"♪ ♪" "How many drafts have we been through at this point?" "Six, Your Highness." "All variations tracing a felicitous path toward force and clarity, like an overture building towards climax." "Only now... fwt!" "The air seems to have gone out of it." "Why, I wonder." "If you mean the reference to Yorktown, we thought... rather, it seemed..." " Unavoidable." " George:" "Yes." "But what bothers me is not what's been added, but what's been taken out." "Namely my conviction that this war will soon be concluded in our favor." "Unfortunately, Your Majesty, given our debts and our concurrent wars..." " (music playing) - (shushing)" "Don't you hear the music?" "Oh, Handel." ""Music for the Royal Fireworks."" "My grandfather George II commissioned this to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which affirmed his legacy." " But..." " (music continues) ...I fear if I were to recognize this Congress... my legacy would be the king who lost the Americas." "Not all the Americas, sire." "There's still Canada." "It's all ours, you gibbering idiot." "All mine!" "(distant whooshing, explosions)" "They want independence?" "I'll give them blood." "♪ ♪" "(distant whistling, explosions)" "(crickets chirping)" "(both grunt)" " (groans) - (grunts)" "Man:" "He killed the colonel!" " (groans)" " Man:" "Kill them all!" "(all yelling)" "Man #2:" "Don't shoot!" " (gunfire continues)" " Benedict:" "Cease fire!" "Man:" "Fall back!" "Cease fire!" " Cease fire!" " (gunshot)" "Man:" "Cease fire, men." "♪ ♪" "What did you do?" "They killed Major Montgomery." "They were surrendering!" " (sword thuds)" " Benedict:" "Secure the prisoners." "And pick up that damn sword." "Now!" "♪ ♪" "Ah, let me go!" "Let me go!" " Cicero, Cicero, Cicero, it's me." " Let me go!" "I came for you." "Let's go." " Man:" "Halt!" " (rifles cocking)" "We're free men." "We're just trying to get away from this place." "Well, we're Americans, so lay down your arms." "(theme music playing)" "♪ Hush, hush ♪" "♪ There's snakes in the garden ♪" "♪ Soul for sale ♪" "♪ Blood on the vines ♪" "♪ Hush, hush ♪" "♪ I know there will come a day ♪" "♪ They're hiding in the color of night ♪" " ♪ I can't wait anymore ♪ - ♪ Soul for sale ♪" " ♪ I can't wait anymore ♪ - ♪ Soul for sale ♪" "♪ I can't wait anymore ♪" " (birds chirping) - (horse snorts)" "♪ ♪" "Abe:" "Ch-ch-ch-ch." "Whoa, whoa." "Abe:" "At least it's still standing." "(groans)" "I'll be sailing on the Robuste with Cornwallis and his staff." "Arrangements are being made for you to follow." "Is it that bad?" "Do we really have to leave?" "We'll be back." "Quite frankly, the timing couldn't be better." "I'll lobby the king myself for more men, then come back and thrash Washington in a way those gentlemen generals never could." "Think of it..." "Commander of the British Forces in North America." " (Edward crying)" " Trust me." "You will be adored in London, just as you have been here." "Abigail, take my case and set it in the hall." "They say they'll harm him, sir." "It's just a ploy to extract ransom." "They also said that they had one of my rangers." "I didn't have any rangers in New London." "They're exaggerating." "They describe him." "The uniform you had made for him." "I know £50 is a lot of money, sir." "It's mercenary, and I will not pay it." " Then I will." " You will do nothing of the sort." "♪ ♪" "Come with me, Abigail." "It may not be safe here." "I can't, not without Cicero." " (crying)" " Perhaps you could find a way to appeal to the patriots." "(scoffs) Good luck with that." "(crying)" " Laundry for Major Hewlett?" " Over there." "I didn't send any laundry out." "I know, sir." "That's just what I told your man so he'd let me by." "I need a pass to get out of the city." " Out of the city?" " And through the enemy lines." "In exchange for this, I'd offer information... about a rebel spy." "I remember you." "You sent me to Major André, the man you replaced as Head of Intelligence." "Now you're here to tell me about Culper." "Is that it?" "It's a bit late for that, considering that I already know that his name is Abraham Woodhull and that the two of you plotted together to murder Colonel Simcoe." " (basket thuds) - (gasping)" "Dear, it's all right." