All language subtitles for The Adams Chronicles s01e07 Diplomat

Four generations of one family. Their
lives and causes reveal 150

years of American history.

1809. The Atlantic separates the
fledgling United States from her former

Great Britain and her former ally
France.

Britain, under the aging and now
demented George III, is locked in a

with France for the mastery of Europe.

In that encounter, both nations preempt
the high seas.

A former soldier, general, consul, and
now emperor, Napoleon, battles England

with a spectacular cunning.

Ships of neutral nations, the United
States chief among them, are seized and

searched.

John Quincy Adams, son of the second
president, experiences that indignity

firsthand.

It's another British man of warfare.

She's training her guns on us.

We are in contended waters. The British
have boarded us merely, I'm sure, to

verify our nationality.

Yes, come in.

Thank you, Mr. Adams.

Captain Bickford's come once, and will
you attend him in his cabin? Thank you,

Mr. Hinch, and I was about to do so.

Thomas, see to it that the ladies are
not disturbed.

Right, sir.

Your permission, Captain.

Come in, sir.

Mr. Adams.

Captain Bickford informs me I've the
privilege of meeting an eminent

Be seated.

I'm Lieutenant Mount Garrett with a
boarding party from HMS Stately.

You may have noticed her standing off
your starboard quarter with 21 guns.

Your passport, if you please. Mr. Adams,
Captain.

John Quincy Adams, Minister,
plenipotentiary from the United States

to the court of Russia.

Travelling with his lady, infant son...
He's ordered me to turn the ship about

and he's threatened to seize her if I do
not.

And he proposes to take one of my
sailors, to impress him in his navy.

what authority?

This, and the instructions of my
captain, the directions of the

the mandate of His Majesty's orders in
council.

Unless some tragedy has befallen us
since we've put to sea, my country

living under His Majesty's rule 33 years
ago.

England is at war with France, sir.

France has an alliance with Russia. Any
ship bound for Russia is presumed to be

friendly to Bonaparte and therefore
England's enemy.

Yes, yes. Tell me, Lieutenant.

Do the instructions of your Admiralty
supersede the acts of your Parliament?

Of course not. Why?

In the rule of Queen Anne, by the Act of
1708, your country, along with all

civilized ones, subscribed to a rule of
international usage.

The agreement states, and I quote, all
ministries, embassies, and consulates

protected from intrusion by diplomatic
immunity.

A ship in the middle of the Baltic is
hardly a ministry.

This ship, Lieutenant, and you might
refer to her papers, was fitted out for

express purpose of carrying my ministry
to St. Petersburg until she docks there.

And as long as I am aboard, and so long
as she flies the flag of my country,

this ship is an American ministry.

And any intrusion or hindrance upon her
is, by your own law, a punishable crime.

At sea, I believe that is called piracy.

That's ridiculous.

Is it?

Well, perhaps your epaulet gives you the
authority to declare your country at

war. Your captain might not be grateful
to you for committing an act for which

he would have to answer.

Confound it! I'm a military man and not
a sea lawyer!

Perhaps if you return to your ship and
discuss this dilemma with your captain,

he might be grateful to you for your
concern for his career.

If not your own.

I'm returning merely for consultation.

I hope that it's clear.

This ship is still arrested until my
captain decides otherwise. Yes, of

And when he does, just to save you the
trouble of boarding us again,

May I suggest that you simply dip your
colors as a signal for us to proceed?

our colors? That would be a salute.

You have my leave, Lieutenant.

St. Petersburg.

Tsar Alexander I and his minister,
Ramyantsev, grapple with the problems of

being allied to Napoleon.

Another communique from the Emperor of
Europe.

Being Napoleon's ally is almost as
difficult as being his enemy.

He requests, Your Majesty, that we bar
all of our ports to

whatever shipping he has not licensed.

Well, temporarily, of course, it would
stop certain of our trade. There's no

question about that.

