El Imperio Muerto: A PDM IAAR

[Duke Dan `the Man`]

Letter to the First Secretary of State (Qwerty)

I have a simple proposal, although forgive me if I sent this to the wrong man. Simply, I would like to ask if His Catholic Majesty would be interesting in the Reestablishment of the Royal Phillipine Company. Although the company is de facto, still around, my native land has not seen much action on their part for a long time. From what I know, the current Chancellor has been inactive. A renewed interest in reviving the company could lead to improved industrial expansion which would, in effect, improve the economy and industrial capabilities of our nation. I hope you shall consider this offer. I assume you are one with the authority to approve such matter, from your positions as Secretary of Economic Affairs, such as this one, and First Secretary of States.

Simon Mercado

 

[Marschalk]

((Private))

The Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Court was in doubt – whom the people associated with his structure would support? He knew that the Monarch was not happy with the whole Pater de Valle affair – the conflict and a scandal within His governing organs. He always publicly kept silence about his support for any party – however what the Lord Chamberlain knew was that the King wanted the traditionalists to participate more actively in politics, instead of ignoring the new institutions. He said so during the private meetings with the leadership of traditionalists a few years ago – and directly to the Lord Chamberlain as well. And therefore it was up to the Lord Chamberlain to help them with that. The agents of the forces associated with the Court visited a manor after a manor, a house after a house, encouraging the traditionalist landowners and citizens to vote instead of clubbing the hostile demonstrations as they once did. While (taking their views into account) the natural choice was to be the League of St James and the Royalists, his aim was ot to lure somebody to the movement per se- but to ensure that everybody possessing the conservative and traditionalist views (and, of course, voting rights) would make his voice heard at the voting booth. After all, was it not something the King wanted?

Party: Liga Realista

 

[Keinwyn]

((Private, I suppose))

Largely disgusted with the previous Assembly, Lolo is persuaded to take an active role in the '79 elections. Not of course in making speeches or tub thumping, such activities are not remotely appealing to the young Brigadier and, in any case, likely useless in his estimation. Instead he makes full use of his influence to grease the gears of local patronage networks.

'...they are good boys, Pedro passed his exams, but was passed over for promotion...'
*Lolo grins sympathetically* 'That can't do now can it? I will see what can be done, patriotic young men with the skills and loyalty shouldn't see their advancement stymied...'
'God bless you, sir, I will make sure my boys know of your kindness.'

'...choice plantations in the Niger, our family have always been loyal servants of the crown, rewards would...'
'I am sure the Lord Etxeto would be amenable to arranging...'

'...possibility of arranging a loan, I know this isn't strictly within your purview, but maybe you could put in a word...'
*wolfish grin*

Party: Amarillos

Party: Amarillos

((Oh my! I appear to have voted twice!))

Making full use of those same patronage networks that extended into the regional bureaucracy, elements of Los Amarillos spured on by unknown individuals (it was Lolo) opened the way to what might charitably be called 'creative voting'. In the region of Valencia in particular, where his family held a deal of influence in local affairs, Lolo was especially aggressive in his attempts to ensure a good showing for Los Amarillos - Lolo himself had his seat along the catalan-aragonese border, but had spent very little time massaging local elites there.

Of course, this is not to say Los Amarillos were not an attractive party in their own right. With the death of Aldecantra, the MpL's commitment to economic liberalism was extremely questionable, with Sevilla murmuring about a possible merger with the protectionist PP. Whilst their commitment to Royal power was not in dispute, their stance on minor political reform remained rather opaque (largely due to their no-shows during many votes on such subjects, although it should be noted that it was Amarillos votes that defeated Pontevedra's attempts to gag the Assembly. These two combined may see them pick up many more moderate liberal votes.

 

[Wyverncraft]

Maria had given a lot of thought to what she was going to do. No one was going to join a loud and brash club if it attracted unwanted attention from the government, and any sort of demonstration was right out.

Hmm. Perhaps a slower approach may be better.

She had an idea- establish a college. It would be funded by her, allowing her full control of it's activities, and she could educate strictly women. It would create an educated, more independent group of people. Hopefully ones who would share Maria's ideas.