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Please, sit." "I'm sorry." "I'm not going to turn you in." "(gasping)" "I was plotting to kill Simcoe, too." "Who do you think sent the false summons?" "Of course, I will deny that if you mention it to anyone." "Now, why are you really here?" "Rebel militia captured my son in Connecticut and the man I love..." "I mean... the man I sent to bring him home." "I thought if I could get to Washington's camp," "I could appeal for their pardon." "Anna Strong." "Major Tallmadge." "What would you have told them about Woodhull?" "That you had discovered him and to move him out of danger." "And since the war is drawing to a close, it would be no great loss to the cause." "Mmm." "Well, Abigail, you're in luck." "I'm going to your old town of Setauket to see our Mr. Culper." "He owes me a debt, and after I collect," "I will leave this cursed country for good." "May I travel with you?" "I'm afraid it's much too dangerous." "My sources indicate slave catchers are on the rise, frothing up from the south." "Governor Carleton is arranging for black loyalists in the city to be transported to Nova Scotia." "I would suggest that you board one of these boats before it's too late." "I will get the message to Abraham and he will get it to Washington's camp, wherever that may be." "What is the name of the man?" " What?" " The man who you love." "Akinbode." "Akinbode." "Well, if you like, I will also carry with me a letter where you can explain where you should meet him." "♪ ♪" " (paper rustling)" " Why would you help me?" "We're in the same dirty business, aren't we?" "If we spies don't seek restitution for one another..." "Who will?" "(birds screeching)" " (creaking)" " Man:" "You want to be a soldier, eh?" " Not a problem." " (men chattering)" "(goats bleating)" " Try this on for size." " Here you go." " Thank you, sir." " Thank you, sir." " (men chattering) - (horse snorting)" "Abe:" "And so, to avoid that," "I intend on planting in the fall and, all being well, you'll get your cut." "This is a better deal for you." " Giving you seed for free?" " No, no, no." "On credit." "All right?" "When my crop comes in," "I'll pay you back with interest." "Your last crop went bad." " Maggots, wasn't it?" " (men murmuring)" "Man:" "Why not draw the money from your father's estate?" "DeJong:" "Ah, Major!" "So good to see you." "Please, come in." "Come in." "Such a complicated transaction." "When the major wrote me," "I thought that he already owned Whitehall." "Abraham and I had a prior arrangement." "We just haven't had the chance to formalize it..." " (blows) - ...until now." "Well, who am I to complain?" " Others may have cause to." " A deal is a deal, Mary." " (paper rustling)" " DeJong:" "Here is my note, drawn from my bankers in York City." "(chuckles) So, if that concludes our business," "I will take possession of Whitehall." "(door opens, closes)" "I know we've had our differences, to put it mildly, but I knew that you would honor your word." "My word good enough bond for a loan?" "I'm sorry, I know that you would repay the debt, but I can't wait till your next harvest." "I need all this and more to try for a new life." "Though, you do deserve recompense for your service." "If I were you, I would go straight to the top." "He owes you, Abraham." "I suggest you collect." "That's the first sensible thing I've heard all day." "Hewlett:" "Speaking of debt, there is another that you owe one of your own." "Major André's servant, Abigail." "Her son has been taken by rebels along with a man named Akinbode who she cares deeply about." "I believe that he is one of Simcoe's former rangers." "(paper rustling)" "I'll get word to Tallmadge." "Through your New York connection?" "Just curious who that was." "Hmm." "(chuckles)" "I'm afraid you'll have to remain curious." "Mary:" "Simcoe..." "The deal was for you to kill Simcoe." "Has that condition been upheld?" "I assure you, the man you knew as John Graves Simcoe" "is dead and gone." " (dogs barking) - (chatter)" "Man:" "Colonel Simcoe here to see you, sir." "Here?" "Now?" "(sighs)" " Where is he?" " That