But in the end, it would be most
damaging to the English.

In the end, yes, but in the meantime,
England is merely annoyed.

With her great navy, she can stop any
ship at sea, take all the cargo she

and pay no duty.

But once Napoleon defeats England on
land and breaks up her navy, in my

a third power will rise to challenge her
on the seas, one with no continental

ambitions and an enterprising merchant
navy.

The United States.

Yes.

If...

If, of course, she survives.

There's more than a small question that
she will.

The government controls only a small
portion of a great continent.

The native Indians are a constant
problem. The Spanish and the English

control much of the unpopulated land.

This morning I received an appeal from
Adams, the American minister, about

American ships.

which we have, at Napoleon's request,
detained in Archangel Riga and other of

our ports.

Yes, Adams does press us on those ships.
I like that man, Adams.

He's somewhat severe, but highly
principled.

From an illustrious family, too, for a
wilderness country.

My dear Louisa.

Oh, you're not ready yet.

We shall be late for Romanoff's
reception.

I completely forgot about the time.

Dispatches arrived from Washington six
weeks after they were written.

I wonder what's happening at home.

What? I wonder what George and John are
doing right this minute.

I hope our letters arrive before their
birthdays.

Our sons.

have a good many more birthdays, and we
will share in quite a few of those.

I will leave you to finish your own
wardrobe. The carriage is undoubtedly

waiting. John, go to the room Yancis
without me.

Oh, I'm feeling perfectly well, but you
can say I'm not.

That would not be the truth.

Well, just explain my condition.

Has someone offended you?

Not someone, John.

What?

That dress is seen and been seen at
three

court balls, four embassy dinners,
and... Louisa, the country pays us what

can afford.

I will await you downstairs.

But, John, this reception will merely be
another conference between you and

Rumyantsev.

I would gladly put on the dress and go
if you would spend the evening there

me.

We could dance, John.

Dance?

The Polonaise.

Oh, yes, the Polonaise.

I should certainly do that very well,
shouldn't I? But it's a duty, John.

Some Russians might consider it an
insult if you didn't show a proper

appreciation of their culture and their
customs.

Please, John.

One Polonaise.

And no talk of ships or wars.

We will spend the evening together.

I will await you downstairs and tell the
carriage you'll be ready.

My trap, Olga!

Isn't it time we ventured onto the dance
floor?

My dear Madame Adams.

Now, if it were in my power, you would
grace each of the conferences I seem

always to be having with your husband.

I'm afraid you'd find me extremely slow
-witted at politics. Most of the men I

have to deal with are, too.

Excepting, of course, Mr.

Adams. I've come to understand him quite
well, you know. Well, he's going to

surprise you tonight.

Oh, really?

Still, I'm quite sure of what he is
thinking at this moment.

Of the United States ship that was
impounded three days ago.

Actually,

sir, I was thinking not only of the one,
but of the 22 others that are unable to

unload their cargo.

Yes, deplorable.

And... Desire himself expressly used
that word.

Well, if he feels so strongly about it,
perhaps we can expect some action.

Mrs. Adams, what a pleasant surprise.
Good evening.

I didn't see you at the reception last
night.

No?

Oh, General, good afternoon.

Madame Adams.

I see you below.

If I had been fortunate enough to have
been born, Monsieur Adams, I should

permit you to be absent from my side.

Come. There is one thing I must show
you. Thank you. A painting has just

from Paris.

A collection.

The painting is a religious one. I
understand that many of your countrymen

women, of course, are Puritan.

Oh, yes, that's true.

Especially in Massachusetts.

That is where you were raised?

No, I plead guilty to having grown up in
Europe. My schooling was in Paris.

Madame, that explains it.

Your child.

That certain look in your eye. The look
in my eye, General?

It can only come from searching for my
husband on occasions like this.

But there are bales of cotton on those
ships.

Whoa. You need them. I'm willing to obey
the laws of Russia, but not the edicts

of Napoleon.

