ah Javier Javier Javier... uh.... I mean Zorro Zorro Zorro... I wonder what legends would spark in this new nation, I wonder what would be of Norton too.
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gis- Norton? Well, maybe later 
...
Now an update, despite the fact that it's a day since the last one. Basically because I want to get this bit of narrative done, so that we can move onto big happenings in the history-book world and then onto big happenings in general.
...Now an update, despite the fact that it's a day since the last one. Basically because I want to get this bit of narrative done, so that we can move onto big happenings in the history-book world and then onto big happenings in general.
Making A Hero
Governor’s Residence, Hermosillo, Sonora Province, November 24th 1846
“Our good brother,” announced Diego, reading from the dispatch in his hand, “has finally managed to break through at Piedra Cruces.” He threw the letter down onto the office desk for the other man in the room, who sat slouching in the governor’s chair, to read.
“Took him long enough.” Sneered Tibalto, glancing at the dispatch disinterestedly, and then fixing his attention again on the well-polished sabre in his hand that he was inspecting for defects.
“Is that all you have to say?” Inquired Diego sharply, like a schoolmaster trying to prompt his pupil.
Tibalto looked up blankly and then shrugged. “What more is there? Shall I send him a congratulatory telegram or something? Is this another of those chivalry moments you’re so interested in?”
“Oh, don’t be so dense, Tibalto.” Snapped the other, waving his hand dismissively. “Think about it! The deal with the Indians is done, the Yankees are in control of Texas, Selway has beaten the Colombians, we have the Sonora. Now Alejandro and de la Vega are finishing up in Baja. What more is there to do?”
Tibalto shrugged again. “Nothing…” He protested.
“Precisely.” Agreed Diego. “The war is coming to an end. The Mexicans are collapsing. And that means…?” Tibalto was silent, frowning. “It means,” continued Diego testily, “that we can now rein in our efforts without any fear of reprisal. The fighting is now over- it is the endgame.”
“How can you possibly know that?” Demanded the other sulkily. He had never been a grateful pupil.
“Because no-one has anything left to fight for. America does not care about Santa Anna so long as she has Texas, and anything else she can possibly have thrown into the deal. Santa Anna has been unable to hold what he had- he knows he cannot fight an aggressive war- so he no longer has a chance of victory. As for us, we are in control of what we set out to capture- only rank idiocy on behalf of our side could compel us to surrender that now. Each of the three powers has reached a resting-point. They will go no further.”
“Oh.” There was a pause. For a moment, Tibalto went back to obsessively cleaning his sword, while Diego opened another letter and began to read, before the former looked up again. “So what do I do?”
“You,” replied Diego exasperatedly, “do what you have been doing all along. You make yourself appear chivalrous, kindly and pious; and at the same time heroic and dashing. Work out how to do that yourself for a change- rebuild a bombed-out church, take in a starving war orphan, I don’t care. Something that makes you look saintly.” He went back to his reading, and then after a moment spoke again. “Here’s an opportunity for you- the President is coming to Hermosillo the day after tomorrow. He wants to inspect the troops and speak to you.”
“How does that make me saintly?”
“Because you won’t speak to him. You won’t be here. You’ll be at a field hospital holding the hands of your dying men and praying with them for recovery from their wounds.”
Tibalto’s expression was one of utter disgust. “I mean no offence, Diego, but I think I’d rather talk to Alvarado than embrace some half-dead private in the process of bleeding himself dry in a cholera-infested shack.”
Diego rolled his eyes. “Then don’t go to the field hospital. But don’t see Alvarado either. And when I write back to the press in San Francisco and Monterey, and when that is heard in Europe- you will have been ‘embracing some half-dead private’, because that’s what people will prefer to think you have been doing. And if they that’s what they think you’ve been doing, then you will be a saint. Understand?” Tibalto’s expression was resentful, but he nodded nonetheless. “Bueno.” Said Diego, again with the air of a teacher. “We’ll make a hero out of you yet, amigo…”
Governor’s Residence, Hermosillo, Sonora Province, November 24th 1846
“Our good brother,” announced Diego, reading from the dispatch in his hand, “has finally managed to break through at Piedra Cruces.” He threw the letter down onto the office desk for the other man in the room, who sat slouching in the governor’s chair, to read.
