As the first light of dawn painted the skies over London in soft gold, the city stirred with anticipation.
Today was the opening of Parliament, one of the most solemn traditions of the British state.
Inside the House of Lords, the peers had already taken their seats. Members of the new cabinet gathered in their designated places, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"Isn't it time yet?"
From beside me, Charles Wellesley, who would officially begin his duties as Prime Minister today, tapped the floor nervously.
His breathing was noticeably shallow.
"Why are you suddenly so tense?" I asked.
"I know," he muttered.
"It's ridiculous… but my heart won't stop pounding."
"You're not actually required to do much today," I said.
"So just relax and watch."
"…True."
"In fact, attending the opening ceremony is almost my entire schedule today."
"Once Her Majesty finishes her speech, I simply express my support for it. That's the extent of my role."
Then he glanced at me.
"Come to think of it, don't you have something else scheduled afterward?"
"I do," I said.
"I'll need to welcome a guest—"
Before I could finish, the clock struck eleven.
The atmosphere in the chamber shifted instantly.
The doors of the House of Lords opened, and the gentleman known as Black Rod entered, his ceremonial staff announcing the beginning of the session.
Moments later, members of the House of Commons filed in behind him.
Normally, members of the Commons and the Lords did not mingle freely.
But the State Opening of Parliament was an exception.
The monarch was forbidden from entering the House of Commons except when dissolving Parliament.
Therefore, on this day each year, the Commons came to the House of Lords instead.
Of course, there were no seats prepared for them.
They lined up at the back of the chamber and would remain standing until the ceremony concluded.
"Her Majesty the Queen!"
All members rose.
The central figure of the ceremony was about to appear.
Clad in the dignity and tradition passed down through generations, Queen Victoria entered the chamber with calm authority.
The murmuring hall fell silent instantly.
She ascended the throne.
Then, in a clear and powerful voice, she broke the silence.
"Honorable members of Parliament.
Today we gather at a moment when the glorious British Empire stands proudly as a beacon of progress and civilization.
As your sovereign, I give thanks to Providence for granting me the honor of guiding this kingdom through the tides of history.
Yet we face many important challenges."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"First, the affairs of Europe remain one of our foremost concerns.
By the grace and wisdom granted by Almighty God, our government has diligently pursued diplomacy in order to preserve peace and stability across a continent where the echoes of revolution still linger."
Her voice carried through the chamber.
"Our government has also given careful attention to our brethren across the Atlantic."
Ordinarily, the monarch's speech was written almost entirely by Parliament.
But this speech had been influenced heavily by Victoria herself.
Her popularity throughout the empire was immense, and many citizens wished to hear her own voice reflected in the words.
"We must always place the welfare of our people above all else.
If we surround ourselves with walls and comfort, we cannot hear the cries of the poor and the suffering.
Therefore my new Prime Minister, Sir Charles Wellesley, and the honorable members of his government bear a sacred duty to pursue a new path of social reform."
"Among these duties, education must become the foundation of our empire's strength.
Every child born beneath our flag must be given the means to rise through knowledge and virtue."
She continued.
"Whenever I behold the marvels of the steam engine, or the vast network of iron rails spreading across our land, my heart swells with pride.
Such innovation and progress are the pillars that sustain our empire.
We must continue to nurture them."
Then her voice grew solemn.
"I understand well the responsibilities that God has placed upon me and my government.
Therefore I pledge once more that our rule shall be guided by justice, compassion, and determination."
"Honorable members of Parliament, I urge you to fulfill your duties with unwavering devotion.
We must sail together through the turbulent seas of a constantly changing world.
United, we shall ensure that the sun never sets upon the British Empire."
"May God's blessing be upon us all."
Her speech echoed through the great chamber.
Every member bowed their head in silence.
No one applauded.
No one spoke.
Ceremony demanded absolute dignity.
When Victoria rose and departed as gracefully as she had entered, the peers rose again in unison.
The Prime Minister followed.
Then the cabinet ministers.
Finally, the members of the Commons returned to their own chamber.
Only once every member had taken their seat did the Speaker of the House rise to speak.
"Following Her Majesty's address," he announced,
"the Prime Minister will now speak on behalf of the government."
Charles Wellesley stood.
"Honorable members.
As you have all heard, Her Majesty has outlined the principles that must guide us in the coming years.
Though Britain already stands at the forefront of technological progress, we must not become complacent.
Investment in scientific advancement must continue.
And above all, education will be the key."
"We must cultivate talented individuals through education—and allow those individuals to serve the nation.
That is the virtuous cycle our government intends to build."
He paused.
"Furthermore, we must safeguard the well-being of our citizens.
Our government has begun a large-scale immigration program to Canada, and we are committed to ensuring that British citizens may settle there safely and prosper."
"Therefore, I hereby introduce legislation appointing Foreign Secretary Killian Gore as the chief authority responsible for Canada policy."
Since the Conservative Party held a majority in both the Commons and the Lords, the bill's passage was guaranteed.
