All language subtitles for Epise 3 - Dong Tread on Me

I expect we shall have over 40 bushels
of meal when the corn is ground.

You are like
to outshine all farmers.

I thought I had lost you...

when the news came that
the British had taken Philadelphia.

You realize, John, it's been 14 years
since we were married.

14 years.

Not more than half of that time
have we had the joy of living together.

But you are here now.

And you are safe.

Abigail.

You are not staying.

Where is the Congress to meet?

In York,
to the west of the city.

But it is not to the Congress
that I must go.

This war will not be won

without French money
and French ships.

That... is Dr. Franklin's affair.

He is
the Commissioner to France.

There are some concerns

- about Dr. Franklin's aide.
- No.

- Congress is asking...
- No, John.

I told them
that I would not go.

No. No.

It was my intention
to return to the bar.

That I cannot
support my family, my children...

You cannot ask this of me.

- But they would not accept my request.
- You cannot.

I am needed in Paris.

You are needed here, John.

Your children...

require your example.

I need you here.

Are you to add more years

to those we have
already spent apart?

How can you give
me back that time?

How can you
compensate to me

all of those years
I cannot get back?

Do not rob me

of my happiness.

That is not my wish.

Abigail...

you must know that.

Can you tell me
how long, John?

How long this time?

Tell me that.

I cannot.

There is a cost to love, John.

Absence...

and distance.

When do you leave?

I'm not going to leave.

Let another have the honor.

- There is no other, John.
- No.

If I were a man,
I would be in the field of action.

There all honor lies.

When you go,
you will take Johnny with you.

That is 3,000 miles, Abigail...

in winter.

I am sensible to the dangers, John.
You need not remind me.

We could be taken by the British.
That is madness.

My thousand fears
notwithstanding, he shall go.

How many times
have I heard you complain

about the narrowness
of New England men?

Would you deny him
the opportunity you never had?

Nabby.

Nabby.

Are you leaving now?

We are.

But I will take with me...

a picture of a remarkable young lady.

And what must you always
remember to do?

Be good and do good.

Yeah.

Nabby, my girl.

Easy now. Steady. Nabby.

Darling, come come.
Don't be silly. Nabby.

Charles?

You said you would
stay this time.

I go because I love you.

But why does Johnny
get to go and not us?

One day perhaps.

Now come now, you don't want to send
your father away without a kiss, do you?

Charles. Charles.

Tommy, come.

There we are.

Listen to your father
on all things.

Write to me.

Be an honor to your country,

a blessing to your family...

and remember you are
accountable to your maker

for all your words and actions.

I'll remember.

I love you.

You come back to me, John.

- Abigail...
- Godspeed. Godspeed.

Here we are.

Say it with me, Papa.

Oh, God.
Dear God in heaven.

That mast can be repaired, yes?

We will try to jury-rig
the foremast, sir.

Sail to starboard!

- Sail to starboard!
- Where away?

Three points
to starboard!

Turn to starboard!
Three points to starboard!

It's British.

Has it seen us?

There's men in the rigging.

Bosun and master gunner on deck!

Aye aye, sir!

We cannot outrun her.

With your permission...

we'll engage them, sir.

Granted.

- First officer standby for action.
- John, go below.

Go below!

- Bosun!
- Yes, sir!

- Standby to make sail!
- Aye aye, sir!

- Chief gunner!
- Yes, sir!

Prepare to fire as you bear!

Aye aye, sir!
Come on, you heard the man!

Make way, lads!
May way for the guns!

Now, sir, if you will oblige me
by returning to your quarters.

Neither you nor any man
will prevent me from doing my duty.

Mr. Adams,
I am commanded by the Congress

to carry you safely to Europe,

and I'll goddamn well do it!

Now get below.

- Helmsman!
- Aye!

Steer nor-nor'east!

You stay here,
Johnny. Yes?

Make way!
Make way down there!

Faster there!

Steady!

Master gunner,
fire upon my command!

