IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 142
**C142**
(142/180)
**The Mexican-American War (15)**
News of defeats arrived simultaneously from the east and west.
The most shocking thing was the casualty count on the western front. The 30,000 casualties in the “Battle of Baltimore” in the east seemed like good news in comparison.
Out of a total of 240,000, only 100,000 returned unscathed. Of the 140,000 casualties, 60,000 were dead or missing, and 80,000 were wounded.
“Honey, our sons, bl… “
Countless Americans inquired about the fate of their families, but the answer they received after a long wait was filled with despair.
The screams and sobs of those wounded in battle, those suffering from mental illness, and those who had lost their families echoed everywhere.
[Shocking Revelation! Was the Disaster of the ‘Counterattack’ Operation Created by the President?]
The content of this article, which claims to contain a revelation from an anonymous commander who participated in the Second Battle of Memphis, was truly shocking.
“Did the president pressure them to not retreat every few days?”
“So, it wasn’t ‘Butcher’ Zachary Taylor’s fault?”
“No, other generals said that capturing Memphis was impossible after seeing the defenses the Mexicans had built, but he was the only one who said it was possible, so this disaster happened.”
A general who sought glory and overestimated his abilities. And a ruler who pressured his commanders for his own power. It was their joint creation.
In the west, the “counterattack” operation was completely in ruins, and in the east, Baltimore was being pounded by the Mexican Empire’s fierce bombardment.
Winfield Scott’s militia was now building a defensive line to protect Philadelphia.
They had abandoned Baltimore.
In the south, rumors were circulating that the Mexican Empire’s army was mobilizing to liberate black people.
Anti-war sentiment surged not only in the north but throughout the United States. Even if they didn’t say it out loud, they couldn’t help but realize that there was little chance of winning the war, judging by the situation.
“Stop the war! End this terrible war!”
“President James Polk, resign!”
As Baltimore, under bombardment, neared its end, a huge number of citizens took to the streets in Philadelphia and New York, demanding an end to the war and the impeachment of President James Polk.
“Resign! Resign!”
“Don’t resign! Impeach him!”
Protesters chanting against James Polk were shouting in the streets.
“Unbelievable. Where were they when they voted for him?”
He became a presidential candidate when he took a hard line against Britain, and he became president when he took a hard line against Mexico.
He became president with an overwhelming vote, which meant that the American people had also wanted war.
Even in this situation, James Polk was not reflecting on his mistakes but was trying to find a way out.
“Mr. President, the British ambassador, Pakenham, has arrived.”
“…Tell him to come in.”
Richard Pakenham, who had once served as the ambassador to Mexico, had finished his term and was now serving as the ambassador to the US.
Pakenham saw President James Polk’s face, which looked like a wreck, but he greeted him without showing it.
“Good morning, Mr. President. It’s an honor to see you again. I bring warm greetings from England.”
“…Good to see you.”
“It’s better to skip the small talk.”
Pakenham concluded that after hearing the brief reply.
“Mr. President, unfortunately, looking at the current situation with the Mexican Empire, it doesn’t seem like America has a high chance of winning. In these difficult times, Britain wants to help minimize America’s losses by taking on the role of mediator.”
President James Polk was interested in Pakenham’s quick point.
“You mean you’ll help minimize America’s losses by siding with America in the mediation?”
“Yes, of course, there will be a price for it.”
President James Polk calmed his slightly excited heart and asked.
“What kind of price are you talking about?”
“There’s one unresolved issue between the US and Britain, isn’t there?”
He was referring to the issue of ownership of the Oregon region, which Polk had strongly advocated for.
“Are you saying we should resolve that issue now?”
“Yes, we can’t cooperate with unresolved issues between our two countries. It’s not a small issue either.”
Bringing up Oregon at this point was a blatant display of greed, but without British mediation, he didn’t know how much he would have to concede to Mexico.
It was clear that the US was no match for the Mexican Empire, both at sea and on land.
If more time passed, Philadelphia and New York in the east would be within range of the Mexican Empire’s army, and in the west, they could advance along the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes.
James Polk asked with a desperate hope.
“What border does Britain want?”
***
“So, Britain wants to mediate?”
I asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty. It’s unfortunate that war has broken out, but the suffering of the citizens of both civilized nations is too great. Hasn’t the Mexican Empire requested British mediation several times during this war?”
Pakenham took a sip of tea as he spoke.
“If the conditions are right, there’s no reason not to accept mediation.”
When I showed a positive response, John Slidell, the US ambassador who came with Pakenham, spoke.
“Then, how about we stop fighting while the peace treaty is being negotiated?”
“I refuse. It’s the US that benefits from dragging things out.”
We are winning on both the eastern and western fronts, and we are preparing to advance north. There’s no reason to stop that and let the enemy regroup.
When I flatly refused, Pakenham spoke.
“Then, we need to move quickly. First, let’s hear the US’s conditions.”
“Tell me.”
Despite my tone, which seemed to be challenging them to reveal their cards, John Slidell calmly presented a prepared document.
He even kindly provided a translation in Spanish, but their conditions were ridiculously insufficient.
“A war indemnity of 50 million pesos and the territory west of the Mississippi River, starting from 35 degrees north latitude, where Memphis is located… Is that all?”
When I showed a somewhat bewildered reaction, Pakenham spoke.
“We’re saying let’s negotiate from there, aren’t we?”