Now, there must be a way. My dear Adams,
be reasonable.

It was merely a fury at the French.

The excellence is not from Bordeaux.

Of course, the tone of the English court
has quite ruined me.

When I married Count Rostov, I didn't
realize I was placing myself in virtual

exile.

As far as your eyes, Mrs. Adams, all
they seem quite fashionable.

Madame Oblensky, do you know Mrs. Adams?

Mr. Adams is a representative of the
United States. My husband is minister to

the court, Countess.

Such a serious man.

Count Rostov describes him as a bulldog
among Spaniards.

My husband is a fighter, Countess.

Will you excuse me?

That dress.

I've seen it so often I almost beat it
along to my own wardrobe.

But my dear... We must support
Napoleon's continental system. It's an

accommodation. Yes, but one that will no
longer be binding when...

If... I am sorry. If Russia decides to
withdraw from that arrangement.

A supposition merely based on rumors.

That supposition proved to be true.

In the maze of European politics, allies
changed as rapidly as partners on the

dance floor.

Soon the French ambassador had revealing
words for the American minister.

My dear good friend, I shall be utterly
frank with you.

Napoleon is dismayed that the Russians
have withdrawn from our continental

system. You, of course, must be
gratified. Nearly all your impounded

released. The French consuls have been
urged to be most liberal in granting

trading licenses to your merchant
marine.

The ships then leave our ports and are
immediately captured by French

who claim that your consul's signatures
are forgeries and that the ships are

British and masquerade.

How are we to know?

The stars and stripes are a popular
disguise at sea.

Britons and Americans are similar in
appearance and speech. If a seaman

on the bones of George Washington, that
he is one of your countrymen.

What can we do?

How do we distinguish between the
British and his cousin?

Now, if your country and France were,
shall we say, firmer, more committed at

heart... My dear General, that
responsibility is my government, not

Oh, I took the liberty of having these
prepared for

your convenience.

The registry of all American ships now
bears a secret mark that should enable

your countrymen to determine which ships
are British and which are ours.

A list of prominent merchants in most
American seaports. Any captain

to be from those ports would, of course,
be familiar with their names.

And a glossary of common nautical terms,
including some profanity. But the

difference is noted in British
pronunciation and American.

to enable you to distinguish between one
Anglo -Saxon and another.

I couldn't sleep.

Come, keep me coming.

It's not your condition.

A baby? Oh, it's too soon for
discomfort, Joan.

This baby will be a girl. I know it.

A healthy, happy, beautiful child.

Her brothers will adore her.

I was happy when I first born with a
son, but the truth is I'm more

with girls, I think.

Yes, well, with six sisters you should
be.

If only we could all be together when
the baby's born.

John, the letter from Mr.

Madison.

The president is a prolific
correspondent.

Which letter? You know, John, the one
your mother caused him to write.

Only Abigail Adams could have gotten the
president to authorize her return home.

Well, that was my fault. I've complained
too much in my letters to my mother

about the expense of living here.

Your complaints were justified.

6 ,000 rubles a year.

There. You're just adequate.

What's Spartan? An unfashionable
neighborhood.

Too small for us to entertain.

Well, with the constant parade of bowls
and parties, no one seems to miss our

hospitality. We couldn't entertain if we
wanted to, if it were necessary.

John, I know you're handling our
country's interests well, but how

long must this go on?

This is an outpost of government, not a
home.

Our home is in Massachusetts.

And it awaits us.

When?

When will we see it again?

When my duties here are finished.

Despite my mother's well -intentioned
intercession and despite President

Madison's kind permission for us to
return, it is up to me.

And we cannot leave at this time.

It is vital that we effect a commercial
treaty with Russia.

We must have a powerful ally to help us
keep the seas open. When will that

treaty be effected? How old will this
child be when her brothers see her for

first time?

The boys are safe, Louisa.

They've been well taken care of by my
mother.