Aye, sir!
Prepare to fire, lads!

She bears a cable!

Gunners make ready!

Shoot one!

Balls away!

- Reloading!
- Shoot two!

- Oh God!
- Shoot three!

Shoot four!

Stay at your guns, men!

Swap out gun number four!

On my command!

Shoot five!

Shoot six!

Reload!

Doctor! Doctor!

- I have Lieutenant Barron here.
- Clear them the way.

Quickly!

Scissors. Scissors!

Give him some rum. Rum.

Now come here.

Drink as much of this
as you want.

- Tourniquet... now!
- Yes, sir.

Drink as much as you can.

This... this... in the mouth.

- What?
- Mouth, in it.

In the mouth.
Bite down on it.

- Hold him down. Hold him down.
- Yes, sir.

Steady. Stay.

- Hold him.
- No!

Hold him down, sir.
Do you have him, sir?

- Hold him!
- No!

- Be patient.
- Come on!

- All right.
- Quickly!

Here we are.

I am here with you, sir.
It is nearly all over.

- Hold on.
- He is losing too much blood.

Take his pulse.

- I can't tell.
- His pulse!

Check!
Does he have a pulse?

Don't leave me, sir.
Don't leave me, sir.

No?

Fire!

She's struck her colors!

Mr. Adams,
the ship is ours.

When will we know?

I cannot say.

Must not let
your mind wander to fear.

It is hard not to.

Put your faith in God,

and trust in His providence.

I did not think
I would miss John Quincy.

No.

Do you think
he will like Paris?

I am sure he will.

Why do boys have
all the pleasure?

Because we let them.

When they come home,
we will be very strict with them.

When they come home,
my darling,

we will be so happy
to see them,

we will be
far too accommodating.

Charles, put some water
on my hand.

Here, John.

This is rather strange.

Hello!

Hello, Dr. Franklin?

Bonjour.

Monsieur!

- Mr. Adams, welcome.
- Ah.

Dr. Franklin.

You'll forgive me
if I don't rise.

I trust your crossing
was uneventful.

This is my secretary,
Mr. Bancroft.

Mr. Adams.

This is Monsieur Houdon,
the celebrated sculptor.

Bonjour.

Oh, my son,

John Quincy.

Well well. A fine boy.

Thank you, sir.

I shall rely upon your judgment
as to a proper school for him.

Why, all of Paris is
a school, Master Adams.

A young man need
only to avail himself of the lessons.

Excuse me, could you
keep the pose, Dr. Franklin?

A moment, monsieur.

Have you ever
been sculpted, Mr. Adams?

No, sir, no.

No, I've never been
one for sitting still.

Well, you may sit still presently.

General Johnny Burgoyne
has done

all the negotiations necessary

when he blundered
into Saratoga with his 7,000 redcoats.

The treaty with France is,
as Parisians say,

a fait accompli.

A treaty?

Why was I not told of this?

Doctor, I have not
braved the Atlantic

in the middle of winter
and been pursued by the British...

News travels slowly
over the ocean.

Well, I... a treaty.

A treaty.

What kind of a treaty, sir?
What are the details?

Well, they have declared
themselves our ally

and pledged to stand
in our defense.

Yes, how much provision
is made for naval support?

And what of our joint venture...

No doubt you require a bath,

Mr. Adams.

French set great store by hygiene
when it comes to other nations.

Yes.

Our mission here
requires expedition, Doctor.

No, here in France

you must practice
the art of accomplishing much

while appearing
to accomplish little.

Well, I intend
to secure an audience

with King Louis
at the earliest opportunity.

He and I clearly
have much to discuss.

You do not demand an audience
at Versailles, Mr. Adams.

One is invited.

Excuse me.

Please, Dr. Franklin,

could you keep your chin up?

- Good.
- Mr. Adams,

The maitre d' is inside.
He will show you to your rooms.

Lundi. Monday.

Mardi, Mardi. Tuesday.

Rarely has a man
endured so much

to so little point.

