"My dear young man, the eyes of the world are upon us. To give a title to our leaders and rulers belongs to history. In the Roman republic great conquerors assumed even distinctive titles, as well as national ones."
"Then our Washington is superior to them. Let us be grateful that he has not yet called himself--Americanus. I like Doctor Kunz's idea of Washington best, but I see not how it could be put into a civil title."
"Doctor Kunz! Doctor Kunz! Oh yes, of the Dutch congregation. Pray what is it?"
"'And there came up a lion out of Judah.' My grandfather is an elder in that church, and he said the verse and the sermon on it lifted the people to their feet."
"That might do very well for one side of a state seal; but it is a proper prefix we need. I don't think we can say 'Your Majesty the President.'"
"I should think not," replied Mrs. Adams with an air of decision.
"Chief Justice McKean thinks 'His Serene Highness the President of the United States' is very suitable. Roger Sherman is of the opinion that neither 'His Highness' nor 'His Excellency' are novel and dignified enough; and General Muhlenberg says Washington himself is in favour of 'High Mightiness,' the title used by the Stadtholder of Holland."
"That would please the Dutch-Americans," said Mrs. Adams--" if a title at all is necessary, which I confess I cannot understand. Is it to be 'High Mightiness' then?" she asked with a little laugh.
"I think not. Muhlenberg, however, has seriously offended the President by making a joke of the proposition; and I must say, it was ill-timed of Muhlenberg, and not what I should have expected of him."
"But what was the joke?"
"Something to the effect that if the office was certain to be held by men as large as Washington, the title of 'High Mightiness' would not be amiss; but that if a little man--say like Aaron Burr--should be elected, the title would be a ridiculous one. The fact is, Muhlenberg is against any title whatever but that of 'President of the United States.'"
"And how will you vote, John?"
"In favour of a title. Certainly, I shall. Your Majesty is a very good prefix. It would draw the attention of England, and show her that we were not afraid to assume 'the majesty' of our conquest."
"And if you wish to please France," continued Mrs. Adams--"which seems the thing in fashion--you might have the prefix 'Citizen.' 'Citizen Washington' is not bad."
"It is execrable, Mrs. Adams; and I am ashamed that you should make it, even as a pleasantry."