had to say, “Who are we? The only entity that could make an offer is Her Majesty’s Britannic government. You people have no status until the British North America bill is passed.”
“No status and no money,” Galt, the guardian of the Province of Canada’s treasury, affirmed.
“However, you’re absolutely right, John A.,” the young Earl agreed. “We, all of us together, with the government as the proposed purchaser, must get into the bidding for Russian America … whether or not the rumour Bruce has heard is true.”
Carnarvon stubbed out his near-dead cigar. “And odds are it is true. We do know that about six years ago the Americans, led by one Senator Gwin, put a proposal — in the interests of businessmen and entrepreneurs in the Pacific northwest states — to the Tsar through the Russian ambassador.”
“The renowned de Stoeckl. We’ve heard about him. He was in the thick of things, the Russian fleet in American ports during the Civil War …”
“Yes, John A. The renowned de Stoeckl. It was an offer to buy out the interests of the Russian American Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company’s licence to operate in Russian American territory. That offer was rebuffed, but only after careful consideration by Tsar Nicholas, the present Tsar’s father.”
Carnarvon paused for a moment, then continued. “Now the Russian American Company is losing huge amounts of money, and the Tsar’s brother, the Grand Duke Constantine, wants to have the Company dissolved. The subsidies to the Company are draining Russia’s coffers and killing the Russian navy’s opportunity to expand the way that its Grand Admiral, Constantine, insists it should expand.”
The Earl stood and went over to pull the tasseled cord hanging from the ceiling near the tall, ornately carved French fireplace. “I’m sure a touch of cognac would not be inappropriate, gentlemen.”
A servant appeared instantly through the library door bearing a bottle of golden Courvoisier and four crystal brandy snifters on a silver tray.
As the cognac was being served, Carnarvon settled back into his chair. “You should know, gentlemen, that at this moment de Stoeckl is in St. Petersburg. He arrived there on the American ship Union Eagle out of New York. The information reported by Sir Frederick is that his meeting with the Tsar will occur within the week.”
Macdonald threw the last of his cognac back, enjoying the searing movement of the powerful liquid flowing down his throat. “Let us be profoundly realistic, Harry.” His Scottish burr had been intensified by the alcohol he had consumed. “We canna go off half cocked over a wee rumour. But what we can do — and mind, we have a duty to do for the sake of the nation we are attempting to birth — what we can do is take the rumour seriously, as if it was a proved fact. We must prepare a plan of attack.”
“Agreed!” Galt interrupted.
“And so we have no choice but to put together two schemes. Yes, two, as I see it,” Macdonald said.
“And they are?” Carnarvon encouraged him.
“The first scheme is for the purpose of driving a wedge of distrust between the Tsar and the White House, or between de Stoeckl and Seward. I don’t know what the tactics would be but that’s the strategy. If we could do that, those two would never make a deal, even though Russia and the United States are close friends.”
“And, each of them, for their own reasons, detests Great Britain,” Cartier observed.
“Your point is well taken, John A. I can get the Foreign Secretary, the Earl of Derby, and his people to devise the tactics. They’re experts at that sort of thing. Now what’s your second scheme?” Carnarvon asked.
Macdonald tipped his glass to his mouth for the last drops of cognac. He did not protest as his host refilled the delicate crystal snifter.
“My second scheme? Ah yes. Well, as I said, we should prepare an offer to buy Russian America.”
“Since the Hudson’s Bay Company has been a licensee of the Russian American Company for God knows how long,” Galt suggested, “perhaps we could get their cooperation or advice on putting an offer together and presenting it?”
Macdonald shook his head. “No, if we’re going to do anything, we’re the ones who should put together an offer. But, as you said, Harry, the offer must be made by Her Majesty’s government. The governments of the colonies can be silent partners and can agree to repay the British government over a period of time.”
“John A.’s right,” Carnarvon observed. “And whatever is done must have the Queen’s personal imprimatur.”
“Why is that?” Cartier asked.
“Because it is her equal, in royalty terms … Tsar Alexander the Second, who will make the decisions whether to cede Russian America. And so the offer must be signed by Queen Victoria. Otherwise it’s a waste of time.”
“Harry, would you be prepared to assume the leadership of this matter for us?” Macdonald put the question in his most persuasive tone.
Carnarvon did not hesitate. “Yes, of course. My first step will be to have a chat with the Foreign Secretary.” As the colonials knew, the Foreign Secretary was also the Prime Minister. “If he’s agreeable, then we’ll set up a small secret team, headed by his Permanent Under-Secretary and mine. They can work on the details and the four of us can provide policy direction. How does that sound?”
“First class,” Macdonald announced, with his colleagues nodding their agreement. “The amount of money to offer, and how it’ll be put together, will be difficult.” Galt was such a fuss-budget about his bloody finances, Macdonald thought.
“That’ll be a matter for the Prime Minister and Mr. Disraeli — and, of course, Her Imperial Majesty. I can assure you, gentlemen, that the Queen pays close attention to the affairs of the state, particularly since she lost her beloved Prince Albert.”
Henry Herbert stood, walked to the still-roaring fire, and turned his buttocks toward it. Holding his coattails aside to allow the heat to better penetrate to the skin of his lean frame, he said, “So, gentlemen, you have given me much work to do. As I said, I will write a note to Sir Frederic Rogers instructing him to work in close concert with you people in preparing a proper British North America Act based on the Quebec Resolutions. And as soon as I come down to London later in the week, I will attend upon my good friend and Prime Minster, Lord Stanley, the Earl of Derby, to enlist his support in acquiring Russian America.”
Macdonald stood, swaying slightly and intoned, “And thereby put the boots to the conniving bastard Seward and his dreams of Manifest Destiny.”
Alexander Galt applauded, clapping his hands slowly, and said “Well spoke, John A., well spoke. Now while you’re on your speechifying feet, why don’t you compose a few rapturous words to tell His Lordship about the beautiful young miss you met on Bond Street.”
“Very good, John A.!” Cartier exclaimed. “How old is she? You’re still young and virile at fifty-two. Ah, l’amour, je pense, I think it is marvellous, even if I haven’t heard your story yet. Is she really beautiful, John? Has she big breasts, wide hips?”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, George, you lecherous old frog. Leave off!”
John A. Macdonald’s ugly face turned a shade of deeper red. He flopped back down
