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Dr. Franklin is nothing less

than the first mover and prime conductor,

the inventor and leading member of a secret cabal

designed for the purposes of keeping up a spirit of clamor and discontent

in our American colonies!

The good doctor comes before the king's Privy Council today

as an agent of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

He bears a humble petition

from that august assembly seeking the removal of the royal governor.

For the sake of peace, he says.

I call it a funny sort of peace that stains the waters of Boston Harbor

with L10,000 of East India tea!

I give you this

scurrilous article in the pages of the Public Advertiser.

"Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One."

The article is signed QED.

Quod erat demonstrandum. Thus it is proved.

As you can see,

Dr. Franklin is truly a man of letters!

These are the ravings of a true insurrectionist.

I have never advocated insurrection.

Ha! Ha!

The prime minister knows that I have served His Majesty's government

here in London with unwavering zeal.

I put it to you, Dr. Franklin, that whilst you have sought...

- I have spent a decade trying to explain... - preferment on the one hand...

- the colonies to England... - with the other you have been conspiring...

- and England to the colonies. - with rabble-rousers and other scum...

- My only goal has been to preserve... - to foment rebellion...

- that fine and noble china vase... - I say, to foment rebellion...

- the British Empire. - all for your own personal profit.

I ask the Privy Council to reject the petition of the Massachusetts Assembly.

Furthermore, I ask that Dr. Franklin's charter

as agent of the colonies of Massachusetts,

Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Georgia be revoked.

The solicitor general's request

is granted.

Whatever you're thinking, saying it now will only make our fortunes worse.

I'll make their master a little king.

Victory in Saratoga! The English surrender!

America wins!

The marquis de Lafayette, hero of Brandywine!

America wins!

Victory! The English lost in Saratoga. America won!

- Hold on! Calm down! Calm down! - Please, sir. Please! Please!

Here. For you. These are for you. You take these.

Make sure you hand all of them out!

Everyone has some? Now spread out! Go!

"MARCH OF THE INSURGENTS"

Are you all right, sir?

Do you need help?

Not at all, my friend. All is well.

Bravo! What a marvelous instrument. Bravo!

Yes, it's interesting.

I believe the principle is Greek in origin.

The Abb� is right.

I merely perfected the mechanism.

The tone may be softened or swelled

by the pressure of the finger...

and continued for any length.

The instrument, being well tuned, never requires adjustment.

I have an instrument like that of my own.

Well, you must play it for me sometime, madame.

Perhaps you would like to play it yourself.

Whatever are you talking about?

Nothing you haven't thought of, you rascal.

Come sit beside me.

Not there. That's Mark Antony's seat. Here.

So, now that your country has won such a glorious victory at...

What is the name of the place?

Saratoga. In the colony of New York, I believe.

What sort of place is it?

Well, I'm afraid you'd have to ask Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne.

Though I expect he wished that he'd never been there.

You're a clever one.

My late husband was a philosopher, you know.

He believed good and evil were mere fictions or something of the kind.

But under his wig, he was bald as a baby's rump.

You are terribly ancient, but you still have most of your hair.

Perhaps you'd like to fluff it.

Tie it up with a little ribbon.

And I could sit peacefully on your lap.

With you on my lap, sir, there'd be very little peace.

What impure thoughts are running through your head, Abb�?

I, madame?

Only that Dr. Franklin is a merry man to carry such a burden.

What burden is that, Monsieur l'Abb�?

Your country's fate, of course.

In that I have some cause for merriment today.

I should think Versailles must take note of this victory.

If they do not, Monsieur Cabanis, I've spilled a great deal of ink in vain.

Tell me something, you old bear.

Is this the sort of nonsense you talk about with that mopey little teacup?

You mean Madame Brillon?

No. No, we discuss music and books and delicate matters of the soul.

No wonder you look like a starving man given a pea for dinner.

Fill in everyone's glasses, Mr. Cabanis, and let's have a toast.

- To? - To Saratoga?

To eating a full plate.

Come look at this.

Very skillful, Your Majesty.

Do you enjoy the mechanical arts, Foreign Minister?

Alas, obligations do not afford me the time.

What's interesting about locks

is that unless you crack them open, you've no idea what's inside.

But then you've broken the lock.

Your Majesty, you know of the victory at Saratoga.

Yes. Rather bloodied old George's nose, hmm?

There's an opportunity here.

It would be wise to seize it before it's too late.

