Free The Dominion's Dilemma: The United States of British America by James F. Devine

aren’t as opposed to slavery as they should be---would unfortunately sympathize with the slaveholders. As quickly as the movement is growing in the North, there are still too many who do not see the emancipation issue as their fight.
    “I do not wish to be considered overly-pessimistic, but, as I’ve stated at previous meeting of this distinguished Committee, I am not at all certain that the slaveholders will be willing to relinquish their…‘peculiar institution’…at any price. It may all depend on the attitude of that frontier barbarian who now occupies The Residency. As a planter himself, he will be the lightening rod, so to speak, on this issue. If Jackson agrees to accept the proclamation of emancipation by His Majesty’s government, he may be able to stare down the more radical elements. Just as he so ably, it pains me to admit, did in the ‘nullification’ crisis of ’31.”
        Adams paused before adding: “After all, he does claim to swear allegiance to the union of our states…” The former G-G looked around the table at the somber faces staring back at him. “Gentlemen, we are about to test that allegiance to the fullest.”
    The Chancellor of the Exchequer broke the ensuing silence. “For the record, gentlemen, based on the twenty million pounds we have earmarked for the West Indies, and the fact that Sir Galbreath in Pretoria believes emancipation in the Cape Colony can be had for less than another million pounds, His Majesty’s Government expects to allocate another 23 millions for the project in the USBA. That is, of course, with the understanding that the Empire remains in a state of peace for the next seven years. A major European war could not be financed while this project is underway.”
    “Ah yes, Frederick, that would be a problem,” said Lord Palmerston. “However, foreign affairs are on my watch and I see little likelihood of a major conflict. I must admit we are monitoring this situation within the Ottoman Empire. Seems this Egyptian vassal of the Sultan, Pasha Mehemet Ali, is flexing his muscles against Constantinople. He’s sent a force north through the Gaza and into Palestine. Unless the Bear decides to interfere, we shall probably allow them to settle that dispute internally. In any case, I do not see major war clouds threatening on the horizon.”
    Lord Melbourne had been relatively quiet all morning. But then, the Home Secretary was famous for keeping his own counsel. Now he addressed the Chair. “We’ve heard Mr. Adams today repeat what he’s told us in prior meetings: much depends on Governor-General Jackson. I’d be interested in hearing now from our professional in the American Office. Mr. Bratton, you’ve heard enough now to understand our deep concerns that this most worthy plan to abolish slavery throughout the Empire might trigger a crisis in the USBA. Based on the plebiscite returns and other information at your disposal, what do you feel will happen over there when word of emancipation reaches the USBA?”
    A shaken Bratton rose rather unsteadily to his feet as all eyes focused on him. Should I tell them I think this is ludicrous and could trigger a full-scale rebellion by the South? Let the damn planters keep their slaves for now. The bloody institution is bound to die out in the next few generations anyway, as strides in machinery make it obsolete.
         “My Lords, and members of Parliament,” he bowed his head to Adams, the only fellow commoner in the room. “I have of course been made privy to this information only within the last hour and haven’t thought it all out.” He paused briefly. “My initial reaction to this breathtaking proposal is that, yes, the Governor-General is the key. Jackson commands wide support in the West and in the South, despite the fallout from that nullification battle Mr. Adams alluded to previously.
   “However, I am not as certain as Mr. Adams of the absoluteness of Jackson’s