But it is a good thing,
is it not, Father?

The treaty?

Yes yes, of course. Yes.

It's a fine thing.

Ah. Well well.

My congratulations,
Mr. Adams.

You must give me
the name of your tailor.

You'll be quite the toast
of the Beaumont.

Well, you appear to have been tailored
by a taxidermist, Doctor.

The French are determined
to see all Americans as rustic,

so I dress the part.

We are all actors here,
Mr. Adams,

and so far my performance
has been well-received.

I see. Well, shall we go?

Indeed we should.
We must not keep

Madame Helvetius waiting.

Good day,
Master Adams.

Doctor.

Terence is a difficult poet,

but there's
no better model for good taste,

good morals and good Latin.

That's a good boy.

You are a very good man,
John Adams, a very moral man,

but you are not a man for Paris.

Paris requires a certain amount

of indecency
in thought and action.

How good is your French?

That is easily remedied.

You must attend the theater

or take a mistress.

Oh, Dr. Franklin, good heavens.

Well, do not underestimate
the educational possibilities

of the boudoir, Mr. Adams.

Oh, to be 70 again.

Alas, Franklin.
You're always late.

The least interesting
kind of affairs.

May I present my colleague,

Mr. Adams?

Madame Helvetius,
La Comtesse

Ligniville d'Autricourt.

Very good. Madame.

The famous Sam Adams?

Sam Adams? No.

John Adams, his cousin.

John Adams.

It seems my face is
as well-known in France

as that of the man
in the moon.

I want to know, Adams...

Madame Helvetius observes

that by your name... Adam...

you are descended
from the first couple in paradise.

Ah. Yes, I see.
Very good, yes.

No?

Yes, madame.

Well, yes.

My family resembles
the first couple

both in name and frailty,

so much that I have no doubt

that we are descended
from that in paradise.

Without any doubt,
he descended directly from paradise.

Chevalier de la Luzerne

is to be France's
first ambassador

- in the United States.
- Oh, excellent.

Well, I trust that
you will press His Majesty

for a greater commitment
on our behalf.

The immediate support
of the French Navy is required.

A promise of ships is
all very well and good, but...

Yet he is glad that the understanding
of the treaty is still...

...cloudy.

Even in America we like
to keep our pleasures

unsullied by business.

Tell me please,

how did Adam and Eve
discover the art of love?

Well, I suppose it was
simply by instinct, no?

Whenever a man and woman
would approach within...

striking distance

of each other,

I suppose that they would
simply fly together, no?

Like two objects
in one of Dr. Franklin's

electric experiments, yes?

I know not how it was,

but I know it must have been
a very happy shock.

Boom!

Madame Helvetius wishes to inquire

if you have had occasion
to attend the opera

and les danseurs.

No no no.

I regret to say I have no ear

for la musique.

No, I'm afraid
my occupation allows me

little time for the finer arts.

He doesn't have the time.
He's got a lot of work.

No, I must study politics and war,

you see, so that my sons
will have the liberty

to study mathematics
and philosophy.

My sons must study navigation,
commerce and agriculture,

so that their children...

will have the right

to study painting, poetry

and music.

He's worked it all out.

Bravo, Mr. Adams.

Bravo, Mr. Adams.

Mr. Adams, give a flag
to everybody who gives money.

- They pay for the flags?
- They pay for the flags.

Oh, that is absurd. Doctor!

All right, where's my hat?
Here it is.

Mr. Adams,
give one there.

- No, but he did not pay.
- All right.

Thank you. Merci merci.

Merci merci.

- Yes.
- Take his money.

Bless you, monsieur.

Bravo!

Bravo.

Dr. Franklin
and Monsieur Adams.

Monsieur Adams,
Dr. Franklin.

Dr. Franklin.

All the court is talking about you.
Your experiments with science...

and the ladies.

Sire, day and night.
I am hard at it.

Dr. Franklin is accompanied
by a Mr. Adams.

Did you come from Paris, sir?

You don't speak French?

