[1861] The Court of St. James

[99KingHigh]

The Court of St. James
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

​

Statistics
Head of State: Victoria
Head of Government: Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
Capital: London
Religion: Anglican
Currency: Pound Sterling​

 

[99KingHigh]

The Government

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, Prime Minister

First Lord of the Treasury: The Viscount Palmerston (Liberal)
Leader of the House of Commons: The Viscount Palmerston (Liberal)
Lord Chancellor: The Lord Granville (Liberal)
Lord President of the Council: The Lord Granville (Liberal)
Lord Privy Seal: The Duke of Argyvll (Liberal)
Chancellor of the Exchequer: William Gladstone (Liberal)
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: Lord Russell (Liberal)
Secretary of State for the Home Department: SirGeorge Cornewall Lewis (Liberal)
Secretary of State for War: Sidney Herbert (Liberal)
Secretary of State for the Colonies: The Duke of Newcastle (Liberal)
Secretary of State for India: Sir Charles Wood (Liberal)
First Lord of the Admiralty: The Duke of Somerset (Liberal)
President of the Board of Trade: Sir Thomas Gibson (Liberal)
President of the Poor Law Board: Charles Villiers (Liberal)
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Sir George Grey (Liberal)
Postmaster-General: Lord Alderey (Liberal)
Chief Secretary for Ireland: Sir Robert Peel (Liberal)
Leader of the House of Lords: The Lord Granville (Liberal)​

 

[99KingHigh]

House of Commons

(The format of this graphic was made by DensleyBlair in his AAR.)



Delegation of Seats After The Most Noble Election of 1859. ​

The Liberal Party: 358 MPs (Her Majesty's Government)
Leader of the House of Commons: Lord Palmerston
The Conservative Party: 298 MPs (Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition)
Leader of the Opposition: The Earl of Derby
​

 

[99KingHigh]

A MOST excellent account of ALL THINGS HAPPENING in those preceding years!
​

Modern British politics in this most excellent and drastic era must be applauded as the great pinnacle of Anglo-Saxon characteristics. An appropriate blend between jocular interaction and stern policy, our nation has elevated itself as a paragon of mirth and notability. We may, to some less educated folk, appear infatuated with the mechanisms of our Parliament. But our proclivity with our remarkable mixture of democracy and tradition is nothing to be ashamed of! We are brave progressives and staunch pragmatists, crude in our dedication to Queen and Country, never faltering into apathetic submission. And we take great strides to emulate our predecessor; this present condition could not have been achieved without that enthusiastic generation that preceded the standard moment. And as such, we dote our ancestors and shower them with the highest of compliments. If the caustic sound of disapproval rings from our hearts, let God make the object of our grievances a Frenchman. In spite of a natural human inclination to be flawed, we recognize our superiority among all the white classes, and stand taller, in the very face of foreign odium. For let us not forget that it was Britain, and Britain alone, that gave Mr. Bonaparte a most disagreeable finish. With this enlivened energy, the citizenry of our courageous Kingdom will inherit their dutiful responsibly to their country, and espouse all those brave ideas with a galvanized spirit. Thus, we recall our leaders of recent past, who have helped shape this most excellent nation.

I'm no patriot. I just believe all you need in life is a stiff upper-lip and a sense of superiority to be successful! ​

In 1850, a short eleven years ago, the contemporary leader of the breakaway Tories, Sir Robert Peel, passed after a most unfortunate riding accident. He was succeeded, as leader of the Peelite faction, by the Lord Aberdeen, a staunch defender of a more liberal conservatism and a worthy successor to the former leader. Aberdeen was an accessible ally to the Prime Minister, the Whig, Lord Russell; their opinions were compatible and they shared an enthusiastic disdain for the protectionist Conservatives. But their relationship remained entirely hypothetical – the Whigs survived as an unofficial minority government, with Peelites and disgruntled Tories propping up the government. While the Peelites agreed with the Whigs on issues such as international trade, there were other concerns which Aberdeen believed were irreconcilable disputes. He personally disliked the Ecclesiastical Titles Assumption Bill, the rejection of which he failed to secure in 1851, and was further dismayed with Russell’s policies. Nonetheless, the Whigs continued to govern until 1852 when an internal struggle erupted between the Prime Minister and his Foreign Secretary, the Viscount Palmerstone. The belligerence of Lord Palmerston and his strange endorsement for continental revolution prompted the Foreign Secretary’s resignation on the Queen’s demand. He had, to the horror of the administration, endorsed Louis Napoleon’s usurpation of power during his 1851 Imperial coup, and infuriated the Monarch.

