AWWA Part 2-The Second Thirty Years War(IC)

[Ruridova]

Americaineur struggles continued through the same miserable conditions.

[Shrillland]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 6, 1836

The fleet and the 16,000 remaining men were now landing 10 miles upstream from Ville du Quebec, hoping to go around the city and occupy the high ground of the new city. Thereafter, the land assault would come from across the river in 4 days, and the city would hopefully be crushed. That is if they could defeat both the Americaineurs and Mother Nature, who was gentle with more sun today.

[Shrillland]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 9, 1836

The land forces were now across the St. Lawrence from Quebec, but the others north of the city had not yet attacked. Much of their powder was wet from the earlier bad weather, and only today did they finally start their attack on the new city.

[Ruridova]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 9, 1836

The land forces were now across the St. Lawrence from Quebec, but the others north of the city had not yet attacked. Much of their powder was wet from the earlier bad weather, and only today did they finally start their attack on the new city.

The Americaineurs responded as viciously as they felt they could.

[Shrillland]

The soldiers outside the new city were faring well that first day, but the forces on the other side of the river still hadn't crossed onto the Plains of Abraham, where their ancestors so valiantly defeated the French. They waited out the night, hoping the next day would be the one for crossing....but there was a strong northwest wind and unfriendly clouds, which would bring disaster upon the unprepared British.

[Ruridova]

The soldiers outside the new city were faring well that first day, but the forces on the other side of the river still hadn't crossed onto the Plains of Abraham, where their ancestors so valiantly defeated the French. They waited out the night, hoping the next day would be the one for crossing....but there was a strong northwest wind and unfriendly clouds, which would bring disaster upon the unprepared British.

The Americaneurs, in the city, hunkered down for the storms, trying to keep themselves and their gunpowder dry while still holding the city.

[Shrillland]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 10, 1836

While the Americaineurs were sheltered in the protection of the city, the British were not prepared for the blizzard that lasted from midnight to past noon, nor the cold that followed. The British tried to march in, but when the sun shone just before the evening, the soldiers that were across the river lost nearly 2,000 men trying to cross the river in bad conditions, and five of their ships ran aground. The soldiers on the high ground were in worse shape, most of them were shivering, some had froze to death, and the rest weren't looking forward to the cold weather. Graves himself realised that his assault was doomed to fail with an early winter, and so he prepared to surrender.

[Ruridova]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 10, 1836

While the Americaineurs were sheltered in the protection of the city, the British were not prepared for the blizzard that lasted from midnight to past noon, nor the cold that followed. The British tried to march in, but when the sun shone just before the evening, the soldiers that were across the river lost nearly 2,000 men trying to cross the river in bad conditions, and five of their ships ran aground. The soldiers on the high ground were in worse shape, most of them were shivering, some had froze to death, and the rest weren't looking forward to the cold weather. Graves himself realised that his assault was doomed to fail with an early winter, and so he prepared to surrender.

The Americaineurs decided to lead an assault on the British, wrongly expecting resistance.

[Shrillland]

By the time the Americaineurs arrived, another 200 had frozen to death, and the white flags were flying over the British camps. The assault on Quebec had failed.

[Ruridova]

By the time the Americaineurs arrived, another 200 had frozen to death, and the white flags were flying over the British camps. The assault on Quebec had failed.

The Americaineurs brought Graves and the leadership into the city to negotiate a treaty that would hopefully force Britain to recognize Quebec as independent.

[Shrillland]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 18, 1836

Graves led the negotiations with Quebecois leaders such as Papineau to consider Quebecois independence. After a week of strenuous negotiations, Graves put down tentative terms for Quebecois independence, including neutrality in any wars Britain may have with the other nations in America, and the right to use the St. Lawrence river for trading purposes, but they vowed the river would not be used by the armed services. In addition, Britain asked Quebec to let the Hudson's Bay Company continue operating trading posts in the nation, subject to Quebecois civil and criminal authority.

