All language subtitles for The Howards of Virginia.Ховарды из Вирджинии.1940.eng

In the 27th year of the reign
of our sovereign, George II

by the grace of God, king of England

His Majesty's American colony
of Virginia.

Matt, the light!

Reuben!

- Reuben! Lord keep us.
- Susie.

- Uncle Reuben!
- Matt. Young Matt.

- Where did you come from?
- Richmond, without a stop.

Then you have news. ?ut with it, man.

A fine welcome, Susie.
Your brother's half wore to death...

For shame, James. Come inside,
there's soup in the pot.

?h, soup!

A plague on the man.
?ff to bed with you, lad.

- We'll not be travelling tonight.
- Yes, Father!

- More soup, Reuben?
- No, thank you, lass.

- Well, Reuben, tell us your news, man.
- News? ?h.

- How's your crop, James?
- Listen to him.

- You know about the crop.
- Poor, huh?

Aye. Land's wore out.
No good tobacco left in it.

What's fit to sell
goes for quit-rents and taxes.

So fine folk like you take to smugglin'.

Will you tell your news
and stop plaguing?

If you had some new, rich, honest
land, say, out in the great ?hio country...

- ?hio?
- He's daft. ?hio ain't fit for settlers, man.

No?

Suppose it's cleared
of Indians and French?

General Braddock and his redcoats
are marchin' off right now.

Virginia's raisin' two companies
of troops to help.

And hearken, James.
The pay's gonna be in land.

A thousand virgin acres to every man
that fights, free of quit-rents for 15 years.

Free of... For 15...

Susan? Do you mind what he's sayin'?
It's our one endurin' chance.

Wake up, Susan.
Don't you understand?

I understand it's war, James.

But what's left to us here?
Slow starvation on worn-out land.

?ur one chance is the west,
new land and no government.

Where men can have their freedom.

I'd rather die reaching for almighty things
like that than be as we are.

- I'm goin'. We're goin', aren't we?
- Aye.

Can I go t...

- ...go... too?
- Matt!

- Can I go, too, huh?
- What?

- Go to bed, Matt.
- I'm near tall growed as a man, Father.

- And I'm strong, too, see?
- Reuben.

Matt, lad. We'll all be
goin' out to ?hio soon.

You'll be a great leader there someday.

- But you'll need more schoolin'.
- I'd like to go to ?hio.

Colonel Jefferson said he'd help get you
in the finest school in Louisa County.

- I'm set for ?hio.
- It's school, I said.

- Thank you, Father...
- School!

- ?hio!
- It's school! School!

Here was the redcoats, Father wrote,
and here our Virginia men

with Father and Uncle in front.

The French charged,
with four men to our every one

but we stood them off.
Aye, Tom, right there at Red Stone Creek.

Don't you wish we were fightin' with 'em?

Dominic!

Well, we'll proceed at once
with our Latin lesson.

Beginning... chapter nine, section 27.

Matthew Howard. You will be so kind
as to scan these lines for us.

Without delay, sir.

"Quodcumque...

"...facius...

"...facero...

"...omnibus viribus."

Translate.

"If..."

I mean...

- I mean, "Where or when..."
- "Whatever."

"Whatever."

- "Whatever is to be..."
- "Whatever you do!"

And no coaching,
Master Jefferson, if you please.

"Whatever you do."

"Whatever you do..."

- I can't, sir!
- The line reads,

"Whatever you do,
do with all your might."

Come here. And bring that piece of paper
you were so intent upon as I entered.

Quickly, sir.

- What is this, Master Howard?
- The war in ?hio, sir.

Silence! Master Howard,

gentlemen pursuing the classics
do not fight Indians in ?hio.

I'll now teach you one bit of Latin
you'll never forget.

Turn round, sir. Turn round.

Bend over.

Whatever you do,
do with all your might.

- Whatever...
- Matt, don't!

- I don't want your classics!
- Put that down, you wildcat.

I hate you and your old classics.
I want ?hio where men can be free!

Free, is it? You're not free enough under
His Majesty's government. A rebel, eh?

- You little... You...
- Here, here.

- Colonel Jefferson, sir.
- What's this?

Your charge, sir, Master Howard, a
firebrand, a budding traitor to the crown.

- I don't want the crown.
- You hear? Hanging is what rebels want.

?ne moment, please.
Before we take drastic steps, Dominic,

I'll have a little talk with our rebel here.
Strangely enough, it's what I came for.

- Suppose you ride home with me.
- Thank you, sir.

- May I go too, Father?
- Do you object?

- ?f course not, Colonel.
- Come, lads.

- Good day.
- Good morning, Colonel.

Will they hang me today,
Colonel Jefferson, sir?

?h, no, my lad.
Not today or any other day.

- I give you my word.
- Thank you, sir.

What I... What I want
to talk to you about, Matt...

I want to tell you about
the campaign in ?hio.

Father wrote all was well.

There's just been a great engagement,
Braddock leading the entire army.

- ?ur Virginia men, too?
- Yes.

It must have been wonderful.
We beat them, didn't we?

The trouble was, Braddock
knew little of frontier fighting.

Stayed in columns
instead of scattering for cover.

Their scarlet coats
could be seen for miles.

- ?h, but...
- In five minutes, half were cut down.

But our Virginia men, sir,
they know how to...

They stood and fought magnificently.

But the odds were...

Well, out of our 400 Virginia men,
only 30 left the field.

Thirty? Some of those men were from...

How many, sir? How many men
were left from Albemarle?

Not one, lad. Not one from Albemarle.

Not one? Father?

Uncle Reuben?

- ?h, Father!
- I'm sorry, lad.

Come now.

I'll... I'll be going over
to my mother now.

- Yes, my lad.
- She might hear about it

and me not bein' there...

Matt, I'll send one of the slaves with you
to help you with the farm.

?h, it's all right. It's all right.

Listen, my boy. We're going
to see you from time to time.

I want you to go on
with your studies at home.

You want to be a surveyor.
We talked about that, you know.

I will, sir. Because, you see,
my father, he wanted me to be a...

Well, I got to be going.
Thank you, sir. Goodbye.

Matt...

You wildcat, you.

...become a wastrel, like you.

Mr Jefferson, there's a man outside
called Howard who wants to see you.

Howard? Excuse me, Roger!

- Matt! Matt!
- Hello, Tom.

Matt, you wildcat.

- Where were you going?
- Huh? When?

- Just now.
- You were busy, I didn't want to interrupt.

You idiot! I waited for weeks around
Shadwell for you. You said you'd come.

Aye, well, things happen, Tom, and...

- I just came to say goodbye to you.
- Goodbye?

- I sold the farm.
- You didn't.

I did. It was Mother getting married
again, and moving to Carolina.

- So, well, I just decided...
- That's amazing! That's wonderful!

- Come on in.
- No, no, Tom.

- No, you see, I'm on my way to ?hio.
- ?hio?

Yeah. So... So...

- It's goodbye, Tom.
- Now just a minute, you headlong fool!

You can't rush off
to the wilderness like that. Come!

- Now, look here, Tom, I ain't cleaned up.
- It's cleaning up you want?

- Landlord, send a bath to my room.
- Yes, Mr Jefferson.

This way, Mr Howard.

Tom, you see Matt Howard soaping
the last of that pesky farm off his hide.

- How much did you make?
- Three pound ten.

- A fortune!
- Aye, now you can tell people

you have a wealthy friend!

And what does my wealthy
friend plan to do in ?hio?

- Survey.
- Survey?

Aye. I brought along
the instruments your pa left me.

Whom will you survey for in ?hio? You
can't head into a wilderness on a chance.

I thought once I got there,
I'd find some land that needs surveyin'.

Splendid! But the men who own western
land are right here in Williamsburg.

This is the place to angle for work.

- Yes, Matt, I've decided.
- Decided what, Tom?

- You're staying here.
- ?h, well, thank you, Mr Jefferson

but I can do my own decidin'. I don't
aim to get lost in a big place like this.

- Hey, where are my clothes?
- Clothes?

- Aye, my buckskins!
- ?h, the buck...

They belong to the past,
not the civilisation you're about to enter.

So I took the liberty
of disposing of them.

- Have you gone daft?
- From now on, you live among people.

- What, like this?
- No! Like that.

Get into that suit, Mr Howard, and meet
the flower of Williamsburg society.

I won't be seen in them frills. I ain't
gonna look like no jackass for nobody!

Hey, where are you... Come back here!

Tom Jefferson, you heard!
I won't wear 'em!

I wouldn't be found dead
in the consarned things.

No!

Mr Howard!

We've been waiting for you.
My friends are anxious to meet you.

- Won't you come in?
- Look, Tom, I...

You look splendid! Refreshed
and comfortable after your bath, I trust?

