- James Madison: If we could just get the states together, to talk outside their cursed legislatures.
- George Mason: Talk? About what?
- James Madison: Well, talk about trade, about laws, about a more effective union. About anything. If, if honest, influential men, met together representing their states, men like General Washington, and Dr. Franklin, and yourself, sir. I have the greatest admiration for your writing Virginia's Constitution and her Declaration of Rights. Sir, may I count on your help?
- George Mason: I am a friend to your cause, sir. But the indispensable friend is General Washington. As he goes, so goes America.
- James Madison: Yes sir. And we must get him. Unless our national government is strengthened, then the states will soon turn to the sword to resolve their separate jealousies.
- George Washington: Gentlemen, gentlemen, this bickering does not further our cause! The chair recognizes Dr. Franklin.
- Benjamin Franklin: Thank you, General. Gentlemen, gentlemen, the small progress we have made in these last weeks is a melancholy proof of the imperfections of human understanding. How has it happened that we have forgotten to humbly implore the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding? During the late contest with Great Britain, we many times offered prayers for help in this very room, and our prayers were heard, and they were graciously answered. The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall without His notice, is it probable that a great nation can rise without his aid?
- Benjamin Franklin: Whichever gentleman, or better still lady that is knocking, I'm around here.
- [Washington enters]
- Benjamin Franklin: Ah! Ha ha ha ha. Oh my dear general! How delighted I am to see you, sir!
- George Washington: Pray, sir, do not trouble yourself. Quite unnecessary for the sage of Philadelphia to rise in the presence of a retired soldier.
- Benjamin Franklin: Well, if the sage cannot rise, perhaps the soldier will sit, eh? Some tea?
- George Washington: Thank you, doctor.
- Benjamin Franklin: Ah, alas, gout and the stone have made me into a monument. People must now come to view me, as I am unable to go to them.
- George Washington: Will your health allow you to attend the convention, doctor?
- Benjamin Franklin: Will yours, general? It seems that fate wishes us to postpone our well earned retirement, sir.
- George Washington: Well, I hope our convention will do good.
- Benjamin Franklin: If it does not, it must do harm. Its failure will demonstrate that we have not wisdom enough to govern ourselves. I, of course, have selfish interests in its success.
- George Washington: Oh?
- Benjamin Franklin: Indeed. During the war I staked my life, and what is more important, my reputation on the belief that Americans could govern themselves. And that all mankind should share in that privilege.
- George Washington: Doctor, many know by heart your credo that the rights of Americans should be the rights of all men.
- Benjamin Franklin: Well then, sir, you see the danger I'm in.
- George Washington: If our convention fails, all mankind will suffer.
- Benjamin Franklin: Oh, much worse. I shall be discredited as a philosopher.
- [laughter]
- Benjamin Franklin: Oh, general, I am grateful you are here. For you, among all men, I hold in the highest esteem. When you voluntarily surrendered power after the war, I knew that in you breathed no tyrant. But that new man, an American, you are the very soul of this republic, sir. With you in our counsels, we must succeed.
- George Washington: You overwhelm me, sir. You must know that I consider you the greatest American alive. My grave fears for the welfare of this country are lightened in your presence.
- Benjamin Franklin: Well then, let us toast ourselves with this tea, and declare that the world is infinitely better off because of us.
- George Washington: Whichever gentleman, or better still lady that is knocking, I'm around here.
- [Washington enters]
- George Washington: Ah! Ha ha ha ha. Oh my dear general! How delighted I am to see you, sir!
- Benjamin Franklin: Pray, sir, do not trouble yourself. Quite unnecessary for the sage of Philadelphia to rise in the presence of a retired soldier.
- George Washington: Well, if the sage cannot rise, perhaps the soldier will sit, eh? Some tea?
- Benjamin Franklin: Thank you, doctor.
- George Washington: Ah, alas, gout and the stone have made me into a monument. People must now come to view me, as I am unable to go to them.
- Benjamin Franklin: Will your health allow you to attend the convention, doctor?
- George Washington: Will yours, general? It seems that fate wishes us to postpone our well earned retirement, sir.
- Benjamin Franklin: Well, I hope our convention will do good.
- George Washington: If it does not, it must do harm. Its failure will demonstrate that we have not wisdom enough to govern ourselves. I, of course, have selfish interests in its success.
- Benjamin Franklin: Oh?
- George Washington: Indeed. During the war I staked my life, and what is more important, my reputation on the belief that Americans could govern themselves. And that all mankind should share in that privilege.
- Benjamin Franklin: Doctor, many know by heart your credo that the rights of Americans should be the rights of all men.
- George Washington: Well then, sir, you see the danger I'm in.
- Benjamin Franklin: If our convention fails, all mankind will suffer.
- George Washington: Oh, much worse. I shall be discredited as a philosopher. Laughter. Oh, general, I am grateful you are here. For you, among all men, I hold in the highest esteem. When you voluntarily surrendered power after the war, I knew that in you breathed no tyrant. But that new man, an American, you are the very soul of this republic, sir. With you in our counsels, we must succeed.
- Benjamin Franklin: You overwhelm me, sir. You must know that I consider you the greatest American alive. My grave fears for the welfare of this country are lightened in your presence.
- George Washington: Well then, let us toast ourselves with this tea, and declare that the world is infinitely better off because of us.