way, sir." "(birds chirping)" "(horse neighing)" " General, thank you..." " Colonel Simcoe." "Why are you here?" "My letters, sir." " Did you receive them?" " Yes, and have replied." "There's no post for you in India." "Cornwallis has been appointed governor general there, and I'm afraid he's not your biggest supporter." "What about Spain?" "Why so eager to get back to the war, hmm?" "Enjoy your convalescence." "Indulge a hobby, find a wife." "I heard Jonathan Cooke married some actress from the New York stage and brought her back to Surrey." "I need a post, sir." "Would you care to join the hunt?" "Thank you, but I'm afraid I'm not quite well enough to ride just yet." "Not the best endorsement for a cavalryman, is it?" "Don't let me keep you, sir." "I shall wait for your return." "(sighs)" "Parliament is currently pondering the fate of the remaining North American provinces." "Upper Canada has need of leadership." "Excellent." "Who are we fighting there?" "No one, except the weather, I suppose." "You wouldn't be going there to fight, John." "You'd be there to build, to create, to develop the territory, establish a local gentry." "I mean, to all intents and purposes, you'd be Lord Simcoe." "You'd do well to choose a lady." " (dogs barking, howling) - (trumpet sounds)" " (riding crop thuds)" " They've caught the scent." "They never tire of chasing their quarry, but then again, they're only hounds." "It's all they know." "(whistling, cheering)" "♪ ♪" "(crowd cheering)" " Can you believe this shite?" " (laughing)" " The whole bloody town turned out." " Yeah." "(marching band playing)" "(both chattering and giggling)" "The ladies will be lining up for a roll." "(scoffs)" "'Course, I'm speaking about meself when I say that." "Ah." "But maybe I could, uh, swing you a couple, if you're lucky." "(laughs)" "Man: "He comes, he comes, with conquest crowned." "Hail Columbia's warlike son." "Hail the glorious Washington."" "(crowd cheering and applauding)" "Philadelphia and Congress welcome you, General." "That verse was from an opera by Mr. Hopkinson to be performed in your honor." "And I'll be honored to attend, Mr. Hanson, but we must not drop our guard." "This war is not over while the enemy holds New York and our southern cities." " Selah." " (chuckles)" "I heard Cornwallis pled illness rather than personally surrender his sword." "Well, 8,000 men captured, officers sent home in disgrace." "I think I would've hid under my sickbed if I were him." "She's here." "Come on, I'll take you to her." " (music continues) - (crowd cheering)" " (men chattering) - (dog barks)" " (gasps)" " Sorry I borrowed this." "I wasn't sure when you'd be back." "S-Selah." "I've been thinking about our marriage." "I wonder if you'd do me the favor of reading something of mine." "(owl hooting)" ""To my distinguished fellow representatives..."" "A bill I'm trying to craft ensuring pay for our veterans and soliciting the funds from all the states to pay for it." "Well, uh, I can see some room for improvement right off." "Your opening paragraph should more clearly state your intentions rather than beating about the bush with flowery language." "If I told you how long it took me to craft that flowery language..." "Do you mind if I make some changes?" "Please do." "Um... ♪ ♪" "See, if you cut this sentence and then go straight to the summary, and then begin listing objectives and means of funding, it will make the intention clear." "You don't think the reader requires more convincing?" "Maybe, but let the merits of your bill speak first." "That way, we can get right into the meat of the article." "Exactly!" "And I'd favor the clearest and simplest prose... (continues indistinctly)" " (man coughing) - (chains rattling)" "Akinbode: "And the Lord said unto Moses," "'Get... get... get thee up into this Mount..." " Mount..." "Mount Uh..." - "Uh-bar-im."" "Then why not write it like you're supposed to say it?" "There's a lot of words like that." "Should've figured this shit out better before they started." "Wanna quit?" ""...and... and see the land" "I have given to the children of Israel."" "Huh?" "Not bad, eh?" "(chuckles)" "So, "Get..."" "♪ ♪" "She used to read this to me." "I never understood why" "God let Moses see the Promised Land but never let him go there." "It won't be like that for us." "I already scouted that promised land up in Canada." "We're gonna have a farm that'll put old man Strong's to shame." "(scoffs) Sure." "Now all you have to do is dig up that big old bag of gold." "The gold's real." "Hell of a lot more real than tall tales of you spying for General Washington." "Hey, I'll be reading a lot better than you, boy." "I'll bet gold on that." " Oh, really?" " Really." " Cicero:" "How much?" " (both arguing)" " No." " A hundred pounds." " A hundred?" " I got £200." "True." "(birds chirping)" " Robert:" "So, this Abigail was 355?" " Abe:" "Mm-hmm." "I was on my way to New York to ask you to send the signal when your father told me you were here." "(mooing)" "Haven't you heard?" "You don't have to get word to the army." "The army is coming to New York." "Evacuation day has been set." "I guess I'll meet them myself, then." "I intend to see Washington." "Get paid back for what we're owed." "List your expenses." "I'll fight for you, too." "After all, it was my... my deception that got you into all this." "The only thing I regret is having to be prodded into doing something that my conscience should have dictated." "Yes, but... we're not looking for reward, just what we're owed, same as soldiers." "(chuckles)" "Yeah, but we weren't soldiers, were we?" "Lies were our weapons." "Sins in service of ideals." "So, what?" "We're damned?" "Let's just say that if having my pockets emptied is my only penance," "I am willing to bear it." "Yeah, but I have a family to provide for." "And family you've lost." "You've paid a deeper price than any of us." "I don't know what makes that whole." "♪ ♪" "There is one more issue to be settled between us." "♪ ♪" "(birds chirping)" "(both laughing)" "(crowd cheering)" "♪ ♪" "(cheering continues)" "General Washington!" "General Washington!" "Ben!" "Tallmadge!" "721!" " Hey. (Chuckles)" " Hey, what... what's going on?" "I thought you were back in Setauket." "What are you doing here?" "No, I was... uh, I was looking for you." "And Washington." "I need to speak to him." " Ben:" "Well, now is not the best time." " Yeah, I know." "That's why I need to see him." "Look, he's trying to negotiate a peaceful transfer of the city." "Until the redcoats have all evacuated, he can't meet with you." " Right, right." "What about you?" " Me?" "I'm here to secure those who were friendly to our cause." "I intended to go to Long Island shortly thereafter." "Well, then, I'll save you the trip." "What?" "What do you mean?" "These are expenses." "Invoice, some receipts, not all." "Four years of travel and boarding to New York, paper, ink." "Townsend used more than I did." " Townsend?" " Yeah, here." "Where is it?" "It's in here somewhere." "Here, here." "This one's his." "Here." "This is... so, you know, this is as accurate as I can make it, all right?" " There's no inflation." " I believe you, Abe." "Are you all right?" "God, have you eaten?" "(sighs)" "If... if you need a few shillings now," " I can scrounge something up." " No, just get us what we're owed." " I'll try." " All right." "I can wait a little bit longer, but this can't." "It's from 355 and it requires a special justice." "(chatter)" "Man:" "Give the general some room, please." " (crowd chattering) - (dog barks)" " (door closes)" " Ah, Your Excellency." "Uh, I apologize for the state of my establishment." "Uh, several regulars... regular patrons that is, left in a rush and some passionate fellows came in and..." "Not your typical clientele." "Madeira?" "(wine pouring)" "Welcome back to New York." ""Rebel Rabble Routed At Monmouth," "Washington Left Reeling." ""Washington Trounced in Tryon Triumph."" ""Rebels Massacred at Middlebrook."" "A fine alliterative lilt to them, you must admit." "I favor fact over form." "What are facts but opinions expressed as truths?" "Versus your opinions about my wife." "That was, uh..." "That was inappropriate and in poor taste." "And the vulgarian who wrote that has been long dismissed." "But the publisher accepts full responsibility