Amsterdam Conference of 1803

[Kilani]

In early 1803, Spain and the Empire of Great Britain begin talks over their North American border that runs along the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers.

The Spanish are eager to avoid further border incidents - although news has only recently arrived of the detainment of two Anglo-American mapping and military expeditions deep in Spanish territory...

[Haneastic]

The British and Dominion representatives arrive shortly after the Spanish representatives, slightly delayed by news of the Pike's expedition in North America, which has caused a surge in anti-Spanish sentiment. The British deny any responsibility for the explorers, Pike in particular simply got lost while the other expedition was likely some adventurers seeking out fame and fortune in the West. The Kingdom of Great Britain, however, demands the return of all Crown subjects, including their possessions and maps they created while exploring.

[Kilani]

The Spanish indicate that they are happy to turn both expeditions back over to Anglo-American authorities, however they indicate that further independent adventuring parties may not end up being treated as kindly in the future - lost traders or explorers who have accidentally crossed the border and are in distress are one thing. Those attempting to make trouble within the Empire's borders are another thing entirely and they hope that the British will agree that such adventuring parties bring nothing but trouble.

[Haneastic]

The British representatives disavow any adventurers who may have been found in Spanish territory. Moreover, the natural movement or settlers and explorers is to be expected as the east coast of North America becomes heavily developed and new families seek territory further West.

The Dominion representative makes it clear that this conference would be unnecessary, and tensions would not be so high had the Spanish not upset the natural order by purchasing a new territory in North America, one that does not even share the same language as their homeland. This situation will continue to be exacerbated due to the horrors inflicted by the Spanish upon the Southern cities and countryside. This position is strongly supported by the Crown representatives.

The British representative then offers that the only way this situation will be defused is if the Louisiana territory is allowed to remain independent, free from influence by both sides. If it is allowed to be independent but open for settlement by all parties (Spanish and British), perhaps both sides will be able to foster further trade links and goodwill. As it stands now, even without any Spanish offensive capabilities in the territory it poses a threat to North American agricultural interests and a potential base for further attacks against the Dominion. Louisiana territory must be neutral grounds or further sparks may ignite war.

[Kilani]

The Spanish are, quite clearly, flabbergasted by the British and Dominion position. The offer of sale was made in good faith by the Kingdom of France and Spain purchased said territory, a territory they had taken possession of prior to the Falklands War. Further, whether or not Anglo-American settlers will continue to move west, they are not allowed in Spanish territory without requisite permission and they would ask that the British bring their dominion to understand this matter and prevent them from undertaking any misguided expeditions into Spanish territory.

Further, insofar as events have progressed, all offensive actions seem to have come from the Dominion side of the border and it is the Spanish who have taken great pains to ensure that peace is maintained alongside the frontier. An independent Louisiana is, as it stands, currently unacceptable to the Spanish - as much as the Dominion may fear an attack from the Spanish, the Spanish likewise do not wish to see Louisiana absorbed into the Dominion's orbit and used as a base for attacks on Tejas, Cuba, or the rest of Spanish North America. As the Dominion notes, they have settlers eager to move west - what would prevent Anglo-American settlers from flooding Louisiana and turning it into a de facto part of the Dominion?

[Haneastic]

Great Britain points out that a neutral Louisiana would not be a base for either side, thus maintaining a reasonable buffer between any sizable population centers on both sides. Britain does not encourage settlement in non-Dominion territory, however the border is porous and will make no promise that settlers may seek out territory that is ideal for growing.

The British point out that a steady and increasing stream of settlers arrive in Dominion territory and travel West, whereas the amount of Spanish settlers is but a trickle. If the Spanish have not come to Amsterdam to propose a way in which future conflicts might be alleviated, then the British representative wonders why they are there?

[Kilani]

The Spanish were hoping that both sides could agree in kind to respect the border; that there would be no further incursions in either direction; and that citizens of their respective nations would be instructed to respect said borders and that treaties of non-aggression could be signed, pledging to assist one another with bandit incursions. The Spanish have done their utmost to maintain the peace and will continue to do so.

It seems to the Spanish representatives that it is the British who are unwilling to attempt to reign in the Dominion - especially when the British government seems to through its hands up and say that the Dominion settlers may go where ever they please without so much as a slap on the wrist. Nor, it should be pointed out, did the Dominion seem willing to prevent the Choctaw from attacking and raiding into Louisiana while using the border as a shield against Spanish pursuit.

They do propose an expansion of the idea of a demilitarized zone; aside from local Louisianan forces and some forts to watch and guard river traffic, the Spanish will pledge not to station field troops within the territory for a duration of ten years, with the option of revisiting the treaty at the end of the decade and will likewise pledge to respect the border and renew their dedication to allowing the transit of Dominion goods along the Mississippi and into and out of New Orleans.

In return, they would like the British and the Dominion to not station field troops further west than Mobile or further south than Memphis, aside from those troops necessary to police the border, guard against Indian raids, or conduct routine patrols. Fortifications to guard river traffic and maintain said patrols would be acceptable.

(ooc: both about fifty miles from the current border; roughly the same distance from the Louisiana-Dominion border to Houston/Galveston)

[Haneastic]

The British point out their only active duty troops (aside from some local patrols) are fortifications in Memphis and troops based on Mobile, and it was their understanding that active Spanish troops had been withdrawn from Louisiana as well. The British representative will agree to keep the area free of significant troop formations, but notes that with no other solution acceptable, that future conflict is inevitable.

[Kilani]

Spain does not see future conflict as inevitable; it is only inevitable if the British insist that the Dominion be allowed to go where they please. Indeed, the Spanish have no desire to attempt to conquer the upper regions of the Mississippi - that question was decided over twenty years ago in the Falklands War.

What they attempt to do here is to find a pledge and a compact to prevent conflict - but it can only be prevented if both sides are willing and so far, the Dominion seems unwilling to accept anything but a carte blanche to do what they please in the West.

The solution of giving up the Louisiana territory is not one that Spain can accept, especially with the British unwilling to provide any sort of control on the Dominion settlers. If there were a guarantee of immigration controls to prevent Anglo-Americans from simply moving in in numbers and eventually seizing control of Louisiana and were it truly enforced, then an independent Louisiana might be acceptable to the Spanish court. Further, Louisiana would need to be prevented from ever joining the Dominion or the British Empire. However, currently the Spanish have very little faith in the Dominion government or parliament accepting such controls or enforcing them, based on the rhetoric and stances laid out in the conference.

[Haneastic]

The Dominion and British representatives, citing a lack of further progress (and facing mounting pressure at home) end further talks and withdraw from the Conference.

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