblehead. While I commend the president for this initiative and his choice of envoys, I seriously question their chances for success. The French don’t want peace. They want funds to finance their war in Europe, and privateering is a lucrative source for those funds. They won’t give it up easily.”
    Caleb took a moment to absorb that. Then a notion struck him. “What’s your role in all this, Richard?” he asked. “It certainly sounds as though you have one.”
    Richard nodded. “I have been approached, Caleb.”
    â€œBy whom?”

    â€œBy our president,” his father answered for him. “Mr. Adams has commended Richard to Thomas Truxtun, captain of Constellation. Richard’s name was also put forth by our dear friend Alexander Hamilton.”
    Caleb’s eyes never left Richard’s. “When do you report to Captain Truxtun?”
    â€œFairly soon, I suspect.”
    â€œThe decision is final, then?”
    â€œNo naval officer’s commission is final until it is proposed by a ship’s captain and approved by the Senate.”
    â€œBut if offered, you will accept it?”
    â€œI will, barring the unforeseen.”
    â€œHow do I enlist?”
    Richard’s eyebrows shot up. “ Enlist ? Jesus Christ, Caleb, you just got home.”
    Caleb shook his head. “That doesn’t matter, Richard. I sat in an Arab prison for ten years, and I have no intention of sitting any longer. I want my life back. I want to get back to sea, and I want to serve my country. I can do both in the Navy.”
    Richard met his brother’s hard stare until their father intervened.
    â€œThat is very noble of you, Caleb, given the hell you’ve had to endure these past ten years. You make me proud. But the fact is, I can’t afford to have both you and Richard taking leave of Cutler & Sons. Agreen is likely to be called up, and if he is . . .” Thomas held up his hands. “I need you here with me. I need you to help manage the family business.”
    â€œIn what capacity, Father?”
    â€œIn any capacity you choose. You want to go to sea? I can guarantee you that. You want to serve your country? You can, in a most meaningful way. Our carrying trade is our country’s lifeblood, Caleb. Without it our economy would collapse, along with our family’s fortunes. I am hoping that you will sail to Barbados within the year to learn the family business from that end. John and Robin would welcome your company and your assistance. Please, son, give this matter some serious thought before making your decision.”
    It took Caleb only a moment to respond. “I don’t need to give it serious thought, Father. Of course I will comply with your wishes. If I learned anything while in prison in Algiers, it’s that nothing matters more than family and country. And I can’t deny that I have much to learn about our business.” He scraped back his chair.
    â€œWhere are you going, son?”

    â€œTo visit Mother.”
    Richard stood up across from him. “I’ll go with you, Caleb.”
    Â 
    Â 
    THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS saw lively debate as to where Richard would take his sons and Caleb on the short cruise he had promised them. Will and Jamie fancied the Isles of Shoals, two low, treeless islands off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their father, however, thought those islands too far away and peopled by fisher-folk too long cut off from the mores and morals of the mainland. He suggested the Misery Islands in Salem Sound off the North Shore of Boston. These two islands—one big, one small—were an easy day’s sail from Hingham and afforded both sheltered coves for anchorage and sweeping vistas of Cape Ann, so named by King Charles I of England to honor his mother, Anne of Denmark.
    As it turned out, the cruise had to be scrapped. The following Thursday,