Chapter 115
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Sowing and Reaping (2)
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For various reasons, the majority of the states in the northern region of the United States had either abolished slavery or were in the process of doing so.
The port city of Boston was no exception.
Samuel, who had worked as a carpenter since he was young, initially believed he could do anything as long as he had a skill.
His mother, Eliza, had been a slave, but she had been freed around the time he was born.
To think that a Black man could be guaranteed the same free rights as a white man and live the life he desired.
Oh, great America, land of the free!
But it didn't take long for him to realize this dream was a delusion.
“Hey, darkie. This is our chair. The leg’s broken, so fix it.”
“Yes, yes. You can leave it over there. The fee will be…”
“Here.”
He had politely extended his hand, but the middle-aged white man didn't even look his way, simply tossing the coins carelessly before leaving.
“The son of a bitch. If he’s going to throw it, he could at least throw it properly instead of tossing it into a corner like that.”
At first, he had felt an immense sense of humiliation, but as they say, humans are creatures of adaptation.
After enduring this for several years, the only thing that bothered him now was the hassle of having to pick up the fallen coins; he no longer felt any anger.
No, to be precise, he had lost even the energy to be angry.
“Hey, you black bastard. The table you fixed last time is already wobbly. What are you going to do about it?”
“I’m sorry. Should I come by and take another look at it?”
“Then come and fix it right now! We have guests coming today, and if things get messed up because of you, you’d better be prepared. Just like a stupid black bastard, can't even do his job right. Ugh…”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll go and take care of it right away.”
It was strange.
According to the laws of the state he lived in, he was not a slave, so why was he living this kind of life?
Seeing that other Black people in his church community told similar stories, it didn't seem to be because he was exceptionally incompetent.
But the Black people of Boston were still second-class citizens… no. They were something less than citizens, and the white people treated them as such as naturally as breathing.
Even going to church, it was practically impossible to attend the same one as whites, and he couldn't dare to resist any insult he received.
One time, while he was simply walking down the street, a drunken madman started punching and beating him just because he was in a bad mood.
But the great laws of the United States of America confirmed that the man was not guilty of any crime, and it was Samuel who had to apologize.
For being so very, very sorry for blocking the path of our good white master when he was in a bad mood.
And yet, they said he was lucky.
Boston was a city, so it ended at that. In the countryside, weren't there countless Black people who were simply beaten to death?
Slavery was still maintained in the South, he’d heard. Did that mean slaves lived under even more horrific treatment than this?
Honestly, he didn't know.
As these doubts, anxieties, angers, and resentments piled up, Samuel had a miraculous encounter.
The Black community church, the only place of solace in this godforsaken life.
On this day, the atmosphere was even more cautious than usual, as a Black man named Stuart took the time to give his testimony.
Surprisingly, he was one of the freedom fighters who had risked his life to escape from Virginia, made it all the way up to Canada, and had come back down to bring his fellow people with him.
“Everyone. I can say this with certainty. Some of you may remember me, but I lived as a slave in Virginia before barely escaping and spending two years here in Boston. But the relief of finally being free from slavery was fleeting, as the harshness of society quickly pulled me back to reality. Here, we are nothing. The North may have abolished slavery, but look at the reality. We struggle even to sing hymns together with our oh-so-great white masters in church.”
If even a man who escaped slavery in the South was saying such things, it must be true that this place was a lost cause.
In fact, someone who had longed for freedom so much as to risk his life escaping must have suffered even more from this absurd reality.
“My brothers and sisters! But I am so happy to be able to share hopeful news with you all here today. I am so happy my heart feels like it will burst!”
“Is that country, Canada, where you are now, truly so satisfying?”
“Of course. To be honest, the place where I live is nothing more than a backwater town, far more primitive than Boston. My comrades and I are currently working hard to clear the land, establish a village, and build our homes. But do you know who these comrades are? A good number of them are white people who came over from Ireland, a part of the British Empire.”
“White people are clearing land and living alongside us? Not just ordering us around without lifting a finger themselves?”
