A scene from “Reunion”

[King George III receives John Adams at the Court of St. James, the first time the King has met with an emissary from the United States]

John Adams: The United States of America... The United States of America have appointed me minister plenipotentiary to Your Majesty. I think myself more fortunate than all of my fellow citizens in having the distinguishing honor of being the first to stand in Your Majesty's presence in a diplomatic character. I shall esteem myself the happiest of men if I can be instrumental in restoring the confidence and affection, or, in better words, the good old nature and the good old humour between peoples who, though separated by an ocean and under different governments, have the same language, the same religion, and kindred blood. I beg Your Majesty's permission to add that though I have been before entrusted by my country, it was never in my whole life in a manner more agreeable to myself.

King George III: The circumstances of this audience are so extraordinary, the language you have held is so extremely proper, and the feelings you have discovered so justly adapted to the occasion that I not only receive with pleasure the assurance of the friendly disposition of the United States, but I am very glad that the choice has fallen on you to be their minister. I will be very frank with you. I was the last to consent to separation. But the separation having been made and having become inevitable, I have always said, as I say now, that I would be the first to meet the friendship of the United States as an independent power.

John Adams: Thank you, Your Majesty.

King George III: There is an opinion among some people, Mr. Adams, that you are not the most attached of all your countrymen to the manners of France.

John Adams: [suppresses laughter] Yes, well, I avow to Your Majesty that I have no attachment to any country but my own.

King George III: An honest man will never have any other.