By February, although there were no major sudden incidents, news of various regions gaining leadership in the revolutionary country kept arriving.
The politically sensitive figures in Philadelphia all knew that with the establishment of the revolutionary government's prestige, the trial of king Louis XVI was inevitable.
After the initial period of adjustment, the new Federal Government of the United States also began to perform its normal functions.
On March 1st, Franklin convened a cabinet meeting to discuss the attitude towards the French revolutionary government.
Due to the roles of Paine and General Charles in the French Revolution, the French revolutionary government placed great importance on its relationship with the United States.
Unable to obtain diplomatic recognition from neighboring countries in Europe, it decided to make a breakthrough with the United States, a traditional ally and revolutionary partner.
Therefore, it had already dispatched new envoys to Philadelphia to seek the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the United States.
Congress, due to its many voices, could maintain a vague policy towards France, refusing to respond with a unified stance.
However, the Federal Government led by Franklin had to take a clear stance on this matter.
At the meeting, however, the Republican Party's Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State, Morris and Monroe, had a fierce confrontation with the Democratic Party's National Security Advisor, Jefferson, on this issue.
They all advocated for maintaining good relations with the revolutionary government, but their views on whether to immediately grant diplomatic recognition to the revolutionary government were fundamentally opposed.
Morris and his colleagues, out of traditional alliance ties, were unwilling to establish formal diplomatic relations with the French Revolution while king Louis XVI was still alive and the royalists had not been completely defeated.
Moreover, the current French Ambassador to the United States was still appointed by the former Louis XVI, and after learning of the arrival of the revolutionary government's envoys, he had repeatedly demanded their expulsion.
The passive Department of State was in a very awkward position regarding this.
At the same time, conservative Republicans did not have much confidence in the future of the revolutionary government.
Jefferson of the Democratic Party, however, was influenced by democratic revolutionaries in this regard.
He believed that they should firmly stand with the revolutionary government, be the first to diplomatically recognize the French revolutionary government, in order to better develop relations between the two countries in the future, and he was convinced that the French Revolution would succeed.
The unstated reason was that the Americans currently in the French revolutionary government were mainly figures from their Democratic Party or pro-Democratic Party.
Once diplomatic relations were established with the revolutionary government, it would inevitably bring huge benefits to the Democratic Party.
In reality, the diplomatic work of the Department of State was mainly managed by Franklin himself.
The debate on this matter was merely a debate between Franklin and Jefferson on their policy towards France.
Most of the cabinet members understood this, but they felt helpless about Franklin tolerating Jefferson on this matter, despite their differing opinions.
Most Republicans, considering maintaining friendly relations with all parties and their own business interests, did not want to establish diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government at this time against the current.
If Franklin compromised with Jefferson on this matter, that would be the real big problem.
And Jefferson, in this regard, was unexpectedly stubborn, leaving Franklin at his wit's end.
If the cabinet were to split merely over whether or not to immediately establish diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government, that would be a very ridiculous matter.
So he could only seek out other powerful figures and ask them to come forward to mediate this matter.
After the Federalist Party weakened, the only one who could speak on this matter was naturally the Republican Party leader, Charles.
After only a few months, the independent government led by Franklin had to once again ask the Republican Party led by Charles for help.
Of course, this was not proposed by Franklin, but by Morris and Monroe, who could no longer stand it and proactively suggested it to Charles.
When Charles arrived at the humble Independence Hall again, he was pleased to see Hamilton and Monroe waiting at the door with welcoming expressions.
"Sirs! It's good to see you again.
It's been a long time since we've had a good get-together.
I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again!" Charles said with a smile, teasing Monroe and Hamilton.
Having just taken office, they were busy with government affairs and had somewhat neglected their relationship with Charles recently.
However, upon hearing Charles say this, Hamilton, who had always had a good relationship with him and considered him a guide for their political careers, immediately interjected:
"Your Excellency, we have always hoped to receive more of your guidance.
