TURN: Washington's Spies (2014–2017): Season 4, Episode 10 - Washington's Spies - full transcript

The fate of the Culper ring is revealed. The war for American independence ends and America struggles to begin.



How many drafts have we
been through at this point?

Six, Your Highness.

All variations tracing
a felicitous path

toward force and clarity,

like an overture
building towards climax.

Only now...

fwt!

The air seems to have
gone out of it.

Why, I wonder.

If you mean the
reference to Yorktown,



we thought...
rather, it seemed--

- Unavoidable.
- George: Yes.

But what bothers me
is not what's been added,

but what's been
taken out.

Namely my conviction

that this war will soon
be concluded in our favor.

Unfortunately,
Your Majesty,

given our debts
and our concurrent wars...

- ( music playing )
- ( shushing )

Don't you hear
the music?

Oh, Handel.

"Music for
the Royal Fireworks."

My grandfather
George II

commissioned this
to celebrate



the Treaty
of Aix-la-Chapelle,

which affirmed
his legacy.

- But...
- ( music continues )

...I fear if I were
to recognize

this Congress...

my legacy would be the king
who lost the Americas.

Not all
the Americas, sire.

There's still Canada.

It's all ours,
you gibbering idiot.

All mine!

( distant whooshing,
explosions )

They want independence?

I'll give them blood.



( distant whistling,
explosions )

( crickets chirping )

( both grunt )

- ( groans )
- ( grunts )

Man:
He killed the colonel!

- ( groans )
- Man: Kill them all!

( all yelling )

Man #2:
Don't shoot!

- ( gunfire continues )
- Benedict: Cease fire!

Man:
Fall back!

Cease fire!

- Cease fire!
- ( gunshot )

Man:
Cease fire, men.



What did you do?

They killed
Major Montgomery.

They were surrendering!

- ( sword thuds ) - Benedict:
Secure the prisoners.

And pick up
that damn sword.

Now!



Ah, let me go!
Let me go!

- Cicero, Cicero, Cicero, it's me.
- Let me go!

I came for you.
Let's go.

- Man: Halt!
- ( rifles cocking )

We're free men.

We're just trying
to get away from this place.

Well, we're Americans,
so lay down your arms.

( theme music playing )

♪ Hush, hush

♪ There's snakes
in the garden ♪

♪ Soul for sale

♪ Blood on the vines

♪ Hush, hush

♪ I know there will
come a day ♪

♪ They're hiding
in the color of night ♪

- ♪ I can't wait anymore
- ♪ Soul for sale

- ♪ I can't wait anymore
- ♪ Soul for sale

♪ I can't wait anymore

♪ Hush, hush

- ( birds chirping )
- ( horse snorts )



Abe: Ch-ch-ch-ch.
Whoa, whoa.

Abe: At least
it's still standing.

( groans )

I'll be sailing on the Robuste
with Cornwallis and his staff.

Arrangements are being made
for you to follow.

Is it that bad?
Do we really have to leave?

We'll be back.

Quite frankly, the timing
couldn't be better.

I'll lobby the king
myself for more men,

then come back
and thrash Washington

in a way those gentlemen
generals never could.

Think of it...

Commander of the British Forces
in North America.

- ( Edward crying )
- Trust me.

You will be adored in London,
just as you have been here.

Abigail, take my case
and set it in the hall.

They say
they'll harm him, sir.

It's just a ploy
to extract ransom.

They also said that
they had one of my rangers.

I didn't have any rangers
in New London.

They're exaggerating.

They describe him.

The uniform
you had made for him.

I know £50
is a lot of money, sir.

It's mercenary,
and I will not pay it.

- Then I will.
- You will do nothing of the sort.



- Come with me, Abigail. It may not be
safe here. - I can't, not without Cicero.

- ( crying ) - Perhaps you could find
a way to appeal to the patriots.

( scoffs )
Good luck with that.

( crying )

- Laundry for Major Hewlett?
- Over there.

I didn't send
any laundry out.

I know, sir.

That's just what
I told your man

so he'd let me by.

I need a pass
to get out of the city.

- Out of the city?
- And through the enemy lines.