Mr. Adams doesn't speak
a single word of French.

Not a word?

- Put your hat on.
- What?

Put your hat on.

I hope you shall remain
long enough in France

to perfect your French,
Mr. Adams.

Yes, well, if I were here
as a private citizen,

Monsieur le Comte,
nothing would please me more.

France is the very region
for happiness,

if human nature could
be made happy

by anything that
pleases the senses.

I trust that you will find
our alliance equally agreeable.

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce
is both liberal and generous,

but I feel duty-bound

to press for greater commitment
of French naval power.

Admiral d'Estaing is
now sailing toward your New England.

I am aware
of Admiral d'Estaing's expedition,

and I deem it... insufficient.

Insufficient?

12 ships of the line,
and five frigates?

This will hardly dislodge
the British fleet from our shores.

Nothing will bring this war
to a speedier conclusion

than naval superiority.

And America needs more ships.

General Washington is
of the same opinion.

Mr. Adams is of course aware
that France is at war with England.

Our navy is needed
to defend our own shores.

And His Majesty has
been more than generous.

Our independence
cannot be achieved

if we are to be nothing
more than a pawn

in France's never-ending game
with our common enemy.

Now I respectfully ask that His Majesty
be informed of my opinion.

I found that conversation
fascinating, sir.

I am sorry, your Excellency.

Is it your purpose to destroy
everything we've accomplished?

To engineer the recall
of the fleet under Admiral d'Estaing?

Or is this some new kind
of diplomatic initiative?

The direct insult followed
by the petulant whine?

What are you thinking of?

A good diplomat, Mr. Adams,

observes much, acts little

and speaks softly.

The Compte de Vergennes means
to keep his hand beneath our chin

to prevent us from drowning,

but not to keep
our heads above the water.

Have you learned nothing,
Mr. Adams?

If you continue to exasperate
and antagonize these people...

As I did in Philadelphia and we declared
independence, you recall.

In Philadelphia
we negotiated independence.

Well, you may be as patient
and accommodating as you like, Doctor,

but for myself,

I will not voluntarily
put on the chains of France

while I am struggling
to throw off those of Great Britain!

When do you sail to Rhode Island,
Admiral d'Estaing?

We leave Boston tomorrow.

We hope to engage
the British fleet at Newport,

where your army awaits us.

A victory will do much
to rally our people.

For France as well, monsieur.

I have discovered, madame,
that your husband has deceived us.

I was told that
his zeal for our alliance

was born out
of his eagerness

to defeat the British.

But now I see...

it is his desire to be reunited
with you that drives him so.

Another Adams
falls victim to the French.

They have been most hospitable.

I scarcely think that one
can form a lasting impression

of a people based
on one evening's entertainment.

I cannot tell you how much
I respect your husband, Mrs. Adams.

There is no one who has given
as much to our cause as he.

I confess

I am less Roman than Mr. Adams.

While he would sacrifice
all for the good of our country,

I cannot but miss him.

You must feel
his absence greatly.

My sons are of an age

where they need
a father's guidance.

Dr. Rush, I am most eager

for the any news
of my husband.

The Chevalier de la Luzerne
is in Philadelphia,

and he spoke of Mr. Adams's
reception at the French court.

His letters are full of refinement
and taste of the society,

though not insensible
of its debaucheries.

I did not mean to suggest...

Mr. Adams's character
is beyond reproach.

You do not need to reassure me

of my husband's character, Dr. Rush.

I apologize, Mrs. Adams, if...

You are Surgeon General

of the Army, are you not?

Yes, and I have found
the condition

of our military hospitals
to be utterly deplorable.

Their administration is a crime,

and Congress
will not attend the problem.

I have brought
the subject to them repeatedly,

but they refuse to act.

3,000 men...

rendered unfit for duty
at Valley Forge.

All because Congress allowed
our supply lines to wither.

From your sister?

Yes, she asks about you.

Tell her I'm well.

Say otherwise,
we'll only worry her.