[Ruridova]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 18, 1836

Graves led the negotiations with Quebecois leaders such as Papineau to consider Quebecois independence. After a week of strenuous negotiations, Graves put down tentative terms for Quebecois independence, including neutrality in any wars Britain may have with the other nations in America, and the right to use the St. Lawrence river for trading purposes, but they vowed the river would not be used by the armed services. In addition, Britain asked Quebec to let the Hudson's Bay Company continue operating trading posts in the nation, subject to Quebecois civil and criminal authority.

The Quebecois are largely unanimous on a willingness to allow the use of the Saint-Laurent and the Baie d'Hudson for commerce, as long as Quebec is allowed to, in a possible future, make money off such through taxes or tariffs. However, the clause on neutrality is outright rejected; the Americaineur-Quebecois still have allies in the Deseretans, Confederates, and Yankees, and are not willing to abandon them in the midst of the revolution nor prevent itself from any future alliance with them.

[Shrillland]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 19, 1836

Graves saw that the Quebecois people wished to continue assisting their allies, at the same time it was in Britain's interest not to allow them to send men to any conflicts, because to send men would merely men re-opening hostilities. So he altered the proposal to allow Quebec to send money, supplies, and even weapons to the other Americans, provided they did not directly intervene by sending their armed forces.

[Ruridova]

Ville du Quebec, Quebec
November 19, 1836

Graves saw that the Quebecois people wished to continue assisting their allies, at the same time it was in Britain's interest not to allow them to send men to any conflicts, because to send men would merely men re-opening hostilities. So he altered the proposal to allow Quebec to send money, supplies, and even weapons to the other Americans, provided they did not directly intervene by sending their armed forces.

The Quebecois would accept this proposal.

[Shrillland]

London
December 12, 1836

Despite King William's counsel that Quebec should not be treated differently than any other American rebels, Melbourne led parliament into voting to ratify the peace treaty with Quebec, albeit along party lines with the Conservatives staunchly opposed. December 12 would be remembered in Britain as the day the first of their colonies was given independence. In the meantime there were still other rebels that had to be dealt with, and Britain would need several more months to muster another force to finish taking Canada.

[Ruridova]

London
December 12, 1836

Despite King William's counsel that Quebec should not be treated differently than any other American rebels, Melbourne led parliament into voting to ratify the peace treaty with Quebec, albeit along party lines with the Conservatives staunchly opposed. December 12 would be remembered in Britain as the day the first of their colonies was given independence. In the meantime there were still other rebels that had to be dealt with, and Britain would need several more months to muster another force to finish taking Canada.

The Quebecois rejoiced, and many in the other nations(including collapsing Canada) began making contingency plans to flee to Quebec should the revolution fail.

[Shrillland]

London
May 3, 1837

Another long period of inaction was followed by another large number of British forces, and another 70,000 were brought in from across the empire, and with the victories in Atlantic Canada morale had not sunk severely. They would arrive in 3 weeks at Portland, Maine with Ishikawa leading the assault. In the meantime much had happened. The first faint glimpse of the idea of postage stamps was born, the temperatures remained cool this year, which would cause problems later on, and Melbourne had a city in the Port Phillip district of New South Wales named after him. Parliament had also passed the Coercion Act, formally seizing the treasuries of all colonies still in rebellion, more symbolic than anything else.

On the other hand, King William was increasingly frail and seemed ill constantly. It appeared that he might not see another new year.

Adelaide, South Australia

Meanwhile Australia was growing more robust, with South Australia formally established in December, and the city of Adelaide, named after King William's queen, was established as the capitol. Captain John Hindmarsh of the Royal Navy was the colony's first governor. Also a white settlement called Canterbury was established on North Island, still part of New South Wales at this time.