In exchange for this,
I'd offer information...

about a rebel spy.

I remember you.

You sent me
to Major André,

the man you replaced
as Head of Intelligence.

Now you're here
to tell me about Culper.

Is that it?

It's a bit late
for that,

considering that
I already know

that his name
is Abraham Woodhull

and that the two of you
plotted together

to murder
Colonel Simcoe.

- ( basket thuds )
- ( gasping )

Dear, it's all right.
I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Please, sit.

I'm sorry. I'm not
going to turn you in.

( gasping )

I was plotting
to kill Simcoe, too.

Who do you think sent
the false summons?

Of course, I will deny that
if you mention it to anyone.

Now, why are you
really here?

Rebel militia captured
my son in Connecticut

and the man I love--
I mean...

the man I sent
to bring him home.

I thought if I could get
to Washington's camp,

I could appeal
for their pardon.

Anna Strong.

Major Tallmadge.

What would you have
told them about Woodhull?

That you
had discovered him

and to move him
out of danger.

And since the war
is drawing to a close,

it would be no great
loss to the cause.

Mmm.

Well, Abigail,
you're in luck.

I'm going to your old
town of Setauket

to see our Mr. Culper.

He owes me a debt,
and after I collect,

I will leave this cursed
country for good.

May I travel with you?

I'm afraid
it's much too dangerous.

My sources indicate
slave catchers

are on the rise,
frothing up from the south.

Governor Carleton
is arranging

for black loyalists
in the city

to be transported
to Nova Scotia.

I would suggest
that you board

one of these boats
before it's too late.

I will get the message
to Abraham

and he will get it
to Washington's camp,

wherever that may be.

What is the name
of the man?

- What?
- The man who you love.

Akinbode.

Akinbode.

Well, if you like, I will
also carry with me a letter

where you can explain
where you should meet him.



- ( paper rustling )
- Why would you help me?

We're in the same
dirty business, aren't we?

If we spies don't seek
restitution

for one another...

who will?

( birds screeching )

- ( creaking ) - Man: You
want to be a soldier, eh?

- Not a problem.
- ( men chattering )

( goats bleating )

- Try this on for size.
- Here you go.

- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you, sir.

- ( men chattering )
- ( horse snorting )

Abe:
And so, to avoid that,

I intend on planting
in the fall

and, all being well,
you'll get your cut.

This is a better deal
for you.

- Giving you seed for free?
- No, no, no. On credit.

All right?
When my crop comes in,

I'll pay you back
with interest.

Your last crop
went bad.

- Maggots, wasn't it?
- ( men murmuring )

Man: Why not draw the money
from your father's estate?

DeJong:
Ah, Major!

So good to see you. Please, come in.
Come in.

Such a complicated
transaction.

When the major wrote me, I thought
that he already owned Whitehall.

Abraham and I had
a prior arrangement.

We just haven't had the
chance to formalize it...

- ( blows )
- ...until now.

Well, who am I
to complain?

- Others may have cause to.
- A deal is a deal, Mary.

- ( paper rustling )
- DeJong: Here is my note,

drawn from my bankers
in York City.

( chuckles ) So, if that
concludes our business,

I will take possession
of Whitehall.

( door opens, closes )

I know we've had our
differences, to put it mildly,

but I knew that you
would honor your word.

My word good enough bond
for a loan?

I'm sorry, I know that you
would repay the debt,

but I can't wait
till your next harvest.

I need all this and more
to try for a new life.

Though, you do deserve
recompense for your service.

If I were you, I would go
straight to the top.

He owes you, Abraham.

I suggest you collect.

That's the first sensible thing
I've heard all day.

Hewlett:
Speaking of debt,

there is another that
you owe one of your own.

Major André's servant,
Abigail.

Her son has been
taken by rebels

along with a man
named Akinbode

who she cares
deeply about.

I believe that he is one
of Simcoe's former rangers.

( paper rustling )

I'll get word
to Tallmadge.

Through your
New York connection?

Just curious
who that was.

Hmm.

( chuckles )

I'm afraid you'll have
to remain curious.

Mary:
Simcoe...

The deal was for you
to kill Simcoe.

Has that condition
been upheld?