You're on about your alliance again.

I'm certain England is seeking a way out before it suffers even greater losses.

The Americans may well be inclined to grant them one.

Then we wouldn't have to pay for a war, would we?

We'd only be delaying one.

Against an enemy we could have weakened if we had been bold enough to act.

I don't know.

- Your Majesty means... - I don't know.

Yes.

- Yes, I may proceed? - Yes, I don't know.

Did he mean to refuse you without saying it?

Possibly.

Does he wish you to negotiate

but doesn't want it known that he said so?

He might.

Is he setting a trap,

expecting that you'll disobey, and so expose you?

He's not that smart.

Are you sure?

What are the risks?

Disgrace. Exile. Prison.

I think that covers it.

And the rewards?

France wins. The English lose. And...

You succeed.

What should I do?

Charles, my dear,

you've already decided.

You just want me to tell you you're right.

I'll have G�rard handle it.

That way there's someone else to blame.

Well, who would have thought all it took to make the English appreciate you

was to capture 6,000 of their soldiers?

Stack up the Madeira so he can see it.

Right.

He's here.

Keep him occupied.

W-Where the devil are you going?

I BECAME FULLY VERSED IN THE NUANCED ART OF SEXUAL PLEASURE

Temple.

- I know you're in there, boy. - I'm busy.

I'm coming in.

- What are you doing? - Reading.

- I don't see any book. - I finished it.

Then you're not reading.

What do you want?

We have been rather disputatious with each other of late.

Have we?

Whatever I might instruct, it is only in the hope

that you have bettered your prospects in this world after I have passed from it.

You need me to do something, don't you?

Put on a decent coat and hurry up.

Monsieur G�rard. Welcome to our petite h�tel.

The pleasure is mine, Doctor.

A small gesture of our nation's goodwill.

A nice little Armagnac.

Oh, most thoughtful.

Bancroft, would you...

Of course.

Minister Vergennes wishes to convey his... Is that cheese?

Stilton. Just arrived this afternoon from Derbyshire.

Quite extravagant. How could I refuse?

Now, you really must try this.

I thank you, but English cheese has never been to my liking.

As you please.

Minister Vergennes wishes to convey his...

You know, the oddest thing... I seem to recall you telling me

that His Majesty preferred that we win our independence

before entering into any negotiations.

His Majesty, that is to say, Minister Vergennes...

- I believe you know my secretary. - Your secre...

I hope you will not object to him taking the minutes of our interview.

Just so there can be no misunderstandings.

Of course.

- Master Temple. - Monsieur.

Anyway, you were saying... Please, please, please.

The Minister Vergennes...

Before we begin,

I must exact your promise not to advertise any piece of our discussion.

Nothing remains secret in Paris for very long.

Nonetheless.

Very well.

And you, Master Temple?

You have my promise.

I suppose I'll go catch up on the correspondence.

What may France offer to prevent America

from being seduced by the promise of a false peace with England?

You are aware that since my arrival in this country,

I have advocated for a treaty of amity and commerce, which is not yet concluded?

I am.

Conclude that treaty, and America will consider closing her ears

to any proposals that do not guarantee her independence.

Versailles is prepared to offer you a treaty on those terms.

The necessary documents can be yours in a matter of days.

At which point we can discuss the second treaty.

The what?

One that binds our countries together in a military alliance.

No, no, no, no, no. You are...

You can't put the plow before the oxen.

We say putting the cart before the horse.

Say it as you like. This cannot be a condition.

So, we are to be left to our own devices after all.

In that case, monsieur, I...

If the question is raising arms in America's defense, this may be discussed.

Discussed or agreed upon?

An open declaration of war is out of the question.

England must be the one to commence hostilities.

Which it will the moment any arrangement between us is publicly proclaimed.

In either case, the result is the same.

If you wish to convince His Majesty that an alliance is...

Is he not already convinced?

As I've said, friendship, trade...

Are you not authorized to negotiate?

I am not authorized to start a war.

But you've already done so.

We are simply determining how and when it will begin.

I...

I will have to consult with Minister Vergennes.

Well, by all means, but I suggest you make haste.

Please take some cheese with you.

Why aren't you privy to the negotiations? Does he suspect you?

It was the Frenchman. He wasn't having any of it.

Can you get your hands on the boy's notes?

Master Franklin's more careful than his grandfather.

You're not paid for excuses. Find a way.

Suppose a treaty is made.