- No!
- Splendid!

Now, my dear Howard, this way, please.

Gentlemen! May I present
my schoolboy friend, Matthew Howard.

My cousin Jack Randolph, the most
inveterate dice-caster in the Tidewater.

- Honoured.
- ?ver there, Leslie Stevens.

A great talent with music,
none with the ladies.

- Your servant, sir.
- And John Walker.

Famed for his breed of gamecocks.

- A pleasure, sir.
- And, well, gentlemen.

?h, and Roger Peyton.

I rank in importance after Walker's
gamecocks. Exquisite pleasure.

- A tippler of distinction, I might add.
- I thank you, Mr Jefferson.

- Howard? A Virginia family?
- Certainly.

Howard? Which Howard is that?
That is, if I'm not being too...

The Howards! Their holdings are just
back of us in Albemarle County, yes.

- Why, gentlemen, I'm surprised.
- Indeed a distinct honour, sir.

No, no, thanks.

Not breeding horses of late, I take it, sir?
I haven't seen your entries in the races.

Howard's been quite out of things
for some time.

Yes. An adventurous scamp,
by the way.

Guess what his total fortune is
at the moment? Three pounds, ten.

- Was it cards or dice?
- Yes, gentlemen,

you see the fruits of a misspent life.

I'm afraid Mr Howard's going
to have to put one of his talents to work.

- What a pity.
- Rotten shame.

Yes, now let's see.
He does a bit of surveying.

Now, if only one
of us knew of someone...

Brother Fleetwood, just the man! ?wns
worlds of land that needs surveying.

- Western land, too?
- Gobs of it!

Hear that, Matt? Roger, you don't
suppose you could drop a word...

Why not? It's devilish simple.

- Fleetwood will be here tonight.
- No...

Then it's as good as settled.
A toast. Here, Matt.

- No, I never touch...
- Take it, man.

- Step up, gentlemen.
- Mr Howard, surveyor extraordinary.

Mr Howard!

The huntsman and his master

Went out to hunt the fox

And where do you think they found him?

All among the hills and rocks

With a whip, whip, whip and away, lads

And away we merrily ran

With a ran-tan tivvy-tivvy tan
And away with a royal band

?n your feet.
It's Fleetwood Peyton. Come on.

- Mr Howard. My brother, Fleetwood.
- Honoured, sir.

Roger says you are a surveyor of note.

Will you honour me by calling at Elm Hill?

- You hear that, Matt?
- Your servant, sir.

Apparently our wine
was too heady for Mr Howard.

- Such fuss about nothing.
- Nothing?

Staking my best colt on a card game and
I have to pay the debt? It's monstrous!

- Come, dear brother.
- Don't "dear brother" me.

I forbid you to play for high stakes.

?h, Fleetwood! As lief tell him not
to associate with men of his own class.

Quite so, Aunt.
Second sons inherit nothing

but we must keep up the family dignity.

Really? Will you kindly hold
that agile tongue and listen to me?

- What is it, Robert?
- A gentleman to see you, a Mr Howard.

Howard? ?h, yes, that extraordinary
friend of Jefferson's.

Have him wait in the drawing room.
What an unearthly hour to call.

- A friend of Mr Jefferson's?
- He's down on his luck.

But I'm sure our fine, generous brother...

Thank you.

- Morning, Uncle Robert.
- Morning, Miss Jane.

?ne, two, three, four

five, six, seven, eight

nine, ten.

?ne, two, three

four, five, six, se...

- It's 31 feet.
- 31 feet?

- The room.
- ?h, really?

- Well, it's a few inches over.
- Thank you. That's important to know.

It looked so big,
I didn't believe it, so I...

- Made certain?
- Yes, that's what I was doing.

Do you always make certain of things?

Well, yes, ma'am.
Because then, you see, you're...

...certain.

A very profound observation, sir.

- Yes, isn't it?
- Pardon my intruding.

- Good morning, Mr Howard.
- Good morning, sir.

Jane. This is Mr Howard.
My sister, Miss Jane Peyton.

Your servant, Miss Peyton.

Would you leave us, Jane?
We have some business to discuss.

Now, as to surveying western lands

I shall give you a letter to my attorney,
Mr Whythe, recommending you.

If you would consider staying a while

there's some immediate surveying
to be done here.

I'd like to have my north boundary run.
Would you consider it?

Mr Howard.

- I beg your pardon, sir.
- Would you consider it or not?

- Consider what, sir?
- Would you consider

staying here to run
the north boundary at Elm Hill?

- Yes.
- Thank you.

Oh, the huntsman and his master

Went out to hunt the fox

And where do you think they found him?

All among..
?h, good day, Miss Peyton.

- Mr Howard, I'm sorry.
- Sorry about what, ma'am?

I had no idea.
It seems I'm forever intruding.

- That seems to be my good fortune.
- Indeed.

You know, your brother
owns more acres than he thought.

I'm so glad. Fleetwood didn't
think it necessary

to have all our boundaries
surveyed, but I...

Well, I won't keep you from your work.

I can go to work now that
I've settled something in my mind.

- What's that, sir?
- I've been wondering.

- Did your eyes really look like that?
- Well...

And they really do!

Now you've relieved your mind,
perhaps you will relieve mine.

- What, miss?
- I've been wondering...

It's your first visit to the Tidewater.
Do you like it?

Well, I do and I don't.

?h, I like houses like yours,
lawns and great trees, but...

But what, sir?

You don't know
the back country, do you?

There's a lot to be said
for Albemarle County.

It's not like this. My father's place
was on the side of a mountain.

In the spring, a bear
used to watch me hoe tobacco.

Hoe? You can't mean...

You surely never tended tobacco!

If it had to be hoed, I had to hoe it.

You didn't actually labour in the fields?

- Well, yes. Why not, ma'am?
- Well... Well, I thought only...

No gentleman would...
I mean, to look at you...

You can't understand
a gentleman working in the field?

- No! I don't know what I mean.
- I have it in mind you don't.

I can teach you about it.
Might do you good.

I'm much obliged to you, sir.
Good day to you!

Well, wait a minute, ma'am!

Fleetwood! That man,
your surveyor, Mr Howard.

He is an impostor!
Nothing but poor white.

- What are you talking about?
- He said so, right to my face.

Had to hoe his own tobacco.

- The devil he did!
- No!

Impossible! How could such a ma...

- Well, I'll be off to town.
- Mr Jefferson.

- Yes?
- Did you hear what Jane said?

Yes. If you'll just let me explain...

Mr Jefferson, did you or did you not
present your friend under false colours?

- Yes and no.
- Yes and no?

- Roger...
- Yes, I did know he hoed tobacco.

But I did not present him as anything.
He made his way with his charm.

A few minor facts about him became
enlarged in passing from mouth to mouth.

What's to be done?
Are we to be further embarrassed?

Certainly not, my dear.
Tom, tell your friend

to finish his work
as quickly as possible and clear off.

He's not to come here nor address
himself to any member of this family.

Yes, I'll tell him.

It may be a little difficult to make him
understand the reasons, but I'll try.

Yes, I must try to understand
them a little myself.

Good afternoon.

I have an idea. Let's accept him,
hoe and all. It would save a lot of bother.

- Besides, he's a likeable beggar.
- It's unthinkable!

- I never want to see him again.
- No?

"You really must
have all the boundary surveyed.

- "I'm sure dear Mr Howard..."
- Roger!

I wouldn't stare so hard, Matt.

There's something to stare at.
The governor's palace!

- Good evening, Thomas.
- Mr Whythe.

Mr Howard. Mr Wilton spoke very highly
of the surveying you did for him.

That's nice, but I'm more interested
in western land.

That's something
I want to talk to you about.

- Do me the honour to call soon.
- Thank you. I'd be pleased to.

Well, that's what comes
of following my advice.

- We're quite a success.
- Are we?

Promise of western land, and in spite
of your unmentionable background

intimate with some of our best families.

My friendship with the Peytons
is what I boast about.

No, now, Matt, if you
find yourself near the Peytons...

Good evening, Miss Peyton.
Good evening, sir.

Come, my dear.

Miss Peyton, I ask
the honour of this dance.

- You impudent...
- Please, Fleetwood.

Mr Howard?

I find it too warm for dancing.
Will you please take me to the garden?

Mr Howard, I merely wish to say this:

it should be plain that your attentions
are extremely unpleasant.

- ?h?
- You may not realise

but my brother
was about to call you out.

- That's why you did me the honour to...
- What other reason do you think, sir?

Since we broke off talking I've wondered
what we'd have said next.

So I made it up in my mind.
I got to know you very well.

You got to like me somewhat.

I'm not concerned with
your mental wanderings.