I assure you,

the man you knew
as John Graves Simcoe

is dead and gone.

- ( dogs barking )
- ( chatter )

Man: Colonel Simcoe
here to see you, sir.

Here? Now?

( sighs )

- Where is he?
- That way, sir.

( birds chirping )

( horse neighing )

- General, thank you--
- Colonel Simcoe.

Why are you here?

My letters, sir.

- Did you receive them?
- Yes, and have replied.

There's no post
for you in India.

Cornwallis has been appointed
governor general there,

and I'm afraid he's not
your biggest supporter.

What about Spain?

Why so eager to get
back to the war, hmm?

Enjoy your convalescence.

Indulge a hobby,
find a wife.

I heard Jonathan Cooke married some
actress from the New York stage

and brought her back
to Surrey.

I need a post, sir.

Would you care
to join the hunt?

Thank you, but I'm afraid
I'm not quite well enough

to ride just yet.

Not the best endorsement
for a cavalryman, is it?

Don't let me
keep you, sir.

I shall wait
for your return.

( sighs )

Parliament is currently
pondering the fate

of the remaining
North American provinces.

Upper Canada has need
of leadership.

Excellent.

Who are we
fighting there?

No one, except the
weather, I suppose.

You wouldn't be
going there to fight, John.

You'd be there
to build, to create,

to develop the territory,
establish a local gentry.

I mean, to all intents and
purposes, you'd be Lord Simcoe.

You'd do well
to choose a lady.

- ( dogs barking, howling )
- ( trumpet sounds )

- ( riding crop thuds )
- They've caught the scent.

They never tire
of chasing their quarry,

but then again,
they're only hounds.

It's all they know.



( whistling, cheering )



( crowd cheering )

- Can you believe this shite?
- ( laughing )

- The whole bloody town turned out.
- Yeah.

( marching band playing )

( both chattering
and giggling )

- The ladies will be lining up for a roll.
- ( scoffs )

'Course, I'm speaking about
meself when I say that.

- Ah. - But maybe I could,
uh, swing you a couple,

if you're lucky.

( laughs )

Man: "He comes, he comes,
with conquest crowned.

Hail Columbia's
warlike son.

Hail the glorious
Washington."

( crowd cheering
and applauding )

Philadelphia and Congress
welcome you, General.

That verse was from an opera by Mr.
Hopkinson

to be performed
in your honor.

And I'll be honored
to attend, Mr. Hanson,

but we must not
drop our guard.

This war is not over

while the enemy
holds New York

and our southern cities.

Selah.
( chuckles )

I heard Cornwallis
pled illness

rather than personally
surrender his sword.

Well, 8,000 men
captured,

officers sent home
in disgrace.

I think I would've hid under
my sickbed if I were him.

She's here.

Come on,
I'll take you to her.

- ( music continues )
- ( crowd cheering )

- ( men chattering )
- ( dog barks )

- ( gasps )
- Sorry I borrowed this.

I wasn't sure
when you'd be back.

S-Selah.

I've been thinking
about our marriage.

I wonder if you'd
do me the favor

of reading
something of mine.

( owl hooting )

"To my distinguished
fellow representatives..."

A bill I'm trying
to craft

ensuring pay
for our veterans

and soliciting the funds

from all the states
to pay for it.

Well, uh, I can see
some room for improvement

right off.

Your opening paragraph
should more clearly

state your intentions

rather than beating
about the bush

with flowery language.

If I told you
how long it took me

to craft
that flowery language...

Do you mind
if I make some changes?

Please do.

Um...



See, if you cut
this sentence

and then go straight
to the summary,

and then begin listing
objectives and means of funding,

it will make
the intention clear.

You don't think the reader
requires more convincing?

Maybe, but let the merits
of your bill speak first.

That way, we can get right
into the meat of the article.

Exactly!

And I'd favor

the clearest
and simplest prose...

( continues indistinctly )

- ( man coughing )
- ( chains rattling )

Akinbode:
"And the Lord said

unto Moses,

'Get-- get--
get thee up

into this Mount...

- Mount-- Mount Uh--"
- "Uh-bar-im."

Then why not write it like
you're supposed to say it?