Mr Russell was was never the prettiest of gentlemen...​

Palmerston, outraged by Russell’s disloyalty, targeted a Whig supported Militia bill and proposed a popular amendment; an amendment that Russell did not support. The vote, which became a vote of confidence, caused the downfall of Russell’s ministry on the twenty-first of February, eighteen thousand and fifty-two. The Tory leader, the Early of Derby, assumed command of a brief premiership, which was to last until an election could be held in the summer. Lord Derby represented the Tory faction known as the Ministerialists; Conservative MPs who had supported the Corn Laws and tried to protect further trade duties from Whig economic reforms. The split Tory party was torn between the Peelites, the Free Traders, and the Ministerialists – all still nominally Conservative candidates. In the aftermath of the election, the three factions achieved a slim majority of two, while the Whigs and Lord Russell were only six seats behind. Derby’s government was deficient in prominent ministers; Benjamin Disreali, the unknown MP, was seemingly randomly appointed by Derby as Chancellor to the Exchequer. The matter was made worse when the octogenarian and deaf, Duke of Wellington, shouted “Who? “Who?” as each new cabinet member was announced in the House of Lords. The First Derby Ministry was henceforth referred to as the “Who?” “Who?” Ministry.

Facial hair does not always mean great success, especially for Mr. Derby. ​

Lord Russell was determined to prevent the government from surviving past the year. He conceded a coalition deal to Lord Aberdeen, who formed a government with fifty-four percent of the seats, with Whigs, Free-Traders, and Peelites supporting the deal. Although united on international trade issues and domestic reform, Aberdeen’s cabinent also contained Lord Palmerston and Russell, who were certain to differ on questions of foreign policy. A great density of excellent ministers prompted a worrying air of pretentious arrogance, and an astounding lack of consensus. Aberdeen was unable to provide the necessary authority, and did everything possible to separate the competing Whig leaders. But childish solutions were not enough to solve the issue, especially as foreign issues took grip of the government.


The Eastern Question began as early as the 2 December 1852 with the Napoleonic coup against the Second Republic of France. As he was forming his new imperial government, Napoleon III sent an ambassador to the Ottoman Empire with instructions to assert France's right to protect Christian sites in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Ottoman Empire agreed to this condition to avoid conflict or potential war with France. Britain became increasingly worried about the situation in Turkey and Prime Minister Aberdeen sent a famous diplomat, Lord Stratford, as a special envoy to guard British interests. Russia, of course, protested the French actions as a violation of the Treaty of Kucuk Kaynarca of 1778. Under this treaty, the Russians had been granted the exclusive right to protect the Christian sites in the Holy Land. Accordingly. on 7 May 1853, the Russians sent Prince Menshivok to resolve the issue. As the Turks began to bend back to the Prince Menshivok’s persuasions, the French ordered their premier warship, the Charlemagne, to the Black Sea as a show of force. In light of the French arrival, the Turks, again, revered their opinions and recognized the French right to protect the Christian Sites. Lord Statford was advising the Ottomans during this time, and it was alleged that he had been instrumental in persuading the Turks to reject the Russian arguments.

Lord Aberdeen, looking most curious!​

In response to this change of heart by the Ottomans, the Tsar ordered the occupation of Wallachia and Moldavia in July. Almost immediately, Russian troops deployed along the northern banks of the Danube and threatened to cross the river. Aberdeen, alarmed, ordered the British Fleet to Constantinople and later, into the Black Sea. Nearly three months later, the Ottoman Empire declared War on Russia, riding a wave of Anglo-French support. When the Turkish fleet was destroyed at Sinope, an Anglo-French ultimatum was invalidated and the two nations declared war on Russia in March. By the fall, British and French troops had landed on the Crimean peninsula at Eupatoria, due north of Sevastapol. The Allied troops then moved across the Alma River at the Battle of Alma and set siege to Sevastapool.

A Russian attack on the British supply base at Balaclava in October drew national attention after the terrific failure of British forces during a foolish charge of Light Calvary across an open valley. Although the Battle of Balaclava was won, dissatisfaction as to the course of the war began to church. French successes and British failures prompted insurrection among the government, and in January, a vote to inquire into the conduct of the war defeated the government. Treated as a vote of no confidence, Aberdeen resigned his premiership and retired from politics. Despite the Queen’s deep distruct of the Home Secretary, Victoria invited Palmerston to Buckingham Palace on the fourth of February, 1855.

