Chapter 67: Chapter 65: After the War…

Long Island, the United States of America
June 1st, 1777

"You holding up alright Timothy?" Samuel asked the African American man.

Timothy gave him a toothy grin, "Never better, sir. The work isn't easy, but I'm getting the hang of it."

The two of them were in the Long Island ironworks, which was owned and operated by Samuel. Setting up the ironworks wasn't a simple task, but with the assistance of Pelissier and George Read (who also had an ironwork near Maryland), he managed to turn his dream of an ironworks into a reality. The ironworks wasn't completely finished yet, but there were a number of laborers working on projects within. Timothy Kim, the former Private First Class of the Continental Marines, was one of the Marines that signed up to work under his former commander. Since most of the Marines were honorably discharged (with the exception of the Marines in Kentucky), the ones that didn't have a family to go back sought for work. When the news spread amongst the men that the former commandant of the Marines needed workers for his new projects, dozens of Marines took the chance to "serve" under him once again.

"He's a fast learner," Luke Watson, one of the ironworks experts that Kim borrowed from Read, stated, "Of course, I also have a number of things to learn from Mr. Pelissier's men, but the ironworks is coming around nicely. I would say that by the end of winter, we'll have the ironworks operation at full capacity."

"That's good to hear," Samuel nodded as Timothy returned to his work, "What about the Pelissier Process. How long until that is implemented in this ironworks?"

Watson rubbed his chin, "Maybe a few months, give it or take. That process is certainly brilliant and will revolutionize iron and steel as we know it, but we will need to set up the ironworks proper before we make any attempts to build the proper tools for that process here."

"And the current projects that you are carrying out?"

"We're making good process. We have produced a dozen or so iron plows so far. Four of them were defective, but the quality of the products will improve as the skills of the laborers improve. The grain cradle has the same problems, but the problem will fix itself as time goes on, just like the iron plows. We're still in the testing stages, so it'll take some time for this ironworks to truly match up with the Pelissier Ironworks or the Principo Ironworks down in Maryland."

"Take as long as you need," The Asian man replied, "You don't need to produce any en masse. Focus on the quality and the training of the men. I will continue to finance the ironworks until we are ready to start normal productions."

The ironworks manager nodded, "Will do."

After a long two-hour horse ride from Long Island to Lower Manhattan, Samuel finally arrived at his two-story residence in New York City and entered, "I'm home!"

"Samuel!" A little boy shouted as he ran up to the man.

"Hello Richard," Samuel said as he enveloped him into a hug, "Where are your brothers?"

"With Miss Elizabeth upstairs. She's teaching them English."

"And why aren't you up there with them?"

Richard frowned, "I don't like English very much. I just want to grow up and become an officer like you and dad!"

The Asian man chuckled and ruffled the young boy's hair, "Well then, you need to be well-educated! You can't become an officer if you can't read and write. It might be boring, but English is very important. So go back up there and take part in the lesson."

"Yes Samuel," Richard ran upstairs and disappeared out of his sights.

Samuel picked up a newspaper that Elizabeth bought in the morning and walked into the kitchen. As he made himself some coffee, he read through the headlines and smiled at the news he read. The peace treaty with Britain was officially signed and British North America was entirely in American hands. And while the United States needed to compensate the Loyalists that fled (and the news reported that Loyalists were already leaving in mass droves), there was finally peace in the North American Continent. Additionally, Massachusetts and Quebec had ratified the Constitution in the past two weeks (the former ratified through the State legislature, the latter held a referendum), bringing the total number of states to seven. If three more states ratified, then the Constitution would become law and the United States would officially be formed. There were plans by the Continental Congress to transition into a peacetime government and serve as the interim government until the government was elected in 1780. So for the next several years, the delegates would be extremely busy putting together a new nation.

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As he thought about his own printing shop (he had acquired a local New York printing shop, renamed it into the New York Times, and had placed several standards/requirements for the shop to make before it began printing), Elizabeth walked downstairs with the boys, "Welcome back! You're earlier than usual."

It was certainly odd that Elizabeth was staying with him, even though they had a relationship. According to colonial standards, living together with a man before marriage was heavily frowned upon. But in the North Carolinian girl's case, it was a bit different. She was a long way from home and she was determined to get together with Samuel as soon as possible. While Samuel didn't mind too much, since he did love Elizabeth and thought she was a wonderful woman, he just wanted to take things a bit more slowly until marriage. Elizabeth didn't mind and had no qualms moving into his home until he was ready (which really shocked him, but then again, she was a hardy, independent farm girl). While he was away for his businesses, she took care of the kids and educated them.

The three boys mobbed Samuel in the kitchen, nearly making him spill his coffee, "Samuel!"

"Good to see you three," The man said with a smile. He also gave Elizabeth a light peck on the cheeks, "Did you study hard?"

"I can count to one hundred!" Henry declared confidently.

Samuel had to laugh at that statement, "Congratulations, Henry."

“How were the arsenal and ironworks?”

" I didn't have to visit the arsenal in Staten Island. I'm planning to visit the arsenal early tomorrow morning, but since its evening, I wanted to spend more time with all of you since I've been busy lately. Now, how about we cook some supper together?"

Before the children could reply, someone knocked on the front door. When the owner of the house answered, a person he never expected to see was at the front door, "Good evening Samuel"

"Mr. Liviginston! Come in, please."

Robert R. Livingston, one of the framers of the Constitution and a prominent figure in New York, stepped into the house, "I apologize for the sudden intrusion, but the news I hold is fairly urgent."

"No worries. We were just about to make some dinner for the evening, care to join us?"

"No, no. I wouldn't want to exploit your hospitality," Livingston said with a chuckle. He pulled out a piece of parchment he was carrying and handed it to Samuel, "This is for you."

Samuel skimmed through the content of the paper and his eyes widened, "But I just settled in New York."

The Founder lowered his voice and leaned in, "Well, knowing the other history, I think we might need your assistance in convincing the others that this is the right step forward. I have already heard a lot of discontent in the Assembly about the Constitution. If you support the document publicly in that convention, I believe it will tip the scales in our favor. Especially due to your prestige and service in the Revolutionary War."

"And when will this convention take place?"

"In two weeks, at the statehouse."

"I will be there, I promise.”

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