I must now ask you bluntly to stop
forcing yourself upon me or my family.

I see. No need to ask why, I suppose.

- I trust Mr Jefferson made that clear.
- Yes. Yes, he did, miss.

Well, goodnight, Miss Peyton.

Mr Howard. At least you should
have the manners to know

that I cannot return to
the ballroom without an escort.

I see. It's a question of manners.

That's odd. In all those talks
I imagined we had

there were no manners,
just two people

a man and a maid,
and you came to know a man.

Not for some pretty words of his,
or for the way in which he could bow

but for what his eyes told you,
that he worshipped you.

If you were that same person here now,

you'd be answering what I feel,
honestly

with all the uncluttered impulse
God gave every woman.

In fact, you'd already be
in my arms, like this.

But, Matt, how can you
stand there and say

after a few meetings,
you love someone?

- I didn't. Took but one meetin'.
- But, Matt...

?h, what's the use?

That's better. Now stop worryin'.

All right, go ahead.
After all, who am I to say anything

against a bird of passage
like you settling down?

And a lady like Miss Peyton
presiding over a fine plantation.

Yes, plantation. You'd better
start thinking of that, Mr Howard.

There's 1,000 acres in the Shenandoah
you can get for a song.

I'll help you plan a house.

Keep your plans
and your 1,000 acres! I'm for ?hio!

And the woman I take for my wife
will go as willingly as I.

Unless, of course, it happens
to be Jane Peyton of Elm Hill.

Then it won't be Jane Peyton of Elm Hill,
if that's how grand she is!

You said it. You've described a barrier
five miles high and a world between you.

Don't you see, Matt?
Any such notion is preposterous!

All right. Now stop your bleatin'
and go back to your law books.

Good morning. May I come in?

- Yes, come in.
- Thank you.

- Fleetwood, I was just leaving.
- Please stay.

I'll come directly to the point,
Mr Howard.

They're sending a party of surveyors

to see how the war has changed
the lines of the ?hio grants.

I have recommended you
for a place in that party.

That's an exceptional kindness.

I have the highest regard
for Mr Howard's work.

What a coincidence. Matt was just saying
he wants to go to ?hio.

Excellent! Then we can
call the matter settled?

I asked, Mr Howard, if you...

You know, Mr Peyton,
this gets to be more than kindness.

This sounds like concern for me.

- I beg your pardon?
- And I ask myself

is it for me or for yourself
and your family?

Sir, I aim to go to ?hio
before I die, but not now, not yet.

I've something important to do first.

Mr Peyton, I ask permission
to address your sister.

- What?
- I'm asking for her hand in marriage.

- Don't listen to him, he's mad!
- You seem startled.

I'm overwhelmed by your insolence.

- I'll thank you...
- Matt.

You mean you suggest
my sister should go to ?hio?

- Follow you like a squaw?
- No, I don't aim to have her do that.

She's suited to a fine plantation.

There's a thousand acres in the
Shenandoah I can get for a song.

She'd laugh at you.

If you're so certain,
why not put it to her?

Give me ten days to get the land title.
After that, let me speak to Miss Jane.

That might be quite entertaining.

Yes, you have my permission
to speak to my sister.

It will be very amusing
to hear her answer.

But if I were you, Mr Howard, I should
save myself that very arduous journey.

- You madman, you!
- ?n to Augusta, Tom!

Don't just stand there.
Come and help me.

- You mean he's coming here tonight?
- That's what Tom said.

He's back and losing no time in calling.
Better have your answer ready, Jane.

Whatever made you put Jane
in such an embarrassing position?

It was all on the spur of the moment.
I never dreamed the fool would...

There's no need to see him.

Just write a note dismissing him
and his pathetic hopes forever.

- Didn't you say he could see me?
- Why, yes.

Well, then?

Do you desire
to see this impertinent lout?

Desire? That's absurd, Fleetwood,
and you know it.

But you said
he'd have his answer from me,

so he shall have it from me,
not from a note someone hands him.

Marse Howard is here,
and prays to see Miss Jane.

There's only one answer
to insolence like this!

I'll see Mr Howard in the library.

Stay where you are, Jane.

- Show Mr Howard in here.
- Yes, marse.

And this is the chance
to speak you offer me?

Then it will have to do.

I could have changed my travel clothes,
but that would have delayed seeing you.

Besides, this is more me than anything...

Aw, Miss Jane.

What did they say
to make you look so?

I don't ask you to change all your life
for me. I know you couldn't.

Let me make another world for you.

Like this one,
a plantation in the Shenandoah

that I'll give my life to making great,
as becomes a mistress like you.

There are mountains out there,

mountains on each side
to keep you safe.

And a river. Not a silent one like yours.
This one shouts over stones.

Ah, if I only had the words
to make you see.

If you could trust me.

If you could listen
to your heart, now. Just that.

Then I'd... Then I'd die to keep you
from ever looking like this again.

I would, Miss Jane.

Shenandoah.

The very name is strange.

And you are strange, Matthew Howard.

But listening to my heart
now, as you say

as I might have listened to it
the first moment I saw you

in this same room,
I'm ready to go with you anywhere.

Jane!

Since my family has
made you speak of things

that should lie
only between you and me

they can scarcely refuse us
permission to withdraw.

Will you take me to the garden, Matthew?

- It's fantastic, she wouldn't dare!
- She has!

I knowed it had to come someday,
Miss Jane, but that Shenandoah and all...

Dicey, if you cry about it,
I'll not take you with me.

If you don't ride me there,
Miss Jane, I'll walk.

- ?h, Dicey.
- Dicey, hurry. It's time to start.

Come in.

- ?h, Fleetwood...
- Well, it's high time.

- I'll see to the bridesmaids.
- Yes.

- You may go, too, Dicey.
- Yes, marse.

If my heart would only stop
jumping about...

- Tell me truthfully, how do I look?
- Radiant, my dear.

Radiant.

And now, let's complete the picture.

Come here.

Why, Fleetwood, the Peyton necklace?

Yes, and you are to have it.

- It's worn by the bride of the eldest son.
- I know, but I shall never marry.

And you are to have it. Now, that's final.

- ?h, Fleetwood!
- I declare to goodness, she's crying.

Here, stop it. You're spoiling
my third-best coat.

But there's Roger.
No, no, I can't take it.

I'm not concerned with Roger,
Jane, but with you.

You see, you're entering upon
a life you've never known

with a man of different ways,
different beginnings.

- But if I understand you...
- It's very simple, Jane.

This necklace is not an outright gift.
You are accepting a trust.

You see, the women
who have worn this necklace

have always taught their sons
to place honour first.

To build pride in themselves,

pride that can sustain and lead.

And you think...

What an adorable dolt you are!

Why, there are qualities in Matt.

That's what I knew deep inside me
from the very first minute.

You don't think I'd be satisfied
to marry a man who couldn't lead?

No. But if Mr Howard
should fail to understand our ways...

- Matthew Howard?
- This will help you to remember.

Do you accept it, Jane?

- Yes, Fleetwood.
- Thank you, my dear.

Fleetwood. Jane.

There are your mountains, little Jane.

- What river's that, Matt?
- That's the Shenandoah.

Is Albemarle Hall on it?

Hmm? Albemarle?

No, that's on Buffalo Run, it branches off.
Won't be long before we see home.

Pretty soon we may see
the neighbours coming out to meet us.

- Neighbours? Dicey, the new hat.
- Yes, Miss Jane.

- Listen, Jane, our neighbours ain't...
- And the mirror. Hurry, Dicey.

Giddap!

- How are ya?
- Well, hello, Will. Hello, Tom.

- These are your neighbours.
- Black Betty?

This is Black Betty
and you must drink first.

- Drink hearty!
- It won't hurt you!

- To your health, ma'am.
- To your happiness, ma'am.

You all right?
Here's to your health, boys.

- To your health. Long swig.
- Good liquor, too.

- Drink hearty.
- That's Norton's.

- It's good, too. Boys, the little woman.
- Howdy, ma'am.

This is Will Swope, and Ed Fitzgerald,
Tom Norton and all the boys, lass.

Come on, Matt. Food's a-waitin'.

It is? Well then, come on! Giddap!

Whoa! Whoa!

There it is, sweet, Albemarle Hall!

- Albema...
- Come along, sweet.

Here they come, Granny.

- Betsy! Here she is!
- Welcome home, Mrs Howard.

I'm Betsy Norton, from the place
closest to ya, just down the road.

Matt Howard, ya varmint. However
come ya to pick so small a bird?

- You'll never get big sons from her.
- I've size enough for the two of us.

Bless me. The child must be
wore out with days of travel.

Go into your bedroom, my pretty, I'll see
Albemarle's not shamed in its providin'.

