Hamilton

L.; he comes to C. looking around. Tallyrand Ah! You mean it is not so easy. You have to deal with Alexander Hamilton. Giles We’ll deal with him all right. Alexander Hamilton⁠— General Philip Schuyler is a large man, inclining to stoutness. He has a gouty foot and walks with a slight limp. His dress suggests the aristocrat; his manner is open and genial. He is a handsome, lovable old gentleman. He carries a handsome cane. Monroe Shh! Schuyler Howdy, everybody! Two or three of the men say “Howdy, General.” The Second Citizen rises and bows. Tallyrand Goes to him effusively. Ah, General Schuyler, how are you? Schuyler Turning and bowing. Count Tallyrand. Tallyrand takes his two hands warmly. Tallyrand And how fares your illustrious son-in-law, Alexander Hamilton? Schuyler Why, I guess he’s all right. I’ve just come from Albany. I’ve been over to his house and find he’s not at home. Giles moves to chair back of table L. and shows Monroe papers. Tallyrand Ah, ’tis good for him to get away from his labors sometimes. Schuyler Well, it’s a queer thing for him to be away this time in the morning. Turning again to look around to the R. another man rises and says: “Howdy, General.” I thought he might be here⁠— Reynolds Advancing effusively, taking off his hat and snaking a low bow. General Schuyler, now I’ll sell you one of these⁠— Schuyler ignores him and turns back to Tallyrand. Reynolds goes up to behind table R., laughing. Schuyler Everybody calls here. Tallyrand Yes, everybody comes to see everybody at the Exchange Coffee House. I find it amusing. It is Club, Restaurant, Merchants’ Exchange, everything. Enter Melissa with drinks; places them on table R. Schuyler Ah, we’ll alter all that in time. Count Tallyrand. We’re young, you know. Give Alexander Hamilton time to sow some seeds. We’ll have a real Merchants’ Exchange and a real live country that will be able to pay its debts. Twinge of gout. Melissa gets chair from in front of post R. and brings it down R. of Schuyler, replacing it against table R., then taking tray with other drinks across to table down L., giving one to Giles and one to Monroe. And I hope I shall have a real foot, which I haven’t at this moment. And if you don’t mind, Melissa, my girl, I’ll just rest it in the parlor before I hobble along. Good day to you. Count Tallyrand. Going L. Tallyrand I shall call on Alexander before I leave. Schuyler He’ll be extremely glad to see you. Twinge. Confound this foot. Goes off R. 2 E. Reynolds Who has been drinking and conversing with one or two shady-looking characters, coming to him. Count Tallyrand, before you return to la belle France, wouldn’t you like to buy up the whole of the French Loan? I’ll sell it to you for ten cents. Laughter. Enter L. front street, Thomas Jefferson. He is a man over six feet tall. His red hair is unpowdered. He has pointed features and a freckled face. His corduroy breeches are well-worn. Jefferson Coming down stage C. Good day to you, Citizens. First Man rises and says: “Good day, Mr. Jefferson”; one or two other men say: “Mr. Jefferson.” Melissa Coming forward with a curtsey to L. of Jefferson. Good day to you, Mr. Jefferson. Jefferson Good day to you, Melissa. And how is your father today? Mending, I hope. Melissa Yes, Your Honor. Thank you, Your Honor. Jefferson No “Honor” for me; just plain Citizen, Melissa. Tell him I asked after him. Moving toward table L. Melissa Thank you, sir. Curtseys and is going R. Jefferson Turning slightly, raising finger in protest. Leave off the “Sir.” Melissa Yes, sir. Jefferson Laughs slightly amused. A little Madeira now, Melissa. She goes hurriedly R., and exits. Citizen Monroe⁠—Shakes hands. Good day to you, Citizen Giles. Does not shake with Giles. Giles Howdy, Tom Jefferson. Jefferson Turning in front of table L. Ah, Citizen Tallyrand. Tallyrand Coming down C. Count Tallyrand, if you please. Jefferson In America there are no titles. Citizen Tallyrand. In this land of the free all men are equal. Giles And they say titles ain’t so very popular in France just now. Jefferson Sitting R. of table L. Ah, France! What a glorious change! The apostle of Liberty and Fraternity. Tallyrand Liberty! Fraternity! What do you mean by liberty, Mr. Jefferson? Jefferson Points to cap over mantel. Ask your own countrymen, Citizen Tallyrand. There you behold the symbol of the liberty of your great land of France. To us in America, that crimson cap stands as a symbol of freedom⁠—a symbol⁠— Tallyrand You call that dirty rag a symbol of Liberty? I call it a symbol of license, of lawlessness, of murder. What say you, Thomas Jefferson, to the murder of my king, Louis of France? Is that, too, a symbol of Liberty, of Fraternity? Jefferson It is the will of the people. The time is not far distant, Citizen Tallyrand, when every king in Europe will have been swept into the dust heap of history. Approval from the crowd. Monroe Louis the Sixteenth was an oppressor of the people. Jefferson A tyrant. Giles Yes, sir. Tallyrand To Jefferson. You say that⁠—you who for five years were Minister to France and enjoyed his friendship? You, who have sat at his table? Jefferson It was necessary to use the arm of the people. Fate decreed that your newly-founded Republic should be cemented with the blood of aristocrats. Giles Down with aristocrats! Down with tyrants everywhere! Tallyrand Yes, I know your idea of liberty! Down with aristocrats! Down with everybody⁠—who is in your way! Giles I’ll tell you one thing, Citizen Tallyrand, and I’ll tell it to you now. There are some damned aristocrats in this country that’ll get