When one fears to believe and cares not to understand, he lives in a prison within himself.  But if he seeks a dream and holds it deep within his heart, he unlocks the gates and rides the winds of freedom. 

                                                                                                     by Denise M. McShane 8-11-1982

In the hearts of the people in Colonial America, the winds of freedom stir. Things are in a state of rebellion due to the imposition of acts legislated by Parliament which have increased taxes and duties without any representation from the colonies. Even high-profile merchants with fleets of ships, such as John Hancock, are suffering, while less prominent merchants find they can turn no profit at all. The more Great Britain enforces its will, the more the colonists become enraged, eventually igniting the American Revolution.

When the war ends in victory for the 13 colonies, ship captain JOHN TAYLOR of Newport, Rhode Island believes only Great Britain’s acceptance will ensure that the new country gains respect from the rest of the world. He dares to be the first to venture to England to reinstate trade with Great Britain for the now independent nation. His greatest deterrent is his longtime adversary, ALBERT RALEIGH CHELMSFORD III, a wealthy London merchant.

Taylor enlists his best friend IAN WILLIAMSON, a Harvard educated lawyer, to be his first mate. Leaving behind Ian’s apprehensive wife, REBECCA, and Taylor’s latest love interest, ANNIE WORTH, the two men set off with a small crew on the most important mission of their lives.