You say they're safe.

It takes three months.

For a letter to get through the
blockade.

Who knows what may have befallen them
since the last letter was posted. I

You don't.

I have two children here.

One asleep upstairs.

One here, under my heart.

I have two others.

Continents away.

Two sons who should set the example for
Charles Francis to follow.

When will he get to know them?

When will I? When will you?

The

whole

continent of North America appears,
Father, to be destined by divine

To be peopled by one nation.

Peace.

Peace for the next few years is
essential to the plan.

In Washington, some voices speak of
peace while calling for war.

Some rage against France, others
England.

No man in America desires peace more
than I.

But I prefer the troubled ocean of war
when demanded by the honor,

the independence of our country.

If we are forced between France and
Britain to select our enemy, I am for

with Britain.

Mr. Monroe.

You have just been made Secretary of 18
not very United States.

Henry Clay and his Western friends are
determined we battle Britain.

If we declare war on anyone,
Massachusetts wants it to be France, and

is the faction that demands war on both
France and England. And the ban for

peace, but so strongly for it that they
will fight anyone who's against it.

The Constitution glues us together.

But for how long?

For that very reason.

I think it is important that you see
this latest dispatch from Mr. Adams in

Petersburg.

The rumor there is that the French and
English are at a standstill.

Napoleon needs a triumph.

He's turning his eyes to a fresh
conquest.

Russia.

His ally.

So is heaven, if we are to believe the
emperor's boasting.

Mr. Adams thinks that within five years,
Europe will be practically bankrupt.

And we, for the first time, will be in a
position of power.

But we must use those years to implement
our strength, not to dissipate it on a

battlefield.

Of course, all this is speculation on
Mr. Adams' part.

I have every confidence in Mr. Adams.

It's a pity that I must bring him home.

It is an honor.

We're living in Washington.

The house will have to be large, of
course, with a garden for the boys.

Charles Francis barely remembers our
country.

What are you thinking, John?

Just that if one is to be put on a
shelf, it is indeed a very high shelf.

The Supreme Court?

A shelf?

You've decided not to accept the
appointment, haven't you?

Why?

Because of me?

Louisa.

You are second month's with child.

Even with the safest passage, you would
be delivered at sea.

In these times, we'd be forced to take
any ship that we found, no matter how

cramped and dirty. What if there's fever
aboard?

God will protect me.

Suppose we're taken to the blockade.
There will be no midwife in a British

cruiser. Ships do get through the
blockade. You cannot risk it.

Then you go without me.

I'll join you after the baby's born.

be no husband to you if i did that right
president madison tonight louise asked

that he hold the appointment he'll do
that you're determined not to

go

Louisa Catherine, I baptize thee in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of

the Holy Ghost.

We will receive this child into the
congregation of Christ's flock and to

her with the sign of the cross that
thereafter she may dwell in the house of

the Lord.

That's the truth.

Does the treachery of the French
astonish you, Mr. Adams?

Yes.

Napoleon has just invaded Poland. Our
main forces have been driven back to

Smolensk. And you have made peace with
England.

We need England now.

So, you have allied yourself with a
country that has shown such hatred for

The desire is determined to withstand
any English pressures against you.

He characterizes his attachment to
America as obstinate.

My country will be as gratified as I am
to hear that.

It is our earnest hope that you can
escape the horror of this.

before she fell asleep.

Her fever seems to have lessened.

She smiled at me, John, before she fell
asleep.

Congress has declared us at war with
England by majority vote of four.

War? There are few details in that
paper.

There was no dispatch from the
government? It's intercepted, probably.

That's dated June 22nd. The country's
been at war for two months and I did not

know it.

John, what if there's an invasion from
Canada, the voice?

England is not likely to lay waste to
New England.

Just too many friends there.

War? You said over the months what a
tragedy this would be.

It means we must fight for our freedom
once again.

And if we lose, there will be no United
States of America as we know it.

