Washington, D.C.
John Rutherford, the acting Governor of Virginia, felt as if he had just escaped death.
When he had first heard that slave hunters sent from Virginia to capture runaway slaves had been killed in Canada, he assumed there must have been some mistake.
But then the British Empire began raising hell, demanding immediate explanations.
Meanwhile, Congress had begun tearing into him like a pack of wolves.
It was no exaggeration to say that every day since had felt like a nightmare.
In truth, Rutherford was only a temporary acting governor.
His term would end before the year was out.
The small bounty he had authorized for slave hunters had never been meant as serious policy.
It was simply a symbolic gesture meant to calm angry plantation owners who had been screaming for action.
How could he possibly have predicted that those lunatics would cross the Canadian border and start shooting at a peaceful settlement?
And on top of that—
The Queen of the British Empire had been visiting a nearby city.
And that same Queen was now reportedly pregnant.
It was beyond absurd.
Frankly, it was terrifying.
If a war broke out—
And historians later wrote that it had begun because of such a ridiculous incident—
What then?
His political career would be over.
That was certain.
But more than that, the entire situation itself frightened him.
When the President had urgently summoned him to the White House, Rutherford had been convinced he was about to receive a death sentence.
Would they make him bear all responsibility?
Would he be forced to kneel before the Queen of Britain and beg forgiveness?
If that alone could end the crisis, he might even have accepted it.
But the truth was—
The situation had already passed that point.
At its core, the crisis had arisen from a fundamental issue:
Runaway slaves.
And the hunters chasing them.
The Northern states argued that Southern immorality was the root cause.
The Southern states countered by accusing the North of hypocrisy and demanded that no apology be issued.
In other words—
If anyone apologized now, it would be seen as the South kneeling before the North.
How on earth had he ended up at the center of such a ridiculous battle of pride?
And what if the President sided with the South and demanded they double down?
Rutherford's worries vanished the moment he heard the President's plan.
"…What?" Rutherford blinked.
"You want to blame everything on Mexico?"
"Exactly," President John Tyler said calmly.
"But Mexico has nothing to do with this…"
"If they have nothing to do with it," Tyler replied smoothly, "then we simply make it so they do."
He leaned forward.
"This nation cannot afford to let North and South tear each other apart over such a trivial matter."
"As President, it is my duty to mediate."
"So we blame Mexico," Rutherford said slowly.
Tyler nodded.
Rutherford still wasn't convinced.
But as the President continued explaining, the idea began to sound disturbingly plausible.
"Mexico is currently engaged in a territorial dispute with us over Texas," Tyler said.
"Yet the Texans clearly wish to join the United States."
"That situation threatens Mexico deeply."
"So they devised a scheme."
"A scheme to provoke conflict between the United States and the British Empire."
"So that we would be too distracted to focus on Texas."
"…It sounds plausible," Rutherford admitted reluctantly.
"Good," Tyler said.
"All we need now is for Virginia to produce the appropriate evidence."
"The slave hunters who crossed into Canada were secretly receiving money from Mexico."
"They attacked Canada intentionally in order to worsen tensions between Britain and the United States."
"Unfortunately for them, they were killed when their plan failed."
Rutherford frowned.
"Mexico will deny everything."
"How do we respond?"
"If the evidence is convincing," Tyler said calmly, "we simply stand by it."
"Therefore your task is simple."
"Ensure that evidence exists showing those slave hunters received Mexican money."
If evidence did not exist—
It could simply be created.
Rutherford hesitated for only a moment.
Then he realized something.
This option was infinitely preferable to taking the blame himself.
If the nation continued tearing itself apart, North and South might even split completely.
If sacrificing Mexico could prevent that—
Perhaps it was even the right choice.
And if the United States could secure Texas in the process…
"All right, Mr. President," Rutherford said at last.
"I believe this may be the only solution."
Tyler laughed heartily.
"Excellent."
"Can the evidence be prepared?"
"Yes."
"I will hire handwriting experts to forge documents."
"And we will create financial records showing money transfers through our agents in Mexico."
"That should be enough to pin everything on them."
"Good."
Rutherford left the meeting feeling reborn.
Whether Mexico suffered for it or not was hardly his concern.
He immediately began producing the necessary "evidence."
At the same time, pro-government newspapers enthusiastically spread the story.
Newspaper Headlines
SHOCK! Mexico's Outrageous Plot Revealed!
Is Mexico Afraid of America's Rise?
Why Did Slave Hunters Cross the Canadian Border?
Human beings have a natural tendency to blame others rather than reflect on their own mistakes.
And when the matter involved an entire nation—
That tendency only grew stronger.
Americans already disliked Mexico.
Border disputes were constant.
Occasionally there were even shootings between the two sides.
Under those circumstances, rumors that Mexico had tried to provoke conflict between the United States and Britain spread like wildfire.
Especially in the western states.
People eagerly condemned Mexico and demanded action.
The power of perception was truly frightening.
Yet not everyone lost their composure.
"What nonsense is this?" a voice thundered.
"This sudden accusation against Mexico is nothing more than a desperate lie!"
The speaker was a young Whig politician who had recently entered Congress with considerable attention.
Abraham Lincoln.
