30 May 2012
The year is 1767 and the British Empire has now achieved a secure footing in the North American continent by prying control of the colonies from the French after a series of strategic victories in a difficult campaign for the 13 colonies and Canada. The Empire currently holds strongholds in India, Africa, Gibraltar and island colonies in the Atlantic and Pacific. The empire is in it's birthing, still demanding recognition for it's very existence, however the men behind it are power hungry and ambitious making it's growth inevitable.
In a secret meeting at the palace of Westminster the unhindered and healthy King George III led a discussion of intent about the future of the colonies. Present were the most influential men in the entire empire; the room was full holding about twenty prominent figures including the King, the first Prince, the Prime minister and various military generals all dressed in official uniforms and adornment.
"Now then, how should the matter of the colonies proceed in your eyes", the disconcerting monarch blazed down the table.
"Well your highness, the colonies have been dragged by insecurity and poverty for far too long. I suggest we begin to implement a long term regeneration plan", Lord North the prime minister of the time was steady tempered man with a simplistic ideology. He and George III shared a ferocious patriotism, but his desire for common decency out weighed any aggressive tendencies in decision making.
"Excellent intentions Lord North, however how do propose this regeneration go ahead? Surely the populace will wish adequate representation.", George the Prince of Wales was an intelligent and shrewd man, always exuding a sense of duty towards the subjects of the Empire.
The King and his eldest son shared a name, mutual respect and admiration for each other, however their discontent for each other was also very apparent.
"George, your expression shows you have something more to add." the King and the Prince shared a unique understanding of each others thought processes.
"I only wish for peaceful progression for our subjects, I wish to hear Lord North's strategy" the Prince replied, with a bored expression, the King knew his son was not keen in revealing his true motives prematurely.
Taking the cue Lord North began,"for the time being the colonies will need to invest a larger sum into tax payments due to the industrial progression needed. The treasury and the ministers, as well as I, feel that even though the new colonies are much more civilised than what the East India company has to develop, the level of investment still required for long term progression is much too high to allow them the right to self governance at this time."
"The East India company has a different cohort of subjects to deal with, Lord North. I don't see the wisdom in withholding the right to dominion status from fellow countrymen.", the Prince had predicted such a decision as the most likely scenario, but still he found it quite disbelieving.
"If I may by permission of your royal highness speak frankly.", this interjection was caused by a very stern and respected Lord Chatman. He sat there with his broad shouldered posture adorned in his blue and red admiral uniform, his cold blue eyes silently scanned the room for signs of resistance. He was a calculating and wilful man, with a fiercely imperialist view on the empire, he commanded a respect and authority even the King himself was jealous of.
"By all means Lord Chatman, I wouldn't want to leave without your input", the Prince replied with an obviously nonchalant tone, failing to hide his disdain.
"Lord Chatman, your opinion is of great importance to me!", George III bellowed with an enthusiastic flair.
The imposing figure of Lord Chatman drew the gravity towards itself, "How can an incomplete colony be granted dominion status?! The thirteen colonies of America are hardly to be coveted when an entire continent is still for the picking!"
Although Lord North and Lord Chatman famously got along even he found great difficulty in cutting in to his speech, "My friend, are you actually implying we conquer what's left of the continent? We will have the whole northern part of the continent incorporated in to the Canadian province in the up and coming years coupled with the planned advancements in the existing colonies.."
"Let me stop you there Lord North", the overpowering charisma of Lord Chatman quickly took precedence again, "I do not mean the rest of the continent, I mean all of it!"
Even the King was shocked by this proposition, any lesser man would be branded a fool and instantly be disregarded but such a serious statement from the Imperial General. It meant more.
"Are you serious? Such a move would instantly spark another bloody war with the rest of Europe! The Spanish and Dutch are already planning for conflict"
Lord North's surprise was met with abhorrent disregard, "They will loose... My intelligence from the colonies show serious and rampant signs of anti-parliamentary and rebellious organisations bring created to promote this wretched liberalist propaganda! This empire must command power in order to exist and expanding the North American territories will firmly place Britain as the leading power in all of Europe."
"Lord Chatman, I believe you cleverly don't tell us that what your actually trying to achieve. Your trying to quash the revolutionaries aren't you?", the Prince had seen right through the obvious salesmanship of the speech, however he believed it to easy and wondered what Lord Chatman was actually after.
The King finally intervened, " Lord Chatman makes a valid point and I will obviously consider it with great weight and diligence, however Lord North as prime minister your views and decisions must be respected, so in the time being I rule it so that parliament have there way!"
This set in motion the events to set the empire on a course to the point of hyper-power status. The taxes on the colonies were set and the revolutionaries only gained support, but support for the monarchy was still very large. The general view was that people in the colonies were treated inferiorly to the people back at home, however with so many third and fourth generation colony subject, what was really home? The American colonies were at a cross road, and the empire had to make a decision.
Britannia: The Path Unseen. • Opuss № I