“I believed that would be the case at first, too. Of course, the white people in Canada didn't treat us as complete equals from the start. But they don't call us by the humiliating term ‘darkie,’ and we worship and sing hymns together in church every Sunday. After a hard day's work, we sometimes sit together, drink beer, and wash away the day's fatigue. Because of this, the initial awkwardness has vanished, and we have all developed into good friends.”
Sitting amicably with white people, drinking beer and chatting?
What kind of fairy tale from what world was that?
Seeing the disbelieving reactions around him, Stuart gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“Having lived here and experienced what you have, it’s natural that you wouldn't believe it. You might also think that my village is an exception. But this is a matter that Minister Killian Gore, the current Plenipotentiary Ambassador for Canada, is strongly promoting as a national policy for Canada. The idea is to build a more prosperous nation with all races working together.”
“A minister isn't the highest person in the country, is he? The… isn't the highest person in a country the president?”
“The British Empire still has a king, and their politics are said to be very different from here in the United States. In terms of actual authority, Minister Killian Gore is said to wield far more power in Canada than even a president.”
“From what I hear, he is of Irish descent, and the Irish people have also lived difficult lives, being looked down upon for a long time. So, there is a common ground between us.”
“Then, if we go to Canada, can we live a life similar to yours, Mr. Stuart?”
Stuart wasn't just someone who had come down from Canada; he was a man who had actually lived for years as a slave in the South and as a freedman in the North.
His personal account naturally carried more persuasive power than anyone else's words.
“Of course. Canada is currently overflowing with jobs and has plenty of land to cultivate, so settling down will not be difficult.”
Samuel quickly raised his hand and asked.
“Would it be difficult for someone who has only worked as a carpenter his whole life to adapt?”
“A skilled carpenter is a treasure. You would of course be welcomed.”
“Mr. Stuart, will you be going up with us then?”
“No. As I mentioned earlier, I plan to go down to Virginia to help my fellow people, with whom I lived, to escape. Even if I lose my life, I want to help them experience what true freedom is.”
True freedom.
Just hearing the words made his heart swell and his eyes grow hot.
Samuel resolved to pack his things tomorrow, before this feeling faded, and prepare to leave Boston.
Looking around, he could see that most of the Black people in the church were lost in thought, their eyes filled with determination.
He probably had the same look in his eyes.
It seemed people all thought alike.
Thus, information about a new world where they could live like human beings was secretly and rapidly spreading among the Black communities.
***
Just as Webster had boasted, it was clear that the officials in D.C. were busy preparing a welcoming ceremony for me.
I could feel that they were completely oblivious to the spectacular events unfolding beneath the surface, which put me in a very pleasant mood.
After the grand welcoming ceremony was over, I was guided to the White House by Secretary Webster.
President John Tyler, who was sitting in a spacious room lined with portraits of past presidents, stood up with a bright smile on his face as I entered.
“From the British Empire to Canada, and from Canada to here in Washington D.C., it must have been a long journey. Thank you for your hard work. It is truly a new experience to meet in person the youngest minister whose fame is so widespread in the United States.”
“The honor is all mine to meet you, Mr. President. Representing the will of Her Majesty the Queen, who loves peace, and our people, I will spare no effort to ensure the continued friendship between the United States and the British Empire.”
“I hear that you, Minister, are on close terms with both the current Prime Minister and Her Majesty the Queen… Is it safe to interpret your words here as the will of the British Empire itself?”
“Of course. At least concerning matters related to Canada, I have been granted permission by Parliament and the government that I need not seek any separate approval from the home country.”
“That is a relief. Then we can resolve all the minor conflicts surrounding Maine and New Brunswick on this occasion.”
By the 21st century, Canada and the United States would share the longest border in the world.
Since the border itself stretched horizontally across North America, it would be stranger if localized problems didn't arise.
Naturally, even now, with various treaties in place, minor disputes continued to occur, and both the United States and Canada were racking their brains over the issue.
As a lame-duck president, Tyler would want to resolve this at least, to turn public opinion to the idea that although he was a president abandoned by his party, he was still competent.
But from my perspective, I had no intention of entering into major negotiations with the United States at this point in time.
