Hamilton

you. I’ll just toddle along. Hamilton Following and laughing. Toddle? With that foot? Schuyler Throwing open the door up R. The foot’s better, Alexander. Good night, gentlemen. Hamilton Excuse me while I see the General to the door. They go off up R. Hamilton closes the door after him. Jefferson Coming toward C. What do you make of that last remark of his⁠—as irrevocable as our decision regarding his bill? Monroe R. C. Sounds like an invitation to strike a bargain. Jefferson Is it worth it? Monroe We can’t do without him, damn him. Jefferson Shall we support his bill in return for the Capital? Monroe It’s worth anything to get the Capital away from the North. Jefferson It will be hard to explain this change of front to the people. I’ve said so much about State Rights. Monroe You can make some excuse. Jefferson It will be difficult to explain away. Monroe Chuckling and coming to C. Tom Jefferson, you can explain away anything. Give you pen and ink and there isn’t your equal for that in the universe. Besides, we may not have to give up a thing. Moving away to R. a little. Jefferson What do you mean? Monroe Well, Giles of Virginia has some scheme on. He said if Hamilton got us into a corner⁠— Jefferson Monroe, Giles is a rascal, and I’ll not be identified with any of his underhand schemes. Monroe Neither will I. I’ll just leave him alone and trust in Providence. Reenter Hamilton door up R. at back. Monroe crosses Jefferson to L. Hamilton Coming down R. of table C. Forgive me for leaving you, although I’m afraid, gentlemen, our interview is at an end. Jefferson Advancing a little to Hamilton. Citizen Hamilton, I have been credited with being a diplomatist. Hamilton Your valued service, as Minister to France, places that beyond dispute, sir. Jefferson And I find that, in settling arguments of all kinds, it is necessary to give and take. Hamilton The best diplomatist, I presume, being the man who gives the least and takes the most. Jefferson and Monroe laugh slightly. Jefferson In this instance, Citizen Monroe and myself are prepared to give a great deal, in order that the Southern States shall not be overlooked. Monroe Treated with contempt. Jefferson With regard to the Capital, I have a proposal to make. Hamilton nods his head attentively and comes down in front of sofa and turns to them. As we cannot agree upon the selection of a city, why not build us a new city⁠—clean and new and full of the ideals of Liberty and Fraternity! Why choose a city like Albany or New York, marred with the scars of the British tyrant⁠—bristling with the memories of our servitude? Hamilton Certainly an original idea. A new city. On the Hudson! Monroe Quickly and emphatically. No, not on the Hudson. Jefferson On the Potomac⁠—halfway between the North and the South! Hamilton I regret to have to refuse you, Mr. Jefferson, but as I said my decision is irrevocable. Going up stage between end of sofa and table C. Jefferson I think you said as irrevocable as our decision regarding your bill. Hamilton Turning and apparently trying to recall it. Did I? I think I did. Jefferson Suppose we⁠—make⁠—a⁠—concession. Hamilton Coming back to Jefferson. Strike a bargain, do you mean? Jefferson Well, I wouldn’t care to use that word, Mr. Hamilton. Hamilton No? We won’t use it, then. We’ll call it concession. Moves to front of sofa again. Jefferson Suppose we pass your Bill in return for the Capital? Hamilton With an assumption of astonishment. Why, gentlemen, this is a surprising proposal. I fear I must have time to think it over. Sits on little chair in front of sofa. Monroe Beside Jefferson. You’re a quick thinker when you like, Hamilton. Knock ready. Hamilton Yes, when I like the proposal. But I am afraid I am getting the worst of the bargain⁠—Jefferson gives slight movement er⁠—concession. Jefferson We’re offering you something you’ve been fighting for for years. Hamilton You will admit that yours would be the spectacular victory. The Capital wrested from the North! Jefferson I do not care for popularity. I am thinking only of what is best for the greatest number. Hamilton You need my answer now? Can you not give me a week to think it over? Monroe A week! Good Lord, Hamilton. Hamilton Three days! Monroe This must be decided now. Hamilton Rising. Very well, gentlemen. I agree. Monroe With alacrity. Shall we put it in writing? Going toward table L. Jefferson I think our oral pledge will be sufficient. Hamilton Your word is your bond. In fact I would rather take your word, gentlemen, than the bond of any state in the Union. He bows to them; they laugh. Monroe comes over eagerly and extends his hand. Monroe That’s a bargain then. Enter Zekiel, L., with tray containing chicken, decanter of wine and three wineglasses. Knock is heard off R. He puts tray on table C. and exits up R., leaving door R. open. Note: Be sure that Betsy’s letter is on tray. The dialogue is not interrupted by Zekiel’s entrance. Jefferson Between them and smiling. Really, I cannot permit⁠— Hamilton Let us say, a final settlement of our difference of opinion. May I offer you some refreshment? Going to back of C. table. Monroe to R. Jefferson Thank you, no. Citizen Monroe will agree that we have already detained you too long. Passing up R. of C. table toward door R. Hamilton is preceding Jefferson when Zekiel throws open the street door up R. and announces⁠ ⁠… Zekiel Coun’ Tallyrand! Enter Tallyrand. Tallyrand Shaking hands with Hamilton and then retiring a little on the right up stage near door. My dear Hamilton⁠—oh, a thousand pardons. I see you have the Citizens with you. I