She asks why you do not write
to Mother more often.

And what should I write?

That I'm unable
to accomplish anything here?

Does she want a catalogue
of my frustration and failure?

My idiotic wrangling
with Dr. Franklin?

From Philadelphia, sir.

Mr. Adams?
Mr. Adams!

Mr. Adams.

Dr. Franklin is...
not to be disturbed.

He is, uh...
he's conducting an experiment

of a very delicate nature.

Mr. Adams!

Mr. Adams!

Please, no!

Mr. Adams,
this is most irregular.

Mr. Bancroft!

Well, Mr. Adams?

The, uh...

the Congress has...

the Congress have named you

the sole Minister Plenipotentiary

to the Court of King Louis, sir.

- Indeed.
- Huh.

Well.

Thank you, Mr. Adams.

Is there anything else?

I have been left kicking
and sprawling in the mire,

neither at liberty
to serve my country

nor at liberty to go home.

If I have committed some crime

that deserved to hang me up
on a gibbet in the face of all Europe,

I think I ought
to have been told what it was.

Quite right, sir.

You know,
it is universally believed

that Dr. Franklin has accomplished
our revolution entirely by himself

with a simple wave
of his electric wand.

Whatever merits he may
have as a philosopher,

as a legislator
he has done very little, sir.

Very little indeed.

Au revoir, Mr. Adams.

Mama.

You should be in bed.

So should you.

That is not for you to say.

- Mama.
- Bed.

Mama, please.
Come up with me.

That can wait.

I cannot.

I cannot wait.

There will be
something tomorrow...

from Papa.

It is of no matter.

You do not mean that.

Do not presume
to tell me what I mean!

His letters grow more
and more infrequent.

The one letter I did receive

gave me no assurance
of his affection.

You know Father's afraid
his letters will be intercepted.

What if they are?

What do I care
for British ridicule?

How can he not know
what his silence costs me?

Have I fallen so far
from his heart and his thoughts

that he cannot find
the time to write

to assure me that
we have not been forgotten?

He has not forgotten us.

If ever there was
a natural alliance,

surely it is between
the republics of the Netherlands

and the United States.

The Dutch first gave
asylum to the Pilgrims.

New York and New Jersey
were first settled by your countrymen.

May I remind you

that the Netherlands
were a republic

long before America
was even an idea?

Indeed, indeed, sir. If I may,

America and Holland are so close

in history, in religion, in government,

that every Dutchman
instructed in the subject

must pronounce the American Revolution
just and necessary,

or pass censure on the greatest actions
of his immortal ancestors.

How much money
do you seek, Mr. Adams?

An initial loan of $10 million.

Such a modest request.

A modest man.

You have approval
of your Congress to ask this sum?

The Congress will, of course,
approve my mission, sir.

An American victory in this war

would naturally be of great benefit.

Yeah, naturally.

But with Admiral d'Estaing's
defeat at Newport,

the loss of Charleston

and General Arnold's
treachery at West Point...

It was most unfortunate, sir, yes.

Very unfortunate.

There are rumors

that America will settle
for a negotiated peace.

No, sir. No.

The only acceptable outcome is
complete and irrevocable independence.

Are you ill, Mr. Adams?

No, I find the climate here
is somewhat insalubrious.

Yes. Bad weather for loans.

I regret to say
that American credit

is not... forgive me...

well established.

Yes, but you will
establish it, gentlemen.

He's asking us to
imperil British trade...

...and encourage our French enemy.

That is not an option.

We are in the business
of lending money,

but only to those capable

of paying us back, Mr. Adams.

I understand, sir.

"...matter that has
come to my attention.

Mr. Adams has given extreme offense
to the French court.

Having nothing else
with which to employ himself..."

"...he seems to have
endeavored to supply

what he may suppose
my negotiations defective in.

He thinks that America
has been too free

in expressions
of gratitude to France,

and that she is more obliged
to us than we to her.

Mr. Adams's character
and turn of mind are inappropriate

to proper diplomacy.