“Took him long enough.” Sneered Tibalto, glancing at the dispatch disinterestedly, and then fixing his attention again on the well-polished sabre in his hand that he was inspecting for defects.
“Is that all you have to say?” Inquired Diego sharply, like a schoolmaster trying to prompt his pupil.
Tibalto looked up blankly and then shrugged. “What more is there? Shall I send him a congratulatory telegram or something? Is this another of those chivalry moments you’re so interested in?”
“Oh, don’t be so dense, Tibalto.” Snapped the other, waving his hand dismissively. “Think about it! The deal with the Indians is done, the Yankees are in control of Texas, Selway has beaten the Colombians, we have the Sonora. Now Alejandro and de la Vega are finishing up in Baja. What more is there to do?”
Tibalto shrugged again. “Nothing…” He protested.
“Precisely.” Agreed Diego. “The war is coming to an end. The Mexicans are collapsing. And that means…?” Tibalto was silent, frowning. “It means,” continued Diego testily, “that we can now rein in our efforts without any fear of reprisal. The fighting is now over- it is the endgame.”
“How can you possibly know that?” Demanded the other sulkily. He had never been a grateful pupil.
“Because no-one has anything left to fight for. America does not care about Santa Anna so long as she has Texas, and anything else she can possibly have thrown into the deal. Santa Anna has been unable to hold what he had- he knows he cannot fight an aggressive war- so he no longer has a chance of victory. As for us, we are in control of what we set out to capture- only rank idiocy on behalf of our side could compel us to surrender that now. Each of the three powers has reached a resting-point. They will go no further.”
“Oh.” There was a pause. For a moment, Tibalto went back to obsessively cleaning his sword, while Diego opened another letter and began to read, before the former looked up again. “So what do I do?”
“You,” replied Diego exasperatedly, “do what you have been doing all along. You make yourself appear chivalrous, kindly and pious; and at the same time heroic and dashing. Work out how to do that yourself for a change- rebuild a bombed-out church, take in a starving war orphan, I don’t care. Something that makes you look saintly.” He went back to his reading, and then after a moment spoke again. “Here’s an opportunity for you- the President is coming to Hermosillo the day after tomorrow. He wants to inspect the troops and speak to you.”
“How does that make me saintly?”
“Because you won’t speak to him. You won’t be here. You’ll be at a field hospital holding the hands of your dying men and praying with them for recovery from their wounds.”
Tibalto’s expression was one of utter disgust. “I mean no offence, Diego, but I think I’d rather talk to Alvarado than embrace some half-dead private in the process of bleeding himself dry in a cholera-infested shack.”
Diego rolled his eyes. “Then don’t go to the field hospital. But don’t see Alvarado either. And when I write back to the press in San Francisco and Monterey, and when that is heard in Europe- you will have been ‘embracing some half-dead private’, because that’s what people will prefer to think you have been doing. And if they that’s what they think you’ve been doing, then you will be a saint. Understand?” Tibalto’s expression was resentful, but he nodded nonetheless. “Bueno.” Said Diego, again with the air of a teacher. “We’ll make a hero out of you yet, amigo…”
*shakes head* And to imagine that Diego and Alejandro are brothers; God must have made a wild choice when he made those two separate souls brothers. What was he thinking? Compared to Diego, Tibalto is starting to look like a nice person
Tibalto is a savage and direct evil, he cares not for looking evil or not, he was raised to be a king.
Diego is the kind of man who needs to be assassinated by a good assassin. He is the sneaky and quiet evil.
Diego is the kind of man who needs to be assassinated by a good assassin. He is the sneaky and quiet evil.
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I like Diego, hes smart, much smarter then Tibalto, I hope Diego finds his place in a quiet grave thourgh, hes trying to kill his brother.
The real question for the future civil war, is javier...
Being estranged from Alejandro, would he throw in with Tibalto...
that's hard to imagine, but there is a saying that war makes strange bedfellows.
Of course the opium will probably do him in long before the civil war starts
Being estranged from Alejandro, would he throw in with Tibalto...
that's hard to imagine, but there is a saying that war makes strange bedfellows.