Our most glorious and elegant leader, Lord P. ​

Palmerston took a hard line on the war; he wanted to expand the conflict, especially in the Baltic, where St. Petersburg could be threatened by the Royal Navy. His goal was to permanently reduce the Russian threat to Europe, and was further encouraged by the optimism of Sweden and Prussia. However, France, which had sent far more soldiers to the war than Britain, and had suffered far more casualties, wanted the war to end, as did Austria. Following the death of the Tsar, and a quick succession to his liberal heir, Alexander II, peace was quickly the occupation of Europe. Palmerston found the initial peace terms too soft on Russia and urged Napoleon to break off the peace negotiations until Sevastapool could be captured. Palmerston’s advice turned out to be a great success; in September, Sevastapool surrendered and the allies assumed full control of the Black Sea theatre. In the subsequent negotiations, Palmerston’s demand for a demilitarized Black Sea was secured, although his wish to return Crimea to the Ottomans was not. Nonetheless, the treaty was signed in March and Palmerston was awarded the Order of the Garter by Queen Victoria.

Palmerston’s government would last until 1858, when dissent among his own ranks and a galvanized opposition defeated Palmerton’s “Conspiracy to Murder” Bill. This, in spite of a strong electoral majority in the 1857 election, saw Palmerston chucked out of office and Derby return to the Premiership. The Second Derby ministry fared little better than the first; it lasted just over a year, and managed to restore rule in India, but could not overcome the Whig’s popular appeal in the general election. Palmerston’s alliance of Whigs, Peelites, Radicals and Irish Brigades (unofficially known as the Liberal Party) achieved a comfortable majority and returned to power with a second consecutive electoral victory. And with the present condition all but established, and more external issues at the edge of our Kingdom’ serenity, we give wish and call to the present Premier, and hope he can eradicate the smelliest aspects of this damp and gloomy world.

 

[99KingHigh]

Tory #1

 

[99KingHigh]

Whig #2

 

[99KingHigh]

Con #3

 

[99KingHigh]

Lib #4

 

[99KingHigh]

Lab #5

 

[99KingHigh]

The Royal Court of St. James is hereby opened to all foreign dignitaries, emissaries and men of notability.

​

 

[Arrowfiend]

A Letter from acting Mexican President Benito Juarez​

It is with my deepest apologies that I must announce that any interest we are paying towards loans made from your country will be cancelled. Our country is ravaged by Civil War and funds must be devoted elsewhere so that the Conservatives can be defeated. We hope that you understand.

 

[PotatoMan]

An official message from the Premier of the United Province of Canada

The outbreak of civil war in the United States of America is a great concern to our government, therefore, we call upon Her Majesty's Government to provide the Province of Canada with information regarding what measures shall be undertaken to protect British North America.

The Legislative Assembly shall meet in an emergency sessions to discuss what actions can be taken by the provincial government so that the safety of Canada and Canadians can be kept.

Signed,

John A. Macdonald

​

 

[Harpsichord]

Spoiler: Private communiqué to the British Foreign Office from Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut, French ambassador to the Court of St. James

I have received worrying correspondence from Paris that the Mexicans intent to halt, if not cancel, their payments to European interests. Knowing that both our governments and the Spanish would be affected, I have been entrusted to seek out a unified response to this issue.

 

[Nax24]

An Official Message from the President of the Council of Ministers of Portugal​

The government of Portugal asks that Her Majesty the Queen and her loyal government reassert the almost five-hundred year old Treaty of Windsor in these times of great strife throughout the world. The Treaty of Windsor, established in 1386, is an alliance pact between the Kingdom of Portugal and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. We ask that Her Majesty the Queen reaffirm her support of the treaty for the benefit of both parties involved.

-President of the Council of Ministers of the Portuguese Government on behalf of The King of Portugal and the Algarves, of either side of the sea in Africa, Lord of Guinea and of Conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and India, etc, Dom Pedro V, Nuno José Severo de Mendoça Rolim de Moura Barreto, 1st Duke of Loulé

 

[99KingHigh]

Spoiler: Private communiqué to the British Foreign Office from Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut, French ambassador to the Court of St. James

I have received worrying correspondence from Paris that the Mexicans intent to halt, if not cancel, their payments to European interests. Knowing that both our governments and the Spanish would be affected, I have been entrusted to seek out a unified response to this issue.

Spoiler: Reply to the French ambassado from the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Ambassador,

The Prime Minister is of a similar mind regarding the recent incident with British credit to the Mexican government. We understand that the governments of France and Spain are occupied with identical concerns; therefore, we will subscribe to a joint-proposition to the Mexican government, with strict but reasonable terms to restore fiscal confidence in Mexican debt. I have been in conversation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gladstone, and he is in agreement; the sovereign intake must be reproduced to European investors.

Sincerely,
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

 

[Dadarian]

Spoiler: Private Communique to the British Ambassador to Italy, Sir James Hudson, from the Italian Foreign Office

His Majesty, King Vittorio Emmanuel II, has expressed interest in establishing a protectorate over the Sheikhdom of Qatar.

In light of British interests in the region, His Majesty's Government, with royal assentation, is asking if the British Government and Her Majesty the Queen objected to such a protectorate being formed. The Kingdom of Italy wishes only to create a single jewel to hold in the Royal Crown, and the Qatari Peninsula would be the first and grandest of such jewels if Her Majesty acquiesced to such a request.

