by Ginny Dye
“Robert Borden! What a pleasure to have you at Cromwell Plantation. Welcome.” Abigail moved forward graciously to greet him. “Please meet my husband, Thomas Cromwell. We’re thrilled you could join us tonight,” she said warmly.
Carrie lowered her eyes in time to catch Robert staring at her. Flushing, she smiled slightly and dropped her eyes just as Robert tore his own gaze away from her.
Bowing low over Abigail’s hand, Robert spoke smoothly. “It’s my pleasure indeed, Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell. It was so kind of you to offer me your hospitality while I make my way to Charleston.”
Carrie’s father looked at him more carefully. “You’re on your way to Charleston, Robert?”
Robert nodded. “Yes, sir. The Democratic convention is there in just nine days. When I’m not working my plantation, my interest is in politics. I want to be as close to the action of what is happening in our country as possible.”
Thomas nodded, studying him thoughtfully. “How old are you, son?”
“Twenty-one, Mr. Cromwell.”
Abigail laid a hand on her husband’s arm. “You can have this conversation inside,” she said graciously. “I’m sure Robert would like to get cleaned up and I imagine he’s famished after traveling all day.
Robert laughed. “You’re right, m’am. Dinner sounds very inviting. It won’t take me but a moment to freshen up.”
Abigail nodded. “Before I have you shown to your room, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Carrie.”
Robert turned eagerly. “How do you do, Miss Cromwell? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Carrie pulled her thoughts back from galloping Granite through the wet fields. Smiling, she extended her hand as he bowed over it. “Thank you, Mr. Borden. It’s a pleasure to have you at Cromwell Plantation.” She almost laughed at his bemused expression.
Robert turned to follow Abigail into the house.
Carrie watched them go and then reached for her father’s arm, detaining him on the porch. Both stood silently while Abigail led their visitor into the hallway. They heard her clear voice giving directions to Sam, the butler, to take Robert upstairs. Shortly after, they heard her footsteps retiring to the kitchen to check on last minute preparations for dinner.
Carrie smiled up at her father. “I’m sorry about earlier. I never meant to be caught in the storm. I lost track of time. I’m truly sorry I upset mother.”
Thomas smiled down at her fondly. “Your mother can’t help being the way she is, Carrie.”
“And I can’t help being the way I am”, Carrie said quietly, yet firmly.
Thomas looked at her thoughtfully. “You went to your place today.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. It was such a beautiful day. I had to get away.” Carrie gazed at her father beseechingly. “I know I haven’t tried very hard to be what mother wants me to be. But I can’t. I’ve thought about trying to change - about being different.” Her level voice took on a strained tone. “But I can’t. I have to be me. I’m sorry it makes her so unhappy.”
Thomas wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulder. “Don’t ever be sorry for who you are, Carrie. Your mother will be fine. It will take time, though. Don’t be too hard on her. The situation in the country is scaring her. She is afraid of losing all she has ever known. I’m afraid she takes it as an insult that her only daughter doesn’t share her deep feelings about plantation life.”
Carrie wheeled to look up into his eyes. “You know I love the plantation, Father. I just can’t get excited about having my whole life revolve around running it.”
Thomas nodded again, took her arm, and began to walk toward the front doors. “I know, Carrie. But right now we have company to entertain. I believe I heard the young fellow’s footsteps on the stairway. We need to go in. We can talk more later if you would like.” Then he smiled impishly, “I think, though, that there is a young man who will be very disappointed if he doesn’t get to spend as much time as possible with one Carrie Cromwell.” He put his hand on the doorknob and then stopped to gaze down into her eyes. “It will take a special man to win your heart, Carrie. Someone who can love your free spirit and fiery independence.” His sober tone caused Carrie to stare at him, but then he continued with a gentle smile. “You will steal and break the hearts of many young men. Take compassion on them,” he said softly. Without waiting for an answer, he opened the door and walked in.
Carrie had no time to respond, for as they entered the house, Robert Borden appeared around the corner of the foyer.
“What a wonderful home, Mr. Cromwell! It’s every bit as beautiful inside as it is outside.” Robert’s voice was sincerely enthusiastic.
“Thank you, Robert. This house is very special to my family. It dates back to the 1700’s. My family were some of the first people to settle Virginia.”
“You must be very proud of them, sir.”
“I am. They have left me a legacy I sometimes struggle to live up to. Most importantly, they helped give me a country I am proud to be a part of.”
Robert nodded eagerly. “I had heard you felt that way, sir. That’s one reason I’m here. Do you think the Union will stand, sir?”
Thomas managed a dry laugh. “You certainly know how to get right to the point, young man.”
Robert merely nodded. “The time for idle chatter seems to be long gone. I know there are still many in Virginia who long to see the Union stand firm, but I’m afraid we’re becoming a minority in the South.”
Thomas nodded but inclined his head toward the dining room. “Why don’t we have this discussion at dinner, Robert? I know you’re hungry.”
Robert looked discomfited. “Will we not bore the women with talk of politics, sir? I don’t wish to appear rude. We can talk after dinner if you wish.”
Thomas smiled. “My wife has learned to accept my passion for politics lately. My daughter seems to thrive on it.” With those words, he led the way into the dining room.