and begs your forgiveness." "Leave us." "One more opinion from before the war" "I would like you to read." ""The printer is bold to affirm that his press has been open to publications from all parties and he defies his enemies to produce an instance to the contrary."" "(distant bell tolling)" ""In the country wherein he was born, he always heard the liberty of the press represented as the great security of freedom." "And in that sentiment, he has been educated."" "That was after the Sons of Liberty threatened to destroy my press and before they actually did." "Along with my home." "In regards to the liberty of the press, we are agreed." "My men are not here to escort you to prison, but to protect you from new reprisals." "We shall need vigorous voices to have prod and check, lest our young country stray down the same road as the one we just defeated." "You should change the name of the "Royal Gazette."" "Sometimes principle must be tempered with practicality." "Good day, Mr. Rivington." "♪ ♪" "(door closes)" "(exhales)" " (wind blowing) - (distant chatter)" "(music playing)" "(music continues)" "Woman:" "Peggy?" "Our husbands will likely finish their business soon." "We must catch up on gossip while we can." "Aren't the papers here filled with enough of it?" "Not enough for me." "Too much for my husband." "He insisted on showing me one that called him a horse thief who got his courage from a brandy bottle." "Did you take convincing umbrage?" "You're not the only one with a notorious husband." "Mine approved a plan to give infected blankets to the Indians in America." "Now I'm married to Lord Smallpox." "Your husband's stumbles apparently haven't hindered your advance." "Though, I suppose the rumors didn't hurt." "What rumors?" "About your former beau, the gallant Major André." "Why would anyone believe that?" "Why wouldn't you want them to?" "Rumors like that are the lifeblood of London society." "You'll see." "It should be an enjoyable and great experience for you." "Yes." "Well, time to rejoin our illustrious husbands." "(bell tolling)" "I don't like that woman." "Well, I do, and I have few enough friends here as it is." "I may soon have a more valuable one." "Lord Amherst has finally secured my audience with the king." " I hear there will be a treaty soon." " Hang that." "Benedict:" "After His Majesty hears my plan, that will cease." "(keys jingling)" "Get up." "Get out." " (distant man coughing)" " Where are we going?" "Man:" "Anywhere but here." "Received an order for your release." "Some post for you as well." "Happy Sunday." "Hey, why are you letting us out?" "You tell me." "Pardon was signed by General Washington himself." "You boys got friends in high places." "Told you." "♪ ♪" "Told ya." "(laughs)" "Now let me see that letter." "I didn't leave anything out, promise." "I wanna practice, all right?" "And don't make me ask twice." "♪ ♪" " "My Dear Loves"..." " Memorized that part." "Shh." " "My"..." " Abigail: "My Dear Loves," "I have taken a ship, the Hibernia, to Nova Scotia, where I will await thee with hope."" "Man:" "These certificates declare these people free to travel wherever they may choose." "Abigail: "In a place called Birchtown where we will start over again." "A family."" "(men shouting)" " (insects chirping) - (bell tolling)" "Come again, love." " (insects chirping) - (horse trotting)" " (bell tolling) - (horse whinnies)" "Robert:" "Ephialtes." "(dog barking)" "Brutus." "Judas... (muttering)" "Arnold." "I beg your pardon?" "Oh, I'll be doing the begging here." "And the drinking, too." " Do I know you?" " Uh, just another American lad far away from home." "Robert Rogers." "I would ask you for a few bob, but I hear you're a little hard-pressed for it." "Any luck finding a job?" "I'm quite comfortable, thank you." "Don't you walk away from me!" "I hear you have an audience with the king." "I've been invited to advise him on colonial policy, yes." "That's good, 'cause you'll be able to get close enough so you can claim it." "Claim what?" "My revenge and your redemption." "Get off of me!" "(gun cocks)" "That king has wronged our country, just as he wronged me and just as he will wrong