Of course the opium will probably do him in long before the civil war starts
TheExecuter- Well at least he can always be relied upon to liven things up !
alex- It does make for an interesting combination though! As for Tibalto, I think he's definitely more bark than bite compared to Diego, who's no bark at all but all bite...
Unrepentant One- I think that's a pretty fair assessment of the difference. Tibalto is arrogant and aggressive, but Diego is far more machiavellian...
Cinéad- That it is! Unfortunate that it tends to be more and more in contrast with how Alejandro acts (but maybe that's not a bad thing?).
gis- Diego is cleverer, although Tibalto does have intelligence in certain areas (which will hopefully become clearer later on). The problem is that next to Tibalto's shouting and posturing no-one notices him, so Diego can quietly take what he wants...
Quirinus- As regards Javier's attitude, it should be remembered that while he's drifted away from Alejandro, the reason he's done so is because of Alejandro's connection to Tibalto's family. Whatever his views- he just can't stand the individual concerned! The factor that hasn't come into play yet is Javier's family, who'll be strongly involved in the civil war. Unless of course Javier dies of a massive opium overdose of course!
Update on its way!
! alex- It does make for an interesting combination though! As for Tibalto, I think he's definitely more bark than bite compared to Diego, who's no bark at all but all bite...
Unrepentant One- I think that's a pretty fair assessment of the difference. Tibalto is arrogant and aggressive, but Diego is far more machiavellian...
Cinéad- That it is
! Unfortunate that it tends to be more and more in contrast with how Alejandro acts (but maybe that's not a bad thing?).gis- Diego is cleverer, although Tibalto does have intelligence in certain areas (which will hopefully become clearer later on). The problem is that next to Tibalto's shouting and posturing no-one notices him, so Diego can quietly take what he wants...
Quirinus- As regards Javier's attitude, it should be remembered that while he's drifted away from Alejandro, the reason he's done so is because of Alejandro's connection to Tibalto's family. Whatever his views- he just can't stand the individual concerned! The factor that hasn't come into play yet is Javier's family, who'll be strongly involved in the civil war. Unless of course Javier dies of a massive opium overdose of course
!Update on its way!
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Extract from “Independence to Empire, A New History of the Californian Republic” (By Chris Carmack and Michael Connor, Berkeley University Press, published 2007)
The fall of the Piedra Cruces fort in Baja California marks, at least retrospectively, the collapse of serious Mexican resistance against the twin advances of the Californian and US armies. Santa Anna, having so commendably and energetically resisted the arguably impossible odds facing him for close to a year, realised he had nothing left to give, and began actively to seek a way out.
In the east, the Americans had finally managed to bring their overwhelming strength of numbers to bear against the militarily more successful Mexican Army, and by the end of November had occupied the entire of Texas and most of New Mexico. US troops moved with an apparent sluggishness- but in reality it was because they were forced to reverse the effects of Santa Anna’s brief abolition of slavery in Texas every step of the way, largely by means of violent coercion, quite literally in some cases dragging the unfortunate slaves back to their masters. At the beginning of December, however, the Americans were ready to launch two offensives- one south into Coahuila Province from Texas, the second a sea-borne attack on Mexico’s principal port of Veracruz. The question was merely whether the enemy would collapse internally before these measures were necessary.
The Californian Army, meanwhile, had done equally well for itself. The agreement with the Apache having been long since finalised, the Californians were also in occupation of both their southern objectives- Baja and the Sonora. Don Javier de la Vega and Don Alejandro del Serrano had made heavy work of General Cos’ defences at Piedra Cruces, but losses were still fairly light- and still considerably lower than those of their American allies. In Sonora, meanwhile, Don Tibalto Barja had done brilliantly (though the meagre opposition he faced ought to be taken into account). Capturing not only his entire goal of the Province, he added Tucson, Arizona, to his acquisitions- where American and Californian representatives met on November 27th, largely merely to offer mutual self-congratulation about how well it all seemed to be going. Barja seems to have acquitted himself with (sometimes suspiciously excessive) honour- missing no chance to kiss babies, feed the poor and nurse the dying on his way south. Doubtless he had one eye on his reputation for the future, but he was not the only one looking. On 4th December, having received news of the saintly adulations being offered to the Californian general, the Papal Curia voted to confer upon him the honorary title of a Knight of the Order of St. Peter, and despatched a nuncio to California. The fact that Barja was, in fact, never to receive this award should not obscure the fact that contemporaries obviously had an extremely positive view of the much-vilified Don.