And that must not happen.

Any sacrifice we're called upon to make,
we must accept willingly.

And may God help us.

Mrs. Adams!

I weep for both of us.

I weep, Louisa.

In my way, I weep.

Moscow has not fallen.

You drink more.

This moment calls for vodka.

Those evenings so delightful with the
exquisite French wines are now over.

Now even their wine would taste bitter.

So my dear old friend...

You can understand my depression.

I share it.

My country's fortunes are no better than
yours.

And the irony of our situation is that
according to the papers in June, England

revoked the orders that allowed them to
seize our ships at sea. The very orders

that caused us to declare war in the
first place.

So we are knee -deep into a war that
need never have occurred.

Maybe there is a way to stop it now.

Russia and England are now allies.

Perhaps London could be approached about
negotiated peace.

By whom?

Char Alexander.

His Imperial Majesty is willing to offer
himself as a personal mediator.

If both of your governments agree, he
could open negotiations immediately.

can't do anything for me.

All winter, I waited for the summer.

Now flowers are growing on her grave.

I was there this morning. Louise, there
is some hope, hope for the war's end at

least.

Mr. Gallatin, Mr. Bayer, I'd be arriving
in St. Petersburg soon to begin the

negotiations.

I have not become, John, the wife you
expected me to be.

Louisa, you are the wife I want.

The first two weeks in St. Petersburg, I
enjoyed this view.

Now it seems just like our prospect, Mr.
Gallatin.

Flat.

Uneventful. You Americans expect too
much, much too soon.

You are an American too, Mr. Gallatin.

I'm an American by choice, a European by
birth.

Europe bred me a defeatist. America has
made me an optimist. Who knows, in a few

moments he may return with confirmation
that the Tsar has already begun

negotiations. Behind our backs.

Ah, the Russians are curious people.

They have an almost oriental need for
mystery and intrigue.

The same story.

There are technicalities.

Complications. The Tsar is in the field.

Perhaps next week.

Though many explanations must conceal
one essential fact. What is it?

What in heaven's name are we to do?
Wait.

That seems to be our only present
occupation.

England has refused Russia as a
mediator.

But she has agreed to deal directly with
us.

However... The negotiations must take
place on a site congenial to her cause.

England finds Russia unacceptable.

Well, of course, England would.

We're in St. Petersburg.

She suggests Sweden or London.

I came to negotiate a treaty, not a
meeting place. Time -consuming delays

calculated to give them advantage.

She hasn't even selected her peace
commissioners, although we have sent two

of our own.

Clearly, England intends to win the war
by avoiding the peace.

The dilly -dally.

Common diplomatic dads were cruel,
cynical... and deadly to

the men on the battlefield.

We must do the unexpected now.

What?

Viad and I will leave here.

Try to make contact with the English on
our own.

We must do it now before we have nothing
to use in the negotiations.

Who's Papa going to be with again?

Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Bayard.

35.

Sentiment, Louisa.

Sentiment.

George Francis.

While I'm gone, you must do nothing of
which your mother would be ashamed to

write. Be attentive in your studies and
faithful in your devotions.

Take care of your mother.

I must.

With double my strength, John, as you
have yours.

I know what I face, you do not.

The chariot is ready, sir.

Charles Francis.

Almighty and merciful God, into thy
loving care and watchful keeping I

my family.

both here and in our own country, and
pray for a felicitous reunion in

this world or the next. Thy will be
done.

Amen. Amen.

Amen.

Good morning, Mr. Adams.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Leigh.

Gentlemen, we are finally able to begin
a discussion of the issues that

confront us before tomorrow's first
meeting with the British Commission. I

you all have been enjoying the
attractions of the city of Ghent.

Well, hopefully we will spend less time
than we did in St. Petersburg.

Six weeks already, Mr. Gallatin. The
English move slowly.

Except... on the battlefield.