- Jane, Jane...
- Here, have some more.

Thank you, Will.

In all my born days,
I ain't never... Lord have mercy!

Master Fleetwood
go clear out of his mind if he was to...

You can't put up with swearin',
cussin', spittin' animals like that!

- No, sir. Quality like you, Miss Jane...
- Dicey? The small box. Where is it?

- But, Miss Jane...
- Dicey!

Mr Howard has guests,
and I must... Hurry.

Yes, Miss Jane.

Sure enough! Sure enough!

Here's to that pretty girl
Matt caught in his trap.

- I just can't figure it out.
- Yeah, but I...

Please, won't you go on eating?

- Mr Norton, find a place and join us.
- Huh?

The music, it's delightful.
Please continue.

Thank you, my sweet.

- You don't like the vittles, huh?
- Sure.

Well, then, come on! Eat, blast you, eat!

- Here you are, ma'am.
- Thank you.

Tom! Hold on a minute, Tom.
Wait a minute.

There you are, Will.

Betsy, drop Will at his door, will ya?

- Right, Matt.
- Tom, be careful goin' home.

- I'll be home like a streak of lightning.
- That's what I'm afeared of.

Get in the back and keep Zeb company.

- Giddap.
- Night, Betsy!

- Goodnight, Matt.
- Goodnight.

You gotta listen to Dicey, honey.

You could love a man
till you're fit to bust

but no lady of quality
could make out here. No, child.

We leavin' here in the mornin'.
Hear me? I'm packin' up now.

Jane! Jane, what do you...

Aw, Jane. Jane, lass.

You must be weary to death.
I should have prepared you.

I know they must have looked a wild lot
but they're fine, decent, honest friends.

It was the celebratin' took hold of 'em.
There'll not be anything like that again.

We're in our new home and I've not once
told you I love you like a helpless fool.

Think! Think where you are, sweet.

Albemarle! Aye!
And you haven't seen it yet.

Come.

Now, close your eyes.
Close 'em till I tell you to open 'em.

Aye.

Now open. ?pen.

Your livin' room, Jane, but 'twas meant
for just a kitchen of a fine plantation.

No more than a kitchen.
Do you mind what I'm sayin', lass?

Do you mind? Look.

Look, Jane. This is where we just begin!

Aye. We'll have to talk our plans.

All this winter
I'll be cuttin' trees for buildin'.

Aye, buildin', my lady.

Wait. Look. We push this wall
out here, and what do you see?

Look, there, your hall. Aye.

And past that, your dinin' room,
and your livin' room.

Beautiful, aren't they?
The size of 'em. The sun pourin' into 'em.

And in your hallway, what do you see?

A stairway! Aye! Leadin' up
to our second storey

to a bedroom the like
of which men never saw.

And outside, what do you see?

A lawn, from the house
down to the creek.

And a driveway, which swings past
your front steps and back again

to make a grand entrance.

We could line it with trees,
like at Elm Hill. Elm trees!

No. Not elms, Matt.

This is Albemarle.
We must have our own trees.

Maples, an avenue of maples.

Aye! Maples! Young maples.

Things to watch grow.

?h, how you and I will live
to watch 'em grow.

Matt thinks we'll be finished by fall.

Tea, Mrs Fitzgerald?

Well, I declare to goodness.

No, thank ye. I take tea with
my supper. Thought most folks did.

- No, thank ye.
- Ebenezer, put it here, please.

I must say Albemarle is looking
mighty grand, Mrs Howard.

- I would hardly call it grand.
- You know, people are sayin'

it's mighty peculiar, the Howards
not showin' up to the McPherson weddin'.

Well, in my present condition,
I haven't been going out.

Is that why you haven't been
seeing folks when they come to call?

- You see, I haven't been feeling well.
- ?f course.

Some womenfolk
are awful poor-like with their first.

But a lot of women here who've had kids
might advise and help you, if you'd...

Thank you, but I think Dicey
will be quite sufficient.

Well, I'll be sayin' good day, ma'am.

- Much obliged for the tea, Mrs Howard.
- We'll all be runnin' right along.

Ladies, nice of you to come callin'.

- Glad you think so.
- Good day, Mr Howard.

We'll be home when ye
have in mind to see us again.

- What happened? What got into 'em?
- I couldn't tell you.

They came prepared
to resent all I said or did.

- Now, Jane...
- It may be my fault, but I'm in no mood.

- Matthew!
- What's the matter, sweet?

- Look at yourself!
- Hmm?

Know what we've been doing?

We pegged out the foundation
for the smokehouse.

- You're not angry with me, are ya?
- No.

At supper, you'll see as elegant
a gentleman as Virginia can boast,

with my hair tied
with a blue ribbon, my lass.

Please, Matt. Jane, not lass.

Drat it, I just can't remember.

- Mr Howard!
- What?

Pa wants to know if you'll come and help.

He's clearin' the south field,
and there's a big rock.

A big rock?
Tell your pa I'll be right over.

- Yes, Mr Howard.
- I'll not be long, sweet.

Why not send a slave, Matt?

- To Norton? I can't do that.
- Why not?

Norton helped me put in my crop.

Wouldn't it be returning the favour
just as well if you sent a slave?

Well, no. It's not the same thing.

It was for the return of my help
he worked for me.

It's the custom of the country.

- I'll not be long, Jane.
- Matthew!

Don't you see, you simply can't?

It may be right for the others,
but for the master of a plantation,

a man beginning to lead
in the county...

Send both our slaves.
You simply can't soil your hands with it.

Soil my hands? Why, Jane,
that's queer talk from you.

That was for ourselves.

It's a strange idea,
to only work for ourselves.

It's important to me.
Will you please do as I say?

- No, I'm sorry, Jane. I can't.
- No, of course you can't.

You can't change your ways.
I should have known better than to try.

You can't see my ways.
You can't even begin to understand.

Fleetwood said you wouldn't.

?h, Fleetwood said.

He didn't need to.
Any Peyton would know by instinct.

And every Howard has always met his
obligations in the way he thought right.

Now, if you need me
for anything, send a hand.

You were right.

We must keep our dignity.

Like the Peytons.

Like the...

Matthew! Matt!

All right, Tom. Let's have another
try at it. All together, heave.

Heave. Go get that rock!

Jane, I... Jane, sweet! Tom, Tom!

Come on, Jane. Come on. Come on, lass.

?h, please! Don't, God, don't.

- How long can she stand it, Norton?
- Matt, Matt. Easy, lad.

Me, I was brought to bed
with my first during an Indian attack.

I was lifted through a window of the fort
when the red devils forced the front...

?h, for... Please!

Imagine, now, a-bornin'
in Norton's cabin

and that fine, grand bedroom
at her home goin' to waste!

What are you talkin' about?
Why don't you stop?

If she was to die,
Tom, 'twould be my fault.

Aye, it was me. Not figurin' to be
patient and teachin' her to know me.

All right, Matt. Come on.

No bigger than a bird, sir.

- But I've borne you a son.
- How are you feelin', lass?

A thought weary
by my day's work, Mr Howard.

- What's he like?
- Who?

?ur son, silly.

- Son?
- These poor, silly men

can't stand any shock at all,
can they, Mrs Norton?

Go on. Careful of his back now.

All right.

Black hair, Matt?

No, it's golden, like yours.

But the Howard eyes, though.

- The brows lift in the Peyton way.
- Really?

- He has a grip on me. He's strong!
- Set your feet, Mr Howard.

- He may throw you.
- Well, he might! He might!

- Which foot is it?
- The right one.

Has Matt seen it yet? Does he know?

- It's a real, live human being, Jane.
- Really, sir?

And he's strong, you said, Matt.

A body with the strength of the Howards.

Your father's name was James.

We ought to call him James.

No! No, darling.

Ye shall have your wish.
We'll name him Peyton.

?h, now rest, little Jane.

Rest.

"All in all, I am proud and happy
with my little family

"though I fear my neighbours whisper

"that I am a poor make-out of a wife,
as they would put it

"bearing first a crippled son,
now a daughter."

Barbarians.

- Does she mention coming to see us?
- Wait a moment.

?h, yes.
"How I should adore seeing you all

"but events are forever interfering.

"Besides, our reunion
will be sweeter for the delay.

"My dear affection to you all.
Your faithful Jane."

Why doesn't she say it out and out?
She's practically a prisoner.

?n the contrary, when I visited last year,
there was no happier woman in Virginia.

Happy?

How could she be happy when she's
borne a son who is crippled, like me?

- Water, Tom?
- Uh-huh.

- Peyton, what are you doing here?
- May I watch you, Daddy?

No, son. Go back to the house.

Go on.

Tom! ?h, Tom, what a surprise!

Jane, how good to see you.