Thus, Maria Blanco Alvarez began the creation of a fully equipped women only college, with its campus near the city of Medina. It would educate women in business, economics, history, and teaching. Costs would be rather high, so only the reasonably rich could afford them.

Hopefully it would eventually turn a profit. But it certainly didn't need to.

 

[Qwerty7]

Party: Liga Realista

 

[Firehound15]

Party: Movimiento Rojo ((For now...))

 

[liefwarrior]

Party: Liga Realista

 

[Nax24]

The Election of 1879​

The Election of 1879 started with campaigns across the nation as parties began to persuade the people to vote for their side. As the campaigns grew, a new party would emerge, the Socialist Movement. This party was a "moderate socialist" movement. Unlike the socialist movements in other countries, this movement was pro-monarchy, and even went as far as to compromise with the bourgeoisie in certain situations. The movement was the first socialist party in the nation. Many people expected it to be banned for supporting a radical idea, but they were actually allowed. This shocked many people, especially in the upper-class. To the conservatives, even if they were monarchist, the fact that a socialist party was allowed to run made many aristocrats upset at the Minister of the Interior, the one who checked parties to make sure they were legal. To many in the opposition, this furthered their resolve. "Our parties are constantly scrutinized and harassed by the government and they just let socialists act freely?" said one People's Party member. With the socialists now in the game, the opposition prepared to press their campaign harder, and it looked like the Moviemento was set to become a leading party in the Audience...

Until Aldecanta was assassinated...

Cristobal Aldecanta, in the middle of the election, was gunned down in Seville during a speech. No one knows who killed Aldecanta. Royalists claimed it was an angry liberal who was imprisoned in the Compromise, while those loyal to Aldecanta claimed it was a Royalist assassin. Regardless of who did it, any attempt to maintain order during the election fell apart. The campaigns grew fiercer and fiercer, as speeches and rallies for opposition parties grew across the nation. However, Aldecanta's murder threw the Moviemento into disarray. The Duke of Seville assumed the position of leadership, but the foundation of the party was shaky. Many moderate liberals joined the People's Party. Until the Moviemento got itself fully organized, it would be hurt in the election results. The Royalists could not celebrate either though. Reports found that popular support for the Royalists dropped after accusations from the People's Party about the Minister of Interior and leader of the Royalists used violent methods to suppress the People's Party. Many moderate conservatives distanced themselves from the stain on the Minister of the Interior. Even if he was innocent, these moderate conservatives did not wish to be part of the party with a man who was accused by another man, and whose only defense was to brand said accuser as a criminal. Of course, arch-conservatives and those against the Royalists loved this action, but many moderates would join Los Amarillos.

While the minor parties were gaining strength, an ideology would form. Based in Columbia, a radical form of socialism would emerge in Spain. Dubbed "communism" by the masses, this violent ideology wished for the overthrow of the monarchy, and actively campaigned for a proletariat government. At the same time, another ideology would emerge that combined the ideals of socialism and liberalism. It became known as Social-Liberalism, and would campaign for social and political reforms in the country.

The day of the election came, and the votes were tallied. However, many were surprised to hear that a committee was established by the government to overview the elections in the country. Many began to assume that this was just a way to prevent voting fraud by checking to make sure it was not committed. It wasnt until the election that suspicions began to arise. Royalists were declared winners in areas that many assumed would not go Royalist. While Royalists were happily surprised, the opposition was a bit skeptical about this committee and its true intents. Regardless if the Royalists used this to commit voting fraud, it wouldnt be enough to secure a majority. The loss of moderate conservatives would prove to prevent the Royalists from achieving a majority. Instead, the results would be tallied as such:

Royalists: 138 Seats
People's Party: 65 Seats
Los Amarillos: 100 Seats
Moviemento: 75 Seats
Socialist Movement: 2 Seats
Regionalists: 20 Seats

