by Ron Carter
He made a gesture with his hand and his aide quickly began gathering the documents on the table. He turned from his chair, and the two elite palace guards quickly walked to his side and then led him out of the great room, leather boot heels clicking on the marble floor, with the aide hurrying behind, working to force the documents back into their pouch. When the great doors thumped closed behind the king, North drew a breath and slowly released it through rounded lips. Every face in the room was white with stunned surprise, and shocked exclamations rolled out to echo in the room.
North raised his hand and the talk dwindled and died. “My lords, this cabinet meeting is adjourned until ten o’clock on Thursday. I trust each of you will consider what impact His Majesty’s directives will have on your department, reduce it to writing, and be prepared to commence the discussions and debates that will be necessary to accomplish what now must be done.”
One rose to political power in England by learning the ruthless art of replacing the man ahead in the chain that led to the king’s court or cabinet. Having arrived in a powerful and coveted position, one retained such by learning the equally ruthless art of stopping the man below. Survival lay in one’s ability to hide the treachery and deceit behind a facade of innocence and virtue. There were no rules. Men and careers were destroyed without conscience by any means necessary in the desperate, murky shadows of political intrigues. Each man in the cabinet knew the terms of the political combat, and none intended to allow his standing with the king to be lessened by the plan the cabinet must now create.
Lord North ordered in enough scribes to record the general text of every speech, every suggestion, and the precise details of every issue and every vote taken on it. He had long since learned that nothing is so potent in a showdown before the king as a well-kept “minute” in which the comments of each speaker were available in hard, cold print. And no member of the cabinet had illusions of why the scribes were there. Later disavowals of how they voted or what they had said and any convenient loss of memory would be denied them. North was forcing them to the wall. They would perform or face the wrath of the king.
For more than twenty days the cabinet worked through calculations of how many ships would be required to transport thirty thousand troops, together with their muskets, cannon, horses, gun carriages, gunpowder, uniforms, clothing, medicine, and food in sufficient supply to sustain them for one year. It would require three hundred transport ships. In addition, the king had ordered thirty men-of-war to support the ground troops. Total—three hundred thirty ships. That having been established, North systematically and methodically charted out the issues that must be addressed and resolved.
Troops? Where were they to find thirty thousand troops? Take them from those assigned in Minorca? Gibraltar? No, that would seriously weaken the British presence in the Mediterranean. India? No, there were too few troops holding India as it was. The West Indies? Impossible—the Indies needed more troops to protect the taxes derived from the thriving sugar and rum industry. Scotland? Yes, use the Black Guard. Hire Russian conscripts? No, Catherine the Great had refused. Then Germans? Yes, get Hessian conscripts! Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick had consented. Seven pounds per head. Get them—as many as you can. Raid the pubs and docks and brothels. Find more.
Ships? Never had the British Empire required three hundred transport ships for one military effort, with thirty men-of-war for support. Where were they to be found? Call in some from the fleet in Gibraltar. The West Indies. Buy some from the Dutch. Build some. Forget the cost—get them.
Food and supplies? Contract for the salt beef and pork now, pay later. Hardtack. Sea biscuits. Wheat. Beans. Rice. Cattle. Sheep. Chickens. Lime juice. Fresh potatoes. Horses. Cannon. Rum. Muskets. Gunpowder. Soap. Utensils. Shot, both cannon and musket. Medicines. Fodder and oats for the horses and cattle and animals. Determine the quantities that are needed and contract for them now, pay later. Ignore the cost. Get them.
All of the men in the cabinet knew their political futures would stand or fall on the success or failure of their master plan to bring the American colonies into submission. And that being true, the fulcrum question was simple: to whom would they entrust the awesome responsibility of making it happen? It was clearly the most critical and politically explosive issue this cabinet would ever face. Lord North spent tense days and sleepless nights pacing the floor, then assembled the men.
Solemnly he faced them. “My lords, we shall commission Lord Amherst to assume command of our forces in America. His abilities as a military leader are without peer, as evidenced by his unequalled victories in the Seven Years’ War. His popularity, capabilities, and dedication are beyond reproach.”
The vote was unanimous. Lord Amherst was summoned to Lord North’s office on Downing Street. He listened intently, traced the proposed plan on the maps spread on the huge table, pursed his mouth in deep reflection while he paced on the marble floor with his hands clasped behind his back, and returned to the table.
“My lords, I must respectfully decline for at least the following reasons. I have grave doubts England can maintain so large a force so far from home long enough to conclude peace. Also, it would be difficult for me to return to the colonies to crush them, after having been the one who saved them from the French. And last, I would very much prefer to remain in England for the balance of my life and not in the rather . . . um . . . raw colonies. I am truly sorry.”
Stunned, with growing misgivings, the cabinet resumed debate that raged for days before final votes were taken. The scribes finished their flawless, minute entries. Lord North closed the books, reached for his feather quill, and penned the single most vital message of his career.
