Westernization, Part V
The Nineteenth Century: The Saga of Equestria
March 22, 1824
Griffin Falls, Griffonia
“King Odrynn? I have a question.”
“Yes, Princess Twilight?”
“We have so little information on your culture. Why are there two different spellings for ‘griffon?’”
“Ah, yes. It’s been a source of some confusion. The two spellings come from the fact that in Griffon history, there were two major tribes. They both spelled the word slightly differently. And when the tribes were united, some griffons held onto their old spelling, and no griffon king has ever bothered to stop them.”
“Ahh, thank you.”
“Quiet, they approach,” interjected Celestia.
Indeed, the American diplomatic delegation was approaching. Two strong, the delegation consisted of the American ambassador to Griffonia and the American ambassador to Equestria, Clinton Erickson.
King Odrynn stepped forward, and Princess Celestia and Twilight followed him. They met the humans halfway, and the parties bowed stiffly to each other.
“You know who we are,” said Erickson, “and we know who you are. With that aside, let us proceed directly to business.”
“Very well. You know why I am here,” answered King Odrynn.
“Yes. You wish to contest the claiming of the Columbia River for the United States.”
“Indeed. That land has been ancestrally Griffon for as long as anybody save the Princesses can remember.”
“For the record, it was claimed by the Kingdom of Griffonia immediately after the fall of Discord and the Giffonian Uprising against Discord’s overlordship. That is, over twelve hundred years ago,” Celestia put in.
“I believe that that makes for a stronger claim than ‘we just happened to sail up the river and decided to claim it,’ not to put too fine a point on it,” said Odrynn.
“Perhaps...but we want Missoula and Bozeman.”
“I’m sorry?”
“The United States wants you to turn the areas of Missoula and Bozeman over to the United States in exchange for relinquishing our claims on the Columbia River.”
“That’s preposterous. Why would we turn territory over to you when we have a clear and strong claim to it?”
“I can think of one or two reasons…”
The meaning was not lost on Odrynn.
“So. You want me to surrender two Griffonian provinces to you, for no other reason than you want them?”
Ambassador Erickson raised his eyebrows, but otherwise said nothing.
Princess Celestia watched all of this, feeling a layer of bile coat her tongue. She could not help but remember the somewhat similar position she found herself in after the Manetown Incident…
The King stood, still as a statue, for several minutes, undoubtedly looking for a way out. Celestia silently hoped that he would see reason and not be too rash.
After what felt like an eternity, the King raised his head and growed softly,“I have no choice, it appears. But know this: I have no intention of allowing this insult to go without an answer. You have made an enemy today, and Griffonia will not forget.”
With that, he turned around, and started to walk away. He stopped for a moment, however, and said, in as much of a deadpan as he could muster, “Draw up the treaty. Quickly, before I change my mind, and give it to me. You know where my throne is.” He then continued to walk away.
Celestia and Twilight took their leave and followed the King.
Before any of them could say anything, he said, “Those provinces hardly have any griffons still living in them, so it’s not a huge problem. I can have them relocated. But giving away ancient Griffon territory leaves a sour taste in my mouth…
“You were right. No matter what my people may think about the subject, we cannot put off westernization any longer. If we do, the demands will only increase. But...they are going to be pissed that I just gave away Griffon territory without a fight...this isn’t going to end well, Princesses.”
(Text of the Grifoni-American Treaty on Territorial Rights and Boundaries)
The United States of America and the Kingdom of Griffonia, wishing to resolve territorial disputes between their two sovereign nations, have come to the following agreement:
Article I: The Kingdom of Griffonia shall, one year after the Ratification of this Treaty, turn over the provinces of Missoula and Bozeman to the United States, who shall become the sole sovereign and legitimate governing agency over these territories, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereof.
Article II: In the aforementioned year, the Kingdom of Griffonia shall evacuate all subjects from the aforementioned provinces. Should any subjects of Griffonia remain in the territory, the United States of America will not be held responsible for their safety or well-being.