Cape Colony

The Voortrekkers during the northern winter had made their first real challenge to British authority with the Retief Manifesto, explaining the Boers' grievances with Britain, and why they were leaving Cape Colony. The manifesto stated that Britain refused to protect them from tribal raids, refused to listen to them in any sense, and voiced their own fierce opposition to the abolition of slavery. They had defeated another Ndebele force in January, and now Piet Retief, Piet Uys, Gerrit Maritz and other Boer leaders were going on the Great Trek to Natal themselves.

[Unicario]

May 3, 1837

Empress Akiko's health had gotten better as she spent her time in London. She had attended Parliament as a guest of the crown, and much like her youth, became well versed in politics. She was a woman of charity, donating some of her money to various poor-houses and churches. She spent most of her days in the Palace however, sleeping.

Princess Victoria however, was mobile all over, ensuring that all Britons knew her name by the time she was coronated. She would ensure that her reign was a strong one.

[Ruridova]

With Oregon in ruins(and Frémont in Texas), Canada collapsing, the Union partially occupied, and Quebec out of the war as a free nation, the pressure was building on Deseret and the Confederacy to hold out against the British onslaught and keep the revolution alive, and see if the Yankees, if possible, could be saved as well.

[Shrillland]

Windsor Castle
Windsor, Berkshire
May 25, 1837

Princess Victoria was now fast becoming as much of a household name as her uncle, King William. Many great books were also written of late, including a serial called Oliver Twist, and Richard Harris Barham's The Ingoldsby Legends, both appearing in Bentley's Miscellany magazine. The British forces were in Maine today, and King William, for the first time in many years, could not get out of bed. He was hoping to visit Akiko in London today, but he had become very weak in these last few days.

Portland, Maine

In the meantime the British force had arrived in Maine, as was mentioned. Keane had received an order back in February saying his force should march eastward across Canada starting on June 1. They were in Saskatchewan waiting for the appointed day, while Ishikawa would lead the eastern force into Canada to take the capital, recently reamed Toronto. Ishikawa however, could not take a straight road due to the treaty with Quebec, so his plan was to cross the river Piscataqua to the New Hampshire port of Portsmouth, and use a series of feint troop movements to keep the Americaners guessing at his next target.

Newfoundland

Today the second election in a year took place in Newfoundland, and despite Britain's efforts in the previous November, the Liberals received a clear majority yet again. London would have to accept a pro-Americaner assembly, though they wouldn't feel the pressure for responsible government felt in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

[Unicario]

Akiko however, attended to the bed of King William.

[Shrillland]

Windsor Castle
Windsor, Berkshire

Queen Adelaide was by his side, and he was still fairly active. "Ah, Akiko my dear, come on in," he said, "Forgive me not getting up, I'm just very tired today," and with that he coughed quite a lot.

[Unicario]

Queen Adelaide was by his side, and he was still fairly active. "Ah, Akiko my dear, come on in," he said, "Forgive me not getting up, I'm just very tired today," and with that he coughed quite a lot.

Empress Akiko gave a wry smile and said, "Greetings, William, my old friend." She sat down in a chair on the other side of the man's bed, "You don't look well." She frowned and said, "Mortality creeps upon both of us like a shadow, doesn't it."

[Shrillland]

"Mortality?" William seemed indignant, "I'm nowhere near death yet! I don't..." More hacking coughs, followed by a deep breath. "Perhaps it's getting close for me, yet you've looked better since you arrived in London. Forgive me for not staying there with you, I've never really liked Buckingham Palace myself. I hear Victoria loves the place, however."

[Unicario]

"Mortality?" William seemed indignant, "I'm nowhere near death yet! I don't..." More hacking coughs, followed by a deep breath. "Perhaps it's getting close for me, yet you've looked better since you arrived in London. Forgive me for not staying there with you, I've never really liked Buckingham Palace myself. I hear Victoria loves the place, however."

Akiko nodded, "Indeed, my health has gotten better, and indeed she prefers Buckingham Palace, but this place is great too." She smiled and said, "Ah, remember when we were kids and we would play in the gardens?"