The Dominion's Dilemma: The United States of British America (6 page)

    Wellington paused momentarily and looked around at the nodding faces of the other committee members. “I’m glad we’re agreed here to proceed in this most Christian---and overdue---endeavor, but don’t tell this Committee that this great crusade is something your region and state have been committed to long before the rest of us.”
     Adams, his head now entirely scarlet, stared at the Duke. “Your Grace, we in Massachusetts have traditionally favored freeing the Negroes…going back to 1775!”
      Wellington nodded condescendingly. “Yes, Mr. Adams, because your previous generation read its Adam Smith on those dark, snowy nights when it wasn’t plotting treason…”
       Lord Palmerston’s facial features had not yet turned the cartoonists’ delight that they would in coming years. Yet his nose and cheeks had become a bright pink. “Gentlemen, we are, hopefully, all on God’s side here. We must demonstrate a unified front in Parliament. No matter our particular partisan position, we must demonstrate that all parties are settled on this course of action.
     “I believe a short break may be in order. Then, if we can get back to the business of considering the issue in the British American South…”

___________

    Harry Bratton had begun wondering whether he should return to the American Desk. Whatever direction the secret meeting in the conference room had taken, it seemed his
counsel
wouldn’t be necessary after all. Then the door opened suddenly and Earl Goderich emerged. “We’ve broken for a few moments, Harry. You’ll be called in shortly. Meanwhile, concentrate your thoughts on the sectional issues in the Dominion: political, economic and military. What will likely be the new Congress’ makeup; how deep is Jackson’s support in the North; those sort of things… You’ll be in directly.”
   Goderich marched back into the conference room and shut the door as Bratton stared incredulously at his retreating figure.
What in hell? Am I to be asked to give a bloody
seminar on the Dominion within the next 45 minutes or so? After I’ve been waiting outside all this time when I could have done some preparation? And ‘economic sectionalism?’ What the devil is going on in there? I’d better get back to my desk and get my hands on a few documents….
   Lord Durham had taken a visibly upset Quincy Adams aside as the Colonial Secretary reentered the room. The entire Committee, in fact, had broken into small groups of two and three as they quietly sipped tea and munched breakfast biscuits.
     “I’m sure there is nothing personal in the Duke’s remarks, Mr. Adams,” ‘Radical Jack’ said in a soothing low voice. “He’s just a blunt old soldier…but…he is committed to our cause. Emancipation, you’ll remember, was first seriously discussed while he was still in Downing Street! And, as we’ve discussed before, his influence over this man Jackson may be key to our success in the USBA.”
     Adams nodded slowly. “I’m well aware of those facts, Lord Durham. But to question the sincerity of my people when we have been opposing this barbarity for so long is outrageous…”
      The Lord Privy Seal smiled softly. “In the end Mr. Adams, it is unimportant how we all arrived at this juncture. It is only important that we have.”
     Lord Palmerston had resumed his place at the head of the conference table. “Now, gentlemen, let’s take up the issue in British America. If you would continue, Lord Goderich…

