Chapter 1 - Page 2

Lane, a
very handsome residence--an old house even in the days of Washington,
for Peter Van Clyffe had built it early in the century as a bridal
present to his daughter when she married Philip Moran, a lawyer who grew
to eminence among colonial judges. The great linden trees which shaded
the garden had been planted by Van Clyffe; so also had the high hedges
of cut boxwood, and the wonderful sweet briar, which covered the porch
and framed all the windows filling the open rooms in summer time with
the airs of Paradise. On all these lovely things the old Dutchman had
stamped his memory, so that, even to the third generation, he was
remembered with an affection, that every springtime renewed.

One afternoon in April, 1791, two men were standing talking opposite to
the entrance gates of this pleasant place. They were Captain Joris Van
Heemskirk, a member of the Congress then sitting in Federal Hall, Broad
Street, and Jacobus Van Ariens, a wealthy citizen, and a deacon in the
Dutch Church. Van Heemskirk had helped to free his own country and was
now eager to force the centuries and abolish all monarchies.
Consequently, he believed in France; the tragedies she had been enacting
in the holy name of Liberty, though they had saddened, had, hitherto,
not discouraged him. He only pitied the more men who were trying to work
out their social salvation, without faith in either God or man. But the
news received that morning had almost killed his hopes for the spread of
republican ideas in Europe,

"Van Ariens," he said warmly, "this treatment of King Louis and his
family is hardly to be believed. It is too much, and too far. If King
George had been our prisoner we should have behaved towards him with
humanity. After this, no one can foresee what may happen in France."

"That is the truth, my friend," answered Van Ariens. "The good Domine
thinks that any one who can do so might also understand the Revelations.
The French have gone mad. They are tigers, sir, and I care not whether
tigers walk on four feet or on two. WE won our freedom without
massacres."

"WE had Washington and Franklin, and other good and wise leaders who
feared God and loved men."

"So I said to the Count de Moustier but one hour ago. But I did not
speak to him of the Almighty, because he is an atheist. Yet if we were
prudent and merciful it was because we are religious. When men are
irreligious, the Lord forsakes them; and if bloodshed and bankruptcy
follow it is not to be wondered at."

"That is true, Van Ariens; and it is also the policy of England to let
France destroy herself." "Well, then, if France likes the policy of
England, it is her own affair. But