you." "Yes, well, our country turned its back on us!" "No, no, no, we turned on her." "Can't you see?" "And this is the price we pay." "Yes, well, maybe for you." "You have one last chance to regain your lost honor." "(chuckles)" "What, by becoming an assassin?" "It's common practice in old Roman times and here in Europe not so long ago to keep the tyrants in line." "You're insane." "And you are a traitor of the blackest dye." "You're the American Guy Fawkes." "But what if Guy Fawkes had succeeded in his task of killing King James?" "He'd be known as a monster!" " He'd be known as a hero." " To the Catholics." "Ah, get your politics out of it!" "I'm not done fighting." "And my legend is yet to be written." "I will return to the Colonies and I will win." "(laughing)" " What are you doing?" " (laughing continues)" " Get off me!" " I tried." "I tried!" "Lord knows I tried." "Huh?" "Jesus." "Oh." "(laughing)" "I tried." " (birds chirping)" " George:" "The bloom this time of year is especially fine." "One welcomes the Lilacs and Azaleas into our promenade." "How do you do, ladies?" "(chuckles)" "Oh, yes." "So many flowers to admire." "Of course, one's true love is for agriculture." "Have you read Arthur Young?" "Benedict:" "I'm afraid not, Your Majesty." "No?" "His report on the cultivation of cabbage varieties is of vital interest." "Yes, quite so, Your Majesty." " Mmm." " America is rich in cabbage." "Along with other crops, as you know." "Yes." " The Colonies..." " I can win them for you." "With the reinforcement of 20,000 men," "I can keep the rebels at heel." "Mmm, the Colonies." "That was Frederick's folly." "Freddy's fault." "Now we have young Bill, young, handsome Bill." "Did you know André?" "Young, handsome André?" "I..." "I'm very taken with tales of his sacrifice." " I only met him once, Your Majesty." " Hmm." "Flower of England, he was." "Young and daring and struck down in his prime." "What's this?" "What is this?" "These salvias, they're thirsty." "Come on, bring them some water." "Water, I said!" "Quickly!" "God." "Bloody..." "That's it, sod it." "I'll water them meself." "(urinating)" "Ah!" "André." "We were pleased to make his brother a baronet in his honor and reward his dear, dear mother a stipend." " (metallic click)" " Have you heard the monody" "(distant, echoes) of Major André... (laughing)" "George: ...by Mrs. Seward, the poetess?" "(heart beating)" "Get off me!" "George:" "The mourning figure of Britannia..." "Quite moving." "I've decided to incorporate it into his monument." " Monument?" " Yes." "(cocks gun)" "A marble cenotaph at Westminster Abbey" "(distant, echoing) to be sculpted by Van Gelder." "♪ ♪" "He shall be remembered for all time." "(normal voice) Yes, the inscription is to read," ""He fell, a sacrifice to his zeal for his king and his country."" "Now..." "look at this." " This poor thing is starving..." " (gun thuds) of moisture as well, isn't it?" "Look at it." "Bring some more water here." "Where are you." " (seagulls screeching) - (men laughing)" "(laughing)" "But the milk was delicious." "(all laughing)" " (chattering)" " Woodhull, more ale." "(laughing)" "All right, this needs filling." "Hey, sprout, don't lose those, huh?" " Watch him." " (chattering continues)" " (door opens, closes) - (men laughing)" "Missed a spot." "(plate clatters)" " What?" "What?" " (laughing)" " Come here." " Where you been?" " Oh, you know, all over." " Look at that." "Hey, I got a surprise for you." "Come on." "DeJong:" "Woodhull, the ale." "Just one minute." " Caleb:" "Come on." " (children laughing)" "He wanted to see his father's church now that it's a church again." "♪ ♪" "(laughing)" " Is that...?" " Yeah." "Caleb:" "Yeah, it is." "(Caleb laughs)" "(children chattering)" "Man:" "General Washington!" "(people clamoring)" "Hello." "It's an honor, sir." " Pleasure, General." "Nice to meet you." " Thank you, sir." "Come here, you bastard." "Welcome home." "Woodhull." "What are you doing?" "I said more ale." "Martin." "Selah Strong?" "This... no, as I said, this tavern was purchased lawfully." "Under the king's law, which is no more." "I've come to negotiate the sale of Strong Manor with