The coat of arms of the Order of St. Peter, to which Don Tibalto Barja was nominated in December 1846.
Regardless, however, of the individual conduct of generals, the war was practically over. It would probably have been over earlier, had Santa Anna felt able to simply make peace. The dictator, however, quite correctly identified that his reputation depended entirely on Mexico’s military record- thus he could in no way be seen to have been the architect of any Mexican surrender (which, according to the predictions of Santa Anna’s advisors, would necessarily be harsh on the losers). Thus he sought a way out- recalling his liberal opponents, led by Valentin Farias, to office and appointing a group of them (again led by Farias) as a “Peace Commission”, who were to seek a treaty with California and America (the latter being seen as the more important), and most significantly were also to sign this treaty as Mexico’s plenipotentiaries when it came to be ratified. It took not a little cajoling to persuade men who had been violently opposed not only to Santa Anna himself but also to the Texan War, to subsequently become his agents in constructing a humiliating treaty of concessions. Farias eventually saw no way out and agreed- but the dictator’s (ultimately unsuccessful) attempt to pass the buck necessitated almost another full month of fighting, and around 3,000 more deaths (at least 2,200 of which were Mexicans).
Valentin Farias, leader of the Mexican liberals and chief of the Peace Comission set up by Santa Anna in late November.
When two divisions of the US Army landed at Veracruz on December 14th, they were greeted not by an attempt to throw them back into the sea (which they would most likely have had great difficultly in withstanding), but a Mexican delegation under a flag of truce, entreating them to make peace. Houston, with the full backing of President Polk and majority opinion in Washington, clamoured for a harsh treaty, and when Farias protested that what ought to be a negotiated truce on the question of Texas was becoming a punitive diktat to a vanquished power (which Mexico by no means was), the solution was simple: recompense Mexico for her losses to America (which included an indemnity and the surrender of two frigates as well as the loss of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and control over the Apache) by short-changing California.
The Mexican Peace Comission, under Valentin Farias, accepted the American proposal. More difficult was the question of Californian approval.
San Francisco, it was rightly believed, would not risk fighting alone against Mexico, and, seeing as Mexico was treating Washington as the principal member of the alliance, would simply have to accept whatever the Americans chose to allow them. This turned out to be the ratification of the Yosemite Treaty (which the Americans would subsequently do their best to subvert anyway) and the annexation of Baja California. Everything else that California asked for, during the one brief conference on December 18th at which the Californians were consulted at all, was ignored, including an indemnity, a commitment to Mexican disarmament, trade concessions and most glaringly the Sonora Province. To add insult to injury, the Californians were also “allowed” to annexe Tucson and its hinterland, but only on the understanding that they would then sell it on (at a knockdown price) to the Americans.
The borders between Mexico, California and the USA according to the proposed Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty, December 1846. Note the Tucson area, which was to be surrendered to California and then sold to America.
On Christmas Eve, the joint chiefs of the Californian War Cabinet- that is to say Alvarado’s ministers, plus Don Tibalto, Don Javier, Don Alejandro and bizarrely also the captured Don Mariano Vallejo (who was probably acting as an advisor on Mexican sentiments), met in Hermosillo, the capital of the Sonora, to discuss whether this offer was acceptable. To most of them, it seems, it was quite simply not. Even a cursory examination of written opinions of some of those at the meeting will reveal as much: Don Rafael Montero called the proposed Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo a “preposterous and unacceptable document” in his diary, Sir Roland Perry simply thought it was “a joke”, while Don Tibalto described it in a letter to his sister (and Don Alejandro’s wife) Elena as “[a] most beastly and malicious insult… to the honour of our nation and army”. Seemingly, then, it ought to have been a short meeting, and ought to have resulted in a curt rejection of the terms offered (which were indeed unfair on the Republic). The fact that it was not was to change the course of Californian history.
Extract from “Independence to Empire, A New History of the Californian Republic” (By Chris Carmack and Michael Connor, Berkeley University Press, published 2007)
The fall of the Piedra Cruces fort in Baja California marks, at least retrospectively, the collapse of serious Mexican resistance against the twin advances of the Californian and US armies. Santa Anna, having so commendably and energetically resisted the arguably impossible odds facing him for close to a year, realised he had nothing left to give, and began actively to seek a way out.