Article III: The United States of America shall, upon the turnover of the aforementioned provinces, renounce any and all claims to the Columbia River. These claims may never be reinstated.
Signed by King Odrynn, Ruler of the Kingdom of Griffonia, on March 23, 1824.
Signed by Robert Erickson, Special American Ambassador to the Kingdom of Griffonia, on March 23, 1824.
Ratified in the United States Senate on July 12, 1824, by a vote of 43-1 (Four abstentions).
(American Joint Resolution on the Columbia River Claims)
Whereas, the Senate of the United States ratified the “Grifoni-American Treaty on Territorial Rights and Boundaries” on the Twenty-First Day of July, Eighteen Twenty-Four; and
Whereas, the Kingdom of Griffonia has turned the provinces of Missoula and Bozeman over to the United States, in compliance with the aforementioned Treaty, on the Fourteenth Day of June, Eighteen Twenty Four;
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That, the Congress of the United States hereby retracts, rescinds, and otherwise renounces any and all claims established by the USS Ontario, in the mouth of August, Eighteen Eighteen.
Done in the Congress of the United States:
Introduced by Silas Wood, member of the Anti-Jackson political party to the House of Representatives on June 30, 1825.
Passed the House of Representatives on July 5, 1825, by a vote of 135-96.
Introduced to the Senate by Samuel Bell, member of the Anti-Jackson political party on July 7, 1825.
Passed the Senate on July 12, 1825, by a vote of 33-14 (One abstention).
Signed by President John Quincy Adams on July 13, 1825.
July 10, 1825
First Meeting of the Equestrian Advisory Assembly
Canterlot, Equestria
Bang!
“Come to order! The First Equestrian Advisory Assembly is now in session! Her Serene Majesty, Princess Celestia, is presiding!”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” acknowledged Celestia.
The earth pony, named Gold Hoof, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Royal Court, nodded once, and left the assembly room, to take up a position outside the doors with his fellow Sergeant-At-Arms, Emerald Spear.
“Congratulations on being selected to form the First Equestrian Advisory Assembly,” said Celestia. “You have been chosen by the Royal Council to help oversee the governance of the Principality of Equestria. Make no mistake, however. The Royal Council reserves the power and right to strike down any decision made by the Advisory Assembly. as well as make decisions without seeking the Assembly’s approval.
“The two parts of the Advisory Assembly are the Chamber of Deputies, and the Royal Court. The Royal Court is the upper portion, and is charged with ensuring that the general course of the government remains stable. Each fully incorporated region of Equestria sends three Councillors to the Royal Court, appointed by us Princesses, along with five additional seats, special delegates, if you will, for ponies we think deserving of the honor, but are not members of a regional delegation. The Chamber of Deputies is the lower portion, charged with handling day-to-day affairs of the nation. Each fully incorporated Royal Province is allotted two seats (one, for non-incorporated), again selected by the Royals, with fifty-two seats reserved for special delegates. In this way, my fellow Princesses and I can address diplomacy, crises, and other major affairs of state without worrying about the entire government collapsing in our absence.
“The regions of Equestria that are considered fully incorporated are as follows: Northern Equestria, Greater Canterlot, Southern Equestria, Clover Valley, and Manehattan-Fillydelphia. The provinces within them are as follows: Hoofsdale, Stalliongrad, Baltimare, Ponyville, the Everfree Forest, Canterlot, Maneterrey, Cloudsdale, Windigo, Wingsoar, Apple Valley, Featherston, Mareposa, Trottingham, Colton, Fillydelphia, and Manehattan. As you many have noticed, there are two non-incorporated regions: Valmansas and Springdale. The provinces that are within them are Appleloosa, Elko, Las Pegasus, Salt Lick City, Sugerville, Manetown, Phoenix, McIntosh, and Caballo. Regions are considered fully incorporated because they possess a high enough administrative capability to exercise the will of the Royal Council effectively. All provinces within an incorporated region are also considered incorporated, and are entitled to full representation to the Assembly.