There's a lot of words
like that.

Should've figured
this shit out better

before they started.

Wanna quit?

"...and--
and see the land

I have given to the
children of Israel."

Huh? Not bad, eh?

( chuckles )

So, "Get..."



She used
to read this to me.

I never understood why

God let Moses see
the Promised Land

but never
let him go there.

It won't be
like that for us.

I already scouted that
promised land up in Canada.

We're gonna have a farm that'll
put old man Strong's to shame.

( scoffs )
Sure.

Now all you have to do is dig
up that big old bag of gold.

The gold's real.

Hell of a lot more real
than tall tales

of you spying
for General Washington.

Hey, I'll be reading
a lot better than you, boy.

I'll bet gold on that.

- Oh, really?
- Really.

- Cicero: How much?
- ( both arguing )

- No.
- A hundred pounds.

- A hundred?
- I got £200. True.

( birds chirping )

- Robert: So, this Abigail was 355?
- Abe: Mm-hmm.

I was on my way to New York
to ask you to send the signal

when your father
told me you were here.

( mooing )

Haven't you heard?

You don't have
to get word to the army.

The army is coming
to New York.

Evacuation day
has been set.

I guess I'll meet them
myself, then.

I intend to see
Washington.

Get paid back
for what we're owed.

List your expenses.

I'll fight for you, too.

After all, it was my...

my deception that got
you into all this.

The only thing I regret
is having to be prodded

into doing something
that my conscience

should have dictated.

Yes, but...

we're not looking
for reward,

just what we're owed,
same as soldiers.

( chuckles )

Yeah, but we weren't
soldiers, were we?

Lies were our weapons.

Sins in service
of ideals.

So, what?

We're damned?

Let's just say that if
having my pockets emptied

is my only penance,

I am willing
to bear it.

Yeah, but I have a family
to provide for.

And family you've lost.

You've paid a deeper
price than any of us.

I don't know
what makes that whole.



There is one more issue
to be settled between us.



( birds chirping )

( both laughing )

You should
be careful.

( crowd cheering )



( cheering continues )

General Washington!

General Washington!

Ben!

Tallmadge!

721!

- Hey. ( chuckles )
- Hey, what-- what's going on?

I thought you were
back in Setauket.

What are you doing here?

No, I was-- uh,
I was looking for you.

And Washington.
I need to speak to him.

- Ben: Well, now is not the best time.
- Yeah, I know.

That's why
I need to see him.

Look, he's trying to negotiate a
peaceful transfer of the city.

Until the redcoats have all
evacuated, he can't meet with you.

- Right, right. What about you?
- Me?

I'm here to secure those who
were friendly to our cause.

I intended to go to Long
Island shortly thereafter.

Well, then,
I'll save you the trip.

What?
What do you mean?

These are expenses.

Invoice, some receipts, not all.

Four years of travel
and boarding to New York,

paper, ink.

Townsend used more
than I did.

- Townsend?
- Yeah, here.

Where is it?
It's in here somewhere.

Here, here.
This one's his.

Here.

This is--
so, you know,

this is as accurate as I
can make it, all right?

- There's no inflation.
- I believe you, Abe.

Are you all right?
God, have you eaten?

- ( sighs ) - If-- if you
need a few shillings now,

- I can scrounge something up.
- No, just get us what we're owed.

- I'll try.
- All right.

I can wait a little bit
longer, but this can't.

It's from 355

and it requires
a special justice.

- ( chatter ) - Man: Give the
general some room, please.

- ( crowd chattering )
- ( dog barks )

- ( door closes )
- Ah, Your Excellency.

Uh, I apologize for the state
of my establishment.

Uh, several regulars--

regular patrons that is,
left in a rush

and some passionate
fellows came in and--

Not your typical
clientele.

Madeira?

( wine pouring )

Welcome back
to New York.

"Rebel Rabble
Routed At Monmouth,

Washington Left Reeling.

"Washington Trounced
in Tryon Triumph."

"Rebels Massacred
at Middlebrook."

A fine alliterative lilt
to them, you must admit.

I favor fact over form.

What are facts but opinions
expressed as truths?

Versus your opinions
about my wife.

