The Travellers Chronicles Book Four: To Chase Their Freedom

Chapter Ten

January 1776

"I have chosen Franklin, Livingston, and Sherman for my Committee." John explained as he went over things from the Continental Congress with Sybille and Tess. "Should I add another? If so, who?"

"Thomas Jefferson." Sybille answered immediately.

"Jefferson? Why Jefferson?"

"You must have Thomas Jefferson for one simple reason. Your Committee is to oversee the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and Jefferson is to write it." Sybille explained. "He is the other most important member of the Committee."

John sighed. "Very well. I will do as you ask."

"There is one more thing."

"Yes?"

"The South is going to fight to keep slavery, you must not allow this to happen. You must not allow slavery in what is to become known as 'The Land of the Free'."

"I will do my level best."

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Late May 1776

With John in the carriage, he and Sybille made their way to Philadelphia. It was time for another meeting of the Continental Congress.

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Early June 1776

The eve after their arrival, John had a dinner party. He invited over Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Sybille was less than pleased to be in the same room as Jefferson. He was a slaver and was terrible to them. Jefferson also was, in Sybille's opinion, a pedophile. After all, Sally Hemings was a child when he made her his mistress.

After welcoming the men, John introduced Sybille. "Franklin, Jefferson. May I introduce my wife's cousin, Lorraine Smith." John motioned to her. "She was eager to see Philadelphia and so, I brought her with me."

"A pleasure, Mrs. Smith." Jefferson said as he took her hand to kiss.

"Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Smith." Franklin smiled.

Sybille was cordial to Jefferson, but in turn was giddy about meeting Franklin. He was after all her second favourite Founding Father; after Hamilton of course. The thing that drew her to Hamilton was that he made mistakes but had copped to them. Even when it destroyed his reputation and nearly ruined his marriage. No, Hamilton was to be praised. Jefferson, in Sybille's opinion, was to be beaten as harshly as his slaves surely had been.

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04 July 1776

Despite Sybille's pleading, the Declaration was about to be signed with slavery legal in the new country. She stood outside Congress's doors (as women weren't allowed inside) and waited with bated breath as the Declaration of Independence was signed. She couldn't believe how close she was to seeing one of her favourite moments in history. When cheers erupted from inside, Sybille knew the moment had happened.

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December 1777

"I am to be a member of the delegation to the French." John announced one night at dinner.

"How lovely." Abigail replied. "You should take John with you."

"I will."

"I will also accompany you." Sybille declared.

"Why on earth would you?" Abigail asked.

"I am related to the Queen." Sybille explained. "As well, my late husband's father held a title; the Duke of Brittany. It was given to me when he died."