It is truly because of the performance of new duties and the busy handover procedures that we neglected to visit you, and for this, we are very sorry.
Now that we meet again, you must guide us more!"
"Yes! Mr. Godfrey, we are now facing a big problem and desperately need your guidance!" Monroe also said with a smile.
"Haha! You guys..." Charles smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He was here as a mediator this time, and giving guidance was already his plan; they didn't need to remind him.
However, taking advantage of the opportunity before officially meeting Franklin and others, he also inquired about the specific situation from the two of them in advance.
The cabinet's discussion on diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government was originally just a general affair, but as the debate arose, more and more people became involved.
Now, the importance of the matter has even reached the point where other countries' diplomatic personnel are participating.
Monroe, the new high-ranking official of the Department of State, has already received several diplomatic notes from countries such as Britain and Spain, hoping that the United States would not recognize the French revolutionary government.
As the matter expanded, Franklin, who initially did not want to openly dispute with Jefferson, had to personally come forward to negotiate with Jefferson.
However, at this time, Jefferson, encouraged by the democratic revolutionaries behind him, firmly held his position.
Even if Franklin forced him, he stated that he would rather resign to maintain his original opinion, leaving Franklin, who wanted to consider the overall situation, at his wit's end.
Charles and Monroe's conversation did not last long and was soon interrupted by Jefferson, who entered shortly after.
"Oh? My dear Charles, you've come too.
It seems this matter will involve debates between our parties again!"
"Haha! Thomas, don't say that yet.
The matter of relations with the Paris revolutionary government is merely a debate within your government's cabinet.
Our Republican Party is not prepared to intervene with a party-wide opinion on this." Charles said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Hahahaha... That's good! That's good!" Jefferson smiled stiffly and immediately urged Charles to go in with him and tell Franklin this opinion.
This surprised Monroe and Hamilton, who were nearby.
From Charles' previous opinions and those of other high-ranking Republican Party officials, opposing the immediate establishment of diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government was a clear matter.
And now, Jefferson and his Democratic Party had already demanded, with the unanimous opinion of the entire party, that the government establish diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government as soon as possible.
It would be in the interests of both the government and the Republican Party for the Republican Party to formally step forward and fully support the Franklin government.
Why did Charles say now that he would not interfere with party opinions?
With the same question, Jefferson, Monroe, and the others walked into the increasingly shabby Independence Hall.
As President, Franklin was naturally a long-term resident here and was already waiting in the round table meeting room.
As soon as Washington and Adams arrived, the meeting was ready to begin.
"Mr. President, I just asked Charles at the door, and he said that the Republican Party is not prepared to support your proposal not to establish diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government with the opinion of the entire party!" Jefferson said with a smile, speaking before Franklin.
"Oh..." Franklin, who was originally full of confidence, immediately looked at Charles in astonishment.
"Haha! That's right, because the high-ranking officials of the Republican Party have not reached a consensus on this matter, so it is impossible for us to support your opinion on this matter with the opinion of the entire party." Charles smiled and nodded to Franklin, confirming.
Franklin's heart immediately felt a wave of gloom.
Could it be that this young party chairman, because he had recently tried to reduce the ruling party's interference in the government, was angry with him and was no longer prepared to support his actions and those of the Federal Government?
Although he thought so, he still naturally asked:
"But I know that most of the high-ranking officials of the Republican Party seem to support not establishing diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government, don't they?"
"Haha! Mr. President, at least I oppose not establishing diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government.
In fact, I am very optimistic about the development prospects of the French revolutionary government and believe that establishing closer relations with them now is very much in the interests of the United States." Charles said slowly.
Charles deliberately spoke slowly to more clearly state his position on this matter.
Therefore, although his words surprised everyone present, they did not cause any questions, only Jefferson happily laughed:
"Hahahaha! Good, yes! I knew it, among the Republican Party, only you, Charles, still retain our original spirit of democratic revolution!"
As for Washington next to him, he did not nod in support or make similar gestures; his eyes were simply filled with admiration.