​

The loss of the moderates, even with the possibility of electoral fraud on their side, caused the Royalists to lose ten seats. Trust in Cesc Roma as a banker caused him to gain seats in the area surrounding his bank, giving his Regionalists five extra seats. Los Amarillos collected most of the Royalists who left their party, as well as gained the funding and support of many capitalists for supporting the repeal of regulations hurting the incomes of these capitalists, and gained a hefty amount of seats. The People's Party did the same thing with Moviemento leavers, gaining almost triple the seats it had in the last session. The People's Party and the Moviemento combined now have a larger seat total than the Royalists, making a Royalist-Los Amarillos alliance that much more important for the goals of the Royalists. The Socialists, while gaining only a tiny number of seats, are becoming very popular among the working class. Sadly, the working class cannot vote, hampering the Socialist movement tremendously. With the election concluded, the King must now make a government. The Royalists still hold on to their plurality in the Audience.

-------------------------------
Player Actions Needed: Marschalk must now make a government, with the recommendation that First Minister be a member of the majority coalition/plurality party. Bills must also be proposed.

 

[Revan529]

Due to the utter silence on the part of the People's Party, both in regards to its condemnation of its criminal leadership and in regards to repeated requests to distance itself from the aforementioned, are hereby declared to be banned; they have, in their time, proven obstinate, wholly unwilling to compromise on all matters, disrespectful of the Crown and its government, and at times open criminal.

~ Pontevedra

-

The Marquis shows an interest in this new college in Medina, founded strictly for women; whilst he no particular interest either way in the education of women - that would be for the King or the First Minister to determine - he nonetheless had a strong interest in the curriculum of the school. He would immediately begin taking steps to ensure it was in-line with the Crown and the Church; if it were to continue, he would make certain its students were properly educated.

 

[TJDS]

Again, the Count seems to assume powers he doed not possess, of course we shall challange this dangerous usurpation of responsibilities in the Courts of Spain.

The People's Party will also challange the results in the constituencies where highly suspicious activity has taken place.

De Valle

 

[Revan529]

The Interior Secretariat is perfectly within its rights to determine the legality of parties - this was accepted in 1873, and now six years on, it remains the practice. I will recommend to the Grace and Justice Secretariat to throw out this needless litigation; simply put, it is the hollow ramblings of radicals who cannot simply accept that they, after time and again galling the Court, openly lying, and generally proving mischievous and wholly untrustworthy, have been thoroughly wanting and made redundant.

I should also reiterate that the Interior Secretariat gave the People's Party and its leadership ample time to defend itself; I in my capacity as its head wrote several times to multiple leaders making the unmet provisions and other factors in this decision completely known. That there was abject silence from the recipients of these letters cannot be faulted to the Interior Secretariat, nor can it be referred to as "usurpacious." It is wholly legal, and to say otherwise would be to speak from ignorance or from deception. I have been generous, too generous, and I care not for this matter to be broached again.

~ Pontevedra

 

[Nax24]

((Private, Mars))

​

Your Catholic Majesty

I will happily agree to a betrothal between my daughter, Amélie of Orleans, and yourself. A marriage shall commence when she turns the age of 17, which shall be in the year 1882. I shall send her next year to live with the Bourbon household until she is of the proper age.

-Louis Philippe Albert d'Orléans, Prince of France and Count of Paris

-------------------------------------------------------

Another letter from the German government states that they will agree to a marriage between Princess Charlotte and Prince Pelayo.

 

[Revan529]

The Marquis of Pontevedra, in his capacity as Head of the War Council, had travelled to Cadiz to review the dockyards, which had been recently expanded. In his company, he had the good fortune to travel with the recently betrothed Infante Pelayo, who had been the architect of the present military reforms. They had just finished reviewing the Felipe V, name ship of the thus far unfinished ironclads, when the prince struck up a conversation.

“Juapon, when do you think the battleships will be ready?”

“Not for a while now, your highness.” Replied the Marquis, ignoring the nickname the prince had so kindly coined. “I doubt even a single one shall be available for the fleet by the time the war begins; fortunately, I doubt the natives will have a force to even sink our transports, let alone a man-o-war.”