"This method of resolving the crisis is disgraceful," Lincoln declared.
"In the long run it will only damage the reputation of the United States."
He turned toward Rutherford.
"If this truly is Mexico's conspiracy, then present proper evidence!"
"Can you honestly swear before Congress that Mexico is responsible?"
Rutherford remained calm.
"Our investigation has uncovered evidence that strongly suggests Mexican involvement."
"All relevant documents have been submitted to Congress."
Lincoln shook a stack of papers in frustration.
"This is your evidence?"
"A few letters claiming money changed hands?"
"There are also financial records," Rutherford replied.
"The investigation is nearly complete."
"That is still one-sided testimony!"
"Where is the cross-checking?"
"That is impossible," Rutherford replied coldly.
"The slave hunters who entered Canada are all dead."
The dead tell no tales.
Which meant no one remained to dispute the fabricated evidence.
Even if Mexico protested its innocence, the United States could simply dismiss it as the denial of a guilty party.
"The national mood is moving toward punishing Mexico," Rutherford continued.
"Given the evidence, that reaction is understandable."
Lincoln stared at him in disbelief.
"You are speaking of war based on this flimsy nonsense."
"Whether war occurs is not for me to decide," Rutherford replied.
"I have only presented the findings of our investigation."
Lincoln sighed heavily.
But few members of Congress supported him.
Many Northern politicians who had initially hoped to use the crisis to attack the South had now changed course.
Punishing Mexico was politically far more popular.
A politician's first duty was to respond to the concerns of the public.
And the American public now wanted Mexico punished.
Why refuse?
The war would have clear justification.
And abundant spoils.
No matter how loudly Lincoln protested, the tide could not be reversed.
"The President has requested an explanation from Mexico," Rutherford said.
"If their response proves unsatisfactory, appropriate measures will follow."
"But that explanation—"
"Congressman Lincoln," another member interrupted with a smile.
"Let us remain calm."
"There is no need to quarrel among ourselves."
"Indeed," another added.
"We should first soothe Britain's anger and punish the true culprit behind this scheme."
"This could become the most disgraceful war in American history!" Lincoln shouted.
"Well," someone replied lazily, "we'll soon settle the matter with a vote."
"The result will reflect the will of the nation."
Slavery was important.
But something mattered even more:
Territorial expansion.
A chance to expand westward had appeared.
If they missed this opportunity, Texas might slip away.
And Mexico was hardly a formidable enemy.
In the minds of many American leaders, the outcome was already clear.
The Stars and Stripes flying triumphantly over newly conquered Mexican territory.
Kingston, Canada
At the same time—
In Kingston, the temporary capital of Canada.
"Ambassador."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
"I must confess," I said slowly, "I'm not quite sure how to interpret this."
The apology letter brought by British Ambassador Edward Everett had exceeded my expectations.
In an amusing way.
Honestly, I had expected the Americans to simply bow their heads and beg forgiveness.
But this sudden curveball?
I had estimated perhaps a twenty percent chance of something like this happening.
Seeing it actually occur was almost hilarious.
Everett bowed politely.
"We fully understand Your Royal Highness's surprise."
"But I assure you—we are not attempting to evade responsibility."
"We deeply regret causing distress to both Your Royal Highness and Her Majesty."
"We should have exercised stricter border control."
"For that, we sincerely apologize."
Watching Everett's almost tearful expression, I couldn't help wondering if diplomats were born actors.
"So," I asked, "is Mexico's involvement confirmed—or merely suspected?"
"We believe it has been confirmed that Mexican agents transferred money to the slave hunters."
"I see."
"How terrifying."
"To think Mexico could infiltrate the United States so deeply and orchestrate such a sinister plot."
"They have long claimed our lands as their own," Everett replied.
"Now that we are demanding their return, they likely attempted this scheme to buy time."
"…Mexico illegally occupying American territory?"
Were they seriously talking about Texas like that?
Either they assumed we were ignorant—
Or they genuinely believed their own propaganda.
"At this point," Everett continued, "Congress has likely already passed a resolution condemning Mexico."
"The President has made it clear that this matter will not be ignored."
"So the United States intends to make Mexico pay?"
"That is correct."
"If Mexico fails to issue a proper apology, war may become unavoidable."
Everett paused.
"Your Royal Highness understands how frightened Her Majesty must have been."
"Especially considering her condition."
"When this news reaches Britain, the reaction will be explosive."
"Parliament may demand action."
"I understand your position," Everett added.
"That is why…"
He carefully removed a letter from his coat and slid it across the table.
"A personal letter from the President."
I opened it.
As expected, the first half was full of apologies.
Promises to tighten border control.
Repeated insistence that Mexico was responsible.
But the final section—
Even I had not expected this.
"So," I said slowly, closing the letter,
"You're suggesting we attack Mexico together?"
Everett nodded slightly.
They didn't want to take the blame alone.
They wanted an accomplice.
I barely managed to suppress my laughter.
I had expected the United States to eventually provoke a war with Mexico, just as in the original timeline.
But to ask Britain for help this early?
Impressive.
Then again—
This was exactly the direction Victoria and I had hoped for.
After all—
They were descendants of the British Empire.
No wonder their thinking resembled ours so closely.
And for that—
I was grateful.