| THE NEW KINGDOM -- CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Washington D.C., July, 1807 “The President asked me to explain this assignment to you,” Alex said, his voice weary and low. “He is trying to rise above the turmoil and appear statesmanlike and magnanimous although he and Chief Justice Marshall hate each other to the death. No one will believe him but Massa’ Tom must try it.” Mal arched an eyebrow at the cynicism and seated himself in the only other chair in the small cubicle. “The President wants Burr hanged,” Alex said. “It is that simple. When I pointed out that Wilkinson is more dangerous to the country than Burr, he would not hear me. Burr is the burr in his saddle. Do not smile. I know it is a bad pun. But it is truth. The attempted usurpation of the presidency, the disloyalty to Republican principles, the unconcealed scorn for the President’s acumen, the duel with Hamilton, and this obvious plot is too much for Jefferson. He wants revenge.” “But Wilkinson is the Commander of the Army. He has violated his oath and has conspired with foreign powers. Burr is an out of work lawyer with overblown ideas. Wilkinson is the greater traitor.” “Wilkinson is also the chief witness against Burr. If we charge him with treason we have no case to convict Burr.” “Then let Burr go. He is finished now. He even ran out on his friend’s $10,000 bail in Mississippi. No gentleman will speak to him.” “Burr has scorned the President. Wilkinson grovels to Jefferson.” “Both Burr and Wilkinson were plotting to dismantle the United States.” “You heard them. You are the only witness. District Attorney Hay will not call you because we need Wilkinson’s testimony. Hay has letters from Burr detailing his plans, a forged document Burr presented from the Secretary of War, the testimony of people he approached, the testimony of the Virginia troops who seized his boats on Blennerhassett’s island. Hay will call William Eaton and Commodore Thomas Truxtum to say Burr tried to enlist him in the treason. Did you know he even talked to your Captain Decatur?’ “He told him he would make him an Admiral and Stephen advised him to sober up. He thought it was a joke. But what about you? You found the cipher in Wilkinson’s office.” “I was a spy. And they will not take the testimony of a Negro.” “Father! This is vile and unconscionable to hang an inefficient plotter and let a traitor command the army!” Alex leaned forward and put the fingertips of both hands together. His gray eyes were cold. “It is reality,” he said. “Wilkinson belongs in the Ninth Circle of the Inferno. He should be frozen in ice in the center of the earth while the three-headed Lucifer gnaws upon him. He belongs with the most loathsome traitors in history. But he looks fat and obsequious and snivels and bows and no one fears him. He tried to destroy Washington, he plotted against Anthony Wayne in the Ohio Territory, and he attempted to compromise Decatur. Now he is betraying his confederate, Burr, and planning to save his skin.” Mal had never seen his father so enraged. Hands shaking, Alex clinched his fists and turned away to stare out the window. “What did he do to you, father?” Mal asked. “He sold me,” Alex answered, softly. “To renegades. They planned to take a load of free Negro soldiers down the river to the Southern slave markets. I was lucky, Wayne sent troops to rescue us.” “My God!” “Wayne was a good man,” Alex said. “He seemed healthy when he left Fort Greenville. I always wondered how he could be suddenly taken deathly ill. Wilkinson had servants, even then.” “Father, we must avenge this!” “Be a Scotsman, Mal. Not an Irishman. Fight with your head. Wilkinson will survive this trial, no matter what we think or do. It is better for the country---and for us---to watch him and wait.” “We cannot do that----“ “You will! This is the only order I will ever give you, Mal. You wish to progress in the Navy. Your brothers and sisters are protected now in Baltimore, but are vulnerable. Even Kwana is in danger because Wilkinson is capable of dabbling in Indian policy. He knows who you are now and knows you are my son. Challenge him outright and he is powerful enough to destroy us. I received this message last week.” He pulled open a drawer of his secretary-desk, retrieved a paper between two fingers, and flung it on the table as if it were a dead rat. It was a drawing with no words, showing a slave auction block and a chained man wearing a naval officer’s uniform being dragged to it. |