The Red City: A Novel of the Second Administration of President Washington

Set against the restless Atlantic of 1792, the story opens aboard the brig Morning Star as it limps into Delaware Bay after weeks of storm‑tossed days. Captain John Maynard, a weather‑worn seaman with a quick wit, welcomes a young French émigré, De Courval, whose family has fled the turmoil of Europe and now clings to the kindness of strangers. Their tentative friendship unfolds over shared rum, a pipe, and quiet conversations about loss, hope, and the fragile promise of a new life in a fledgling nation.

Beyond the deck, the narrative paints a vivid portrait of post‑revolutionary America—its bustling ports, the emerging political tensions of Washington’s second term, and the mingling of diverse peoples seeking purpose. As the crew prepares to anchor and the evening light fades, the characters confront personal debts and unspoken obligations, hinting at the larger moral choices that will shape their futures. The opening promises a richly layered tale of loyalty, displacement, and the quiet heroism found in everyday acts of compassion.