In the east, the Americans had finally managed to bring their overwhelming strength of numbers to bear against the militarily more successful Mexican Army, and by the end of November had occupied the entire of Texas and most of New Mexico. US troops moved with an apparent sluggishness- but in reality it was because they were forced to reverse the effects of Santa Anna’s brief abolition of slavery in Texas every step of the way, largely by means of violent coercion, quite literally in some cases dragging the unfortunate slaves back to their masters. At the beginning of December, however, the Americans were ready to launch two offensives- one south into Coahuila Province from Texas, the second a sea-borne attack on Mexico’s principal port of Veracruz. The question was merely whether the enemy would collapse internally before these measures were necessary.
The Californian Army, meanwhile, had done equally well for itself. The agreement with the Apache having been long since finalised, the Californians were also in occupation of both their southern objectives- Baja and the Sonora. Don Javier de la Vega and Don Alejandro del Serrano had made heavy work of General Cos’ defences at Piedra Cruces, but losses were still fairly light- and still considerably lower than those of their American allies. In Sonora, meanwhile, Don Tibalto Barja had done brilliantly (though the meagre opposition he faced ought to be taken into account). Capturing not only his entire goal of the Province, he added Tucson, Arizona, to his acquisitions- where American and Californian representatives met on November 27th, largely merely to offer mutual self-congratulation about how well it all seemed to be going. Barja seems to have acquitted himself with (sometimes suspiciously excessive) honour- missing no chance to kiss babies, feed the poor and nurse the dying on his way south. Doubtless he had one eye on his reputation for the future, but he was not the only one looking. On 4th December, having received news of the saintly adulations being offered to the Californian general, the Papal Curia voted to confer upon him the honorary title of a Knight of the Order of St. Peter, and despatched a nuncio to California. The fact that Barja was, in fact, never to receive this award should not obscure the fact that contemporaries obviously had an extremely positive view of the much-vilified Don.
The coat of arms of the Order of St. Peter, to which Don Tibalto Barja was nominated in December 1846.
Regardless, however, of the individual conduct of generals, the war was practically over. It would probably have been over earlier, had Santa Anna felt able to simply make peace. The dictator, however, quite correctly identified that his reputation depended entirely on Mexico’s military record- thus he could in no way be seen to have been the architect of any Mexican surrender (which, according to the predictions of Santa Anna’s advisors, would necessarily be harsh on the losers). Thus he sought a way out- recalling his liberal opponents, led by Valentin Farias, to office and appointing a group of them (again led by Farias) as a “Peace Commission”, who were to seek a treaty with California and America (the latter being seen as the more important), and most significantly were also to sign this treaty as Mexico’s plenipotentiaries when it came to be ratified. It took not a little cajoling to persuade men who had been violently opposed not only to Santa Anna himself but also to the Texan War, to subsequently become his agents in constructing a humiliating treaty of concessions. Farias eventually saw no way out and agreed- but the dictator’s (ultimately unsuccessful) attempt to pass the buck necessitated almost another full month of fighting, and around 3,000 more deaths (at least 2,200 of which were Mexicans).
Valentin Farias, leader of the Mexican liberals and chief of the Peace Comission set up by Santa Anna in late November.
When two divisions of the US Army landed at Veracruz on December 14th, they were greeted not by an attempt to throw them back into the sea (which they would most likely have had great difficultly in withstanding), but a Mexican delegation under a flag of truce, entreating them to make peace. Houston, with the full backing of President Polk and majority opinion in Washington, clamoured for a harsh treaty, and when Farias protested that what ought to be a negotiated truce on the question of Texas was becoming a punitive diktat to a vanquished power (which Mexico by no means was), the solution was simple: recompense Mexico for her losses to America (which included an indemnity and the surrender of two frigates as well as the loss of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and control over the Apache) by short-changing California.
The Mexican Peace Comission, under Valentin Farias, accepted the American proposal. More difficult was the question of Californian approval.