I am sure Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Bayard
are as pleased as I am with the

president's choice of two such exemplary
representatives of our country's

interests as Mr. Clay and Mr. Russell.

Gentlemen, as you know, we begin this
bargaining from an unfortunate position.

That is, the war goes on. Now, it seems
imperative to me that this commission,

when with the British at least, present
a united front.

Even when we are, in fact, not united,
Mr. Adams?

We will agree on basic principles, I am
sure.

Are you, indeed?

There are several points upon which we
are prepared to conclude the peace. One

is, obviously, that the British cease
the impressment of American semen.

Now, in matters in which we must
yield... Yield?

Let us be firm that we give nothing away
that our country had before this war

began. That word yield bothers me. It
has fewer syllables than surrender, but

has the same sound to my ear. We are in
no position to present ultimatum, Mr.

Clay. Let us be sure we do not receive
them either. Yes, that is all of our

What of our Western claims, Mr. Adams?
They are my concern.

We will retain the legal right to the
region around the Columbia River. We

give up nothing south of the boundary
established by the Treaty of 1783.

You speak of what we will not give up.

What will we demand from them?

Mr. Monroe has given us one demand at
least.

Useless or not.

It's a major one which should please
you, Mr. Clay. I've read your speech is

favorable to it. We are instructed to
make every effort to force the British

cede all of Canada.

To the United States. And that will be
as easy as leveling my native Alps. Sir,

what of the British commissioners? Has
anyone taken measure of them?

The British have sent their ableist
diplomats to the Congress of Vienna to

settle the Napoleonic Wars. To resolve
what the Crown obviously considers a

important problem, we have the gift of
less important men.

Lord Gambier, head of their delegation,
is an admiralty official of middling

rank.

Henry Goldberg, the diplomat whose only
credential seemed to be that he was not

important enough to take to Vienna.

And Dr.

William Adams.

No relation, gentlemen, rest assured.

Is there technical advice on matters of
law?

We wish to welcome the representatives
of the United States.

It is His Majesty's and our most serious
wish that these meetings prove

fruitful. and end the current
unpleasantness between countries so

ancestry, language, and history.

Mr. Goodman.

After due review, His Majesty's
government is prepared to deliberate the

following points in dispute.

Item, impressment.

Our official attitude is that this is
purely an internal domestic concern, but

to prove our willingness to cooperate...

we will consider placing it on the
agenda at some unspecified appropriate

Item, a revision of the boundaries
between Canada and the United States.

Item, to revoke the 1783 agreement
permitting American fishing rights in

Canadian waters.

Item, that the Indian allies of our
country, for whom we feel an inordinate

responsibility, be granted sufficient
land in the western territories for the

establishment of an independent Indian
nation.

Lord Gambier, having heard and noted
England's suggestions for the agenda,

may I respectfully request an
adjournment for 24 hours?

Did I hear you correctly, Mr. Adams? You
did, sir.

At the end of that time, we will have
our thoughts assembled for the

deliberations. It will take you 24 hours
to assemble your thoughts. It will,

sir.

Well, if you truly deem it necessary,
the meeting's done.

Another war!

That's the answer.

Declare war on those supercilious asses
all over again.

We're not even holding our own in this
one.

They have always wanted the Ohio River
to be the Canadian boundary.

What of the hundred thousand souls that
live in that territory now?

Another 100 ,000 Canadians, that's all.

No!

And an Indian nation.

That means a British flag flying right
in the middle of our continent. What

about the right to fish in the Canadian
waters? If we lost those rights, New

England would secede from the Union. And
good riddance to them. Gentlemen,

gentlemen.

We have been given begrudgingly 24 hours
to work out our reply.

Your anger will not reduce the severity
of the English demands.

No. Gambier's items were designed to
produce this very effect.

He needs the six weeks it would take us
to receive instructions from Washington

City.

He won't succeed.

No, sir, he will not.

If the British succeed in delaying these
negotiations, we may have precious

little left to negotiate.

