Chapter 81
June, 1867
London
Benjamin Disraeli's government would issue a formal warning to the the Emperor. Their blockade of Bangkok would not be broken until the French agreed to withdraw from Siam. Disraeli would have preferred to go into this crisis with Lord Derby but health problems had forced the man to retire. While now without question the absolute leader of the Conservative Party, Disraeli missed his old ally.
He would miss Derby's steady council as events threatened to spiral out of control.
Paris
Napoleon III had seen many of his machinations falter over the past few years, including Mexico and now the Rio Plata. But the Emperor could not back down from British bullying.
However, he was not excited about facing the British ALONE. He spend weeks attempting to gauge if Russia was inclined to assist in any way. The Czar's response was...quite simply....Siam was none of his business and that Napoleon III got himself into this situation, he could get himself out.
The Emperor did not take well to this response as the French fleet had given Russia a layer of protection against the Royal Navy when the Czar was conquering the Ottoman. But, of course, the Emperor did not do that out of the goodness of his heart as the Czar knew well enough.
After a few weeks of posturing, Napoleon III was planning on finding a way to back down when he received a rather heartening message from the Czar. Apparently events had changed rather rapidly.
A group of Greek patriots had sailed under cover of night to Crete, where the British garrison ruled the Greek peoples of the island, on board a trio of Russian flagged ships. A horde of weapons and ammunition in the first ship's hold would be discovered by chance by a pair British cutters, the Argyle and the Clarence, patrolling the island. Seeing their compatriot captured, the other two Russian-Greek ships attempted to flee. Their chances were not bad given these were modern and fast merchant ships, among the first "steam only" ships in the merchant fleet, while the British cutters were old and obsolete.
Having discovered the evidence of gun-running in the hold of the first ship, the Captain of the Clarence immediately gave chase and pursued the 2 remaining merchants towards Greece. Believing that they could outpace the British vessel, the Russians and Greeks made a run for it only to discover British gunnery had not faded with time. It would not be immediately certain of whether or not the British cutter had intended to destroy the 2nd Merchant ship or if it was an uncannily lucky shot. Either way, the shell somehow managed to find the gunpowder store and an explosion of enormous power ripped the ship in half. Only four sailors and 3 Greek passengers survived to be picked up the next day, ironically, by an Ottoman fisherman.
The British cutter then turned to pursue the other fleeing merchant, firing at extreme range and managing several hits as the ship entered Greek waters. However, at an inopportune time, the boilers of the Clarence blew after hours of strain attempting to keep up with the more modern vessel. The wounded Russian-Greek ship escaped into the darkness.
As the British sailors feverishly attempted to repair the engines through the following morning (they had raised sail to catch the meager wind), the specter of a Russian heavy cruiser arrived on the horizon. At last one of the boilers was returned to operation and the speed increased. However, it soon became apparent that there would be no escape for the Clarence. The Russians pulled alongside and an exceptionally fierce....but short....firefight ensued. Outgunned more than 10 to1, the British ship was battered to a pulp until she struck her colors, half of her crew dead.
Reports of the series of events would echo throughout Europe until both the British and Russians were worked up into a lather.
The British were outraged that Russian merchants were providing Cretan rebels with arms and the immolation of the Clarence while the Russians were livid at the death of dozens of Russian and Greek sailors.
Almost overnight, Europe became an armed camp.
The Czar suddenly seemed more willing to back his French ally.
Washington "State" (District of Columbia)
The President was pleased to finally be getting the nation back to normal. The budget had finally been balanced and progress made towards the mountain of debt.
The National Bank had finally been embodied and the previous rickety banking system well along the process of being replaced.
As many as a half dozen new states would be joining the Union in 1868's Presidential Election and perhaps two or three more returned to the fold.
The nation was stronger and more secure than ever.
Exhausted after four harrowing years of war and three more of peace, Lincoln would announce in the summer of 1867 that he would follow in the example of Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe and decline to seek a 3rd term. While not wanting to be a "lame duck" as the term would later be coined for an entire year of office, in truth, Lincoln knew that his own Party needed the better part of a year to settle on a candidate. Caucuses were coming earlier and earlier as electioneering grew more sophisticated and the President wanted his own allies to have time to put their case to the Party before putting it to the voters.
Besides, Lincoln had already accomplished the key goals of his Presidency:
1. Preserve the Union.
2. Expel the invaders.
3. Liberate the slaves.
4. Settle the issue of Freedman citizenship.
5. Put the economy back upon a sound footing.
6. Maintain a strong navy.
For the most part, Lincoln had succeeded beyond even his expectations. It was time to step away gracefully....before the voters may do it for him.
Almost immediately, several candidates were mentioned in 1868's election:
For the Republicans:
Secretary of State Seward
Vice-President Hamlin
There was even talk of bringing back General Grant from his extended world tour.
For the Democrats:
Kentucky Senator Andrew Johnson
Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas
General Hancock
More would throw their hat in the ring over the next year, no doubt. Lincoln was already counting down the days to his well-earned retirement.
Almost immediately, both Republicans and Democrats began jostling for position for the 1868 election.