That was, uh...

That was inappropriate
and in poor taste.

And the vulgarian who wrote
that has been long dismissed.

But the publisher accepts
full responsibility

and begs
your forgiveness.

Leave us.

One more opinion
from before the war

I would like you
to read.

"The printer
is bold to affirm

that his press has been open to
publications from all parties

and he defies his enemies
to produce an instance

to the contrary."

( distant bell tolling )

"In the country
wherein he was born,

he always heard
the liberty of the press

represented
as the great security

of freedom.

And in that sentiment,
he has been educated."

That was after
the Sons of Liberty

threatened
to destroy my press

and before
they actually did.

Along with my home.

In regards to the
liberty of the press,

we are agreed.

My men are not here
to escort you to prison,

but to protect you
from new reprisals.

We shall need
vigorous voices

to have prod and check,

lest our young country
stray down the same road

as the one
we just defeated.

You should change the name
of the "Royal Gazette."

Sometimes principle must be
tempered with practicality.

Good day,
Mr. Rivington.



( door closes )

( exhales )

- ( wind blowing )
- ( distant chatter )

( music playing )

( music continues )

Woman:
Peggy?

Our husbands will likely
finish their business soon.

We must catch up
on gossip while we can.

Aren't the papers here
filled with enough of it?

Not enough for me.

Too much
for my husband.

He insisted on showing me
one that called him

a horse thief who got his
courage from a brandy bottle.

Did you take
convincing umbrage?

You're not the only one
with a notorious husband.

Mine approved a plan to
give infected blankets

to the Indians
in America.

Now I'm married
to Lord Smallpox.

Your husband's stumbles apparently
haven't hindered your advance.

Though, I suppose
the rumors didn't hurt.

What rumors?

About your former beau,

the gallant
Major André.

Why would anyone
believe that?

Why wouldn't
you want them to?

Rumors like that are the
lifeblood of London society.

You'll see.

- It should be an enjoyable and
great experience for you. - Yes.

Well, time to rejoin
our illustrious husbands.

( bell tolling )

I don't like that woman.

Well, I do,

and I have few enough
friends here as it is.

I may soon have
a more valuable one.

Lord Amherst has finally secured
my audience with the king.

- I hear there will be a treaty soon.
- Hang that.

Benedict: After His
Majesty hears my plan,

that will cease.



( keys jingling )

Get up.

Get out.

- ( distant man coughing )
- Where are we going?

Man:
Anywhere but here.

Received an order
for your release.

Some post for you
as well.

Happy Sunday.

Hey, why are you
letting us out?

You tell me.

Pardon was signed by
General Washington himself.

You boys got friends
in high places.

Told you.



Told ya.

( laughs )

Now let me see
that letter.

I didn't leave
anything out, promise.

I wanna practice,
all right?

And don't make me
ask twice.



- "My Dear Loves"--
- Memorized that part.

Shh.

- "My"--
- Abigail: "My Dear Loves,

I have taken a ship,
the Hibernia, to Nova Scotia,

where I will await thee
with hope."

Man: These certificates
declare these people free

to travel wherever
they may choose.

Abigail: "In a place
called Birchtown

where we will
start over again.

A family."

( men shouting )

- ( insects chirping )
- ( bell tolling )

Come again, love.

- ( insects chirping )
- ( horse trotting )

- ( bell tolling )
- ( horse whinnies )

Robert:
Ephialtes.

( dog barking )

Brutus.

Judas...
( muttering )

Arnold.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, I'll be doing
the begging here.

And the drinking, too.

- Do I know you?
- Uh, just another American lad

far away from home.

Robert Rogers.

I would ask you
for a few bob,

but I hear you're a little
hard-pressed for it.

Any luck
finding a job?

I'm quite comfortable,
thank you.

Don't you walk away
from me!

I hear you have
an audience with the king.

I've been invited to advise
him on colonial policy, yes.

That's good, 'cause you'll
be able to get close enough

so you can claim it.

Claim what?

My revenge
and your redemption.

Get off of me!

( gun cocks )

That king has wronged
our country,

just as he wronged me

and just as
he will wrong you.

Yes, well, our country
turned its back on us!