The Conservative benches erupted in applause.
"Hear, hear!"
"It is only logical that the minister who initiated the policy oversee its execution!"
In such situations, the opposition often struggled to make its voice heard.
Still, tradition dictated that the opposition leader speak after the Prime Minister.
After Viscount Melbourne's departure, the leadership of the Whigs had fallen to Lord Palmerston.
He rose slowly.
"First, let me say that we fully support the values expressed by Her Majesty."
"However, I would like to raise several questions regarding the Prime Minister's proposal."
"While I agree that Minister Killian Gore should oversee the immigration policy, and that a new office with authority over Canadian administration may be necessary…"
"Is it not excessive to grant him complete diplomatic authority as well?"
"Is that merely because he is the Foreign Secretary?"
Wellesley responded calmly.
"Not at all.
If Canada had no neighboring nations, I might share your concern.
But Canada borders another country.
Large-scale settlement may produce unforeseen diplomatic tensions.
If every issue requires consultation with London, delays will be inevitable."
As their debate continued, I quietly checked the time and slipped out of the chamber.
Debates following the State Opening were an old British tradition.
Sometimes they lasted several days.
But the outcome had already been decided.
The Conservatives held the majority.
My authority over Canadian policy for the next five years was essentially guaranteed.
And I had other matters to attend to.
After all—
Our visitors from across the Atlantic had arrived earlier than expected.
Given the era, it was hardly surprising that the United States had grown curious about the Empire's movements.
After all, they had crossed the ocean to investigate.
Naturally, we must show them proper hospitality.
Though whether they would return home satisfied—
That remained to be seen.
Not that I particularly cared.
The United States would not become the world's dominant power until after the World Wars.
Even before then, its potential strength had been enormous.
But the world did not yet realize it.
Nor did the Americans themselves.
And so in 1841, the situation was clear.
Britain was overwhelmingly stronger in both military and political power.
Still—
America's potential could never be ignored.
Fortunately, this was precisely the era when the Americans themselves had no idea how powerful they might become.
Which meant I could simply play along.
Pretend ignorance.
And guide events quietly.
"Welcome to the British Empire," I said with a polite smile.
"I hope your journey was comfortable."
"It was quite pleasant," my guest replied.
"I did not expect the Foreign Secretary himself to greet me."
"I heard the opening of Parliament was today."
"Well," I said lightly,
"when a former President of the United States visits our country, I must make the effort personally."
"A formal banquet will be held in your honor in two days.
Please enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," the old man said.
"In truth, I have heard much about you.
A young minister who has achieved remarkable accomplishments."
He hadn't heard.
He had investigated.
But either way, it worked to my advantage.
"I have also heard much about you," I replied.
"In fact, I had hoped to meet you someday if I visited America.
Fate has kindly arranged it instead."
"You wished to meet me?" he asked, surprised.
"Why?"
"Because you are the American most committed to the cause of abolishing slavery."
"And I share that interest deeply."
My guest was John Quincy Adams.
The sixth President of the United States.
A rare politician whose reputation improved after leaving office, thanks to his tireless opposition to slavery.
He had been on my list of people to meet in the New World.
And now he had come to me.
Truly—
What else could one call it but providence?
"You are interested in abolishing slavery?" Adams asked.
"Of course."
"The British Empire was the first nation to abolish the slave trade and slavery itself.
I take great pride in that."
"And I assumed that was one of the reasons you wished to visit."
Adams hesitated.
"Well… that was one of the reasons."
"Then leave everything to me," I said warmly.
"I will gladly make time to provide you with all the information you desire."
"And incidentally—there is an investor in the New World who is passionately devoted to the abolitionist cause."
"Would you like me to introduce you?"
"There is such a man?" Adams asked, intrigued.
Good.
The bait was taken.
"Of course.
His name is James.
He operates locomotive and coal mining companies in the New World."
"But more importantly, he is fiercely devoted to Black civil rights.
He firmly believes that God sent him into this world to help liberate Black people."
Adams' eyes lit up.
"It is not easy to hold such convictions while doing business in America.
If true, he must be a remarkable man."
"He should arrive in London in about a week.
You should meet him."
"If it is merely a conversation," Adams said,
"I would certainly be interested."
"Oh, I'm sure you will get along wonderfully."
I laughed.
After that, I spent the next hour passionately describing the evils of slavery.
By the end of it, Adams was so engrossed that he completely forgot the very topic he had likely come to investigate—
the Irish immigration policy.
Instead, he simply nodded repeatedly, captivated by the discussion.
Of course the United States was curious about our plans.
But for the time being—
They would have other matters occupying their attention.
Soon enough, a certain twenty-first-century-minded human rights warrior named James would ignite quite the storm across America.
If things continued this way, James might one day appear in the history books of both Britain and the United States.
James the Liberator.
The father of human rights.
…No, no.
Better stop that thought before it goes too far.
In any case—
This is the kind of superior officer I am.
Always thinking about my subordinate's future.