San Francisco, it was rightly believed, would not risk fighting alone against Mexico, and, seeing as Mexico was treating Washington as the principal member of the alliance, would simply have to accept whatever the Americans chose to allow them. This turned out to be the ratification of the Yosemite Treaty (which the Americans would subsequently do their best to subvert anyway) and the annexation of Baja California. Everything else that California asked for, during the one brief conference on December 18th at which the Californians were consulted at all, was ignored, including an indemnity, a commitment to Mexican disarmament, trade concessions and most glaringly the Sonora Province. To add insult to injury, the Californians were also “allowed” to annexe Tucson and its hinterland, but only on the understanding that they would then sell it on (at a knockdown price) to the Americans.
The borders between Mexico, California and the USA according to the proposed Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty, December 1846. Note the Tucson area, which was to be surrendered to California and then sold to America.
On Christmas Eve, the joint chiefs of the Californian War Cabinet- that is to say Alvarado’s ministers, plus Don Tibalto, Don Javier, Don Alejandro and bizarrely also the captured Don Mariano Vallejo (who was probably acting as an advisor on Mexican sentiments), met in Hermosillo, the capital of the Sonora, to discuss whether this offer was acceptable. To most of them, it seems, it was quite simply not. Even a cursory examination of written opinions of some of those at the meeting will reveal as much: Don Rafael Montero called the proposed Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo a “preposterous and unacceptable document” in his diary, Sir Roland Perry simply thought it was “a joke”, while Don Tibalto described it in a letter to his sister (and Don Alejandro’s wife) Elena as “[a] most beastly and malicious insult… to the honour of our nation and army”. Seemingly, then, it ought to have been a short meeting, and ought to have resulted in a curt rejection of the terms offered (which were indeed unfair on the Republic). The fact that it was not was to change the course of Californian history.
Wowwwww that's an ominous last sentence. But I guess California can't seriously oppose the US on the treaty. They'd just get steamrollered by the US Army "persuading" them to accept.
But a very well executed war overall. Shame the navy didn't do much xD
Now time for some more infighting and plotting before the next big event. Would that be the Civil War? Seems like the right time for it...
But a very well executed war overall. Shame the navy didn't do much xD
Now time for some more infighting and plotting before the next big event. Would that be the Civil War? Seems like the right time for it...
That's a bit pants
Ah well. Get enough immigration, take the right side in the civil war, and you might be able to get it back
Ah well. Get enough immigration, take the right side in the civil war, and you might be able to get it back
Ugh. If the Americans get there way on this, it's going to severely hurt California. Not only will California not get Sonora, but giving the US Tucson will be a disaster. It'll give the Americans ample reason and desire to interfere in the region, and it's proximity to the Pacific will be an unavoidable temptation to push their way to the coast.
California can not afford to sign the treaty. Denying Tucson and Sonora to the US is strategically necessary for the survival of California, even if it does upset the Americans.
Perhaps a reasonable alternative would be to offer support to the American desire for a Pacific connection via the Oregon territory. But, whatever the case, California must not give up Tuscon and Sonora.
California can not afford to sign the treaty. Denying Tucson and Sonora to the US is strategically necessary for the survival of California, even if it does upset the Americans.
Perhaps a reasonable alternative would be to offer support to the American desire for a Pacific connection via the Oregon territory. But, whatever the case, California must not give up Tuscon and Sonora.
Annoying Americans, at least you got Baja and the Apache Treaty, wonder how will California treat the citizens of both.
Dearnen said:
No No No!
Take Oregon... Offer the Senora, Tuscon, and parts of NV if the US will leave their piece of Oregon. Remember there is Gold if Them Thar Hills! (And afterword, California can be amercia's ports on the west cost of NA when it comes time for trading with Japan and China*.)
Just remember to /take/ western Vancouver and wiggle into Alaska. (Oil you know...)
California requires the entire west coast or it's trading status will be comprimised!
I kid. I like this AAR and am not trying to bend it to my will.. but come on - don't let the US make pacific ports and get around paying Californian tarrifs.
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Andreios- The question of US intervention is indeed important, and is raised in the update!
Overall a fairly well-executed war I think, the navy didn't do much but it was against a land neighbour, when California goes further afield it'll play a larger role (and it keeps expanding!).
There's a big infighting/plotting type event coming up in a bit- we're not out of the woods yet...