No, no, no,
we turned on her.

Can't you see?

And this is
the price we pay.

Yes, well,
maybe for you.

You have one last chance
to regain your lost honor.

( chuckles )

What, by becoming
an assassin?

It's common practice in old
Roman times and here in Europe

not so long ago to keep
the tyrants in line.

- You're insane. - And you are
a traitor of the blackest dye.

You're the American
Guy Fawkes.

But what if Guy Fawkes
had succeeded

in his task
of killing King James?

He'd be known
as a monster!

- He'd be known as a hero.
- To the Catholics.

Ah, get your politics
out of it!

I'm not done fighting.

And my legend
is yet to be written.

I will return
to the Colonies

and I will win.

( laughing )

- What are you doing?
- ( laughing continues )

- Get off me!
- I tried.

I tried!

Lord knows I tried.

Huh?
Jesus. Oh.

( laughing )

I tried.

- ( birds chirping ) - George:
The bloom this time of year

is especially fine.

One welcomes
the lilacs and azaleas

into our promenade.

How do you do,
ladies?

( chuckles )

Oh, yes.

So many flowers
to admire.

Of course, one's true
love is for agriculture.

- Have you read Arthur Young?
- Benedict: I'm afraid not, Your Majesty.

No? His report on the cultivation
of cabbage varieties

is of vital interest.

Yes, quite so,
Your Majesty.

- Mmm.
- America is rich in cabbage.

Along with other crops,
as you know.

Yes.

- The Colonies--
- I can win them for you.

With the reinforcement
of 20,000 men,

I can keep
the rebels at heel.

Mmm, the Colonies.

That was
Frederick's folly.

Freddy's fault.

Now we have young Bill,
young, handsome Bill.

Did you know André?

Young, handsome André?

I-- I'm very taken
with tales of his sacrifice.

- I only met him once, Your Majesty.
- Hmm.

Flower of England,
he was.

Young and daring and
struck down in his prime.

What's this?

What is this?

These salvias,
they're thirsty.

Come on, bring them
some water.

Water, I said!

Quickly!

God.

Bloody...

That's it, sod it.

I'll water them meself.

( urinating )

Ah!

André.

We were pleased to make
his brother a baronet

in his honor and reward his
dear, dear mother a stipend.

- ( metallic click )
- Have you heard the monody

( distant, echoes )
of Major André...

( laughing )

George: ...by Mrs.
Seward, the poetess?

( heart beating )

Get off me!

George: The mourning
figure of Britannia--

quite moving.

I've decided
to incorporate it

into his monument.

- Monument?
- Yes.

( cocks gun )

A marble cenotaph
at Westminster Abbey

( distant, echoing )
to be sculpted by Van Gelder.



He shall be remembered
for all time.

( normal voice ) Yes, the
inscription is to read,

"He fell, a sacrifice
to his zeal for his king

and his country."

Now... look at this.

- This poor thing is starving...
- ( gun thuds )

of moisture as well,
isn't it?

Look at it.
Bring some more water here.

Where are you?
Water!

- ( seagulls screeching )
- ( men laughing )

( laughing )

But the milk
was delicious.

( all laughing )

- ( chattering )
- Woodhull, more ale.

( laughing )

All right,
this needs filling.

Hey, sprout,
don't lose those, huh?

- Watch him.
- ( chattering continues )

- ( door opens, closes )
- ( men laughing )

Missed a spot.

( plate clatters )

- What? What?
- ( laughing )

- Come here.
- Where you been?

- Oh, you know, all over.
- Look at that.

Hey, I got a surprise for you.
Come on.

DeJong:
Woodhull, the ale.

Just one minute.

- Caleb: Come on.
- ( children laughing )

He wanted to see
his father's church

now that
it's a church again.



( laughing )

- Is that...?
- Yeah.

Caleb:
Yeah, it is.

( Caleb laughs )

( children chattering )

Man:
General Washington!

( people clamoring )

Hello.

It's an honor, sir.

- Pleasure, General. Nice to meet you.
- Thank you, sir.

Come here,
you bastard.

Welcome home.

Woodhull.
What are you doing?

I said more ale.

Martin.