“From this day forward, the Court and Deputies shall meet independently of each other. The Royal Court shall remain in this room, and the Chamber of Deputies shall meet across this hall. Each shall be presided over their respective presiding officers; that is, the Chief of the Deputies and the Chancellor of the Court. The Chancellor and Chief has been selected for you, but, should you wish, you may elect anypony who sits in a special delegate seat as the presiding officer.
“Bear in mind that you are the Advisory Assembly, and the power of the Assembly originates at the Royal Council. Under no circumstances may you attempt to usurp the Royal Council’s authority, pass a resolution that contradicts the will of the Royal Council, or otherwise challenge us. As the power of the Assembly comes from the Royal Council, we retain absolute authority over it, up to and including the power to dissolve it, should we see fit.”
On that note, Celestia stood down. The Chancellor of the Royal Court, a unicorn, then took the chair of the assembly and rapped the gavel once, saying, “Thank you, Your Serene Majesty. Now, if there is no objection, this Assembly shall resolve into its two houses.”
Pause.
“Hearing no objections, this joint meeting of the Assembly is hereby adjourned. The Royal Court is to reconvene in fifteen minutes, and the Chamber of Deputies shall reconvene whenever their membership sees fit.”
August 13, 1825
Canterlot, Equestria
“...and the embassy to Mexico has just recently established. The Mexican ambassador to our nation arrived recently, as well, and they have built an embassy, according to their specifications.”
“Excellent. We need to establish good relations with Mexico, to keep ourselves on their good side. Last thing we need is for another country breathing down necks.”
“That is, if they can agree on a leader for more than thirty seconds,” observed Princess Luna. “They did just overthrow their Emperor, in favor of a republic.”
“Shame, that was,” agreed Celestia. “But there is nothing to be done about it now. Now, we must focus making good with the new government. I am confident that our diplomat, Jasper Glass, can keep showing our government in a good light.
“Now, Princess Twilight, I hear you have something to report?”
“Yes. As you know, the Royal Ministry of the Sciences and Arts has continued to look into developing stronger, better weapons to protect Equestria with. And recently, one of our scientists has had an intriguing idea. Now, the artillery pieces we have bought from British are heavy things, designed to throw large, heavy cannonballs long distances. That is all very well and good, but what if we made small cannons? These cannons would be lighter, and easier to move around.”
Comprehension dawned on Celestia. “Easily movable,” she said.
“Exactly. Instead of parking several large guns at the rear of the battlefield, what if we used lighter guns that can be moved from location to location, by as little as one or two earth ponies? Then, our generals could move and relocated the artillery pieces quickly and easily, taking advantage of any maneuvers by the enemy force. After all, it’s not like these small cannons would have any difficulty fighting infantry. The only credible threat they would face is other, heavier cannons, and their mobility should help protect them from those guns.”
Looking around and seeing thoughtful nods from the other Princesses, Celestia said, “You are authorized to research this idea, Princess Twilight. Use all the resources you need.”
“Thank you, Princess Celestia.”
“Speaking of money and resources,” said Princess Cadance, changing the subject, “how’s the treasury doing?”
Celestia grimaced, then said, “Not so great. The ‘normal’ fund of bits has been exhausted, and we have had to start to dip into the Equestrian Emergency Fund, a vault of gold, silver, and gems kept deep below the city, in the caves beneath Canterlot. It will hold for a while, but funding westernization is hardly a cheap process, especially at the accelerated rate we are doing it. At this rate, the Fund will run out by 1834.”
“And then?”
“And then, we will have to either raise taxes, borrow money, or reduce the rate at which we are westernizing.”
“Borrowing money would be a stop-gap measure, at best,” mused Twilight.
“And there is something else we haven’t considered yet. The money in the Fund is almost a millennium's worth of hoarding, investing one-half of the government of Equestria’s yearly income. Removing such a vast sum of money gradually, then suddenly re-introducing it into the economy all at the same time is a dangerous proposition. Soon, inflation is going to start to kick in, and the price of gold and silver will plummet.”
“We are introducing currency back into the economy too quickly?”
“Yes. And that will have repercussions, if we aren’t careful.