“I suppose you are right Juaponito. Still, it would be better to have them.” The prince strolled on ahead, looking at the various other ships careening against the grey sky at some distance. After a moment, he began walking over to a different direction – the Marquis could not be bothered to discover what had stolen the prince’s interests. To think but a decade ago this… ebullient young man had been sickly to the point of being bedridden.

“Juapazon, I suppose Feli has told you of my intentions.” The prince said whilst looking over some crates, before ducking down behind them.

“Yes, His Majesty has informed of your decision to join the military after your wedding.” His wife would do well with some space from him, the Marquis thought. “So, shall you be a commander in the next war; or shall you be stationed elsewhere?”

“I suppose that’s for Feli to decide, though he’d likely listen to your advice, Juapogran; you are the War Secretary, after all.”

“Your Highness, I believe you ar-“

“For all intents and purposes, you are, Juapontojefe.”

The Marquis walked over to the crates, and finding the prince has disappeared, at last let out a sigh. “I suppose you are right. When we return to Madrid, I will ask His Majesty to consider your position in the military.”

“Many, many thanks Juaponútil.” The prince said from behind him.

“If it would please Your Highness, shall we continue on with the review; the ships should be returning to port within the hour; if you are to join them, perhaps you should at least make acquaintance with their commanders.”

“Right you are, Juaposabio.”

The Marquis managed to hold the sigh and joined with the remaining company of officers and bureaucrats to continue with the review. Though more often than not, their time was spent listening to the prince go on about some idea, or otherwise ensuring they didn't lose him. A second missing prince would be catastrophic.

-

​

Infante Pelayo María Luis Sancho de Borbon y Wittelsbach
b. 11 August 1859, Palacio de Aranjuez, Madrid
Background: Eccentric Genius
Personality: Genius

Infante Pelayo was the third surviving son of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (later Carlos VI), and his first child with Princess Alexandra of Bavaria; throughout his infancy and his childhood, he was bedridden, and was known for his sickly disposition, though the public was never made terribly privy to its full extents. The excellent work of Dr Gregorio de Moscoso, who was privately credited for saving the young boy’s life several times, though some later writers have been far less kind to the doctor.

His constant sickness and his general frailty had a profound effect on the Prince’s psyche; like his mother, he had found a passion for reading and writing at a young age, and began composing stories and poems from the comfort, as it were, of his own bed. When his elder half-brothers left for Germany to continue their education (he would see neither of them again until after the death of their father), he became ever more isolated – indeed, despite his precociousness, he had an innate shyness around strangers, and his relationship with his younger sister was often strained, perhaps because they shared a similar disposition, but often differing views and interests.

It was also rumoured that he inherited from his mother certain tendencies and imbalances, though as he entered into adolescence, he seemed to recover from them, as his mother had done in her later years (though the lingering concern that, after she suffered a relapse after her ascension to the monarchy and the myriad duties and trials associated with it, concerns about the Prince’s mental health lingered, and was perhaps the key reason Dr de Moscoso was retained even after the death of Carlos VI, when no small amount of ire was directed towards him).

His entry in the public sphere came with a rather lightning surprise after the passing of Carlos VI, when later that year Pelayo published a pair of treatises discussing potential reforms to the army and navy, which he argued with some skill were becoming increasingly necessary; his works laid the foundation for the largest military reform and expansion yet taken by the Carlist regime, and at the tender age of fourteen, he had emerged as a surprising intellectual figure amongst the aristocracy. It was several years, however, before the reforms began to be fully implemented, and even then a lack of resources and experience seemed to slow down the process at every turn.

As he entered into adulthood, he stated his intention to join the military, though he seemed to have little intention of restricting himself to either the navy or the army, believing himself to be more than capable of commanding on land or at sea; he formally joined the military shortly following his marriage to Princess Charlotte of Germany. Still, his recurring health issues and general frailness has still not left him, despite his energetic nature and actively lifestyle, and he retains the services of many talented doctors and nurses as his retinue, perhaps one of the main reasons why he has become an adamant supporter from reforming the Kingdom’s hospitals and medical practices.

