And Peggy

Schuyler defeated

"Peggy! Come quickly! I have bad news!" Stephan's voice floats up to my room.

I drop my knitting sock and hurry downstairs as fast as I can.

"What? What is it?"
I'm expecting to find a dead body on the floor or a trail of blood leading out the door but instead, Stephan thrusts the daily newspaper at me from his breakfast chair.

"It's your father." He says simply before I can read.
On the front page of the New York Times, the headline screams up at me.

War hero Philip Schuyler loses senate seat to young upstart Aaron Burr

Yesterday March 3 1796 at 3:00 pm, congress announced that it would say goodbye to one of their oldest serving senators. Phillip Schuyler who has had his seat in the United States senate since July 16 1789, lost the seat to Aaron Burr, a well known lawyer and politician.

Aaron Burr says that he is honoured to have this position and wishes General Schuyler good luck with his life.
Phillip Schuyler has been unavailable for comment

Stephan, who has also been reading over my shoulder adds, "and there's more information on this Aaron Burr on page six."

I crumple up the newspaper and throw it down on the table.

"I know who Aaron Burr is!" I growl through gritted teeth, thinking back to the sleezebag who tried to flirt with my sister all those years as ago.

"How did an idiot like him get into the senate? Let alone replace my father!"

"I-I don't know dear." Stephan stammers timidly. "How about you go downtown and take care of it?
I need you to run some errands for me anyway. Some letters need posting, Ruby needs some ingredients for the kitchen, Tiger has already gone through her catnip.
You can ask about the information in the paper and maybe calm down a bit while you're there.
I've got to write some letters while you're gone so if you could stay downtown for at least an hour so that I have complete focus that'd be great. Thanks hon!" He says, not even giving me a chance to respond before he is kissing me on the cheek and dropping his breakfast plate in the kitchen.

As I leave the house, I pick up the letters that Stephan wants me to drop me off at the post office and rifle through them. There's one for his father, one to be dropped off at the army office and one for Mr Paterson. There is also a list of foods that need to be bought written by Ruby.

At the post office, I ask the man at the counter about the article. He tells me that according to his colleague from the New York post office, Aaron Burr convinced congress that Phillip Schuyler was getting old and poorly in his health and at 56 years of age, he should really be going into retirement.

"But-but," I splutter, "there are men who are in their seventies who still have a seat in Congress. Why target him?"

The counter man shrugs before saying "I'm sorry Miss. That's just what I've heard. The way I see it, the general can settle down with his family and live a comfortable life financially and physically. In the mean time, this Burr fellow might bring some new ideas to congress."

"Knowing Phillip Schuyler and knowing Burr, I'm sure that you will sincerely regret giving Burr a seat. The man has never had an idea in his life! He cares too much about his legacy to help the country. Schuyler on the other hand has had years of experience and despite working three or more different occupations, still maintains a healthy lifestyle and spends time with his family."

"You-you know the general?" The counter man cowers slightly behind the desk.

I let out a sharp laugh. "Know him? I'm his daughter!"

"Ah well, that explains why there's a letter from him to you." The man flicks the letter towards me like it is a bomb about to go off.

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When my carriage pulls up at the Manor, there is a carriage leaving our property. I watch it roll down the street before entering the house.

"Stephan!" I call. "Who was at our house? Who's carriage was leaving the gate?"

"Was- was there someone leaving our property? It- it must be the darn neighbours again. They probably had guests over and let them park on our driveway since there was no room on theirs. I'll talk to them."

I nod and move into my room to read father's letter.

Dearest Margarita

By the time you receive this letter, you will have heard the news. I am being kicked from parliament. I am doing everything in my power to try and weasel my way back in. Our family will still be financially supported with my army position. I trust that you remain calm and dignified during these troubling times.
Your loving father
Phillip Schuyler.

Oh, father. How will I ever be as wise and calm as you.

Hi guys sorry this chapter is short. Also that it took so long to upload but I was going to mix these two chapters into one but then I realised that I was leaving out a whole lot of important events and songs so y'all will have to wait.
Cocolocosam 🐓☺️