interested parties, as my wife and I are moving to Connecticut." "But I'll give you the chance to buy my tavern at a very good price." "(approaching footsteps)" "Excellency!" "Welcome to our humble town." "I am Martin DeJong." "Please allow me to host your entourage at Whitehall." "Thank you, Mr. DeJong." "I..." "I should think the simple hearth of this tavern will do." "I wonder if, uh, my company might dine in private this night?" "Of course!" "Woodhull, make up the table." "Mr. Woodhull is to be the man of honor." "Man:" "Your father would be so proud." " Good work." " (crowd murmuring)" "(Caleb laughs)" " (laughter)" " Caleb:" "So... so, here's the thing." "Like, I..." "I met her and... and she drank me" " under the table, like..." " (all laughing) ...and that's how I learned her name." "Her name is Anne Lewis," " and, uh, she is..." " She is about to be..." " Oh, no." " ..." "Anne Brewster." " (all clamoring)" " Really?" " No!" " Caleb:" "Yes, yes." "But I was gonna say a fine woman." "So, I have my Annie... and you, Benny boy, have your Mary." " (laughing)" " Who?" "Who's this?" "Yes, uh, Miss Mary Floyd of Brookhaven." "Daughter of General William Floyd?" "That's right, yeah." "Mary:" "Congratulations, Major." " Thank you." " Cheers." "If you'll excuse me, this Mary needs to get her son to bed." " (all groaning)" " No, Mary, it's too early for that." "It was an honor to meet you, madam." "The honor was mine, General." "Another toast is in order." "To the signal gallantry of an emissary unsung, but not uncelebrated." "(Abe clears throat) Your Excellency..." "Uh... although I'm appreciative to the recognition, to be sure, uh... all I truly require is the recompense." "Surely Major Tallmadge has made you aware of my situation." "Abe, Abe, the... the details of this matter are highly confidential." "Only to me." "I will excuse myself so that you may discuss your business." "Thank you." "(Anna clears throat)" "I propose a toast." "To those members not present by whose service and sacrifice we prevailed." " Robert Townsend." " Aye." " Nathaniel Sackett." " Aye." "Hear, hear." "Abigail and Cicero." " Ben:" "Aye." " Caleb:" "Aye." "Hear, hear." "And Judge Woodhull." "They gave of their service selflessly." "You know, none of us did this for the money." "Uh, but my farm has suffered for my absence, and I'm afraid, uh..." "I don't qualify for veteran's pay, so..." "I have recently appealed to our Congress to establish a credible fund to pay for secret services..." "With all due respect, I can't wait for Congress!" "I have to plant now!" "Or I lose the season." "May I have a word in private with Mr. Woodhull?" "Certainly, sir." "What is your crop?" " Cabbage." " Ah." "Deceptively simple." "I tested it at Mount Vernon once, but our soil has an understratum of hard clay, impervious to water." "Yeah, water isn't my problem." "It's the, uh... (sighs) the maggots." "Worse than fungus." "(chuckles)" "But if I can plant later, in the fall, maybe I can avoid them." "(chuckles)" "Who told you this?" "Robert Rogers." "£154, 15 shillings, and tenpence." "Correct?" "I thought you had to ask Congress." "I know what it is to see your land in need." "I made no money from my estate during the war and brought none home with me." "I nearly had to sell Mount Vernon, which would have been too great a loss to bear." "But you have already suffered such." "Uh, no, no." "This is, uh... this is your own." "I can't accept this." "It was a very hard lesson, but I have learned well." "A failure to settle accounts can turn friend to foe." "Whereas the payment of a debt is freedom felt by all." "You are owed much more than this." "♪ ♪" "Thank you." "(crying)" "Our country owes its life to heroes whose names it will never know." "♪ ♪" "(birds chirping)" "♪ ♪" "(chuckles)" "Abe: "Dear Thomas, as I look back on that day some 30 years ago, when our first crop made it to harvest," "I remember thinking how you had your whole life in front of you." "Later, you say you wish you could fight for your country just like your father did, but..." "I never told you everything" "I did during the war." "Tonight, I want to tell you the truth." "The revolution