Carrie managed to stifle her laugh as she followed them. She loved the huge dining room with its mahogany table that would comfortably seat fourteen. When needed, there were panels to extend its length for special occasions. An impressive sideboard, two smaller tables and old mahogany chairs in abundant supply lined the walls, with the exception of the wall that was mainly arched windows looking out over the horse pastures in the distance.
The next hour flew by as course after course of delicious Virginia victuals were placed before them. Servants standing by with peacock feathers made sure the first of the spring flies didn’t land on the piles of sumptuous food laid before them. Conversation while they ate remained general and light - ranging from the weather, to horses, to planting conditions.
Finally, Thomas leaned back in his chair, lit the pipe handed to him by one of the table servants, and nodded toward his young visitor. “You asked me a very important question before dinner. It’s one I hope with all my heart I have the right answer for. You asked me if I think the Union will stand. Robert, the Union must stand. I fear the consequences if the secessionists have their way.”
“I too, sir.” Robert responded quickly, obviously eager to talk politics. He leaned forward, his face tightened with anticipation. “Yet their power seems to be growing; especially in the cotton states. I fear what their hot-headed passion will mean for those of us here in Virginia.”
Abigail broke into the conversation, her voice soft and almost pleading. “Thomas, must we really talk of politics again? Mr. Borden surely does not want to fill his evening with this senseless ramble about what the North and South are going to do to each other.” She smiled brightly at Robert. “Can’t we just have a pleasant evening? He is our guest.”
Robert turned his most charming smile on her. “Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Cromwell. But politics is exactly what I would love to spend my evening discussing. Especially with your husband. I have long admired him from a distance. I would love to know his thoughts on the issues besieging our country today.” He reached out a hand to touch h
er arm. “I hope you will not find me an ungrateful guest for wanting some of his time.”
Abigail relented gracefully. “Certainly not. We are glad to have you as our guest. Rising from the table, she beckoned to her daughter. “Carrie and I will leave you to your discussion.”
“I believe I’ll stay here, Mother.” Carrie felt Robert’s gaze on her but merely gazed steadily at her mother.
Abigail gave Carrie a despairing look but said nothing more before she left the room. Thomas winked at Carrie and turned back to his guest. “I understand your concern, Robert. Our country, North and South seems to be full of hot-headed people who are allowing their passionate hearts to rule over their heads. Yet, in Virginia especially, there is still a large number who are still allowing their heads to rule.”
Robert nodded thoughtfully as he settled back into his chair. “Many of my neighbors in Goochland County think the only way for the South to maintain the life we have always known is to secede. Their arguments are impressive, sir.”
Thomas gave Robert a penetrating stare. “And what do you think?”
Robert met his probing gaze with unflinching eyes. “I think I am very confused, sir. My allegiance has always been to the Union. I’m a Southerner but my years of schooling in the North have given me many Yankee friends and a love for the country as a whole. Yet the North seems to want to destroy the only way of life many of us have ever known. I’m not sure how I feel about standing by and letting them do that. I, too, am afraid of what secession what mean, but daily I grow just as afraid of what remaining in the Union will mean. That, I suppose, is my main reason for making the trip all the way to Charleston. What happens at the Democratic Convention will have much to do with what happens in our country in the next year or so. There is already much division among the Democratic Party. I fear things could become more heated in Charleston.”
“The problem with the secessionists is that they don’t understand what secession would really do to the South.”
Robert turned his eyes toward Carrie. “What do you mean, Miss Cromwell?” His voice was courteous but slightly flustered.
Carrie hid a smile. It was obvious he had never had a political discussion with a female before. “Our strength as a country lies in the very unity of our country. Secessionists fear that union will mean the loss of their lifestyle. I think secession will guarantee the loss of that lifestyle. The North needs our agricultural strength. We need their industrial strength. But most importantly, I don’t think the founders of this country - my ancestors - gave their blood and such a mighty effort for freedom just to see it tossed away when we can’t agree. There must be a way to keep our country together!” Her eyes flashed as she finished, her napkin twisted in her fist. Her mother’s obvious fear earlier that evening had given a fresh spark to all she had learned in her conversations with her father and from her reading.
Thomas spoke again as Robert continued to gaze at Carrie. “My daughter speaks my heart as well. Secession is not the answer for the South. I’m afraid if the secessionists in this country are allowed to win this battle, all I have lived and struggled for will cease to exist. I do not believe a peaceable secession is possible. No liquid but blood has ever filled the baptismal fount of nations.”
Robert frowned and looked back at Thomas. “So you believe, sir, that secession will mean war?”
“I’m afraid so,” Thomas nodded sadly. “And war of any kind is always horrible and destructive. It would mean nothing but tragedy for our country.”
Silence reigned at the table for several minutes as the three of them looked forward into the future, saddened by what could occur if the hotheads of the country had their way.
Robert broke the silence. “The abolitionists of the North are becoming more strident. That is one reason I have returned home from college, in spite of having just a few months left before I would have earned my degree. People from the South are becoming very unpopular in the North these days. Several of my classmates returned with me. I intend to finish my degree somewhere in the South.”