In a few years, I would be able to present terms from a position of advantage, so there was no need to make a hasty decision now.
However, to postpone the decision, I needed a plausible excuse.
This visit to the United States was more of a show, a way to steadily build up that excuse and justification.
“I too hope for a peaceful treaty to be concluded with your country, but thinking coolly, there are still too many unsettling factors.”
“Unsettling factors, you say?”
“Canada's population is growing, and to accommodate this population, we have no choice but to expand westward little by little. And the United States is also actively expanding its territory through westward expansion. In other words, as both countries continue to move west, the length of the border we share will also continue to grow.”
“That is certainly true. But if we resolve each problem amicably through dialogue as it arises, will they not eventually subside?”
“If it were a matter between only our two countries, that might be so. But Canada and the United States are not the only ones in the West, are we?”
The United States was in the midst of a conflict with the Centralist Republic of Mexico over Texas, and in fact, a war would break out between the two countries in about four to five years.
Of course, if left alone, it would be such a one-sided beating by the United States that it could hardly be called a war, and they would seize the territory.
“Minister. This is not to belittle Mexico, but I do not believe it would be possible for Mexico to take any action against our two nations when the wills of the British Empire and the United States are aligned.”
“I think so as well. But we cannot overlook the possibility that they could sufficiently complicate the situation.”
Tyler pretended to sip his tea, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts.
He must be confused whether I was suggesting we join hands and beat up Mexico, or if I was advising a more cautious stance.
Of course he was; my words were meant to be confusing.
“Indeed… regarding the issue with Mexico, it seems best that we observe how the situation unfolds and discuss it further at a later time.”
“Yes. And as Secretary Webster mentioned, if we want to avoid the issue of slavery coming up in Congress, we must address this point. The home country is putting a great deal of effort into cracking down on illegal slave ships in the Atlantic, but the United States has shown only a lukewarm response. The calls for a clear stance to be declared, both in the home country and within the United States, will only grow louder.”
“That is a matter I intended to discuss after more careful consideration. But, just in case, did Congressman Adams give you any word on this matter?”
“As someone who must remain neutral, I am not in a position to comment on the internal affairs of the United States, but His Excellency did send me a warning that some congressmen might try to use my position. To show my gratitude, I will say this: many congressmen from the North and the abolitionists in my country believe that the abolition of slavery within the United States is already a foregone conclusion.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
The prediction that as the North became more highly industrialized, its fundamental strength would grow compared to the slave-dependent South, was a truth already verified in the original history.
If things dragged on until the Civil War began in earnest, it would only become more difficult for the South to overwhelm the North in the long run.
And there was no way the intellectuals of the North or the South were unaware of this fact.
Of course, many of the pro-slavery advocates in the South didn't know that this time would come much faster than they expected, but that was not a problem.
If they didn't know, I just had to tell them.
“The industries the North focuses on require almost no slaves. Therefore, it was possible for them to naturally move toward the abolition of slavery based on economic logic. The home country went through a similar process, so we know this well. Doesn't that mean the North of the United States has a high probability of achieving dazzling technological advancement like the home country one day?”
Hearing the prediction that the United States would develop like Britain should have pleased him, but the president, who leaned towards the South's position, could not manage a broad smile.
Though neither of us said more, he was not so foolish as to fail to understand what would happen.
If the situation dragged on like this, it was the North that would gain the advantage; time was by no means on the South's side.
Since I was already backing Adams and Lincoln, I might as well show this stark truth to the Southern representatives to make them more vigilant in their response, wouldn't I?
Mexico on the outside, and on the inside, an ideological conflict between the North and South far more rampant than in the original history.
A lame-duck government that could not get cooperation from the opposition party, let alone its own, could never respond swiftly to this problem.
So, while their friendly neighbor Canada steadily reached the Pacific, they should just focus on keeping their own house in order.
They might try to use external conflict to somehow unify public opinion, but would that still be possible if a great escape of slaves began in the South?
I said earlier that time was on the North's side, not the South's, but that statement needs to be corrected.
Time is on the side of neither the South nor the North.
Now that I am here, time in North America flows for British Canada.