And we must work out our answer tonight.

We must keep this conference in session.

We are frankly astonished that the
subject of an Indian territory or

you prefer, is even on the agenda of
this commission.

Our government has complete sovereignty
over the natives and the territory they

occupy, and that is as it must be.

Lord, Castle Ray's formula for these
negotiations gave no indication that

subject was even to be discussed.

Now, there would be no value in going on
with it.

It is not unusual under conditions such
as these to...

pursue our conversations and reach a
tentative solution.

Your commission would then sign a
provisional article of agreement,

course, to the ratification of your
government.

Our stand on that is equally firm.

But the Native American tribes are a
matter of great concern to His Majesty.

Were they when we were His Majesty's
colony?

His Majesty's benevolence to the
Aborigines is well known.

Mr. Adams, are you willing to go along
with us and work toward a provisional

article?

I am not, Your Lordship.

We can sign nothing concerning subjects
we are not even authorized to discuss.

Perhaps you'd like another adjournment
to discuss this with your colleagues?

No, sir. That would be useless.

We are united on this subject.

Leave us no choice but to adjourn these
discussions until we can consult with

His Majesty's government in London.

His Majesty's Foreign Minister, Lord
Castlereagh, visited Ghent during the

-week adjournment, and he advises us
that you must be willing to discuss the

Indian question and to sign a
provisional article at the conclusion of

subject. We will not... Consider an
Indian nation west of the Great Lakes.

This is insufferable.

Lord Gambier, having heard this much of
Lord Catheray's demands, may I suggest

the advisability of putting the
remainder into writing?

For our study and deliberation, we will
also answer in writing. This will avoid

the possibility of any misinterpretation
on either side.

Perhaps considered reflection will lead
to more productive future meetings.

Is this agreeable to your logic?

If it encourages the commission to sober
consideration, so

be it.

Their answer is not to concede, but to
attack.

Your government's steady encroachment on
the Indian lands, your efforts to

obtain Canada by force. That charge is
true, Mr. Adams.

It may be true, but we did not succeed.

They're bluffing, that's all.

There should be no mention of the
territory in the treaties and no mention

the Indians either. If we stand firm on
that issue, it will mean the ending of

this conference.

Are we willing to go that far because of
the Indian question?

Yes.

Everyone in our country would be behind
us.

The possibility of an Indian nation
would inflame our armies and they'd

like madmen.

I must vote against ending this
conference.

The country was founded at such a
terrible cost.

You cannot desert her now.

I am not deserting my country.

But I am not serving it here either.

I shall write the eminent Lord Gambier
tonight.

I shall request a passport from the
British Navy to allow me to return home.

Look on our reply, gentlemen.

I do not doubt that our colleague will
return.

This communicating by letter is inhuman.

There is no flexibility in pen and ink.
Unless it comes from our ministry in

London. This just arrived from Lord
Castlery.

We're ordered not to let the
negotiations end.

The ministry fears.

That would fire American patriotism to
fight on and eventually weaken us at the

Congress of Vienna.

If the Americans truly knew the military
situation, they'd be on their knees

before us.

As we speak, our army should be
advancing on their capital.

I know what I would do with it.

Six weeks ago.

There will be no American fishing rights
to Canadian waters.

Phrase it even more strongly if you can,
Newman.

Mr. Clay, the fishing rights are
essential to the economy. Essential to

beloved New England.

It is the British demand for
navigational rights to the Mississippi

should be discussing.

Give up access to the Mississippi and
the navigation rights?

These colonials are trying to push us
off the continent.

We must bend somewhere.

Despite, Mr. Clay, cannot we trade the
navigation rights on the Mississippi for

the fishing privileges?

Let the British sail to New Orleans
after they have paid the proper customs.

No, no, no, Dr.

Adams. No custom tax.

I refuse to consider it. Here, you
write, write.