A conservative at his core, though not without reformist sympathies (at least occasionally; the Prince is notoriously mercurial), and devoutly religious, he is known for his strong loyalty to his half-brother and to the Bourbon dynasty, though seems more apt to involve himself in the various vanity and pet projects that engross his attention than partake in the political arena with any real seriousness.

((Secondary character for Naxhi to use as an admiral/general as needed))

 

[Duke Dan `the Man`]

Industrial-Capitalist Bank
Commonly Called the Mercandan Bank
​

Founded by Simon Mercando and 6 other Filipinos in Hong Kong, the bank was formed to further the industrial expansion by endeavoring industrialist and capitalist men by providing a safe place to take out loans to develop new factories, invest in new technologies, and open up new businesses. Any man or woman can take out a loan from the Mercandan Bank, with an flat interest rate of 5%, as long as they agree to a contract with the company. The company, while centered in Hong Kong, has offices in Barcelona and Manila.

 

[ML8991]

The End​

It seemed to Alejandro that even the best doctors could be wrong as he lay, awash in a pale sweat, upon his bed in a manor he had bought, so as to bring him closer to court as his position so called for. The cough attacked him all the more heavily now and Alejandro thanked his own foresight in thinking to write his will before this horrible illness overtook him. Sadly no one, aside from his staff, stood beside Alejandro's bedside, his children were attending court or otherwise social functions and his wife had passed a few years back, they said from age, but Alejandro felt that was merely a facade, so as to avoid any worries on his behalf. He opened his eyes, how such a simple task seemed so difficult now he reasoned slowly in his head, and saw a most beautiful sunrise. A new day had risen, and for the sun's effort to rise to the sky, a life was given, so passed Principe Alejandro Manuel Felice Juan Francesco de Soneta di Belmonte, to be survived by his heir, in truth his nephew, but raised as a son, to hopefully rise from the dusk of his father's and uncles fall, to become greater than the both of them.



New Character

Name: Principe-Duque Pedro Alvér Charles Sancho Michael de Alcántara Álvarez de Toledo de Soneta di Belmonte e Infantado

Date of Birth: 19th July 1848

Titles: Principe de Belmonte,15th Duque de la Infantado,11th Duque de Pastrana,11th Duque de Estremera,12th Duque de Francavilla,12th Duque de Peñaranda de Duero, Duke of Acerenza,10th Marqués de Távara,Marqués de Santillana,Marqués del Cenete,Marqués de Almenara,Marqués de Cea,Marqués de Campoo,Marqués de Algecilla,Marqués de Argüeso,Marqués de Valderrábano,Marqués de Villanueva del Fresno y Barcarrota,Marqués de la Algaba,Marqués de la Bañeza,Marqués de Mirallo,Marqués de Valdunquillo,Marquess of Galatone, Marquess of Castellabate, Conde de Saldañ,Conde de Villada,Conde del Real de ManzanaresConde del Cid, Conde de MontijoConde de Miranda del Castañar,Conde de Fuentidueña,Conde de Casarrubios del Monte,Conde de San Esteban de Gormaz y Vizconde de Palacios de la Valduerna,Count of Copertino, Grandee First Class

Background: Reserved, Classical, Genius

Bio: For the early era of his life, Pedro had no idea where he would head. With the challenges his father presented to the government, he quickly imagined he would follow his father into exile. But, for reasons still unclear to many, including both his saviour Prince Alejandro and the now Duke Pedro, the Principe de Belmonte decided to save him from this fate, and instead raise him as his own son. Many at court felt this was greed, but a reason that came to Pedro's mind often was that the Prince merely wanted a son, after all, Pedro had to grow up with two "sisters" and no male to speak of, aside from staff and the Prince himself.

Quickly Pedro found, his new foster father drove him into his studies, allowing his future heir the widest of educations, and indeed Pedro took it. By the time two years had passed, Pedro could quite easily recite from memory at least half of the Iliad and the Odessey in its native greek, bring to recall and discuss the meanings behind Plutarch's Great Lives, whilst simultaneously writing in alternating lines of German and French to decode Harvey's discourse on the Circulation in the Bodies. Beyond that, it was hard to assitain where the boy's intellect ended.