     “Yes, Mr. Chairman. At this time I would like to call in the Office’s resident expert on the USBA. Mr. Harry Bratton has been following events in the Dominion for over four years, immediately preceding which he served as a military liaison officer in Georgetown. So, with the exception of our esteemed friend from Massachusetts,” he nodded at Adams, “he is considerably more learned in USBA affairs than any of the rest of us. He’s waiting outside.”
     Bratton was on his feet and moving toward the conference room even before the door fully opened. Only with considerable effort was he able to maintain a stiff upper lip as he recognized the assemblage of distinguished figures at the table
. My God, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer and…Quincy Adams of Massachusetts? What the bloody hell is going
on here?
    “Mr. Bratton, if you’ll take a seat behind the Colonial Secretary. I don’t need to remind you that everything that you see and hear this morning remains within the confines of this room for present. Is that understood?”
     Palmerston flashed a commanding stare at the younger man, who nodded his head vigorously. “Certainly, My Lord…”
    “Now, if you would, Lord Goderich…”
    Goderich had risen and was now walking toward a draped easel that had been set up at the far corner of the table. He pulled off the cover to reveal a detailed map of the USBA with the various states marked by different shades of coloring. Picking up a pointer, he addressed the Committee. “These shadings indicate the intensity of the slave population in the USBA, with the shadings growing darker as that population intensifies.
     “According to the latest census, published last May, the USBA has a total population, including Quebec and Ontario, of just over 13,500,000. There are 2,009,058 slaves in the USBA, including,” he continued in a flat professorial drone but with eyes bright, “four in the state of Massachusetts. All there, apparently, female…”
     A sudden epidemic of coughing seemed to break out simultaneously around the table, though one distinct cackle was discerned coming from the vicinity of the Duke of Wellington. Adams’ face burned scarlet once more. 
    “However, while Vermont was the only state reporting no slaves at all---though a total of 881 free colored reside there---the great majority are held in the 10 states, the District of Columbia and the two territories below the Mason-Dixon Line. In fact, there are just 6875 slaves in the combined 15 states and the Territory of Michigan that lay above the Line.  Do you have anything to add to that, Mr. Bratton?”
    “Very little, Sir,” said an astonished Bratton, who was beginning to wonder the actual direction of this briefing. “While the slaves make up less than 15% of the USBA’s overall population, they constitute anywhere from 20% to over 50% in the Southern states. In South Carolina, there are actually about 50,000 more slaves than whites and free blacks combined. The slaves outnumber the free population by a few thousand in Louisiana, also.  I would be remiss not to add, however, that some 2200 slaves are currently held in New Jersey.”
     Adams interrupted. “If you extend Mason and Dixon’s line due east, it would cross Southern New Jersey. I’m sure the great majority of those slaves are therefore, technically as well as physically, in the South.”
     Bratton, grateful for the chance to have grabbed every note he could gather from his desk, hesitated, but then determined to push on.
Well, they did ask me in here for my ‘counsel.’
“Not exactly, Mr. Adams. I’ve traveled through that beautiful state many times coming and going to and from New York and New England. Bergen County, as I’m sure you are aware, is somewhat northwest of New York City and more than 100 miles north of the theoretical Line. Yet the census lists it as having 584 slaves, the most in the state.”
     Lord Goderich broke back into the discussion. “The location of and reasons for New Jersey’s slave population are of little concern to this Committee. Suffice to say, slaves do not constitute a significant portion of that state’s population. Our concern is the states where they do. The question is: can we apply the same formula to the USBA that we are utilizing to bring about emancipation in the rest of the Empire? Phased-in compensation under terms to be overseen by the Army and the Royal Marines?”
    An excited chatter broke out across the table, while behind it, a flabbergasted Bratton wondered if he had correctly heard the Colonial Secretary’s question.
Emancipation of the slaves? Dear Mother of God, it that what this is all about? No wonder they
wanted Jackson defeated. He’s a planter. They don’t trust him to carry out the emancipation! But surely they don’t intend to send in the Army and the Royal Marines?

   
It will be 1775 all over again!
    Lord Brougham seemed to be echoing Bratton’s thoughts. “Let’s be clear that we are not advocating a military solution here,” he said. “The USBA is not the West Indies! The first question is: how much must we sweeten the pot in order to convince the slaveholders to agree to emancipation? And, secondly, how much can this Government afford to sweeten said pot?  Those are the issues on the table.”
    “Well put, Henry,” said Lord Palmerston. “I’d like to hear Mr. Adams’ thoughts next, before we hear a financial report from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.”
    “Personally, as you all well know, I’d be inclined not to pay the slaveholders another shilling,” said Adams. “They’ve made far too much money off the sweat of others as it is. But, I realize the catastrophic impact on the USBA economy of such a draconian approach. And, I’m ashamed to add, the majority of my fellow British Americans who live in the so-called free states---and who aren’t as opposed to slavery as they should be---would unfortunately sympathize with the slaveholders. As quickly as the movement is growing in the North, there are still too many who do not see the emancipation issue as their fight.
    “I do not wish to be considered overly-pessimistic, but, as I’ve stated at previous meeting of this distinguished Committee, I am not at all certain that the slaveholders will be willing to relinquish their…‘peculiar institution’…at any price. It may all depend on the attitude of that frontier barbarian who now occupies The Residency. As a planter himself, he will be the lightening rod, so to speak, on this issue. If Jackson agrees to accept the proclamation of emancipation by His Majesty’s government, he may be able to stare down the more radical elements. Just as he so ably, it pains me to admit, did in the ‘nullification’ crisis of ’31.”

