to the people of Russia if your American possessions were offered to the English Queen.”
Heads around the table nodded in agreement as Constantine paused.
“On the other hand,” Constantine continued, “there is a strong bond between us and the Americans. There have never been any differences between us. Indeed there have been continuing acts of friendship, not the least of which was the safe harbouring of our entire fleet in American ports during the Crimean War.”
Gorchakov took off his pince-nez to emphasize the point he wanted to bring to bear. “Furthermore, Your Majesty, de Stoeckl reports that certain high officials in the American administration have expressed serious interest in Russian America. As for the British, there has been no expression of interest whatever.”
The Tsar leaned back in his chair, fingertips before his face, as he contemplated what he had just heard. It was his customary signal that all talk should cease while he thought. In a few moments he leaned forward. “It seems to me, gentlemen, that you have assumed I have made a decision to sell. But I have not heard from all of your as to your respective positions. So perhaps, Minister de Reutern, you might be good enough to let me have the benefit of your views.”
The Minister of Finance was a tall man, gaunt with deep-socketed dark eyes and a hank of white hair that hung over his forehead. He would have preferred not to have to say anything at all. He was extremely apprehensive and nervous whenever he was in the presence of his Emperor and doubly so when he was required to express an opinion. However, he was prepared for this question. Rather than leave it to chance, he had written out his response. His hands shook slightly as he took the folded paper from his pocket and spread it on the conference table.
The Tsar was amused. He had seen this same performance many times before and was sympathetic to the man’s discomfort.
De Reutern spoke hesitantly. “If it may please Your Majesty, I prepared a brief statement setting out my position from the viewpoint of my responsibilities as Minister of Finance.”
Taking Alexander’s silence as permission, de Reutern read: “The Company to which the exploitation of the American colonies was confided has been unfortunate or inept. It is maintained at this time only by artificial means which will scarcely be able to prolong its existence.”
De Reutern glanced at the Tsar, then continued. “As I see it, Your Majesty, the Imperial Government has two alternatives. It is obliged either to come to the assistance of the Company, which is near bankruptcy, with considerable financial aids, or to take on itself the administration of the Company’s affairs which will involve sacrifices no less burdensome.
“For these reasons and having regard to the state of your national treasury and the requirements of your Imperial government and the Russian people, I recommend, Your Majesty, that a disposition of your American possessions be undertaken with the greatest possible haste.”
De Reutern folded up his sheet of paper, adding gratuitously, “I have no comment, or at least I don’t have an opinion, as to the question of whether the territory should be offered to the British as well as the Americans. But I will say this: As we all know, when gold was found in the region near Sitka, thousands of Americans made their way north and into your territory, Your Majesty. The only reason they did not stay and take de facto possession was that the gold find did not prove to be valuable enough. The point is, the way things are going, one of these days the Americans will probably take possession whether we like it or not and we won’t be able to do anything about it. Nothing. So why not sell to the United States or, for that matter, to the British? As Finance Minister I say, Your Majesty, that your treasury urgently needs money, and we should get as much as we possibly can out of such a transaction.”
De Reutern cleared his constricted throat, unused as it was to the utterance of so many words one after another. “And I say to Your Majesty that, on the other side of the coin, there is an urgent need to cut off the huge amount of money already being spent to support your American possessions, let alone those that will have to be made if the Company is to be salvaged.”
De Reutern had been as articulate without notes as anyone at the conference table had ever heard him.
“We are grateful to you, Minister de Reutern,” said the Tsar. “You made your points effectively and persuasively.”
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