Say a copy in the boy's hand found its way to London

before it could be dispatched to America.

And paint him as the Judas goat.

- Well, no. I wasn't think... Actually... - No, no, no, no. A letter is found.

In it he professes undying loyalty to his father and the British Crown.

Well, I... He'd never write such a thing.

I mean, the boy is obstreperous but he's not...

A traitor?

He doesn't have to write it. He only has to sign it.

Well, that will crush the old fellow.

Must he be dishonored as well as defeated?

It's hardly the worst that can happen to a man.

Do well to remember that.

- A declaration of war. - He was quite brazen about it.

He'll have us all carrying muskets by the time he's done.

What do I answer?

That you will confer with me.

Isn't that what I'm doing now?

Non. Now we're only talking.

We can confer after I've advised His Majesty.

Monsieur le Comte.

With the greatest respect, I'm uncertain which master I'm serving.

You are serving me.

We both serve the king.

And we all serve France.

So...

Use your discretion.

Resist his blandishments.

Say nothing you can't take back. And...

Carry on with the excellent work.

He's right, of course.

It's war any way you look at it.

Bravo! Bravo!

Thank you.

A little march to brighten the way for General Burgoyne and his men to prison.

Such an expense for so modest an audience,

and surely music so exquisite must be shared.

A performance at the opera to encourage support for your cause.

That is a splendid notion.

And under which man's name should it appear?

No man's. It is yours to claim.

The chevalier d'�on would stand a better chance.

But since it pleased you so much, I will teach you the notes.

I fear I would make a poor student.

You underestimate my patience.

All right.

I was beginning to think you had forgotten all about us

with all those visitors taking up so much of your time.

We Americans are new at making treaties, you see.

Advantage may be taken of our incapacities.

Mi, do, mi.

Beware a Frenchman's promise. Always demand proof of his sincerity.

I believe you show a gift for statesmanship, Madame Brillon.

Women, by necessity, are experts at negotiation.

What terms of alliance should you and I establish then?

First, there must be peace,

friendship and eternal love between us.

And the stipulations to maintain this peace?

That Dr. Franklin remain in my company

as much and as long as it pleases me.

And while I am in this pleasant company?

That you do anything I want you to do.

Anything I am allowed to do.

Are those terms acceptable?

Well, you ask for a monopoly on my affections

and leave none for other agreeable ladies.

Ladies such as the Washerwoman of Auteuil?

I would naturally demand reciprocity.

Your terms?

The said Dr. Franklin would go away from Madame Brillon whenever he pleases,

that he will stay away as long as he pleases,

and that he will love any other woman as far as he finds her amiable.

Perhaps you're right. I cannot teach you after all.

Oh, madame.

I thought that we were only practicing.

Of course we were.

You are here to win victory for your country.

Everything else is a pastime.

You are not so to me.

- The hours spent in your company are the... - Have kept us both amused.

If you wish for more, it is yours for the asking.

Marriages are kind of an alliance, are they not?

And the terms are not always honored by the parties involved.

But they are alliances nonetheless. Not to be casually broken.

I accept the conditions you propose

since every treaty must be a compromise.

Shall we continue?

Quite a crowd. All mad for America.

Half of them are policemen. The other half are spies.

Should I tell Simon to send them off?

I asked him to let them in.

Well. No three hands in chess, hey?

I'd like you to stay this time.

Dr. Franklin. My thanks for receiving me again.

I welcome all visitors, Mr. Williams. You know my colleague, Dr. Bancroft.

Only by reputation.

I assure you he's not nearly as devilish as they say he is.

May we speak somewhere in private?

Well, I'd be happy to oblige,

but the last time we did so, I met with some loss of property.

And I'm rather superstitious.

I thought you wished to parley, Dr. Franklin.

Indeed I do. Please begin.

Out here?

I find the air bracing.

If a passport could be obtained,

would you be willing to negotiate in London without any French interference?

Well, my late experience was less than pleasing.

I am now here among people that love and respect me.

You're much too wise to mistake personal flattery with national resolve.

I'm not nearly that wise.

I find it very hard to believe that anything could ever persuade America

to throw herself into the arms of France.

On the contrary, Mr. Williams.

America has been forced and driven into the arms of France.

Can you really afford to put faith in such a reluctant ally?

Our parliament is prepared to bestow autonomy on the colonies.

America would have complete control of its internal affairs.