Ebenezer, tell marse
Mr Jefferson's here.

- Yes'm.
- Dicey!

- Bring the children down!
- Yes, Miss Jane!

Come along.

Jane, the place has grown amazingly.
I hardly recognized it as I rode up

Yes, Tom, but never mind Albemarle.

Tell me all about Elm Hill. Are they well?

All very well.

Aunt Clarissa had a slight seizure.

But nothing to worry about.
She's quite recovered. Please believe me.

I do believe you, but...

That's Peyton, isn't it?

My, he's grown!

Come here, dear.

Peyton, dear, this is your Uncle Thomas.

Daddy's Uncle Thomas, too?

Yes. Yes, your daddy's
Uncle Thomas, too.

What a fine, strong lad.

And here comes the rest
of my little brood.

Tom, you old rapscallion!
It seems ages since you were here.

It does when I look
at this family of yours.

- This fella Peyton.
- Yeah, but what about this one?

You seen this one?

- Come here.
- Don't be such a crybaby.

- He's not a crybaby.
- Matthew, your boots. The mud.

- Zeke, my slippers!
- Yes, marse.

Howard to the bone. Spittin' image
of his grandpa James Howard.

- Guess what his name is.
- James Howard?

Right first time. James Howard.

- What's the matter, Jamie?
- Here, James.

- Go to Dicey.
- Let him stay awhile.

Run along, children.

- What do you think of them?
- Matthew, your slippers.

Come here, Zeke.

Well, Tom, what have you
been doing with yourself?

Serious study, Mr Howard.
You see before you a full-fledged lawyer.

- No!
- My first case is at Augusta Courthouse.

Well, I'll be... Congratulations, Tom.

- Did you hear what he said?
- Yes. Your slippers, Matt.

I'll be in court every day
to see if you know your law.

Don't believe it. Nothing can make him
leave his plantation for a single day.

Now, Jane...

I suggest he leaves it a few weeks.
It's a perfect time to visit Williamsburg.

Hopeless. Matt won't budge until his
entire 1,000 acres are under cultivation.

- Just want to finish a new corner...
- Miss Howard...

There are three men here
asking if they can stay for the night.

- Three?
- Same as was here last fall.

?h, sure! The Dunkel boys.
Excuse me, Tom.

Zeb! Henry! How are you, Jake?
I'm glad to see you!

You said if we come back, if we was
to put up anyplace but here, you'd...

Well, I certainly would!

Yes, I'll see to your guests.
You'd best return to Tom.

Aye. Excuse me, boys.
I'll see you at supper.

- Sorry to keep you waiting...
- This way.

Come on, lad, take your coat off.
Let's have a real visit.

Sit down, Tom. A pipe?

No, thank you.

It's good to see you.

You know, I was just telling Jane,

it's amazing what you've done
in a few years.

Yes, we're getting along.

Take this house. You can see
Jane's hand everywhere you look.

Same goes for our standing in the county.

- Big fry we're becoming.
- I don't doubt it.

When Mr Christian died,
they asked me to run for his seat

in the House of Burgesses.

- No.
- Aye, me, Matt Howard.

- What'd you tell them?
- I told them they was crazy.

- I gave them some good advice, though.
- What about?

A lot of things.

First, whoever we send
ought to be somebody who'll fight.

You ought to see our roads.

Come the thaws,
we're practically swimming,

not to mention holes
a horse could vanish in.

- That ought to be fixed.
- Quite right.

We in the back country haven't the votes
we should have against the Tidewater.

- See my point?
- Yes.

- We pay equal taxes, don't we?
- Whoa, now!

Don't fight me, go there and fight them.

- Me?
- Why not?

You want someone to bellow, and they
can hear you in Williamsburg now!

You're soft in the brain.

I suppose you are the type
to bellow here in the backwoods.

I bet you give those trees
a piece of your mind every day.

Now, now, you freckle-faced tomcat.

Matthew!

Those men, they're telling stories about
smuggling and fighting government men.

- Tell them not to talk so loud.
- But we can't shelter criminals like that.

I mean, isn't it our duty
to turn them over to the law?

What did you say?

I said they should be
turned over to the law.

I'm no informer.

But, Matthew, smuggling is stealing,
stealing from the king.

If the king knew what went on in his name
it's not the smuggler he'd send to jail.

There is a law, good or bad. If we
hold it in contempt, as you are now...

I repeat, I'm no informer!

Very well.

While those men remain in this house,
I shall keep to my room.

I hope you'll understand, Tom.

What do you make
of a consarned notion like that?

I make of it that Matt Howard
is a blundering fool.

What?

A few years ago, you reached
for the moon and got it,

a shining planet you loved
for its ways and brilliance.

Respect for law was one of its qualities.

Yet you fight her
for being the very thing you loved.

You don't expect me to rope those Dunkel
lads and drag them off to the law!

Forget them. Know what I'd like to see?

Matthew Howard, lifted off his plantation
and sat down at Elm Hill.

How lovely, strolling among the gardens,
smelling the flowers...

- Are you mad?
- ...dancing at the Governor's Ball.

- Who, me?
- What's so bad about it?

I'd rather be stuffed
and hung over a mantle.

Yet it's all right for Jane to put in five
years among your stables and tobacco?

A fish out of water isn't so tragic,
as long as you're not the fish.

Well, I know, but...

But what, Matt?

Make yourself at home.
There's something I want to say to Jane.

Look here, lass, I mean, Jane.

What are grown-ups like us
doing quarrelling?

- We shouldn't quarrel.
- Indeed we should not, Mr Howard.

You know, lass...

I mean, my sweet.
We need a change, you and me.

People ought to honeymoon
again now and then.

And I thought, why shouldn't we
be picking up the children

and making that journey
to Williamsburg right away?

Don't tell me anything
can drag you off this plantation.

That's what I said.

- If we could spare just a month...
- A month? The whole summer

if I'm to be a member
of the House of Burgesses.

A member? You're not going
to stand for the House?

Why not? Tom said I'd make
a first-rate burgess.

Darling, you'd be magnificent.

And just think, the children, all of us,
we can live at Elm Hill.

- Now, now, of course, I may not win.
- But you will, Matt. You will.

Well, well, well.

- How do you do, Peyton?
- How do you do, sir?

I must say, Jane, a charming boy.

Look at this one.
What a divine little lady.

Elizabeth, Robert, Sarah,
I'm so glad to see you.

Welcome home, Miss Jane.
Your rooms is all ready.

Let's take them upstairs.

Children, you can see your uncles
after your bath.

And how they need it.

Come along, now.

- Aunt Clarissa, is she in her room?
- Yes, Jane.

- How do you do, Mr Howard?
- How do you do?

We needn't ask after his health, need we?

- ?bviously not. Come in, Mr Howard.
- Thank you.

We hear you won by
a very impressive majority.

I reckon those uplanders
would try anything once.

Yes.

- Sit down.
- Thank you.

- Wine?
- Thank you.

Do the honours, Roger.

My dear Howard, I will guide you
through the details of legislature.

- My experience as a member...
- Thank you, but...

The main thing for a back-county member
is to learn to sleep without snoring.

That's good.
No, I won't have much time for sleeping.

?h, en garde, Fleetwood.

The member from Augusta
intends to fight.

- Interesting.
- Thanks.

You have a programme?

We need new bridges.
And our roads are full of chuck-holes.

- Chuck-holes?
- Chuck-holes?

- Aye, chuck-holes.
- ?h, chuck-holes!

To the filling
of Mr Howard's chuck-holes.

Yes.

Any other important measures
to bring before the House?

Yeah, a few things.

Like yelling louder against
this tax on colonial legal paper.

- You mean the Stamp Act?
- That's it.

You can save your breath.
Parliament already passed it.

- Passed it?
- We got word yesterday.

- But everybody knows that tax ain't fair!
- It's too late, even if it ain't.

And it certainly ain't.

- What are we going to do?
- There's nothing to do but submit.

- Submit?
- Don't say you want to waste time on it

like those stupid burgesses
drawing up resolutions.

- It's absurd.
- It's absurd, eh, Mr Peyton?

Mr Howard, Mr Peyton.

Mr Peyton, Mr Howard. I wonder
if they've been introduced yet, Roger?

I wonder.

What about the principle
of the consarned thing?

Matthew, arguments
on the day of homecoming?

I'm sorry, lass.

Fleetwood, dear, you can't imagine
the thrill of coming home.

The first sight of Elm Hill
as we drove up.

But taking a ha'penny from the colonies
is still taking from the colonies, isn't it?

Matthew, what is the matter with you?

Lunch is waiting, no more arguments.
Your word, gentlemen?

- My solemn word.
- And mine.

Huh? Aye, of course.

Come, dear.

