What crown had he in mind for the white and venerable brow of the man who stood before him?  Beneath that brow was a new type of statesman, born of the hardships and perils and high faith of a new world, and then and there as these two faced each other—­the soul of the past and the soul of the future—­a moment was come than which there had been no greater in human history.  In America, France and England the cocks had been crowing and now the first light of the dawn of a new day fell upon the figure of the man who in honor and understanding towered above his fellows.  Now, for a moment, on the character of this man the unfathomable plan of God for future ages would seem to have been resting.

In his sixty-eight years he had discovered, among other things, the vanity of wealth and splendor.  It was no more to him than the idle wind.  These are his exact words as he stood with a gentle smile on his face:  “If you wish to use me, give me the propositions and dismiss all thought of rewards from your mind.  They would destroy the influence you propose to use.”

Howe, a good man as men went those days, had got beyond his depth.  His philosophy comprehended no such mystery.  What manner of man was this son of a soap boiler who had smiled and shaken his white head and spoken like a kindly father to the folly of a child when these offers of wealth and honor and power had been made to him?  Did he not understand that it was really the King who had spoken?

The old gentleman climbed the great staircase and went to his chamber, while Lord Howe was, no doubt, communicating the result of his interview to his other guests.  There were those among them who freely predicted that war was inevitable.

In the morning at eight o’clock Franklin rode into town with Lord Howe.  They discussed the motion of the Prime Minister under the terms of which the colonies were to pay money into the British Treasury until parliament should decide they had paid enough.

“It is impossible,” said Franklin.  “No chance is offered us to judge the propriety of the measure or our ability to pay.  These grants are demanded under a claimed right to tax us at pleasure and compel payments by armed force.  Your Lordship, it is like the proposition of a highwayman who presents a pistol at the window of your coach and demands enough to satisfy his greed—­no specific sum being named—­or there is the pistol.”

“You are a most remarkable man, but you do not understand the government,” said His Lordship.  “You will not let yourself see the other side of the proposition.  You are highly esteemed in America and if you could but see the justice of our claim you would be as highly esteemed here and honored and rewarded far beyond any expectation you are likely to have.”

“If any one supposes that I could prevail upon my countrymen to take black for white or wrong for right, he does not know them or me,” said Franklin.  “My people are incapable of being so imposed upon and I am incapable of attempting it.”