And sometimes
and in some things

he is quite out
of his senses.

Your humble servant,

Benjamin Franklin."

His letter was read
to the Congress

in the presence of
the Chevalier de la Luzerne.

There are many in Boston

who say Dr. Franklin
has greatly wronged you.

Let the artful old knave
have his cursed French.

I am left with Holland...

for all the good that will do us.

You have had no success?

Do you mean,
have I failed here as well?

We have reason
to be optimistic.

Thousands of men under
Rochambeau joined General Washington.

Admiral de Grasse is said
to be sailing with a large fleet.

Well, at long last.

Dr. Franklin's efforts
have been amply rewarded.

Yes, I have no doubt
Dr. Franklin himself will be.

If this war is won, he will have
secured his place in our history

and be celebrated
for his statesmanship.

Are you unwell, Mr. Adams?

I had hoped to seek your advice

before taking up
my appointment in St. Petersburg.

How may I help you?

The language
of Queen Catherine's court is French,

and I have none of it.

I was hoping to engage
a secretary to assist me.

Come come come
come come.

Russia, here.

Very good.

Will it be
very cold there, Father?

Good heavens, no.

Not for a Massachusetts man.

You must not let the idea
of going to Russia frighten you.

You're 14 years old, Johnny.

Already a man,

and never one for childish pursuits.

- Yes?
- Mmm.

And I have confidence that
you will make both of us very proud.

I would rather stay
here with you, Father.

Son, I would rather
that you stay here as well.

But it is time that you
put your accomplishments to use

in the service
of your country.

And you must not mind being sad.

I would think less of you
if you were not.

There are times...

when we must act
against our inclinations.

And at those times,

we may pain
those that we love.

I left your mother,

who I love more
than anything in the world,

in order to shake Europe
by the scruff of the neck.

That... that was my choice.

That was my duty.

You see?

And whatever one may say of me,

I always press forward

with any challenge
that has ever been given to me.

I know, Father.

I know you've tried.

I'm sorry.

I will do my duty.

Now now.

You mind Mr. Dana, yeah?

- Yes, sir.
- There you go.

Good journey to you, gentlemen.

Congress has learned
from the French minister

that I have presented my credentials
to the Dutch government

without their permission.

They are...
they are astonished...

they are astonished
at my ridiculous display...

Stay still, Herr Adams.

- That I should have
the audacity

to present myself
to the Dutch government

before they are
in any way prepared to receive me.

You bastards.

Hold still, sir.

I'm ridiculous, am I?

Ridiculous.

- The charge of vanity...
- Adams...

- the charge of vanity
is the last refuge

of little wits
and of mercenary quacks!

I tell you...
I am speaking, sir!

I have long learned

that a man may give offense...

and he may still succeed.

Oh!

Herr Adams?

Herr Adams?

Glorious news!

Look, Mama.

Glorious intelligence.

"Yesterday afternoon
arrived in this harbor

Captain Lovatt,
of the schooner Adventure,

from York River
in Chesapeake Bay,

which he left the 20th instant,

and brought us the glorious news

of the surrender of Lord Cornwall...

and brought us
the glorious news of the surrender

of Lord Cornwallis;

and his army prisoners
of war to the allied army

under the command
of our illustrious general;

and the French fleet under the command
of His Excellency, the Count de Grasse."

Is the war over?

Not while there is a single
British soldier remaining in America,

but they cannot hold on for long,

not after this.

God be praised.

And General Washington.

Papa will be back?

Yes, Charles.
Papa will be back.

"Yesterday afternoon
arrived in this harbor

Captain Lovatt,
of the schooner Adventure

from York River
in Chesapeake Bay,

which he left the 20th instant,

and brought us
the glorious news of the surrender

of Lord Cornwallis;

and his army
prisoners of war..."

Herr Adams.

Herr Adams?

Herr Adams?

Abigail. Abigail.

Abigail.

Herr Adams? Herr Adams?

Abigail. Abigail.