Cinéad- Well suffice it to say that the question of our borders with Mexico (and the USA!) is not a closed one just yet...
alex- Fremont doesn't come into this part of it- he'll appear and cause trouble in a bit (which is what he does best anyway...).
Dearnen- It is a bit of a disaster, but as we shall see in a minute there is one big reason why it can't be avoided. It does (rather horrifyingly) give the Americans a land-connection to California rather earlier than is comforting to think, but it's still hopefully going to be a while before they arrive in force.
The difficulty in opposing them is that it's pretty much impossible. The only way is to compete with them economically and militarily, which can't really be done. My strategy all the way has been to seek areas for Californian influence that America can't get itself involved with (eg. Colombia/Central America), and that will continue. Unfortunately, we just both have to be in North America!
gis- It is rather nice to have at least occupied all of California's cores (I ignore the fact that the game gives California cores in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado as I think it's a tad silly). All of geographical California is now ruled from San Francisco.
Unrepentant One- You really have a thing about the West Coast! Unfortunately, for the moment, it just ain't feasable. They are not prepared to sell Portland, and even if they were we'd have to keep raising bigger and bigger sums to get each piece of land in Oregon and Washington as it was taken by the USA- the Californian economy wouldn't cope. At present, I'm more inclined to encourage them in the north-west coast so that they don't go for the south-west coast instead!
Alaska, however, is a different matter. Ruled by Russia- not America- after all!
TheExecuter- Well we are about to see!
To all- My intention was not to add this update until tomorrow, however the number of responses (with which I am very pleased), as well as other concerns persuaded me to.
You get the coming update today, and then another tomorrow, because I am under time pressure. I wanted to get to a fixed point in the story (where we will get up to tomorrow evening), before I go away for my interviews at Oxford University (on Tuesday afternoon- I'll be back on Friday or Saturday). That will leave me open to do a hugely important piece of narrative when I get back. So apologies for two important updates in only two days- but you'll then have half a week to catch it all up!
Enjoy!
Overall a fairly well-executed war I think, the navy didn't do much but it was against a land neighbour, when California goes further afield it'll play a larger role (and it keeps expanding!).
There's a big infighting/plotting type event coming up in a bit- we're not out of the woods yet...
Cinéad- Well suffice it to say that the question of our borders with Mexico (and the USA!) is not a closed one just yet...
alex- Fremont doesn't come into this part of it- he'll appear and cause trouble in a bit (which is what he does best anyway...).
Dearnen- It is a bit of a disaster, but as we shall see in a minute there is one big reason why it can't be avoided. It does (rather horrifyingly) give the Americans a land-connection to California rather earlier than is comforting to think, but it's still hopefully going to be a while before they arrive in force.
The difficulty in opposing them is that it's pretty much impossible. The only way is to compete with them economically and militarily, which can't really be done. My strategy all the way has been to seek areas for Californian influence that America can't get itself involved with (eg. Colombia/Central America), and that will continue. Unfortunately, we just both have to be in North America!
gis- It is rather nice to have at least occupied all of California's cores (I ignore the fact that the game gives California cores in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado as I think it's a tad silly). All of geographical California is now ruled from San Francisco.
Unrepentant One- You really have a thing about the West Coast
! Unfortunately, for the moment, it just ain't feasable. They are not prepared to sell Portland, and even if they were we'd have to keep raising bigger and bigger sums to get each piece of land in Oregon and Washington as it was taken by the USA- the Californian economy wouldn't cope. At present, I'm more inclined to encourage them in the north-west coast so that they don't go for the south-west coast instead!Alaska, however, is a different matter. Ruled by Russia- not America- after all!
TheExecuter- Well we are about to see!
To all- My intention was not to add this update until tomorrow, however the number of responses (with which I am very pleased
), as well as other concerns persuaded me to. You get the coming update today, and then another tomorrow, because I am under time pressure. I wanted to get to a fixed point in the story (where we will get up to tomorrow evening), before I go away for my interviews at Oxford University (on Tuesday afternoon- I'll be back on Friday or Saturday). That will leave me open to do a hugely important piece of narrative when I get back. So apologies for two important updates in only two days- but you'll then have half a week to catch it all up!
Enjoy!