“Ah, yes…” Thomas tapped his pipe, anger flitting across his face and sharpening his voice. “The abolitionists. I wonder if they really know the troubles they are stirring up down here? I wonder if they are ready to deal with the true consequences if they get their way?”
“They demand total emancipation of the slaves, sir.”
“Yes”, Thomas acknowledged tersely. “It would mean the end of our civilization as we know it.”
“Why, Father?” The question slipped from Carrie’s mouth before she realized she had spoken. She wasn’t even sure where the question had come from. But it was spoken. She waited for her father to answer.
“Slavery is the cornerstone of the South. I don’t believe freedom for the South is possible without slavery. It is the basis for our entire civilization.” Thomas drew deeply on his pipe and settled back into his chair, warming to his subject.
Carrie was surprised by the immediate reaction that surged through her. She did not for the life of her know why her heart was rebelling at her father’s words. She had heard them plenty of times before and had simply accepted them as truth. Why was she questioning them now? Fastening her eyes on her beloved parent, she listened.
“The abolitionists in the North simply don’t understand the way of life in the South. Oh, I know they ramble on about the desire of the slaves to be free and I know they even help some of them obtain that freedom, but they aren’t looking at the long range consequences of their thoughtless, and reckless, actions. Our Negroes are quite simply fulfilling their destiny. And I, as a slave owner, am fulfilling my destiny. My destiny is to take care of the Negroes God has given to me. My Negroes are quite simply a part of my family. It is my responsibility to provide for their protection, happiness and welfare. It is their job to fulfill the responsibilities they hold.”
“I quite agree with you, sir,” Robert broke in, “but the abolitionists are stirring up people in the North with wild tales of abuse and mistreatment of the slaves.”
Thomas nodded, “Unfortunately, there are a few rare cases where the slaves are not treated as they should be. Much of that comes from the rising class of slave owners. Unlike those of us who view our position of masters as a somber responsibility, there are those who view the slave only as a profit center. The new owners work hard at some profession until they have money to obtain land and slaves. Then they hire an overseer and remain in town while the Negroes do their work and are sometimes abused. But that doesn’t make slavery a bad thing. It simply means there are people in the system who abuse the power God has given them.” He paused to dump the ashes from his pipe and then carefully repack it. He seemed lost in thought. Robert and Carrie waited for him to continue. “The truth is, the slaves quite simply couldn’t exist outside the world of slavery. They need us. Left to their own devices, they have neither the mental ability nor the motivation to survive. That’s why it is part of my destiny to care for them. I freely acknowledge that all I have is due to the work and effort they give me. But that is simply the fulfillment of their part of the plan of destiny.”
Unbidden, vivid images crowded into Carrie’s mind. The intelligent shine of Rose’s eyes. The eager thirst for knowledge as they studied together. Old Sarah bent over the fire in her cabin reading her Bible. Miles carefully crafting new shoes for a tiny foal born with a twisted leg. Were these people of mental inferiority? Were they incapable of taking care of themselves? Somehow she knew the images crowding her mind were the source of her most recent questions.
Carrie’s father continued, pulling her thoughts back to the table, “Take the load of slaves I purchased yesterday...”
“You’ve purchased more slaves, Father?” Carrie didn’t know why the idea bothered her. It never had before.
“Yes, Carrie. There are several owners in Virginia who are afraid war may be coming so they are selling their slaves to large plantations farther south in order to recoup some of their investment. I
think differently. I hope with all my heart that war will not come. And I will fight with everything I have to keep that from happening. But if war does come, the South will be victorious. Of that I am certain. It makes sense to buy as many slaves as possible for that time. There was a fine lot being offered today. I purchased ten - six women and four men.”
Carrie merely nodded, her face impassive.
Robert, however, grew enthusiastic as Thomas talked. “I’d never thought about it that way before, sir. When I return from Charleston I intend to strengthen the stock I have. My brother and I have both been in school lately and have not been able to attend to crop planting as much as we would desire. We have kept my mother very comfortable with breeding.”
“Breeding?” Carrie had never heard of such a thing. She noticed her father open his mouth as if to stop Robert’s explanation and then he shut it again, sitting back in his chair to listen.
“Yes,” Robert responded casually, with a touch of pride in his voice. “My brother and I buy mostly female slaves. They usually prove to be quite prolific in their production of children. The market for young slaves is quite strong. We do quite well selling off our stock on a yearly basis.”
Carrie couldn’t stop the feeling of bile rising in her throat. Robert raised black children simply to sell them away from their mothers? She had developed a genuine liking for Robert as she had listened to his conversation with her father. Confusion rose to choke her as she stared at him. How could anyone do such a thing?
Thomas seemed to sense her disgust and spoke quickly, his voice soft but firm. “It is necessary to do what we must - all of us. Destiny is a hard taskmaster, even when quietly and philosophically obeyed.” His voice deepened. “Resisting our destiny would cause destruction and mayhem. Some say we should set the slaves free to flounder in their very freedom. I think not. Our destiny is linked with theirs. We are bound to them, and wisdom teaches us not to cut them loose. It is in this way that we truly show our respect for the Negro.”