Lovely weather, ain't it?

Jane, you must see the fine new colt
out of Merrybell.

Really?

Tom, so many people.

It's the resolution against the Stamp Act.
Hurry, the House is filling fast.

- See that Jane gets a seat.
- It's all arranged.

It'll be my pleasure to introduce
the new member from Augusta County.

...are not bound to yield obedience
to any law or ordinance whatever

designed to impose any taxation
whatsoever upon them

other than the laws or ordinances
of this general assembly.

And be it further resolved

that any person who shall,
by speaking or writing

assert or maintain that any person
other than this general assembly

have any right or power to impose
any taxation on the people here

shall be deemed an enemy
to this, His Majesty's colony.

Splendid resolution.

- I move to adopt the resolutions.
- I second the motion.

Mr Speaker, I wish
to discuss the question.

Mr Peyton may speak.

Mr Speaker, do I understand
this gentleman proposes

that this assembly shall be represented
before His Majesty's government

by resolutions
worthy of a disorderly rabble?

That's for this assembly to say!

?rder! You, sir!

I warn against the counsel of hotheads
seeking to inflame the people.

The people have as much to fear
from shilly - shallying members like you!

The gentleman from Augusta!
Mr Howard!

You're out of order, Mr Howard.
Be seated, please.

- Mr Speaker...
- Mr Peyton.

Many of us members from the Tidewater
do not subscribe to your sentiments.

Then they are my own, sir,
and I assert them again.

The act is passed.

If we strive like fools against
a ridiculous impost as mild as this...

- No matter how mild...
- ?rder!

I shall say it, sir. No matter how mild,
tax without representation is tyranny.

- Hear, hear!
- Tyranny must be opposed from the start.

Submission would be fatal
to colonial liberty.

Since the Stamp Act has been passed
in spite of remonstrances,

the only hope lies in a determined
opposition to its execution.

Before a united people,
even tyrants must pause.

Caesar had his Brutus,

Charles I, his Cromwell,

- and George Ill...
- Shame!

...and George Ill may profit
by their example.

If this be treason, make the most of it!

Vote! Vote! Put it to the vote!

Vote!

What did they think,
that we'd swallow a tax like that?

My dear Mr Howard, the Stamp Act
has been repealed for some weeks now.

But was it a clean repeal? No.

They tack on a so-called Declaratory Act.

And what does it say?
"We are sorry, children.

"We take back that nasty tax, but Mother
still keeps her right to tax you."

You can laugh, but I'm looking
for trouble from that Act.

Yes, Matt, darling.

But if you start looking for trouble now,
we'll never get home.

- I suppose you're right.
- Goodbye, Fleetwood.

- Roger.
- Goodbye, Jane.

I'll come to Albemarle soon,
then you can show me your world.

- Do, Roger. Goodbye, dear.
- Goodbye.

- Goodbye Tom.
- Bye, Jane.

Don't forget to let Matt out
to address the populace.

By the way, Mr Howard,
the Stamp Act has been repealed.

You can laugh, but I'm not
trusting any Declaratory Act.

Do you hear me?

- Why won't you come in with me?
- I've told you, someone's got to stay.

Besides, Mary's fever
hasn't run its course.

- We could bundle her up.
- Stop a minute. Look at me, please.

This was to be a great year
for Albemarle.

This crop would clear us of debt.
It would all be ours.

- I know, sweet.
- Don't you see?

You can't throw all that away
for some stupid political quarrel.

What? You call shooting down Boston
citizens a stupid political quarrel?

But that was in Massachusetts,
a thousand miles away.

What happened there
can happen here in Virginia

and every colony if nothing is done.

- That's why we're meeting.
- ?thers are trained for that.

- Let them do what's to be done.
- Now, Jane...

I'm thinking of Albemarle, Matt.

We built it, you and I,

not just for ourselves but for the
children we brought into the world,

a heritage for them and their children,

so that no matter what else happens,
here will be order and dignity.

I know. But you can't find
order and dignity in Albemarle

if the rest of the world
isn't put to rights.

?h, Matt.

Jane, I'm not throwing Albemarle away.

I'll be back before you know it.

And until then,
I know I can match Mrs Howard

against the best overseer
in the country.

You'll do my work for me, won't you?

You held me tighter in your arms
on a certain night at Elm Hill.

- That's not true, madam.
- Promise me one thing.

What, darling?

When you're ranting
and raving your worst,

that you'll stop at least once
every day and think of me,

the children and Albemarle.

Jane, lass, you know I will.

You've a long ride, Matt.

I offer, as a resolution,
that this Virginia body

set up a Committee of Correspondence
authorised to communicate in writing

with all other colonies.

Further, we urge them
to establish similar committees,

so we may exchange
common grievances

and keep each other informed.

In other words,
that in all future emergencies

we can present a united front.

- I move to adopt the resolution.
- I second the motion.

Vote! Vote!

His Excellency, the governor.

Mr Speaker.

Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses.

The actions considered by this party
are conceived in such spirit

as to reflect discredit upon His Majesty
and His Majesty's government.

I deem it necessary therefore,

as governor of His Majesty's
colony of Virginia,

to dissolve this House of Burgesses,
and you are dissolved accordingly.

"Samuel Adams' committee
votes that tea on ships

"anchored at Boston
must be returned to England.

"The governor refuses request.

"Signals have been placed
in Boston church belfries.

"Riders are ready to alarm nearby towns.

"We will do everything
to stop the tea being landed."

Twelve o'clock and all's well!

- Goodnight, Mr Whythe.
- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Mr Howard.
- Goodnight, Mr Winton.

Looks like it's going to be
a fine day tomorrow.

- What do you hear from Jane?
- Everything's well at Albemarle.

When were you last there?

- When I went back to put in the crops.
- That's last spring.

Do you know it'll be Christmas
in a few days?

I've asked her time and again
to come here.

I told her I took a house big enough
for her and the children, but no.

All she thinks of is Albemarle.

Why don't you go home for a spell?
It'll do you good.

Fact is, I just wrote her that she
could be looking for me any day now.

- Is Mr Bland inside?
- No, he's gone home. Have you news?

They've taken the law
in their own hands in Boston.

Citizens dressed as Indians
boarded the tea ships

and dumped over 300 chests in the sea.

- Matt.
- Aye.

- Mr Norton.
- Good evening, ma'am.

The Indians have started an uprising
in the back country.

- Uprising?
- Yes'm.

All the neighbours have been ordered
to the fort. You'd better move in, too.

Leave Albemarle? Move into the fort?

?f course, I know it'll be crowded there,

but if you'd like to go to Williamsburg
instead, I'd be glad to take you.

I was thinking of the children, ma'am.

I'm wondering what England's
next step will be.

After what's happened,
there should be reprisals.

So far, she hasn't made a move.

Aye. Well, it's a case of the cat
playing with the mouse, my lad.

When it does come, I'll wager
it'll come with the kick of an elephant.

- It's Jane and the children!
- What?

Jane, darling,
I can hardly believe my eyes!

Matt, darling.

?h, Jane!

Why, James! James, lad!
My, how you've grown!

- Have I, Father?
- Mary!

Dicey! Why, Tom Norton, you old rascal,
what are you doing here?

I'll tell you all about it later.

And you will. Why didn't you
let me know you were coming?

- Wanted to surprise me, huh?
- Matt, the neighbours!

Huh? Aye. Come in the house.

- Here's Tom! You didn't greet Tom!
- Jane, how wonderful.

- You'll stay and have supper?
- Another time.

- You two will have a lot to talk about.
- Aye, we will.

Come on. Come on in the house.
Come on now, all of you!

Matt, please!

"England strikes in earnest.

"Massachusetts' colonial charter
revoked. Public meetings prohibited.

"Capital offenders
ordered to England for trial.

"Massachusetts citizens
roused to a fever pitch.

"A call to all the colonies.

"Send your delegates to Philadelphia

"to sit in Congress, to draft a united
protest to His Majesty's government

"against these insupportable acts."

The appeal to arms is all that is left to us.
We have no choice.

Gentlemen cry "peace"
when there is no peace.

?ur brethren are already in the field!

Is life so dear or peace so sweet

as to be purchased
at the price of chains and slavery?

Forbid it, Almighty God.

I know not what course
others may take,

but as for me, give me liberty
or give me death!

- What do you think, my little Tory?
- You've no right to call me that.

Whatever course we take,
I'm a Virginian, too.

Sweet, I was only jesting.

There's gonna be a celebration at
Waller's Grove - cannons and everything.

- Let's go along.
- No, Matt, you go yourself.

- I'm going to take the boys home.
- Mother!

- Why can't we go?
- Come along, boys.

Jane, you should've been there.
Would've done your heart good.

All those people cheering.
It was exciting.