“May it please Your Majesty: The cabinet has finished a proposal which I am prepared to submit to Your Majesty for your consideration, at your pleasure. Your most humble and obedient servant, North.” He pressed his seal into the heated wax and sent the sealed message by his private courier with six armed guards. The courier returned within the hour with a message under the king’s seal.
“His Majesty presents his compliments to Lord North and declares that it would be his pleasure to receive Lord North’s report tomorrow morning at nine o’clock in the Royal Chambers at the Queen’s House.”
At nine o’clock a.m. two of the palace guard ushered Lord North down the long, lavish marble hall from the entry of the Queen’s House, heels clicking in perfect cadence on the polished floor, to stop before a thick door ornately decorated with the royal arms of the sovereign of the United Kingdom. One guard rapped lightly and, upon invitation from within, opened the door and Lord North entered.
“Your Majesty,” he said, and bowed deeply, clutching a locked box of documents at his side.
At ten-thirty the king called for his guard, and Lord North was led from the grandeur of the room and back down the hall, where he was introduced into a library wherein the walls were lined with polished white ash shelves filled with books in every language. He sat on an upholstered chair beside an immaculately carved and polished table, heaved a sigh, and settled in to await the beck and call of his king. At one o’clock a servant entered to set on the side table a silver tray with strips of roast mutton, fruits, cheeses, and a crystal flask of wine. At four o’clock the two palace guards escorted him back to the presence of the king.
King George sat down in one of two facing chairs, with a small, low table between them. The meticulously drawn maps and documents, with the minutes of the cabinet meetings, were spread on a tabletop on the opposite side of the room.
“Be seated.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” North eased onto the chair facing the king. The tight smile on North’s face belied the tremble in his stomach as he peered intently into the face of his king, seeking something, anything, of his thoughts. The king crossed his legs and leaned back, elbows on the chair arms, fingers interlaced.
“Let me be certain I understand your plan.”
North leaned forward, focused.
&nb
sp; “Abandon Boston, and take New York?”
“Exactly, Your Majesty. Boston is of no military importance. New York is clearly the economic and political center of the colonies. Take New York and we control the center.”
“Divide and conquer? You intend sending a large force from Canada, down Lake Champlain and the Hudson River valley to Albany, while another large force comes from New York to join them?”
“Precisely. Take control of the Lake Champlain–Hudson River corridor, and we have divided the New England colonies from the middle and southern colonies. With the support of those loyal to the Crown, it will then be a simple matter of bringing the New England colonies into subjection, then the middle colonies, and finally the southern section.”
“You have reliable estimates of how much of the American population remains loyal to the Crown?”
“We do. In the New England colonies, perhaps ten percent. In the south, thirty percent. But in New York, Your Majesty, half the population remains loyal to the Crown and will rise to our support when we arrive.”
The king considered the figures before he pushed on. “You intend giving command of our forces to General William Howe?”
North knew what was coming next, and a faint quiver of panic came and went before he made his answer. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
King George lowered his hands, leaned forward slightly, and came directly to the question North most feared. “My information is that General Howe is a Whig, not a Tory. His declared political position is in sympathy with the colonies, not with me. Am I correct, or am I deceived?”
North smiled feigned confidence and did not hesitate. “That is correct, Your Majesty. The cabinet did a thorough investigation. It is all there in the minutes, beginning on page 288 and—”
The king cut him off. “I know where it is. My question is, why is this man being trusted when his personal political inclinations are clearly contrary to the objectives of the command in question? Besides, wasn’t he in command at the debacle at Bunker Hill?”
North met him eye to eye. “At Bunker Hill, General Howe faithfully followed the orders of General Gage, contrary to his own inclinations. He is the most dedicated professional soldier in the empire, Your Majesty. If he does accept this command, there is no personal consideration, no political leaning, no distraction that will color his absolute and complete commitment to following the letter of his orders. He has proven himself in the Seven Years’ War and every major conflict since.”
The king’s eyes dropped for a moment. “You feel it prudent to give command of our support naval forces to his brother, Viscount Richard Howe?”
North did not hesitate. “Absolutely. No admiral in our navy stands higher in the eyes of his peers. Neither William nor Richard is a creature of politics. Each is a pure militarist. We can do no better.”
“You intend using Brigadier General John Burgoyne? You have no question about his reliability? My information is he has a penchant for the ladies and champagne and high living. He writes plays—referred to as ‘Gentleman Johnny.’ Can he rise above those weaknesses?”
“Without question. I am certain Your Majesty recalls his heroic performance in defense of Portugal, when he led the surprise raid on Valencia d’Alcantara and defeated the Spanish.” North leaned forward, eyes shining. “But his greatest asset is, he has served in northeastern Canada! He knows the country and the native Indians. He is uniquely qualified to lead our force down the Lake Champlain–Hudson River corridor. And, Your Majesty, he is ambitious. He wishes to rise and make his name, and perhaps secure honors in the bargain. He will do so in your service, and most energetically. His ambition will more than offset his penchant for dalliance and playwriting.”