    Adams paused before adding: “After all, he does claim to swear allegiance to the union of our states…” The former G-G looked around the table at the somber faces staring back at him. “Gentlemen, we are about to test that allegiance to the fullest.”
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer broke the ensuing silence. “For the record, gentlemen, based on the twenty million pounds we have earmarked for the West Indies, and the fact that Sir Galbreath in Pretoria believes emancipation in the Cape Colony can be had for less than another million pounds, His Majesty’s Government expects to allocate another 23 millions for the project in the USBA. That is, of course, with the understanding that the Empire remains in a state of peace for the next seven years. A major European war could not be financed while this project is underway.”
    “Ah yes, Frederick, that would be a problem,” said Lord Palmerston. “However, foreign affairs are on my watch and I see little likelihood of a major conflict. I must admit we are monitoring this situation within the Ottoman Empire. Seems this Egyptian vassal of the Sultan, Pasha Mehemet Ali, is flexing his muscles against Constantinople. He’s sent a force north through the Gaza and into Palestine. Unless the Bear decides to interfere, we shall probably allow them to settle that dispute internally. In any case, I do not see major war clouds threatening on the horizon.”
    Lord Melbourne had been relatively quiet all morning. But then, the Home Secretary was famous for keeping his own counsel. Now he addressed the Chair. “We’ve heard Mr. Adams today repeat what he’s told us in prior meetings: much depends on Governor-General Jackson. I’d be interested in hearing now from our professional in the American Office. Mr. Bratton, you’ve heard enough now to understand our deep concerns that this most worthy plan to abolish slavery throughout the Empire might trigger a crisis in the USBA. Based on the plebiscite returns and other information at your disposal, what do you feel will happen over there when word of emancipation reaches the USBA?”
    A shaken Bratton rose rather unsteadily to his feet as all eyes focused on him.
Should I
tell them I think this is ludicrous and could trigger a full-scale rebellion by the South? Let the damn planters keep their slaves for now. The bloody institution is bound to die out in the next few generations anyway, as strides in machinery make it obsolete.

    
“My Lords, and members of Parliament,” he bowed his head to Adams, the only fellow commoner in the room. “I have of course been made privy to this information only within the last hour and haven’t thought it all out.” He paused briefly. “My initial reaction to this breathtaking proposal is that, yes, the Governor-General is the key. Jackson commands wide support in the West and in the South, despite the fallout from that nullification battle Mr. Adams alluded to previously.
   “However, I am not as certain as Mr. Adams of the absoluteness of Jackson’s allegiance to the union. In his speech to the Mississippi Legislature last Spring, in which he raised the possibility of the Empire acquiring Texas…”

     More than one chuckle was heard and several amused faces turned to the Foreign Secretary, who shook his head with disgust.
    “...in that speech, General Jackson was subtly raising an issue that has become of paramount concern among the Southern upper classes: the gradual erosion of their political power in Georgetown. Look again at this map, if you would, gentlemen.” He walked over to the easel and picked up the pointer the Colonial Secretary had put down.
    Pointing to the southeast corner of the map, he continued: “Here the slave power thrives in a tightly-held area of 10 physically-connected states and two territories, Florida and Arkansas, soon to become states.  As the Dominion expands north and west,” he pushed the pointer past the center of the map, “we run out of territory where slavery is economically feasible. The weather in the still-to-be organized portions of the Louisiana Territory simply rules out slavery, for the most part. And that’s without knowing what crops are most suited for the soil there. As we go further northwest into the vast uncharted lands we call the Canadian West, slavery is completely out-of-the-question.
    “Yet these areas will also eventually be organized and will send representatives to Georgetown. Unless the slaveholders can similarly expand, they will become a permanent minority in Georgetown, with or without their current alliance with Quebec. And, they have come to realize that with the abolitionist movement steadily gaining strength in the Northeast and, more slowly, in the West, as a permanent minority, they may not be able to hold on to their ‘peculiar institution.’”
    Bratton paused again and glanced briefly at the Colonial Secretary, who smiled slightly and nodded for him to continue.
    “So Jackson’s suggestion that the Empire acquire Texas was not simply interference in foreign policy. It was the opening salvo in the Southerners’ drive to expand into areas where slavery makes sense: the lands stretching from Louisiana’s current border with Mexican Texas all the way to California.” The pointer pushed west from the Gulf of Mexico across to the Pacific.  “Lands that can be carved up into new slave states.
   “And add Cuba to the equation, which is the reason the Southern newspapers and orators have lately begun decrying Spanish ‘oppression’ of the native population.”
    There was complete silence in the room as the Committee members stared at the American Office official in shock and dismay. Silence, that is, until John Quincy Adams, of the Massachusetts’ Adamses, broke it with a loud clapping of his hands and a louder “Bravo.”
    While the other members of the Committee sat stunned as they tried to grasp the full implications of Bratton’s analysis, the British American took command of the meeting.
    “Gentlemen, I have been aware of General Jackson’s intentions even before his Mississippi speech. Unfortunately, due to my well-known personal apathy for the man, as well as my reputation as an abolitionist, to have raised the issues presented with such clarity just now by Mr. Bratton would have been counterproductive.