Chapter 113
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: To the Land of Opportunity (3)
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The political landscape of the United States in 1841 was anything but tranquil.
The Amistad trial, which had caused diplomatic friction with Spain, had spiraled into a debate over the legality of slavery, splitting the entire nation into two factions engaged in a fierce dispute.
Adding to the turmoil, the newly inaugurated President Harrison died just one month after his inauguration.
Suddenly, Vice President John Tyler was thrust into the presidency, sparking an unexpected controversy over whether a vice president who inherits the office becomes the president or merely acts as one.
It seemed that stability might return to the political sphere when John Tyler drew a firm line, asserting that he was indeed the president. However, this was merely a prelude.
A clash between the ruling Whig Party and President John Tyler over the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States ended with the Whigs expelling the president from their party.
Ultimately, the ambitiously formed cabinet resigned en masse, with the exception of Secretary of State Webster, and Tyler's political capital vanished in a mere five months.
For the first time in history, a president who had succeeded to the office became an independent, with no party affiliation.
Under these circumstances, the government could hardly function properly. With no shield to protect him from the criticism of the press or intellectuals, he was forced to fight a lonely battle.
It was then that a massive wave of Irish immigrants began pouring into neighboring Canada, and the man in charge of it all, a minister of the British Empire, scheduled a visit to the United States.
Tyler, who had become little more than a lame duck just five months into his term, saw Killian's upcoming visit as a golden opportunity.
If he could make a strong impression here, the citizens would rally behind him, and he could also land a blow against the Whig Party that had ousted him.
“Minister Killian Gore is said to arrive in a week. What does the schedule look like?”
“As he is a minister of the British Empire coming in person, I, as Secretary of State, have arranged to meet him directly. After discussing various diplomatic issues with you, Your Excellency, he is scheduled to meet with the senators.”
“This visiting Minister Gore is said to be one of the most prominent moderates in the British Empire. I trust that information is accurate?”
“According to Representative Adams, who recently served as a special envoy to the British Empire, that is the case.”
“I hear he will be staying in Canada for some time as a plenipotentiary envoy, ranked even higher than the Governor-General… Do you think there's a chance he might implement policies that could be problematic for us?”
His popularity was already at rock bottom; if friction with Canada—or more accurately, the British Empire—arose, he might genuinely face impeachment.
Conversely, if he could secure a major concession from the British, he could magnificently reverse the current atmosphere.
“Based on the available information, it is highly unlikely that Minister Gore will be hostile toward us. However, large-scale immigration policies and pioneering projects always give rise to land disputes, so the possibility of minor conflicts is ever-present.”
“Indeed… We are also in constant dispute with the Mexican territories. But if both sides are resolute, wouldn't any conflict be easily resolved? You, Mr. Secretary, are a renowned expert within our United States.”
Secretary of State Daniel Webster was one of the five most esteemed senators in the Senate, particularly well-regarded for his deep understanding of Britain.
He was also the one who had remained in his post when all other cabinet members resigned, arguing for the importance of continuity in foreign policy.
While their opinions often clashed on various domestic issues, the President trusted and followed Webster's judgment on matters of foreign policy.
Especially with an issue involving Britain like this one, it was crucial for Secretary of State Webster to play a conspicuous role.
“The British Empire has also just formed a new government, so they likely have no intention of causing trouble. Ah, but according to Representative Adams, Minister Gore is a fervent supporter of the abolition of slavery.”
“Hmm… That could be problematic. If he voices such opinions, it could give the abolitionists in the North an excuse to run wild. Let us avoid the topic of slavery as much as possible.”
After all, the British Empire had already abolished slavery, so it was only natural that a minister of its government would hold a negative view on the matter.
However, President Tyler hailed from Virginia, a state that staunchly supported slave ownership, and he himself owned slaves.
Secretary of State Webster was from the North, but he was reluctant to address the issue, believing the slavery controversy could tear the United States in two.
If one had to categorize him, he was closer to a compromiser than a supporter or an opponent.
Therefore, he could be trusted not to bring up a topic that would only stir up trouble.
As expected, Webster nodded with a complicated expression and let out a low sigh.
“Of course, I would never bring up that subject with a minister from a country that has already abolished slavery. However, Minister Gore is already scheduled to meet with members of Congress, and there is a risk that the abolitionists there might deliberately raise the issue…”
“Indeed, that is quite possible. Adams, in particular, will almost certainly bring up abolition… This could cause another uproar in Congress and the government.”
The Amistad affair had just concluded. The mere thought of a similar debate erupting again was dizzying.
But, thinking about it differently, if he could silence the abolitionists here, couldn't he regain support, at least in the South?
It wouldn't be easy if Killian Gore was an abolitionist, but as a minister of a foreign country, he surely couldn't comment freely on the internal affairs of the United States.
If he could skillfully leverage this position, there might be a way.
“For now, Mr. Secretary, please welcome Minister Gore with the utmost cordiality. We must meet and speak with him directly to ascertain his true disposition. For the time being, I entrust this matter to you.”
No matter how brilliant a genius he might be, the man was just a youth barely past twenty, while Secretary Webster was a veteran of veterans who had dedicated his sixty-year life to politics and diplomacy.
The ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity, a perilous path into a way forward, was a skill forged by experience rather than talent.
Tyler had no intention of finishing the rest of his term as a lame-duck president.
He would use this opportunity as a springboard to make a comeback and then ride the momentum to win re-election.
For that, he was more than willing to humor a rookie minister from the British Empire.
It didn't matter what happened now, as long as he was the one smiling in the end.
To achieve that, Tyler was prepared to join hands with and make use of anyone.
***
Winter of 1841.
The cold wind that signaled the end of another year was blowing once again.
“You’ll have to leave for the United States soon. What are we to do? The weather is dreadful.”