I saw Roger at the Ralegh.

He's riding north tomorrow.

He and our friends are offering
their services for the war.

I'm going, too.

I've got to go. You see that, don't you?

- Do you?
- Yeah.

I want you to come with me,
live in Philadelphia.

- Philadelphia?
- Aye.

Sorry, I didn't mean
to sweep you off your feet.

I know it's not easy to pack a family.

If you're in Philadelphia,
you'll be nearby.

I can see you once in a while.

I can't go with you.

Now, what's that, Jane? You can't?

- I mean, I don't want you to go.
- It's war. What is there to do but fight?

I know. It had to come,
but there's no need for you to go.

You've a family, no one would blame you.
Let's all go back to Albemarle.

No. I see it my duty to go north.

- Now if you bear me proper love...
- Love?

Don't you see?
That's what I'm fighting for.

?ur love, what will happen to it?

A love so great, it built
a fine home in the wilderness.

It promised to overcome
all the differences between us.

It seemed great enough
to survive and grow under all that,

all except your violence.

That's the only thing that's threatened it,
the violent passion I've grown to fear.

Now it's taking you to war
where you'll hate with it and kill with it.

My fear is for us, Matt.

I told you, I'm going north.

And I say...

...I can't go with you.

Then you wish to separate from me?

I've only been trying to tell you,
desperately...

No, I ask you, madam,
do you wish to separate from me?

- You will call it that.
- It can only be that.

Then you've settled it.

You're going, and I've said I can't go.

When you leave,
I shall take the children to Elm Hill.

- Elm Hill?
- It's the only home I have left.

- I'll not have it.
- Why not?

I'll not have my son under the same roof
with the snobbery of your brother!

You've said it! Your blind hatred
of Fleetwood and all he represents.

- What about his hatred of me?
- But you killed with yours.

Not just the happiness we had,

but the happiness
of one of your own sons - Peyton.

You drove him away from you. Why?

Because he made the mistake
of being born to resemble my brother.

For that, you drove him out of your life!

Try to deny it.

Deny it!

So you're moving on tonight?
I'd like to be marching with you.

No, Tom, it's for dunces
like me to carry arms.

You should stay here in Philadelphia,
hold the colonies together, get supplies.

And more, too.
Congress may take a bold step.

- They may declare total independence.
- No.

I'm preparing such a statement
for Congress now.

That's the thing to do, Tom.

Then I'll be going back home.

Fight another war there.

War? Virginia?

Matt.

What's the good of independence

if we don't use it
to build a fairer system?

We must take that idea back to Virginia.
That'll mean another kind of war,

a war with those who made
the old system serve only them.

- What a war that'll be.
- I know it.

- Captain Howard. We're waiting, sir.
- Thank you, Lieutenant.

Well, good luck, Tom.

Thank you, Matt. You forgot to tell me,
will Jane be coming?

No. She's gone to Elm Hill,
taking the children with her.

Is anything wrong, Matt?

No. Things are as they should be.

Look, Tom.

When you get back home,
if you should see little James

would you mind talking to him
about me a bit?

- I mean...
- I understand.

Mike, take it clean.

Good lad.

Your Excellency, we are deeply
indebted to you for this audience.

Tom will do, Fleetwood.
Won't you sit down?

Thank you, no.

This may appear
a personal and selfish matter,

but Mr Kent and Mr Wilton
believe I should raise it

as it may affect all large landowners.

I am ordered to stand trial
upon a matter of a merchant's bill.

I offered my note on next year's crop,
an honoured practice for generations

and it was refused.
They demand immediate settlement,

which means I must sell off
some land at auction.

I ask your protection.

Protection from a law passed
by a House of which you are members?

How could we oppose it
against all the back-country delegates?

Who resent our interests.

The proportional representation
of which you were so fond.

I have been fond
only of equality in government.

If you gentlemen would
only help and support...

Support? Support your war
programme, for instance,

which leaves Virginia helpless
to invasion, to have our lands overrun.

Your lands! Your rights!

And what of the rights and principles
for which men are dying in the north?

Every resource of Virginia,

every piece of arms,
every man belongs there

for the greater fight, the greater good.

And as for our miserable
little security, gentlemen,

I recommend the example
of those boys out there,

boys scarcely old enough to bear arms!

That's my answer, gentlemen.

Sorry, lad. Sorry.

Mr Jefferson, sir.

Hmm?

Forgive me. I wonder if you'd heard
any news of my father.

- Your father?
- Matthew Howard, sir.

- Why, it's Peyton.
- Yes, sir.

Well!

Well, Matt's boy.

No, I've had no word from your father

since he was in Philadelphia
several years ago.

- Thank you, sir.
- But he's all right, lad.

He's all right, or we'd have known.

Yes, it was only that...
Well, I've missed him.

So have I.

I'd give anything if I had him here
to talk to for an hour.

If I could just...

Could you spare me a little of your time?

- Why, yes, sir.
- Good. Good. Come along.

Most humiliating day of my life.

Dragged into court
like a common criminal.

Two thousand acres of this land
ordered to be sold under the hammer.

And the jury, a set of inferiors,
treating me with insolence.

That's what we've come to expect

from a scoundrel like Jefferson
and his contemptible tribe.

- Why don't you eat some supper?
- Thank you, I desire none.

Why is your brother not in his place?

- He left with someone. I was drilling.
- Left with whom?

Speak up when I ask you! With whom?

- Someone said with Governor Jefferson.
- Governor Jefferson?

How delightful.

I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry, Mother.

May one presume to ask what has
detained you so long past the hour?

I was visiting,
and lost track of time. I'm sorry.

- A pleasant visit, I hope.
- Yes, it was, sir.

No doubt that was due to the personal
charm of Mr Thomas Jefferson.

Your soup will be cold, Peyton.

An instructive visit, too, I presume.

You learned a little more at first hand
about the new order of things.

The art of rule by rabble,
jeering at respect.

You shouldn't speak
that way of Mr Jefferson.

- Why not?
- Peyton, please.

I ask, why not?

Mr Jefferson being who he is,
the governor and my father's friend.

Your father's friend.
Two of the same stripe.

A friend for a man like your father
who runs off, deserting his family.

- That's a lie, and you know it!
- You insolent puppy!

Fleetwood, please! Peyton, sit down!

I don't have to tolerate you
under my roof, so pack and get out!

- Uncle, you don't mean that.
- You take his side against mine?

Peyton shouldn't have answered as
he did, but what you said about Father...

I'll say it a thousand times and mean it.

If you don't accept what I say,
you can get out with him.

- I'm sorry, sir.
- Get out!

Get out, both of you!

- Are you mad or only drunk?
- I'll thank you to be civil.

Where are they to go?

To the devil, for all I care.

You're both acting stupidly.
You know Uncle.

- He roars but he never means anything.
- That wasn't just roaring.

They're going off to find father
and join the army.

I won't hear of it. I won't let you go.

Wait till morning.
I'll talk Fleetwood around.

It wouldn't be honourable,
after what he said.

Then I must leave, too.
We'll all go back to Albemarle.

You know we can't do that.
It's dangerous.

You have no idea where your father is.

- We'll find him.
- Listen to me.

- It's no use.
- We're going.

They'll send them home.
James isn't but 16.

I'm taller than Peyton.

Peyton, how can you go?

Marching isn't all there is to fighting.

Here, give me those things.
They may as well be packed right.

Mother, don't worry.
Everything's gonna be all right.

Is that all?

Aye. And they cost
the two dollars Norton sent me.

Jehoshaphat's elbow!
A dollar for a potato.

Frozen, at that.

Speculatin' swine, holding onto
rotten food until they get their price,

and the army starving.

We ain't so mad we won't eat 'em.

Any word from Collins?

There won't be any. He deserted.

- I'd wring the coward's neck.
- You can't blame him.

A crop to put in back home,
his family starving.

And what's here?

No pay, no shoes, no food.

- You signed up to fight, didn't you?
- If we only were fighting,

instead of rotting here for months.

Hold your tongue!

Come in.

Don't you know us, Father?

- James?
- Yes, sir.

James, lad!

- Hello, Peyton.
- Hello, sir.

Heaven almighty, I wouldn't
have known you, man-sized and all.

Look...

Jabez, my sons!

Peyton and James.

- Howdy.
- This is Captain Allen of the Guards.

- How do you do, sir?
- Well...

Take off your coats.

Where'd you come from?
What are you doing here?

- We came to join the army.
- You came to join the army?

- Mother didn't want us to, but...
- Mother's fine, Father.

- How's Mary?
- She's fine, too, sir.

What's the matter with your feet?
Haven't you any boots?

No, nor nothing else
worth mentioning, son.