Selah Strong?

This-- no, as I said,

this tavern
was purchased lawfully.

Under the king's law,
which is no more.

I've come
to negotiate the sale

of Strong Manor
with interested parties,

as my wife and I
are moving to Connecticut.

But I'll give you
the chance to buy my tavern

at a very good price.

( approaching footsteps )

Excellency!

Welcome to
our humble town.

I am Martin DeJong.

Please allow me to host
your entourage at Whitehall.

Thank you, Mr. DeJong.

I-- I should think
the simple hearth

of this tavern will do.

I wonder
if, uh, my company

might dine in private
this night?

Of course!

Woodhull,
make up the table.

Mr. Woodhull is to be
the man of honor.

Man: Your father
would be so proud.

- Good work.
- ( crowd murmuring )

( Caleb laughs )

- ( laughter ) - Caleb:
So-- so, here's the thing.

Like, I-- I met her
and-- and she drank me

- under the table, like...
- ( all laughing )

...and that's how
I learned her name.

Her name
is Anne Lewis,

- and, uh, she is--
- She is about to be...

- Oh, no.
- ...Anne Brewster.

- ( all clamoring )
- Really?

- No!
- Caleb: Yes, yes.

But I was gonna say
a fine woman.

So, I have my Annie...

and you, Benny boy,
have your Mary.

- ( laughing )
- Who? Who's this?

Yes, uh, Miss Mary Floyd
of Brookhaven.

Daughter
of General William Floyd?

That's right, yeah.

Mary:
Congratulations, Major.

- Thank you.
- Cheers.

If you'll excuse me, this Mary
needs to get her son to bed.

- ( all groaning ) - No, Mary,
it's too early for that.

It was an honor
to meet you, madam.

The honor was mine,
General.

Another toast
is in order.

To the signal gallantry
of an emissary unsung,

but not uncelebrated.

( Abe clears throat )
Your Excellency...

Uh...

although I'm appreciative
to the recognition,

to be sure, uh...

all I truly require
is the recompense.

Surely Major Tallmadge has made
you aware of my situation.

Abe, Abe, the-- the
details of this matter

are highly confidential.

Only to me.

I will excuse myself

so that you may discuss
your business.

Thank you.

( Anna clears throat )

I propose a toast.

To those members
not present

by whose service and
sacrifice we prevailed.

- Robert Townsend.
- Aye.

- Nathaniel Sackett.
- Aye.

Hear, hear.

Abigail and Cicero.

- Ben: Aye.
- Caleb: Aye. Hear, hear.

And Judge Woodhull.

They gave of their
service selflessly.

You know, none of us
did this for the money.

Uh, but my farm
has suffered

for my absence,
and I'm afraid, uh...

I don't qualify
for veteran's pay, so...

I have recently appealed
to our Congress

to establish
a credible fund

to pay
for secret services--

With all due respect,
I can't wait for Congress!

I have to plant now!

Or I lose the season.

May I have a word in private with Mr.
Woodhull?

Certainly, sir.

What is your crop?

- Cabbage.
- Ah.

Deceptively simple.

I tested it
at Mount Vernon once,

but our soil has an
understratum of hard clay,

impervious to water.

Yeah, water
isn't my problem.

It's the, uh...
( sighs )

the maggots.

Worse than fungus.

( chuckles )

But if I can
plant later,

in the fall,

maybe I can avoid them.

( chuckles )

Who told you this?

Robert Rogers.

£154, 15 shillings,
and tenpence.

Correct?

I thought you had
to ask Congress.

I know what it is
to see your land in need.

I made no money from my
estate during the war

and brought none
home with me.

I nearly had to sell
Mount Vernon,

which would have been
too great a loss to bear.

But you have
already suffered such.

Uh, no, no.

This is, uh--
this is your own.

I can't accept this.

It was a very hard lesson,
but I have learned well.

A failure
to settle accounts

can turn friend to foe.

Whereas the payment of a debt
is freedom felt by all.

You are owed
much more than this.



Thank you.

( crying )

Our country owes
its life to heroes

whose names
it will never know.