King George gathered his thoughts. “You recommend General Henry Clinton? A winter attack on the port of Charleston in South Carolina?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. General Clinton’s father was governor of Long Island, across the East River from the city of New York. General Clinton played there as a child—knows the people and the geography from earliest memory. He understands the Dutch who settled Long Island. He will be invaluable in our plan to take New York. And by taking Charleston before we attack New York, we will have established ourselves in the south, preparatory to the divide-and-conquer action.”
“I have no thought about General Lord Charles Cornwallis.” Again King George paused and locked eyes with North. “Your estimated cost exceeds sixty million pounds. How do you plan to get the money?”
“Borrow it, at first, then recover it by levying taxes on the colonies commensurate with the taxes all of your subjects have been paying. Your Majesty knows our tax structure has long favored the colonies with the lightest taxes in the kingdom. When they are subdued, that will cease. They will repay the loans.”
The king rose, face clouded in deep thought, and slowly paced to the far wall, then returned to his chair and leaned forward. “Draft an order for my signature, authorizing you to proceed with your plan. However, I want it understood from this moment that General William Howe shall not have power to arrange terms of peace, should the colonies surrender. I and I alone shall have that power. Nor shall he have power to pardon, except on conditions that I shall dictate. You will see to it his written commission includes those limitations. Is there any question of what I have said?”
“None, Your Majesty. I understand and I concur completely.”
The king drew a great breath of air and exhaled it as he stood. “Thank you for all your efforts. I commend the cabinet. Tell them. I will await the documents I must sign to authorize you and those you have recommended for command.”
Relief flooded through North’s body like a great wave. “Yes, Your Majesty. I shall begin today.”
North watched as the king took his leave, with his entourage of personal bodyguards and his aide, arms loaded once again with all the documents; and then North closed his eyes and exhaled a great breath. He made his way to his own waiting coach, and laid his head back against the leather-covered cushion and closed his eyes as the coach swayed into motion for the return to his office. In the late evening twilight, he was seated alone in the gloom and silence of his own quarters before the awful realization materialized in his brain.
The mightiest armada in the history of the world must be assembled, and it must cross the Atlantic Ocean in the winter, to subdue an entire population in a raw, sprawling country many times larger than England, and it must be accomplished in less than five months. And should he fail, his political career would end, either by the pleasure of the king or by his own resignation. It was full dark before he rose and lighted a lamp.
______
Notes
Buckingham House—dubbed the Queen’s House by King George III after he bought it for his wife—was one of the king’s residences and was not far from the famous Whitehall district, Pall Mall, and St. James’s Square, where many of the powerful men in the king’s cabinet both resided and had office space. A description of this area and the persons who resided and officed there is found in Mackesy, The War for America, beginning on p. 54.
Also, excellent descriptions of the Thames River, the miles of docks, the important role the river played in England’s history, the Whitehall area, and the other historically important places in London are found in Pool, What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew, beginning on p. 26.
The titles of the eight men constituting the cabinet of King George III are found in Mackesy, The War for America, in a freestanding diagram on pp. xxviii–xix following the preface to the book. The descriptions of the physical appearances and general personalities of both Lord North and Lord Germain are found on pp. 20–21 and 47–54, respectively. The limitation on the king’s ability to force the cabinet to function is described on p. 23.
Buying military rank in England during the Revolutionary time period was common. Stuart, the son of Lord Bute, wrote that he had purchased the rank of major for 2,600 pounds, and later was buying the rank of lieutenant colon
el for over 5,000 pounds (see Higginbotham, The War of American Independence, p. 124).
The British national debt in 1763, when Great Britain concluded the peace of the Seven Years’ War with France, was 122,603,336 pounds (see Higginbotham, The War of American Independence, p. 34).
In 1776, England’s empire included a presence in India, Africa, the West Indies, Gibraltar, Minorca, and the American colonies, all of which must be maintained at tremendous cost (see Johnston, The Campaign of 1776, part 1, pp. 26–27).
The taking of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775, by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, with Benedict Arnold, is described in Higginbotham, The War of American Independence, p. 67. See also Leckie, George Washington’s War, pp. 120–21, for a somewhat whimsical report of the incident.
The titles by which people in all classes of English society were addressed are described in Pool, What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew, commencing on p. 38.
The hiring of mercenary soldiers by one nation from another was common practice in Europe in the Revolutionary time period. King George III attempted to hire Russian soldiers to fight the Americans, but Catherine the Great of Russia declined. The king then hired German soldiers from Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick, which soldiers were known as Hessians (see Higginbotham, The War of American Independence, p. 130; Mackesy, The War for America, pp. 61–62).
The general plan for defeating the Americans finally agreed on by King George III and his cabinet was to take New York City and have a major force proceed north up the Hudson River valley to meet a second force coming down from the north, which would isolate the northern colonies. The British forces would then conquer the colonies in sections—northern, middle, and southern. Despite his personal leanings in favor of the American cause, General William Howe was made commander of the British forces in America (see Mackesy, The War for America, pp. 58, 75–76; Stokesbury, A Short History of the American Revolution, p. 82; Higginbotham, The War of American Independence, p. 148 and following).