never ends." "It was hallowed as a triumph of the righteous over the wicked." "But the battle lines were not clearly drawn." "The real war, the one between good and evil, was fought within ourselves."" "(coughing)" ""How else to explain that Robert Rogers, a man who tried to kill me, taught me the trick that saved our crop and thus our family?" "Or that Edmund Hewlett, a man I tried to kill, became a great man of science?" "He once told me the universe was a cold place where love had no purpose." "Yet he became an astronomer of renown and married the sister of Sir William Herschel, whose writings on the stars you admire so much." "I grappled with these contradictions, though they were far from the most troubling."" "(wind whistling)" ""In Upper Canada, the hated Colonel Simcoe, now Governor Simcoe, abolished slavery in his province." "The man who took your grandfather from us, who oppressed so many colonists..."" "(birds chirping)" ""...gave freedom to generations of others."" "♪ ♪" ""Just before the British left New York," "General Washington told Governor Carleton that he intended to take possession of all negroes and other property of the inhabitants of the southern states." "He asked for the boats to be turned around."" "Straight to the back." ""The general didn't know his own agent..."" "Hey, you two, sit." " "...355 was aboard one of them."" " Hey, sit down, you two!" " (gasps) Sorry." " What?" "Get off of me." "Get in there!" " Okay. (Gasps)" " Man:" "Now, is this it?" "Man #2:" "All right." "Abe: "We only learned this years later, after our ring received a letter written in code..."" "All right, good." "Move out." ""...and sent from Nova Scotia."" "(whip cracks)" "(whinnies)" "(all arguing)" ""The greatest war..."" "...that all men are created equal." ""...is the one fought within ourselves."" "(men yelling)" ""Washington wished to return to his farm, yet was called back to serve his country as the only man who could unite our turbulent states." "It may be that the price our new union was to overlook our greatest divide." "Or it may be that the bill will come due with a vengeance." "These contradictions tortured me for years." "And yet not every path turns unexpectedly." "Some lead right where they were pointing." "Your Uncle Brewster remained water-bound as captain of the Active, guarding our coasts." " A smuggler turned lawman." - (no audible dialogue)" "(whoops)" "This man is no hero!" "I know for a..." "Abe: "And Congressman Tallmadge, well, you know I never stop talking about him." "Ben was always the most well-known patriot of our ring and a true believer in the cause." "And yet, when Congress sought to reward the man that would capture John André," "Tallmadge rose to denounce them as criminals and scoundrels, claiming that when they removed André's boots, it was to search for plunder and not to detect treason." "Tallmadge broke our vow of silence this one time only to defend his enemy in the war." "For if we spies don't stand for one another, who will?" "Of course, the British held André as a hero and quickly forgot about Benedict Arnold." "None of his future endeavors came to fruition, and he died in his bed in 1801." "His wife, long rumored to be André's lover, returned to her family in Philadelphia." "She passed in 1804." "And among her personal things, they discovered a lock of André's hair, given to her when she was young and in love."" "(bird warbling)" ""Love is something easy to conceal... but hard to kill." "Though I love your mother," "I also never stopped loving a woman named Anna Strong."" "Kids: ♪ London Bridge is falling down ♪" "♪ Falling down, falling down... ♪" ""Even though someone is gone, your love for them lives on."" "(waves crashing)" ""I will always love you." "You fell to a British musket at the Battle of Bladensburg, August 24th, 1814." "The revolution never ends." "You always wanted to fight for your country, just like your father." "But I never told you everything I did during the war." "Perhaps, someday, somehow, you'll get this letter." "But if not..." "I'll tell you myself when I see you." "And you can share with me all you've learned... from heaven." "♪ ♪"