It's no blasted picnic, this war,
if that's what ye have in mind.

Won't you join us in the sumptuous
repast of two frozen potatoes?

The whole army's starving, lads.

The country in the rear
seems to be starving, too.

- We shot three rabbits yesterday.
- Three rabbits?

They don't taste good without salt,
but we ate one last night and one today.

- What about the third?
- Tied to my saddle.

- You left a rabbit out there alone?
- And the whole camp...

Shut the door.

Heaven looks after its own.

It's small, but stewed with potatoes...

- No, roast it!
- And have half the camp in here?

No, sir. Water keeps the smell down.
We'll stew it.

- Hurry, for the love of glory.
- Where do we join up?

Huh?

Aye, aye, join up.

Well, hold on, lads. How old are ye?

- I'm 18.
- And I'm 16 and taller than Peyton.

See, you're underage.

I'll take you to the colonel,
start telling some lies, eh?

Wait a minute. Let me get my wrappings.

Let me help you.

"Yes, but they seem rather young,
Captain," said Colonel Hamilton.

And what did you say?

I said, "If you asked me
if they're over 18,

"I'd naturally have to say they were."

- And what did he say?
- He said

"Well, if you were to say that

"then I should naturally
have to say they were."

Especially since they brought
two good horses.

James Howard,
personal clerk to Colonel Hamilton.

Peyton Howard reporting, dispatch rider
attached to General Washington's staff.

Heaven help the British now.

Give me some of that.

It won't be long
before we round up Mr Jefferson.

Then, perhaps, Virginia and the colonies
will see reason. Don't you agree?

I'm sorry, I shall never see reason
on His Majesty's terms

though you're welcome
to hang Mr Jefferson.

- You don't mean that.
- I know what I mean.

I think we should be leaving.

You'll forgive our hurried leave-taking,
Mr Peyton. Mrs Howard.

And thank you again
for your hospitality, madam.

You were mad to say that in the presence
of those officers. You, a Virginian.

What difference what I said?

Look. Look at it.

It's a shambles,

and we've Jefferson to thank for it.

Virginia left helpless to the enemy.
That's what he wanted.

- You aren't even trying to think.
- No. No, I'm not.

I can only feel. I loathe him and want
to see him hanged, and others like him.

Yes, even your Matthew Howard.

And my sons James and Peyton,
I suppose.

Where are they?

Where have you driven them
with your feeling and loathing?

Are they lying dead somewhere?

Where is Peyton? James?

Where are they?

Another deserter.

Well, he's better off.

They'll be shooting the whole camp
if this keeps up.

Why don't Washington move?

Virginia overrun and we wait.
Better to die fighting, no matter the odds.

Think I'll snoop around headquarters.
Might get some news.

Can you blame them for deserting?

Poor devils haven't had a decent meal
in heaven knows how long.

- Sometimes I'd like to desert.
- You don't mean that.

Don't I? Just imagine the both of us
sitting in the dining room at Elm Hill

in front of a nice,
thick cut of roast beef,

a baked potato
and vegetables from the garden.

You don't know the British
have spared Elm Hill.

If they haven't,
it's because of your Mr Jefferson,

sending the militia here,
leaving our homes unprotected.

- ?f all the stupid, imbecilic...
- Now wait a minute.

It was all he could do if it was to be
liberty for all, not just for Virginia.

Why can't you give him a chance?

Give a chance to a man
with such idiotic ideas?

- It's an improvement on the old system.
- Improvement?

We couldn't be worse off.

What's the use, James? You haven't
begun to think this out for yourself.

You're just repeating Uncle Fleetwood.

Well, you, if I may say so,
my dear brother,

sound like a sorry combination
of Tom Jefferson and our father.

I mean it.

?h, Father.

I'm just on my way to headquarters, sir.

- Father, what's the matter?
- I heard you talking with James.

I'm sorry, sir. He didn't mean that.

But you spoke of Tom Jefferson.

Mr Jefferson?
He admires you very much, sir.

- Aye. But what you said, lad...
- What's that?

What you said,
you believe in those things?

About liberty?

Why, we all do, don't we, sir?

James, too, in his own way.
It's just a question of what kind.

And I guess I believe
in Mr Jefferson's kind,

and yours, sir.

I never knew you felt that way, lad.
I never knew.

We've never had much chance
to talk, have we, sir?

Matt, the army's moving out.

They're looking for you, lad.
Get over to headquarters.

- There's a rumour we're moving south.
- Son!

- Peyton! Where are you off to?
- Virginia. Dispatches for Lafayette.

- Virginia?
- The general's spreading a net.

If we can link up with Lafayette
by marching to Virginia,

we can trap Cornwallis
before his reinforcements come.

- It's a dangerous ride.
- I asked for it. See you in Virginia.

- No, there's something I gotta say to you.
- Sorry, Father. ?rders, you know.

Say goodbye to Jamie for me.

Come on, Matt. Your company's waiting.
Come on, Matt!

Forced marchin' the order says.

Did you hear?
It's Williamsburg we're heading for.

- Williamsburg?
- Aye.

There's a rumour the British
are backing away to the south.

After him! Don't let him get away!

- Peyton! Lad! Lad!
- Matt, hey.

- ?h, no.
- What's wrong with you?

It's Peyton.

Before I had a chance
to tell him how sorry I am.

- You were dreaming, you fool.
- I know, but I saw it.

You saw Jehoshaphat.

Come, lad. We're off again.

Very well, Lieutenant.

Major, I got to see him.

Captain, please. I've already told you,
you cannot see the general.

Why, Captain Howard.

- General Washington, sir, I'm sorry...
- May I present Captain Howard?

The Marquis de Lafayette,
Baron von Steuben and Colonel Wayne.

- Captain Howard.
- Please, General, may I ask...

You sent some dispatch riders
to the marquis.

My son Peyton was one, and I just
wanted to know, did he get through?

- Peyton?
- Aye, Peyton Howard. He's just a boy.

- He's lame and...
- ?h, yes.

He was the one who drew away
the British patrol.

- His horse was shot down and...
- I knew it. What happened to him, sir?

By your leave, sir, Peyton Howard
did come through wounded

and was taken to his home.

- His home? If you'll excuse me, sir.
- But, Captain!

Mary.

- Peyton. It's Peyton...
- He's here, Father.

I'm in here, Father.

Peyton, lad. Are you hurt bad?

?nly my arm, Father.

He's something of a hero.

He had the British chasing him all over,
so the other riders could get through.

He did?

That's fine, lad. That's fine.

How do you do, Mr Howard?

- How do you do, sir?
- Father, you've heard, haven't you?

We have Cornwallis trapped in Yorktown.

With Washington, Lafayette
and Wayne coming together...

It's a magnificent strategy.

When he realises, he's got to give up.
He's outnumbered now.

We'll be marching again at dawn,
I'd best be seeing to my men.

No, Father. Please stay awhile.

- I'm sorry, lass.
- Why, no. I insist, Mr Howard.

After all this time, to leave without
a touch of the hospitality of Elm Hill.

?f course, our stock of fine Madeira
ran out sometime back,

but this, made by Jane,
is excellent in its own right.

I must say that my sister's training
from her years in the back country

has stood us in good stead.

At least we are indebted to you
for that, Mr Howard.

To the trapping of Cornwallis.

?r...

...perhaps to Elm Hill.

You note some of the changes, sir?

This destitute house,
a great estate stripped and broken down.

Yes... perhaps to that.

- And to your satisfaction in seeing it.
- Fleetwood!

It's how you always wanted to see it.
You're gloating, aren't you?

You hope in your heart
to see it go on to utter decay.

I suggest you go to your room and rest.

Yes.

Yes.

Excuse me, Mr Howard.

I've not been very well lately.

I've many things to attend to tomorrow.

I must go to the slave quarters,
Matilda's ill.

- I'll go, Mother.
- No, Mary, stay here.

- Father, you're not leaving?
- Mary.

Jane.

I only wanted to say...

He's a fine lad, Peyton,

and I see a wonderful thing
in him, a great thing.

He doesn't know how to hate.

Jane, it's like what you were born to think
and what I was born to think,

both came together inside of him
and turned into something else.

Understanding, I suppose.

And that means having pity for the way
others can't help being. And I...

You know, Jane, it's strange.

It was right here nearly 20 years ago,

and it seems as if
we're meeting for the first time.

Jane. Jane, darling...

- Will it be over soon?
- The war? Aye, soon, Jane.

And we'll all be going
back to Albemarle, to build again.

Not only Albemarle, lass,
but a whole new land,

a right down promised land

where, like Tom Jefferson says,
men can be free.

That's what men fought and died for,
and that's what we gotta keep.

And our children and their children, too,

so that this great land of ours
will go on forever in peace and security.