45. CHAPTER XLV.
THE COUNCIL BOARD AT MIDNIGHT.
Without an interruption of the festivities of the occasion,
the President, several members of his cabinet, and the
Generals, had quietly withdrawn from the saloon and met
in council.
“Here, gentlemen,” said Randolph, seated at the head of
an oval table, round which the rest were ranged, and upon
which lay numerous letters, “is matter for business. In
this little conclave, affairs of such gigantic importance as
were never before paralleled in this country, must be determined,
and determined quickly. I will state the present
condition of our affairs. General Line, instead of prosecuting
the contemplated invasion, is resting at Cumberland, and
has fortified the place. Next, and which is the solution of
Line's change of purpose, we have information of the approach,
by way of the lakes, of an army of 50,000 British
troops, under Sir Charles Hunt, the object being a junction
with General Line; and then the two armies will be united
with the Northern host under Ruffleton, perhaps in this
vicinity, or at Harford, or Havre de Grace. So, although
we may leave some garrisons in Delaware and Maryland,
we can have no tenable positions in either.”
“And so my field of victory is to be captured by the
enemy!” said General Crook.
“Not only that, General,” said Valiant, “but Baltimore
must surrender. It is indefensible.”
“The Federal Capital, also, will fall into their hands!”
said Blount.
“Inevitably,” said Randolph. “But, gentlemen, let me
proceed. The wire of the Ocean Telegraph has been reunited,
and my correspondent at Halifax informs me that
the British Cabinet have not only sanctioned the stipulations
of Lord Slysir, but have resolved even to exceed
them. They have ordered a large fleet to sail immediately.
I have, in regard to this matter, for the exigency admitted
no delay, ordered a concentration of our naval forces at
Hampton Roads—”
Here the President was interrupted by a simultaneous
clapping of hands.
“It was the only alternative, gentlemen,” said Randolph,
“Our policy is to save, the security of that which we possess,
when circumstances prevent us from embarking in
enterprises of acquisition. I felt no scruples in directing
the concentration in a Southern harbor, of all the armed
ships of the United States, since it is the avowed purpose
of a foreign enemy to attempt their capture. But, remember,
I save the Navy, not for the South, not for the North,
but for the United States. It is in that capacity I am to
co-operate with the South. I will add, however, that my
instructions to the Commanders embraced the privilege of
capturing British vessels in any of our ports.”
Here there was another demonstration of applause.
“But when shall we make a demonstration?” asked
Crook.
“The first great battle,” said Randolph, slowly, “will
probably be—and Blount coincides with me in opinion—”
“Where? where?” cried several, impatient to hear the
announcement, for all regarded the President's opinions as
prophecies.
“At Weldon, beyond the Roanoke, in North Carolina;
the second, if we fail on that field—”
“Weldon!” cried several. “And the second?”
“Beyond the Pedee!”
“My God!” exclaimed Crook.
“Be not cast down, brave Crook!” said Randolph.
“There will be a reflux of the tide. But, I fear it is to be
even as I have predicted. With fifty British ships of war
on our Southern coast, and a Northern army of perhaps
half, and it may be three-quarters of a million men surging
over our Northern barriers, there can be no alternative but
to retire before them. But there must be a termination of
their march, and then—”
“And then!” cried several.
“And then their backs will be exposed to our blows. In
the meantime, while we should be prepared to look such a
picture steadily in the face, it is no less a duty to leave no
stone unturned in the endeavor to avert it. I have therefore
directed messengers to be in readiness to distribute
proclamations in every county, warning the people to provide
for the emergency. A certain portion of the militia
will conduct the slaves to places of security, and keep
them in subjection; and engineers will be dispatched to
superintend the construction of fortifications at such places
as may be fixed upon. These great works can be done by
the able-bodied slaves. I do not think the fanatics will
accomplish a great deal towards emancipation.”
To this the assent was unanimous. And Randolph next
intimated what was to be his policy in regard to the loyal
people of the North. Ruffleton and his Convention had
decreed that no more proclamations of the Federal Executive
should be printed or circulated in the Free States, under
certain pains and penalties; but Randolph had prepared a
secret circular for distribution amongst his friends, and the
friends of the Union in all the Northern States. It was
marked, “strictly confidential,” and was to be placed in the
possession of none but those whose fidelity was unimpeachable.
Everything the President had done, and all he proposed
to do, seemed to meet the entire concurrence of the Council
of advisers. Such is the unanimity sometimes produced by
imminent peril!
But the difficulty was to find the means of disseminating
the President's circulars among the partisans of the Union
in the North.
“Wheel in Lord Slysir!” at length exclaimed the President.
“What!” said the Secretary of State, “admit the British
Diplomatist to our Council Board?”
“Why not? It seems to me that the most effectual
mode of deceiving his Lordship, is to utter nothing but
verities in his presence. He will, of course, believe them
to be falsehoods, or rather diplomatic deceptions, and thus
deceive himself. I know he is desirous of communicating
with Ruffleton, and hitherto all his couriers have been intercepted.
My plan is to procure passports from him for my
messenger with the circulars.”
His Lordship, who was at that moment uttering his never-ceasing
acknowledgments to Edith for her kind attentions
in his helpless condition, obeyed the summons with some
show of reluctance, as it ruptured the agreeable interview
with his “guardian angel,” as he was constantly calling
Edith.
“My Lord,” said the President, when the Diplomatist
was placed in the midst of the Council, “we have some
important intelligence for you.”
“I am glad to hear it, Mr. President; for although I am
no longer a prisoner, I am incapable of departing from your
camp; and no doubt everything sent me is intercepted, and
I admit, justifiably, by your Excellency's agents. You have
permitted some of my servants to attend me, I must confess;
but certainly a most skilful discrimination has been exercised
in admitting none but stupid loons.”
“My Lord,” said Crook, “if you dismiss your white
servants, and have a few smart black nigger slaves, it would
save us the annoyance of instituting a scrutiny the next time.”
“Well! If I ever fall into your hands again, General,
I will take your advice.”
“I have a presentiment that we shall capture you
again.”
“I have sent for you, my Lord,” said Randolph, “for the
purpose of placing in your possession all the despatches we
have intercepted—”
“Ah, your Excellency! You mean to be merry at my
expense.”
“By no means. My object is a little convention with the
enemy. You will desire, when you shall have examined
the advices I am about to deliver into your hands, to communicate
with your ally, General Ruffleton. I propose to
furnish the messenger. Your despatches will be in plain
English, and my messenger will be provided by you and
Ruffleton with passports and protection.”
“Conceded. I agree to everything.”
“You are not to intimate—that is for twenty days—that
the messenger was furnished by me.”
“I will agree to that, also—although I do not comprehend
its import.”
“Then, my Lord, Willy will wait on you and receive,
and faithfully deliver, any letters you may prepare this night.
Here are the despatches superscribed with your address.”
The President placed sundry documents in the hands of
his Lordship; and among these was a despatch from
Canada, informing him of the concurrence of his Government
in his agreement with Ruffleton, and advices of the
sailing of the fleet; also letters from General Sir Charles
Hunt, who was approaching by way of the lakes, the
rendezvous appointed for the allied armies; and quite a
number of notes from General Ruffleton.
His Lordship was wheeled back into the saloon and
thence borne, without delay, to his own apartment, whither
Wiry Willy was summoned to attend him at a late hour of
the night.
After this, the President, with a placid countenance,
appeared again among the guests in the saloons, surrounded
by his Generals.