We no longer consider any settlement
based on status before the war began.

Any settlement must instead be based on
what we possess now.

My hope is always, Louisa, that the
dilly -dally that

we dance at Ghent will be concluded
soon.

And when it is, I will at last be able
to ask you and Charles to leave St.

Petersburg and meet me in Paris.

Do you need assistance?

Pray don't trouble yourself, sir.

This is not the first time I've come to
bed with the help of the banister.

No, sir, nor the first time you have
come to bed at the same hour at which I

have arisen.

I've disturbed your morning labors.

My apologies, sir. That is not what is
important, Mr. Clay. What is important

that we remain vigilant and sharp -eyed
for this enterprise we are attempting to

conclude.

You fear I shall not have my wits about
me.

A few hours sleep, and I'll be as sharp
as a Yankee.

I do not doubt that, Mr. Clay.

I hope you will forgive my concern.

I'm obliged for it, sir.

Good night, Mr. Adams.

Good morning, Mr. Clay.

We've heard from Monroe.

Fort McHenry is held and the British
have retired from Baltimore.

McDonagh has won for us on Champlain.
And the invasion of New York was turned

back at Plattsburgh.

Wait till Lord Gambier hears that.

There's more.

The attack on Lake Erie has been
thoroughly repulsed.

You said only the hand of heaven would
help us.

Yes, the British may have played their
delaying game too long.

I wouldn't bet on that too heavily, sir.

The British have petitioned their
beloved Duke of Wellington to take

their army in our country.

Should he consent to accept the post, we
confidently expect his sword to carve

enough meat off the Yankee turkey so
that there will be nothing but bones

brought to the table at Ghent.

It is with deep regret that I inform
you.

The Duke of Wellington has refused to
assume command of our forces in the

States.

In his gracious words, in my opinion,
there can be no satisfactory military

conclusion to the American campaign.

My best and earnest advice is to settle
this on the basis of...

Status quo before the war began.

Christmas Eve, 1814.

The Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of
1812, is signed.

It resolves no real issues, settles none
of the disputed points.

But in winning little, the United States
gains much.

The treaty signifies that this country
is not merely a cluster of former

rebellious colonies calling themselves
states, but a sovereign nation.

31 years after John Adams signed the
Treaty of Paris, his son signs the

of Ghent.

Paris.

During the 100 days between Napoleon's
return from Elba and his final defeat at

Waterloo, John Quincy and Louisa
Catherine are reunited.

Papa!

Charles.

Let me see you.

I can't believe how you've grown.

Bonjour, John.

carriage out with a shovel.

What, on the trip? It was so cold our
food was frozen.

Like Mrs. Madison's ice cream.

And tell me about the coachman stealing
the silver and all our money and running

away and you being sick in Strasburg.
Now that was nothing. I swear it, John,

just exhaustion.

Those six weeks traveling made St.
Petersburg a very pleasant memory.

John, one of the boys.

You've heard from Massachusetts, haven't
you?

Yes, and, uh...

And they are well.

Well, let me read their letters.

In a moment.

Entree. I have asked the concierge to
serve dinner as soon as you arrived.

Will it be hot?

It will be, just as you want it.

I've even remembered all of your
favorite vittles.

And there is wine. Oh.

That same wine we had so often at
Nonsense.

John, where are our son's letters?

A toast.

Let me read the letters, John.

To our life, as it begins again.

To the court of St. James.

A toast to them, after all the pain
they've caused us.

We must forget that pain now. It would
not be proper for... the next minister

Great Britain.

Great Britain? We're going to live
there, too?

Yes.

And you will like it much better than
Russia, there the boys speak English.

I've only just been told privately.

I've written my mother and instructed
her to put the boys on the first ship to

Europe.

Oh, John.

And so, after so very much, we will all
be

together again.

In my way, Louisa.

I am weeping, too.

Great.

Well, Lord, for what we are about to
receive, we humbly thank you.

Amen.