( birds chirping )



( chuckles )

Abe:
"Dear Thomas,

as I look back on that day
some 30 years ago,

when our first crop
made it to harvest,

I remember thinking
how you had your whole life

in front of you.

Later, you say you wish
you could fight

for your country
just like your father did,

but... I never
told you everything

I did during the war.

Tonight, I want
to tell you the truth.

The revolution
never ends.

It was hallowed
as a triumph

of the righteous
over the wicked.

But the battle lines
were not clearly drawn.

The real war, the one
between good and evil,

was fought
within ourselves."

( coughing )

"How else to explain
that Robert Rogers,

a man who tried
to kill me,

taught me the trick
that saved our crop

and thus our family?

Or that Edmund Hewlett,

a man I tried to kill, became
a great man of science?

He once told me
the universe was a cold place

where love
had no purpose.

Yet he became
an astronomer of renown

and married the sister
of Sir William Herschel,

whose writings on the stars
you admire so much.

I grappled
with these contradictions,

though they were far
from the most troubling."

( wind whistling )

"In Upper Canada, the hated Colonel
Simcoe, now Governor Simcoe,

abolished slavery
in his province.

The man who took
your grandfather from us,

who oppressed
so many colonists..."

( birds chirping )

"...gave freedom

to generations of others."



"Just before
the British left New York,

General Washington
told Governor Carleton

that he intended to take
possession of all negroes

and other property of the
inhabitants of the southern states.

He asked for the boats
to be turned around."

Straight to the back.

- "The general didn't know his own
agent..." - Hey, you two, sit.

- "...355 was aboard one of them."
- Hey, sit down, you two!

- ( gasps ) Sorry.
- What? Get off of me. Get in there!

- Okay. ( gasps )
- Man: Now, is this it?

Man #2:
All right.

Abe: "We only learned
this years later,

after our ring received a
letter written in code..."

All right, good.
Move out.

"...and sent
from Nova Scotia."

( whip cracks )

( whinnies )

( all arguing )

"The greatest war..."

...that all men
are created equal.

"...is the one fought
within ourselves."

( men yelling )

"Washington wished
to return to his farm,

yet was called back
to serve his country

as the only man who could
unite our turbulent states.

It may be that the price
our new union

was to overlook
our greatest divide.

Or it may be that the bill will
come due with a vengeance.

These contradictions
tortured me for years.

And yet not every path
turns unexpectedly.

Some lead right where
they were pointing.

Your Uncle Brewster
remained water-bound

as captain of the Active,
guarding our coasts.

- A smuggler turned lawman."
- ( no audible dialogue )

( whoops )

This man is no hero!
I know for a...

Abe:
"And Congressman Tallmadge,

well, you know I never stop
talking about him.

Ben was always the most
well-known patriot of our ring

and a true believer
in the cause.

And yet, when Congress
sought to reward

the man that would capture
John André,

Tallmadge rose
to denounce them

as criminals
and scoundrels,

claiming that when
they removed André's boots,

it was to search
for plunder

and not
to detect treason.

Tallmadge broke our vow of
silence this one time only

to defend his enemy
in the war.

For if we spies don't stand
for one another,

who will?

Of course, the British
held André as a hero

and quickly forgot
about Benedict Arnold.

None of his future endeavors
came to fruition,

and he died
in his bed in 1801.

His wife, long rumored
to be André's lover,

returned to her family
in Philadelphia.

She passed in 1804.

And among
her personal things,

they discovered a lock
of André's hair,

given to her when she
was young and in love."

( bird warbling )

"Love is something easy
to conceal...

but hard to kill.

Though I love
your mother,

I also never stopped loving
a woman named Anna Strong."

Kids: ♪ London Bridge
is falling down ♪

♪ Falling down,
falling down... ♪

"Even though
someone is gone,

your love for them
lives on."

( waves crashing )

"I will always love you.

You fell
to a British musket

at the Battle of Bladensburg,
August 24th, 1814.

The revolution
never ends.

You always wanted to fight
for your country,

just like your father.

But I never told you everything
I did during the war.

Perhaps,
someday, somehow,

you'll get this letter.

But if not...

I'll tell you myself
when I see you.

And you can share with me
all you've learned...

from heaven.