I Became The Crown Prince Of The Mexican Empire - Chapter 142



Only Noblemtl

Mexican-American War (15)

News of defeat arrived simultaneously from the East and the West.

The most shocking thing was the casualties on the Western Front. The 30,000 casualties in the Battle of Baltimore in the East seemed like a relief.

Of the 240,000 people, only 100,000 returned safely. Of the 140,000 casualties, 60,000 were dead or missing, and 80,000 were injured.

“Honey, our sons, ugh···.”

Many Americans have inquired about the fate of their family members, but after a long wait the answers they receive are filled with despair.

The screams and cries of those wounded in battle, those suffering from mental illness, and those who had lost family members echoed everywhere.

[Shocking revelation! Was the president responsible for the disaster of the ‘counterattack’ operation?]

The contents of this article, which contained revelations from an anonymous commander who took part in the Second Battle of Memphis, were truly shocking.

“The president sent people every few days to pressure them not to retreat?”

“So it’s not the fault of ‘The Butcher’ Zachary Taylor?”

“That’s not true. The other generals said that the Mexicans could not attack Memphis after seeing the defensive line they had built, but this disaster happened because he alone said it could be done.”

A general who was greedy for power and overconfident in his own abilities. And a ruler who pressured his commanders for his own power. It was a collaboration between the two.

In the West, the ‘counteroffensive’ operation was a complete failure, and in the East, Baltimore was under heavy artillery fire from the Mexican Empire.

Now Winfield Scott’s militia was establishing a defensive line to protect Philadelphia.

Baltimore was abandoned.

In the South, ominous rumors were circulating that the Mexican Empire was using its military to liberate black people.

There was a sharp increase in anti-war sentiment not only in the North but throughout the United States. Even if it was not said out loud, it was clear from the circumstances that the war had little chance of winning.

“No to war! Let’s end this terrible war!”

“President James Polk, step down!”

As the bombarded Baltimore was finished, the next targets, Philadelphia and New York, took to the streets in huge numbers, demanding an end to the war and the impeachment of President James Polk.

“Get out! Get out!”

“What are you talking about? Impeach him!”

In the streets, protesters were shouting and denouncing James Polk.

‘This is ridiculous. When will I ever vote for something good?’

When he took a hard line against Britain, he became a presidential candidate, and when he took a hard line against Mexico, he became president.

He won the presidency by an overwhelming majority, which meant that the American people wanted war too.

Even at this point, rather than blaming himself for his mistakes, James Polk was looking for a way out.

“Mr. President, British Ambassador Pakenham has arrived.”

“···Tell them to come in.”

Richard Pakenham, who had once been ambassador to Mexico, had finished his term and was now ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Pakenham saw President James Polk’s haggard face, almost like a wreck, but he greeted him without letting it show.

“Good morning, Mr President. It is a pleasure to meet you again. Warm greetings from the UK.”

“···Nice to meet you.”

‘I think it would be better to skip the small talk.’

Ambassador Pakenham concluded so after hearing the brief reply.

“Mr. President, unfortunately, given the current situation with the Mexican Empire, the United States’ chances of success do not seem very good. In this difficult time, we would like to offer our assistance as a mediator to minimize the damage to the United States.”

President James Polk also showed interest in the main topic that Ambassador Pakenham quickly brought up.

“When you say you will help minimize damage to the United States, do you mean you will give the United States more power in mediation?”

“Yes, of course, but there is a price to pay.”

President James Polk calmed down his slightly excited heart and asked:

“What do you mean by price?”

“Isn’t there one issue that has yet to be resolved between the United States and the United Kingdom?”

What he was referring to was the issue of ownership of the Oregon Territory, which President Polk had been strongly advocating.

“Are you trying to solve that problem now?”

“Yes, we cannot cooperate while leaving unresolved issues between the two countries. These are not small issues.”

To bring up Oregon at this point would be to be openly greedy, but without British mediation it was not known how much he would have to give to Mexico.

It became clear that the United States was no match for the Mexican Empire, both on land and at sea.

In time, Philadelphia and New York in the east would come within range of the Mexican Empire’s forces, and in the west, they could even reach the Great Lakes along the Mississippi River.

James Fork asked desperately.

“Where do you want your borders to be in Britain?”

***

“Well, you’re going to mediate in England?”

I asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is unfortunate that war has broken out, but the damage to the citizens of both civilized countries is too great. Hasn’t the Mexican Empire also requested the British Empire to mediate the war on several occasions?”

Ambassador Pakenham took a sip of tea as he spoke.

“If the conditions are right, there is no reason why we cannot accept arbitration.”

When I responded positively, Ambassador John Slidell, who had come with Ambassador Pakenham, said:

“Then how about we stop fighting while the peace talks are underway?”

“Don’t refuse. The one who will benefit from buying time is America.”

Both the Eastern and Western fronts are in a situation where we have won and are preparing to advance north. There is no reason to stop and let the enemy reorganize.

When I flatly refused, Ambassador Pakenham said:

“Then I guess we should move on quickly. First, listen to the US’s conditions.”

“Please tell me.”

Despite the tone of voice that seemed to suggest that he should try to break the ice, Ambassador John Slidell calmly handed over the prepared document.

They kindly translated it into Spanish for me, but their conditions were ridiculously inadequate.

“Fifty million pesos in war reparations, and the land west of the Mississippi River, 35 degrees north latitude, where Memphis is… Is that all?”

