Lady Howe arose and offered to withdraw.

“Your Ladyship, why not honor us with your presence?” Franklin asked.  “For my part I can see no reason for making a secret of a business of this nature.  As to His Lordship’s mention of my mistreatment, that done my country is so much greater I dismiss all thought of the other.  From the King’s speech I judge that no accommodation can be expected.”

“The plan is now to send a commission to the colonies, as you have urged,” said His Lordship.

Then said Lady Howe:  “I wish, my brother Franklin, that you were to be sent thither.  I should like that much better than General Howe’s going to command the army there.”

A rather tense moment followed.  Franklin broke its silence by saying in a gentle tone: 

“I think, madame, they should provide the General with more honorable employment.  I beg that your Ladyship will not misjudge me.  I am not capable of taking an office from this government while it is acting with so much hostility toward my country.”

“The ministers have the opinion that you can compose the situation if you will,” Lord Howe declared.  “Many of us have unbounded faith in your ability.  I would not think of trying to influence your judgment by a selfish motive, but certainly you may, with reason, expect any reward which it is in the power of the government to bestow.”

Then came an answer which should live in history, as one of the great credits of human nature, and all men, especially those of English blood, should feel a certain pride in it.  The answer was: 

“Your Lordship, I am not looking for rewards, but only for justice.”

“Let us try to agree as to what is the justice of the matter,” Howe answered.  “Will you not draft a plan on which you would be willing to cooperate?”

“That I will be glad to do.”

Persisting in his misjudgment, Howe suggested: 

“As you have friends here and constituents in America to keep well with, perhaps it would better not be in your handwriting.  Send it to Lady Howe and she will copy it and return the original.”

Then said the sturdy old Yankee:  “I desire, my friends, that there shall be no secrecy about it.”

Lord and Lady Howe showed signs of great disappointment as he bade them good night and begged to be sent to his room.

“I am growing old, and have to ask for like indulgence from every hostess,” he pleaded.

Howe was not willing to leave a stone unturned.  He could not dismiss the notion from his mind that the purchase could be effected if the bid were raised.  He drew the Doctor aside and said: 

“We do not expect your assistance without proper consideration.  I shall insist upon generous and ample appointments for the men you take with you and especially for you as well as a firm promise of subsequent rewards.”