“As long as it’s not a blizzard, it doesn’t matter. And no matter how bad the weather gets, it’s still far better than the suffocating air of London. In fact, the colder it is, the more it sharpens the mind. It’s perfect. When you’re sleepy, a quick trip outside wakes you right up, doesn’t it?”
“Working through the night seems to have finally led you to think in unconventional ways. Perhaps now you can understand how I feel?”
“James, I think you’re mistaken about something. If my workload increases, yours increases even more. So you’d be wise to hope my workload returns to normal as quickly as possible.”
Lately, my average sleep time had finally dropped from four hours to the three-hour range, and I had reached a state where I drank coffee like water.
In my past life, I would have collapsed already, but the fact that I could endure this much work was the terrifying power of youth.
Ah, so this is youth.
This wasn't how I wanted to experience the greatness of being young, but the ever-growing mountain of paperwork was a cruel reality.
“My workload has already surpassed what a single human can handle, so any more work you give me will simply be passed down the line. Pinkerton has been complaining every time he sees me, saying he regrets following me here.”
“Complaining? He hasn't learned his lesson. The very fact that he has time to complain means he has room for more. If I double his work, he’ll quietly do his job instead of having such useless thoughts.”
“Right? That’s why I’ve been subtly increasing his workload whenever he says things like that. How dare an employee try to slack off when the boss is working his fingers to the bone.”
This was bad. You could tell from our conversation that both James and I were losing our minds from overwork.
But honestly, shouldn't that fellow Pinkerton be grateful to me?
I laid the groundwork for him to establish America's top detective agency more than a decade earlier than in the original history. He should know how to be thankful.
Ah, but then again, the company is effectively mine, so Pinkerton will just be a salaried president.
The lack of sleep was making even my thoughts feel dizzy.
“By the way, James, once we arrive in the United States, you must never show your bare face to anyone. Understand? If necessary, use a double at all times. You are to remain hidden in the shadows.”
“Don't worry. As you instructed, I have already secured a faithful double. But still, to advance the cause of Black civil rights, wouldn't it be more effective for me to act directly? Using a double will inevitably add another layer, reducing operational efficiency.”
“Reduced efficiency is a million times better than getting a bullet in your head. You’ll understand what I mean later. This isn't the British Empire.”
In London, you could shout that Black people were human and no one would bat an eye, but it was different in America.
You wouldn't hear anything pleasant even in the North, but if you said something like that in the South, you'd get bullets instead of boos.
The name James wasn't very famous yet, but as Adams continued his activities, the name of his benefactor, James, would surely come up eventually.
If his face and identity were revealed then, he would become a perfect target for Southern extremists.
No matter how much money you had or how many bodyguards you surrounded yourself with, everyone was equal before a gun.
In a country where even the president could get shot and killed, who in their right mind would openly advocate for Black civil rights with their face exposed?
That wasn't courage; it was recklessness, a blatant disregard for safety.
“Hearing you say that makes it sound rather frightening.”
“That’s why I told you from the beginning never to show your face. Now do you see my deep consideration for my subordinate's safety? Thanks to me, you’ll be able to have your name proudly recorded in the history books of the United States as a great civil rights activist, all without any of the risks.”
And on top of that, wasn't he also acting as the head of a global conglomerate that held sway not only in the British Empire but also in America and Canada?
You hit the jackpot meeting a master like me, kid.
“I’m so moved that my whole body is trembling. Did you know? My favorite person in the British Empire recently is Her Majesty the Queen.”
“Is there anyone who doesn't feel that way? If you ask a hundred people, at least ninety would pick Her Majesty the Queen as the most popular person in the British Empire.”
“I hope Her Majesty's popularity continues to soar to the heavens. Then Her Majesty's favor toward you, Minister, will surely deepen.”
*And then she'll give you even more work,* I thought I heard him mutter, but that must have been my imagination, right?
“To live up to Her Majesty's expectations, let's hurry up and finish our work so we can return. While I'm meeting with the Secretary and the President in the United States, you use the Pinkerton Detective Agency as I instructed and check if the rumors are spreading well among the Black population.”
“Understood. Ah, and didn't you also tell me to find promising politicians and provide them with hefty donations?”
“I did. I believe I already gave you a list of who to meet.”
“I had Pinkerton do some research, and while I understand some of the choices, there are a few who make me wonder if they truly have any potential… Are we sure we won't be throwing money away?”
“I know who you're talking about, but he's the most important one, so support him generously. Even if Adams comes to trust us, he's too old. We don't know how many more years he can serve as a congressman, so we need to secure people who can grow into major figures in the future.”
In the modern era, it might be different, but in this age, a man over seventy was an old man who could genuinely pass away at any moment.
Therefore, we needed to secure a replacement for Adams in advance, just in case something went wrong.
“That may be true, but this man's career shows he's never properly won an election. And he's in debt, to boot.”
“It’s bleak, isn’t it?”
“Bleak is an understatement. He failed in business, lost a state legislature election, and then failed in his next business venture. Just when it seemed he’d won a seat in the state legislature, he was immediately defeated in the election for speaker, and then he failed to become a presidential elector… At this point, his perseverance is almost astounding. If you're supporting him for his indomitable, never-give-up spirit, then I can understand…”
“We have more money than we know what to do with right now. If it comes to it, just think of it as charity, helping out a poor young politician. Pay off all his debts and support him lavishly so he can focus solely on politics. So that he can win the next election and enter the House of Representatives.”
“Sigh… Very well. Your intuition has always been right, so I will trust you and proceed. So, this man…”
I looked at James as he shuffled through the list and recited in a calm voice.
The name of that young man, stained with failure…
“Lincoln.”
Abraham Lincoln.
A name that would become a legend.