When I reacted with some bewilderment, Ambassador Pakenham said:

“So we’re going to negotiate from there. Isn’t that right?”

Ambassador John Slidell nodded immediately, as if he were a puppet for Britain.

“Can you tell me what terms the Mexican Empire wants for the end of the war?”

I said coolly.

“I will buy all the territory of the United States west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. On that condition, I will end the war.”

bang!

“Crazy… That’s nonsense!”

Ambassador John Slidell leapt to his feet, his attitude clearly unacceptable.

British Ambassador Richard Pakenham also looked slightly surprised.

“Isn’t the whole area west of the Mississippi a huge territory? And $15 million? It’s ridiculous to buy that huge territory for just $15 million.”

“Didn’t the United States also buy the entire Louisiana territory from France for about $15 million?”

“···”

The figure of $15 million is a symbolic number. The Louisiana Purchase was $15 million, and in history, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, was also $15 million.

When Ambassador Pakenham remained silent, Ambassador John Sriddell sat down again and spoke.

“The Louisiana Purchase happened 43 years ago. The prices then and now are quite different. In addition, unlike back then when it was almost empty land, it is now home to many Americans. It is not land that can be sold so easily.”

“It’s the home of the American people… If you say that, 90% of the American population lives east of the Mississippi River. According to the U.S. census conducted last year, that’s what it is.”

In any case, the United States had purchased the land from France for 15 million dollars 40 years ago, and it was not a land that could be called home.

As I pushed on without backing down, Ambassador Pakenham and Ambassador Slidell exchanged glances.

“Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

“great.”

I told them to leave.

“Remember that the war is still going on at this very moment.”

“···I will keep that in mind.”

So the first day of negotiations ended, and the last day of August began to draw to a close.

“Diego, don’t you think Britain is being too aggressive?”

“Yes, it looks like a familiar sight.”

“Yes. So you’ve decided to pay a price to the United States.”

“What Britain would want from the United States at this time… would be Oregon.”

“Yes. They’ve probably already made a lot of money, so sorting out the Oregon Territory issue would be their first priority.”

It’s just like when we made a deal with England first to get the upper hand in a peace treaty with Spain and France.

‘At that time, I was under the illusion that Britain would remain neutral even if it did not take our side.’

You shouldn’t expect the British to be so gentle and sensible. When it comes to insidiousness, they are the best in the world.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll send a Foreign Minister to negotiate for the time being. He’ll try to negotiate by pushing obvious content.”

As expected, the British have been openly cooperating with the United States and pressuring Mexico.

September 1st.

“As members of a civilized nation, we must carefully consider the repercussions of our actions in the international community. In recent conflicts, we have received sad news of the suffering of many innocent civilians.”

Britain, a mere third party, criticized Mexico for maintaining a hard-line stance, citing the damage to citizens of the United States and Mexico, which are not even its own countries.

The Mexican Empire once again emphasized that the war was started by the United States, but the British and Americans pretended not to listen.

Neither side backed down easily, and negotiations dragged on.

September 7th.

After confirming that the American forces had withdrawn, Mexican forces on the eastern front took Baltimore and prepared to attack Philadelphia.

When Britain heard the news, it stepped up its pressure. It began to talk about the real damage Britain had suffered by overstepping international trade.

“The present conduct of the Mexican Empire is seriously damaging to international commerce and free trade, and is causing enormous damage not only to our own but to the economies of many nations throughout the world. . . . (omission) Great Britain takes this matter very seriously, and if this state of affairs continues, we are prepared to take all necessary measures to safeguard our interests. We strongly recommend that the Mexican Empire find a way to peace and mutual prosperity, and we urge the Mexican Empire to agree to this.”

British Ambassador Pakenham pushed ahead with determination.

Many people were taken aback by the sudden rise in level of remarks, but I knew it was a bluff.

“There’s no need to be agitated. A dog that barks loudly doesn’t bite.”

I did not intend to stick to the demand for all the territory west of the Mississippi River. It was obviously unreasonable to take all that territory, citing the Louisiana Purchase as an example.

If we drag this war out to the end, we may be able to get it somehow. However, unlike Mexico in its original history, which did not protest even after being beaten by the US and losing 55% of its territory, the US will never forget its grudge if it loses that much territory.

Because of the rebellious nature of Americans and the potential to one day rise again even if the land west of the Mississippi River is lost.

President Thomas Jefferson, who completed the Louisiana Purchase, is praised as a president who achieved great things.

The Louisiana Purchase occurred only 43 years ago, but its vivid achievements are already engraved in the minds of every American.

Although initially controversial as to its constitutional legitimacy, as it became clear that territorial expansion had contributed to America’s growth and development, the deal came to be widely recognized as a symbol of national success, and even served as an indirect cause of the war by fueling expansionist desires.

How far would one go to steal all the territory that had such enormous influence on the American people?

‘It would have to be to the point where the United States is completely destroyed.’

Even after doing that, we will not be at ease, because Mexico will resurrect the moment it lets its guard down.

It’s quite unfair considering what happened to Mexico in the past, but we need to bring in cost-effective places that can minimize the resentment of Americans and maximize their potential.

To get them, they would have to play a solid bargaining chip that would force Britain to back down.

“Your Majesty, the fleet has departed from the port of Havana, Cuba.”

Diego said.

“Notify the Prussians as well. The fleet has departed.”

While negotiations with Britain and the United States dragged on, half of the Mexican Imperial fleet headed for Prussia.