 

[Haresus]

Spoiler: Private Communique to the British Ambassador in Constantinople, Lord Dalling and Bulwer, from Grand Vizier Mehmed Emin Âli Pasha

In light of Montenegrin acts of aggression against the Ottoman Empire, harsh action is required to end the despicable rebellious elements in the Herzegovina region and remind the Montenegrins of their duties to the Sublime Porte. We wish to ask for your advice regarding the actions to be taken and we also ask for the support of the United Kingdom in this affair to avoid the interference of foreign powers such as the recently defeated, and possibly revanchist, Russian Empire. The stability of this region in the Ottoman Empire can potentially be threatened by the Montenegrin-Herzegovinian insurgents and it is our duty to bring them to justice with the full force of the law. We are considering a prolonged campaign to defeat them thoroughly and disarm the clansmen, eliminate the possibility of uncontrolled weapon imports and to remove the chance of the Principality of Montenegro ever again inciting such treasonable activities as they have lately been found to do, but we are interested in what the British reaction to this might include.

 

[99KingHigh]

An Official Message from the President of the Council of Ministers of Portugal​

The government of Portugal asks that Her Majesty the Queen and her loyal government reassert the almost five-hundred year old Treaty of Windsor in these times of great strife throughout the world. The Treaty of Windsor, established in 1386, is an alliance pact between the Kingdom of Portugal and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. We ask that Her Majesty the Queen reaffirm her support of the treaty for the benefit of both parties involved.

-President of the Council of Ministers of the Portuguese Government on behalf of The King of Portugal and the Algarves, of either side of the sea in Africa, Lord of Guinea and of Conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and India, etc, Dom Pedro V, Nuno José Severo de Mendoça Rolim de Moura Barreto, 1st Duke of Loulé

An Official Response from the Foreign Office

​

As adherents and simple successors to the brave warriors of this early century, the government would be at great fault to retreat from the brave strives of our Iberian companions. We do, on behalf of her Majesty, reaffirm our commitment to the Portuguese nation, and hope that our continental relations will be perpetuated in a most robust and unwavering fashion.

Lord Russell, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs​

 

[99KingHigh]

Spoiler: Private Communique to the British Ambassador to Italy, Sir James Hudson, from the Italian Foreign Office

His Majesty, King Vittorio Emmanuel II, has expressed interest in establishing a protectorate over the Sheikhdom of Qatar.

In light of British interests in the region, His Majesty's Government, with royal assentation, is asking if the British Government and Her Majesty the Queen objected to such a protectorate being formed. The Kingdom of Italy wishes only to create a single jewel to hold in the Royal Crown, and the Qatari Peninsula would be the first and grandest of such jewels if Her Majesty acquiesced to such a request.

Spoiler: Private Communique to the Italian Foreign Ministry from the Foreign Secretary

​

Signor Ricasoli, Your Excellency,

Although we have, under the guidance of our ambassador, Mr. Hudson, and an occasional naval intervention during your tumultuous revolution, been of the most devoted character to the formation of the Italian nation, His Majesty's Government can not endorse this action. The Skeikhdom of Qatar was formerly of the interest of our British East India Company, and due to its recent nationalization, the Government is now charged with the protection of British business and industry. We do, however, recognize the substantiated desire to spread the values of Italian culture to the savages, and give correction to those lesser peoples. If His Majesty, the King of Italy, can find a desirable location without contravention to British interests, the Government of this island shall offer unwavering support.

Lord Russell, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs​

 

[Harpsichord]

Spoiler: Private communique, draft response to the Mexican government, copied to both the Spanish and English courts

The representatives of England, France and Spain on behalf of their government authorise the following:

Acknowledging that the United Mexican States has unilaterally declared its loans to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Empire of France (hereafter referred to as the 'Allied Powers') as void the Allied Powers thus:

• That as a gesture of conciliation, expect that the previous declaration by acting President Juarez be rescinded, and the repayment of finances recommence after a period of 12 months, with all interest accrued within this period to be repaid upon its end.
  
• That if the above is not met, the Allied Powers reserve the right to occupy the ports of Mexico, with the aim that all customs income be redeemed by the Allied Powers to meet the obligations of Mexico pertaining to the financial claims of the Allied Powers.
  
• That none of the Allied Powers seek territorial, political or financial advantage from any operations that are a consequence of this treaty.
• That within all reason and ability, any operations that are a consequence of this treaty shall not impede or affect the maritime commerce of the Allied Powers or neutral states.
  
• That a commission of three men, one representing each of the Allied Powers, be empowered to enforce the financial claims of the Allied Powers and oversee the distribution of any and all reparations