These skills, as well as the crown's close association with his foster father, allowed Pedro to quickly rise up the ranks in government. First Lord of the Bedchamber, then Co Secretary for the Africa and Indies Council, and for the last few years Secretary to the State Council, although this body had been relatively quiet as of recent times. The comprehensive career that Alejandro had unconsciously given his heir had put him in good stead, and many now wondered where this young sprout could end up...

 

[Nax24]

1879 Census​

Total Population: ~32.67 Million
Voting Population: ~856,000​

 

[Korona]

((Private))

The Duke walked into the Church of San Nicolas in Madrid. As he walked into the church, the Duke remembered Cristobal going off on how disgusting, how vile this oath of loyalty was. The Duke smiled to himself, even in death, Cristobal's fierce hatred of absolutism was as present as it was in life. As he walked up the aisle to the altar, he saw a representative of the King standing by, there to confirm that he had given the oath. Enrique wondered quietly if this man was a servant of not the King, but of the Snake of Spain, Pontevedra. The priest picked up a Bible and thrust it toward the Duke, instructing him to place his left hand on it and hold his right hand up. After repeating his oath to the King, swearing to serve him, do him no harm, all of that irrelevant nonsense, the Duke smiled to the priest, gave a sharp look to the King's representative, and left the Church.

 

[Nax24]

1879 Regional Audience Report

((Note: Marschalk must fill in the number of seats missing since 25% of all Regional Audiences are Appointed by him))

((Note: Castilla Nueva does not have a Regional Audience due to it being the region housing Madrid, the Royal Capital))

Leon-Castilla
Capital: Leon
Audience Size: 57
Layout: 30 Conservatives, 2 Archconservatives, 7 Liberals, 3 Social-Liberals

Valencia
Capital: Valencia
Audience Size: 55
Layout: 27 Conservatives, 2 Archconservatives, 7 Liberals, 3 Social-Liberals

Galicia
Capital: La Coruna
Audience Size: 50
Layout: 25 Conservatives, 3 Archconservatives, 5 Liberals, 3 Social-Liberals

Catalonia
Capital: Barcelona
Audience Size: 42
Layout: 22 Conservatives, 2 Archconservatives, 5 Liberals, 1 Social-Liberal

Andalucia
Capital: Seville
Audience Size: 40
Layout: 18 Conservatives, 5 Archconservatives, 6 Liberals, 1 Social-Liberal

Granada
Capital: Granada
Audience Size: 37
Layout: 8 Conservatives, 3 Archconservatives, 16 Liberals

Vasconia/Basqueland
Capital: Bilbao
Audience Size: 30
Layout: 15 Conservatives, 2 Archconservatives, 3 Liberals, 1 Social-Liberal

Aragon
Capital: Zaragoza
Audience Size: 24
Layout: 13 Conservatives, 1 Archconservative, 3 Liberals

Extramudera
Capital: Badajoz
Audience Size: 20
Layout: 11 Conservatives, 1 Archconservatives, 3 Liberals

Balearic Islands
Capital: Menocra
Audience Size: 20
Layout: 12 Conservatives, 3 Liberals​

 

[Marschalk]

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE 1879
((Audience- Private))​

Good Assemblymen and State Councillors,

We are am glad to once again greet this noble body. We hope that during the next five years you would serve Us and Spain in a productive ways, setting aside factionalism and remembering that you are here to do the same thing - assist the Throne to better and develop Our beloved realm.

Speaking of service to the Realm - before the Gran Audiencia, We ask this benign organ, before moving to other affairs, to spend a minute in silent prayer to honor the memory of its passed leader, the Prince of Belmonte. Coming from one of the most ancient houses of the Kingdom, this man has spent nearly forty years in public service, tirelessly working for the good of the Dynasty and State. It was a true gentleman, a man who loved his King, his Country and law, who had a great sense of justice and sensibility, whose kindness and moderation always made him friends while he lacked enemies. With his death, We have lost a friend and good servant - and the Country lost a patriot. May he rest in peace.