Autonomy is not independence.

Must we endlessly quibble over words?

In the end, we are all Englishmen.

What do you think?

Should we not discuss that separately?

I see no cause for circumspection.

We are in a position to press advantage and put an end to profitless war.

Dr. Bancroft speaks the truth.

The Crown is in a giving vein.

But I am not.

My friend, think on what he offers.

What he offers is too little and too late.

If you did not care to negotiate,

why did you bother to meet again?

So they would all see us talking.

Who or what is this Williams?

He claims to represent the English prime minister.

- What did they discuss? - It wasn't clear.

Every other man at Passy is a spy. Doesn't anyone know how to do his job?

I suspect the doctor arranged the whole affair for our benefit.

Of course he did.

He means for us to respond in haste and confusion.

Isn't that what we're doing?

Tell Dr. Franklin that France will guarantee American independence

if war is declared.

But we don't guarantee that it will.

Should he press the point...

We make guarantees, but we don't guarantee anything?

Precisely. Now go away.

We know what you're up to.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

You're not the only one with informants.

You think you can ransack the treasury and start a war without us knowing?

Gentlemen, whatever I do... If I was doing it...

I do with the king's consent.

Then why hasn't he told us about it?

That seems a question that answers itself.

You're bluffing.

Am I?

Shall we go see His Majesty and ask him directly? I'm sure he won't mind.

I hear there's a good little library in the Bastille.

To keep the prisoners occupied.

Versailles guarantees America's independence

on the condition of a declaration of war between France and England.

That is a most welcome point.

Well, I should expect so.

Only, if no war is declared...

I'm sorry?

What is your concern?

If no war is declared, France can go right on trading with England

while the British army sees to our utter destruction.

And so you want?

A guarantee.

Of the guarantee?

Yes.

And what form should this guaranteed guarantee take?

Gold is always persuasive.

How much gold?

Six million livre.

A six million livre loan.

A six million livre gift.

We give you six million livre and you...

Spend it.

Well, you do want us to win, don't you?

Write it down, Master Temple.

Come off it, man.

You and I both know what's being spoken about in the king's carriages.

But what about the queen's carriages?

It's your intention then to lie to my face.

"Lie." The most impolitic word, Mr. Ambassador.

You deny that you're plotting with the insurgents

to sever England from her rightful possession?

Again. "Plotting."

Good god, man.

Can't you see that Franklin is playing us both for fools?

He has no authority to negotiate with anyone.

Then you should have no cause for concern, whatever the outcome.

- Pardon, sir, but... - The king requests your presence.

Right now?

Monsieur Stormont,

I regret I must conclude our interview prematurely.

Sir. I demand an answer.

We both may have one shortly.

Day by day our little undertakings creep along, don't they?

And then, all at once...

Splendid bit of metalwork, Your Majesty.

Count Maurepas and Monsieur Necker have been chatting with me.

Have they, sire?

A monarchy allying itself with a rebel army, seeking to overthrow a king.

Where will that notion lead, once it is set loose?

No man can predict the future.

Certainly not his own.

I rely on the counsel of my ministers.

If I cannot trust them, what remedy do I have?

You are the king.

All remedies are yours.

I should like the people to love me.

But I don't think a republic is a terribly good idea.

I hope never to see one myself.

Make an alliance with the Americans.

And teach the rosbifs a lesson they won't forget.

Pleased with yourselves?

What did you tell him?

That a war could be financed without raising taxes.

That's all he wanted to hear.

Makes you and me look good, doesn't it?

Yes?

What are you wearing?

A little bit of revenge.

Who is it?

- It's me, Master Temple. - Come in.

Yes.

Forgive the interruption. The work goes well?

Almost finished.

You have a fine hand, young man.

I dare say better than your grandfather's.

I wouldn't have disturbed you otherwise,

but Dr. Franklin's retired for the evening,

and certain dispatches still require his signature.

I-I was hoping you'd agree to sign on his behalf.

- Of course. - Yes. Thank you.

It's all been agreed to then?

Should Congress approve.

Yes.

Now, we do expect a full account of Versailles tomorrow,

with particular regard to ladies' necklines.

I will do my best.

"My devotion to my dearest father, cruelly imprisoned..."

It's a nice touch.

"compels me to denounce all who call themselves patriots and abhor"...

He abhors it, does he?

"the rebellion they so unlawfully foment."

Quite the knack for treason.

I suppose you mean that as a compliment.