John Slidell, as if he were Britain’s puppet, immediately nodded.
“Can you tell me what the Mexican Empire’s conditions for ending the war are?”
I said clearly.
“We will purchase all of the US territory west of the Mississippi River for 15 million dollars. Let’s end the war on that condition.”
Bang!
“Crazy… Nonsense!”
John Slidell jumped to his feet. He was completely unwilling to accept it.
Even Richard Pakenham, the British ambassador, was slightly surprised.
“Isn’t the entire west of the Mississippi too vast a territory? And 15 million dollars? It’s absurd to say you’ll buy that vast territory for only 15 million dollars.”
“Didn’t the US buy the entire Louisiana territory from France for about 15 million dollars?”
“…”
The amount of 15 million dollars is symbolic. The Louisiana Purchase was 15 million dollars, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848 in the original timeline, was also 15 million dollars.
When Pakenham remained silent, John Slidell sat down and said.
“The Louisiana Purchase was 43 years ago. Prices are quite different now than they were then. And unlike then, when it was almost empty land, now countless Americans live there, it’s their homeland. It’s not land that can be sold easily.”
“Their homeland… That’s a bit of a stretch, considering 90% of the US population lives east of the Mississippi River. You can see that in the US census results from last year.”
It was basically saying that it wasn’t really their homeland, considering it was land the US bought from France for 15 million dollars 40 years ago.
When I pushed forward without backing down, Pakenham and Slidell exchanged glances.
“Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
I said to them as they were about to leave.
“Remember, the war is still going on at this very moment.”
“…We will keep that in mind.”
Thus, the first day of negotiations ended, and the last day of August began to fade.
“Diego, doesn’t Britain seem to be overly proactive?”
“Yes, it’s a scene we’ve seen before.”
“That’s right. They’ve agreed to get something from the US.”
“At this time, what Britain might want from the US is… Oregon.”
“That’s right. They’ve probably already squeezed out a lot of money, so their top priority would be to settle the Oregon territory issue.”
It’s the same as when we first made deals with Britain to gain an advantage in peace treaties with Spain and France.
“Back then, we were mistaken in thinking that Britain wouldn’t side with us, but at least they would remain neutral.”
We shouldn’t expect Britain to be so gentle and sensible. They are the masters of cunning in the world.
“From tomorrow, let’s send the foreign minister’s deputy. They’ll try to negotiate by presenting obvious proposals.”
As expected, the British were openly working with the US to pressure Mexico.
September 1st.
“As members of civilized nations, we must carefully consider the impact of our actions on the international community. We have received the sad news that many innocent citizens are suffering in the recent conflict.”
Britain, a mere third party, criticized Mexico’s strong stance, using the suffering of American and Mexican citizens, not even their own citizens, as a justification.
The Mexican Empire once again emphasized that the US had started the war, but Britain and the US ignored it.
Neither side was willing to back down easily, and the negotiations dragged on.
September 7th.
After confirming the US retreat, the Mexican army on the eastern front occupied Baltimore and was ready to attack Philadelphia.
Upon hearing this news, Britain increased the pressure. They started mentioning the real losses Britain had suffered, using international trade as leverage.
“The current actions of the Mexican Empire are causing serious damage to international commerce and free trade, which is causing enormous losses to our economy and the economies of many other countries around the world. …(Omitted). Britain takes this issue very seriously, and if this situation continues, we are prepared to take all necessary measures to protect our interests. We strongly urge that we find a path to peace and mutual prosperity, and we urge the Mexican Empire to agree to this.”
Pakenham, the British ambassador, pushed forward with determination.
Many people were baffled by the sudden increase in the tone of his speech, but I knew it was a bluff.
“There’s no need to panic. A dog that barks loudly doesn’t bite.”
I wasn’t going to simply give up all of the territory west of the Mississippi River. Demanding all of it, using the Louisiana Purchase as an example, is clearly a reckless move.
If we drag this war out, we might be able to get it somehow. But unlike Mexico in the original timeline, which was defeated by the US and lost 55% of its territory without putting up any resistance, the US will never forget the grudge if they lose that much territory.
This is because Americans have a unique rebellious nature and the potential to rise again someday, even if they lose the territory west of the Mississippi River.
President Thomas Jefferson, who made the Louisiana Purchase, is praised as a great president who achieved a tremendous feat.
The Louisiana Purchase happened only 43 years ago, and his achievement, which is even more vivid because of that, is already etched in the minds of all Americans.
Initially, there was controversy about its constitutional legitimacy, but as it became clear that territorial expansion contributed to America’s growth and development, the deal became widely recognized as a symbol of national success, even triggering expansionist desires, which indirectly contributed to this war.
How far would we have to go to seize such a territory that had such a tremendous impact on Americans?
“We’d have to completely destroy the US.”
Even then, we wouldn’t be able to rest assured. They would revive the moment Mexico let its guard down.
It’s quite unfair to think about what happened to Mexico in the original timeline, but we need to get the most cost-effective areas that will minimize American resentment and maximize their potential.
To get those areas, we need to present a strong bargaining chip that can make Britain back down.
“Your Majesty, a fleet has departed from Havana Harbor in Cuba.”
Diego said.
“Inform the Prussians. The fleet has departed.”
While negotiations with Britain and the US dragged on, half of the Mexican Empire’s fleet headed towards Prussia.