London
Benjamin Disraeli's government would issue a formal warning to the the Emperor. Their blockade of Bangkok would not be broken until the French agreed to withdraw from Siam. Disraeli would have preferred to go into this crisis with Lord Derby but health problems had forced the man to retire. While now without question the absolute leader of the Conservative Party, Disraeli missed his old ally.
He would miss Derby's steady council as events threatened to spiral out of control.
Paris
Napoleon III had seen many of his machinations falter over the past few years, including Mexico and now the Rio Plata. But the Emperor could not back down from British bullying.
However, he was not excited about facing the British ALONE. He spend weeks attempting to gauge if Russia was inclined to assist in any way. The Czar's response was...quite simply....Siam was none of his business and that Napoleon III got himself into this situation, he could get himself out.
The Emperor did not take well to this response as the French fleet had given Russia a layer of protection against the Royal Navy when the Czar was conquering the Ottoman. But, of course, the Emperor did not do that out of the goodness of his heart as the Czar knew well enough.
After a few weeks of posturing, Napoleon III was planning on finding a way to back down when he received a rather heartening message from the Czar. Apparently events had changed rather rapidly.
A group of Greek patriots had sailed under cover of night to Crete, where the British garrison ruled the Greek peoples of the island, on board a trio of Russian flagged ships. A horde of weapons and ammunition in the first ship's hold would be discovered by chance by a pair British cutters, the Argyle and the Clarence, patrolling the island. Seeing their compatriot captured, the other two Russian-Greek ships attempted to flee. Their chances were not bad given these were modern and fast merchant ships, among the first "steam only" ships in the merchant fleet, while the British cutters were old and obsolete.
Having discovered the evidence of gun-running in the hold of the first ship, the Captain of the Clarence immediately gave chase and pursued the 2 remaining merchants towards Greece. Believing that they could outpace the British vessel, the Russians and Greeks made a run for it only to discover British gunnery had not faded with time. It would not be immediately certain of whether or not the British cutter had intended to destroy the 2nd Merchant ship or if it was an uncannily lucky shot. Either way, the shell somehow managed to find the gunpowder store and an explosion of enormous power ripped the ship in half. Only four sailors and 3 Greek passengers survived to be picked up the next day, ironically, by an Ottoman fisherman.
The British cutter then turned to pursue the other fleeing merchant, firing at extreme range and managing several hits as the ship entered Greek waters. However, at an inopportune time, the boilers of the Clarence blew after hours of strain attempting to keep up with the more modern vessel. The wounded Russian-Greek ship escaped into the darkness.
As the British sailors feverishly attempted to repair the engines through the following morning (they had raised sail to catch the meager wind), the specter of a Russian heavy cruiser arrived on the horizon. At last one of the boilers was returned to operation and the speed increased. However, it soon became apparent that there would be no escape for the Clarence. The Russians pulled alongside and an exceptionally fierce....but short....firefight ensued. Outgunned more than 10 to1, the British ship was battered to a pulp until she struck her colors, half of her crew dead.
Reports of the series of events would echo throughout Europe until both the British and Russians were worked up into a lather.
The British were outraged that Russian merchants were providing Cretan rebels with arms and the immolation of the Clarence while the Russians were livid at the death of dozens of Russian and Greek sailors.
Almost overnight, Europe became an armed camp.
The Czar suddenly seemed more willing to back his French ally.
Washington "State" (District of Columbia)
The President was pleased to finally be getting the nation back to normal. The budget had finally been balanced and progress made towards the mountain of debt.
The National Bank had finally been embodied and the previous rickety banking system well along the process of being replaced.
As many as a half dozen new states would be joining the Union in 1868's Presidential Election and perhaps two or three more returned to the fold.
The nation was stronger and more secure than ever.
Exhausted after four harrowing years of war and three more of peace, Lincoln would announce in the summer of 1867 that he would follow in the example of Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe and decline to seek a 3rd term. While not wanting to be a "lame duck" as the term would later be coined for an entire year of office, in truth, Lincoln knew that his own Party needed the better part of a year to settle on a candidate. Caucuses were coming earlier and earlier as electioneering grew more sophisticated and the President wanted his own allies to have time to put their case to the Party before putting it to the voters.
Besides, Lincoln had already accomplished the key goals of his Presidency:
1. Preserve the Union.
2. Expel the invaders.
3. Liberate the slaves.
4. Settle the issue of Freedman citizenship.
5. Put the economy back upon a sound footing.
6. Maintain a strong navy.
For the most part, Lincoln had succeeded beyond even his expectations. It was time to step away gracefully....before the voters may do it for him.
Almost immediately, several candidates were mentioned in 1868's election:
For the Republicans:
Secretary of State Seward
Vice-President Hamlin
There was even talk of bringing back General Grant from his extended world tour.
For the Democrats:
Kentucky Senator Andrew Johnson
Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas
General Hancock
More would throw their hat in the ring over the next year, no doubt. Lincoln was already counting down the days to his well-earned retirement.
Almost immediately, both Republicans and Democrats began jostling for position for the 1868 election.
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