Remember, Grandfather. Never wear the hat...

Carry it under the arm. Yes. Yes.

I won't embarrass you.

Long live America!

Dr. Franklin, what a pleasure to meet you for the first time.

Somehow, Count Vergennes, I feel like we are old friends.

It is customary for visitors here to wear swords.

However, in your case, better to forgo it.

If you will please follow me, gentlemen.

He doesn't look like an ambassador.

He's not even wearing a wig.

Where is your sword, Dr. Franklin?

The man who discovered electricity has now electrified two continents.

Allow Beaumarchais the privilege to be among the first

to congratulate America's new ambassador.

I regret the injuries suffered on our behalf.

All this is no longer necessary, but the effect is sensational.

The deputy of the United Colonies of America,

Monsieur Benjamin Franklin.

Your Majesty, permit me to present Dr. Benjamin Franklin

and his grandson, William Temple Franklin.

Your Majesty.

Please assure your Congress of my friendship, Dr. Franklin.

I hope our alliance...

will be good for both our countries.

Your Majesty may rely on the gratitude of Congress

and her fidelity to her engagements.

That's that then, I suppose.

May I add, sire?

If all monarchies were governed by the principles in your heart,

republics would never be formed.

Wasn't I saying just the same thing?

Bien, docteur, we have both lied our way into a partnership.

Lied, monsieur? We merely anticipated a future truth.

The Americans are here!

Don't say too much. She can be... fouineuse.

A what?

Busybody.

Your Majesty, the Americans have arrived.

Your Majesty, Dr. Franklin.

Your Majesty.

Tell me, Dr. Franklin,

I play the banker's card or la carte anglaise?

The English card is never a wise wager, Your Majesty.

It will be on your head.

You are good for gambling other's money, yes?

If I do, madame, it is with the intention of rewarding my benefactor

as well as myself.

And so, make two people happy.

What did he say?

He said spending the king's money makes two people happy.

You sit here...

and say what cards I play.

If I lose, I make words with my husband about us make treaty with you.

And if you win?

Maybe I buy you cannon myself.

That is just the sort of game I like.

Pardon me.

You said just a few people.

Forty, 50...

Do we need to give them so much to drink?

It's an investment, my dear.

In what?

In America. Now that the agreement's been signed, they'll all want a piece.

And who will they have to come to? The man who was there first.

You mean the man who hasn't been paid yet?

Maybe the king knows a bit more about this sort of thing than you do.

The world is hearing your music at last.

The world? My neighbors, perhaps.

Not that they care who wrote it.

Then you must let them know.

That would not be proper.

If you do not tell people who you are, then they...

They will decide for themselves.

Madame, I'll turn you American yet.

Attention!

Your attention, please!

Mesdames et messieurs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I address you tonight in two languages.

Because our king has made official

what we know in our hearts always to have been true.

That between the old soul of France

and the youthful spirit of America,

there is a bond of friendship and understanding

that nothing can break.

To friendship.

To liberty.

To Franklinity!

As you wish, madame.

I have finally become a noun.

What have you got there?

An empty glass.

Let's get that fixed.

Hey! Over here.

Now bugger off.

Here's to, uh, what you do.

Need to talk.

By all means.

What are your boy's intentions?

You mean Temple?

In regards to what?

My daughter.

Well, he holds her in the highest regard.

Let's work out the terms then.

Want to get it nailed down before she's too old.

You are proposing...

Our own alliance. If you catch my meaning.

Very wise.

So, you're in agreement?

Nothing could make me, or my grandson, happier.

Let's drink to that.

And Madame Brillon?

What about her?

Does she favor the union as well?

We won't fuss over that.

What did you say then?

That the time had come to reach an accord,

and that if they did not, both nations would suffer.

That's what made them sign?

And then you met the queen.

You're always right at the center of things.

What will you do next?

This.

My boy!

Mademoiselle.

Grandfather, we...

This has been a day of glorious alliances.

Mr. Temple was just telling me.

Temple is a splendid boy.

You are a splendid girl.

You make a splendid pair, and I am gonna take a piss.

You're drunk.

And you, sir, are a damnable rogue, whoever you may be.

Sweet mercy of Providence.

No, John Adams of Massachusetts.

Mr. Adams, what are you doing here?

I might ask you the same question.

I'm pursui...

I have just concluded...

Have you been sent to assist me?

No, sir.

To replace you.

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