We must note that We are disturbed by the recent events connected with the mutual accusations of the Marquess of Pontevedra and Pater der Valle. While We do not doubt the professionalism of the Ministry of Interior, We do not wish that any talks of a personal conflict might blemish the decisions on revocation of a license of a party. Therefore We have decided to decree that from this moment that a special committee should oversee this case. It would consist of three comptrollers, assisted by an apparatus of lawyers and public servants. We appoint the Duke of Infantado, the Duque of Escalona and the Marquess of Etxeto as the current comptrollers of this committee and ask both the Marquess of Pontevedra to bring his accusations to this committee and Pater de Valle to present is defense. The committee is then to bring its considerations to myself and the First Secretary. Should it be proven that the Peoples Party of Spain has indeed olated the laws and traditions of Spain, that it has endangered Our authority, public order and civil peace, it indeed should be disbanded – but not because of personal disagreements.

God be with you.

FELIPE

Cabinet 1879
​

President of the State Council: Duque de Escalona (Qwerty)

First Secretary of State: Duque de Escalona (Qwerty)

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs: Marqués de Riojo (Dadarian)

Secretary of State for the Treasury: Duque de Escalona (Qwerty)

Second Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Interior, Grace and Justice: Sr. de Correia y de Medinaceli (Revan)

Secretary of State for Public Works and Economic Affairs: Duque de Menorca ((Firehound))

War Council:

Leader of the Council: Sr. de Correia y de Medinaceli (Revan)
Antonio Carlos de Zumalacárregui e Imaz (RR)
Marqués de Riojo (Dadarian)
Infante Pelayo de Bourbon y Wittelsbach
Secretary of the Council and Quartermaster General of the Spanish Armed |Forces: Brigadier General Manuel Marino Sastre y Luna, Conde de Riner ((Keinwyn))

President of the Indies and Africa Council: Antonio Juan Alvarez del Toro y Suárez de Urbina (lifewarrior)

Secretary for Church Relationships. Educational and Cultural Affairs: the Archbishop of Toledo ((Luft))

Regional governments:​

Viceroy of Leon-Castilla: Duque de Infantado

Сo-Viceroys of Basconia: Marqués de Riojo (Dadarian)
Antonio Carlos de Zumalacárregui e Imaz ((RR)


Viceroy of Galicia:
Sr. de Correia y de Medinaceli (Revan)

Viceroy of Granada: Duque de Toledo

Viceroy of Catalonia: Duque de Menorca

 

[Scrapknight]

Embassy of the United States of America to Spain

Ambassador: Hiram Z. Cunningham
​

Name: Hiram Zebulon Cunningham
Born: March 2nd, 1828, New York, NY
Background: American Ambassador to Spain

Born to a New York family of some political clout in the Democratic-Republican Party, and then the Democratic Party, Hiram Cunningham was destined for some manner of political career nearly from the moment he was born. His father Zebulon was elected Mayor of New York in 1846, the same year that Hiram joined the Army and went off to fight in the Mexican-American War. Picking up some amount of Spanish during his service in the army, Hiram profited off his father's connections to secure a seat in the New York state legislature in 1856. The Democratic political machine in New York City seemed set to propel Cunningham to the Governor's seat in 1864, but backlash against the Cunningham's suspected Copperhead tendencies sent him to crushing defeat. Needing to retreat from the limelight to save his future political career, Hiram moved towards the civil service. While the Republican administrations after the Civil War kept him in mostly menial positions, he saw an opportunity with Samuel Tilden's campaign for the Presidency in 1872. Cunningham worked tirelessly to deliver the state of New York for the Democrats in a massive upset, and in return, was granted a relatively cushy assignment in Spain. Or so he thought.

Spanish-American relations had been dicey at best ever since the Carlist Revolution, and the Spanish government would often not respond at all to American communications. Not helping matters was the refusal of the government to allow the American embassy to operate out of Madrid, relegating it instead to Barcelona, far away from the seat of power. While Cunningham appreciated the beautiful beaches, it did not bode well for a constructive relationship with the Spanish government. Increasingly annoyed at the Spanish government's petulance, Cunningham has begun to look beyond the wine, women and song of Barcelona to actually doing his job with gusto.