Colonies PBEM

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

We have been playing this at apolyton you quite a bit, but are now moving the game here.

The Players:

England: Patient English
France: Henrik
Spain: Waku
Holland: AoA

 

[Henrik]

The year of 1714 has been a relatively quite one, due to the growing demands for peace in with Brittain no offensive operations where undertaken in Europe this year.
Yet the French holdings in Plymouth and Exeter was strengthened with numerous soldiers from the French Mainland.
Some skirmishes between English and French soldiers took place in the New World and I have recieved word that our forces was able to seize Tortuga as well as Fort Borgoyne South of Quebeck.
A blockade of the major port and English capital of London has been comenced, although not a single shot has been fired yet.
I have set our most skilled diplomats to construct a peace offer for England, as we have no intention of totaly crushing our northern neighbor, our duties to Spain has been fullfilled for now (the alliance remains ofcourse).

French scientists are now directing thier efforts towards discovering refining...

Henri de Lohmandér
First Minister of France

 

[Waku]

Despite the tense situation there are not events to report on this year

 

[Waku]

Spain calls for an immediate cease of hostilities between European Powers

1.- What was in the beggining common measures against acts of piracy has become in a merciless war which will only lead to a total destruction.

2.- The Bourbonic Alliance was conceived as a "defensive" pact. Spain did not sign such agreement with expansionistic intentions, quite the opposite.

3.- At the moment there are not threats against Spanish nor French interests, thus there's no reason to extend the hostilities against England.

4.- It is the Spanish will to propose the following terms as the begginings of the agreement in the negotiations, as well as to appoint a neutral mediator, His Excellency Lord Van Khris of the United Provinces of Netherland (since the Pope has his mobile out of coverage ):

 

[Waku]

There are 5 british settlements in the spanish zone of influence:

Savannah
Bermuda
New Providence
Guadeloupe
Barbados

The spanish Authorities demand in compensation <B>one</B> the above mentioned settlements, <b>three</B> technologies, and 250 pounds payable in the "reasonable" period of time Her Highness Anne deems appropiate.

 

[Waku]

Since one of the oldest french claims is the absolute control over the St.Laurence river, and in return to the cities of Plymouth and Exeter, Spain proposes the following cession:

- The two english forts betwen Fort Burgoyne and Buffalo as well as both banks of the river St. Laurence.

- As compensation of War, all the british settlements in Newfoundland and the Bay of Hudson, and 250 pounds payables in the same terms than before.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

The Dutch minister asks the Catholic ministers to cease and desist from outragous demands upon the british.

We understand that neither Britain nor Holland could stop either power, but we fell that stripping England of it's posessions to unfair and unjust.

We propose a compromise, for each city in Britain, two new world colonies be forfited, meaning 2 for 4.

This is fair, taking it all would be in our eyes, blatant aggression, as this dispute was begun by a small group of rabble rousers on the mosquito coast, and France had no call to invade England in that fashion, or really a leagal Casus Belli, as no French possion was threatened.

We are also concerned with this desire to bring Enland to her knees, and we are against this also.
We, the Duth, gave England dispensation to have colonies in our lands, namely upper NY and in the carolinas and Georgia, and we have no desire to see other powers take what we gave from England in such a brutal fashion.

The true sign of a great power is mercy against a defeated foe, the claims by the Catholic monarchs are quite excessive.

Instead of England giving Spain yet another Carribean colony, we propose that England provide Spain a Colonist/Slave, in the location of Spain's chosing, to found a new colony, as this would be eminently fair.

Also, the cash indemnity we feel is exsessive, as England's economy has been shattered.

As for technology, we propose that Spain trade techs with Holland, as many as possible, instead of gifting techs by England to Spain.
This would have several advantages, as it would not hurt Spain's tech rate, and would enhance both our nations, as well as lessoning the blow to the English people.

We feel these are fair terms, and we propose that Dutch forces act as border guards between New England and New France, to prevent further incursions by either side. We ask all three powers to provide a Grenidier to Holland for this purpose, and we will patrol the Frontier and keep the peace.

We also ask that an enforced peace prevail for the next 25 years, no combat between any of the powers.

We will listen to the requests by all the ministers, please make them known to us, and we will put them forth, and act in a fair interest to all the powers.

Signed,

Lord Van Kris Endhoven

Foriegn minister for the Staadholdr and people of the United Provinces

 

[Patient English]

Apologies for the late arrival of the English Ambassador to the conference. It was not completely clear which room this was being held in....

Firstly, the Ambassador would like to thank the Dutch representative for his eloquent pleading on behalf of my country. The civilized and moderate attitude of the Spanish Ambassador is also noted, with gratitude.

Both these esteemed gentlemen's proposals are acceptable to the English Government. Whilst the depleted English Exchequer cannot pay the sorts of indemnities discussed (250 gold to both the Spanish and the French), a payment plan could be agreed that, over time, might approach these amounts. The underlying English economy is healthy, once the demands of the present war have been abated.

We propose that 100 gold is paid to each of the Bourbon powers immediately on conclusion of a peace, and that a further 100 is paid after a period of 5 years to allow our economy to recover. This 5 year period could also serve as an effective ceasefire for the purpose of exchanging cities, techs and the rebasing of units from ceded colonies to retained cities. After that, an agreed peace of 20 years is to rule throughout Europe.

With regard to the Spanish claims, it is acceptable that the old pirate settlement of Guadeloupe is ceded to His Most Catholic Majesty. If the Dutch suggestion of a Slave or Colonist unit is preferred, that will be provided instead. The Royal Academy awaits a Spanish emmisary to convey which three English technologies the Spanish government would most like to acquire. The above-described financial arrangement we also hope meets with approval. If, after the 5 year recovery period, the English Exchequer is in surplus to the tune of 200 gold or more, the final payment to the French and Spanish Crowns will be 150 gold, instead of 100 gold.

The Dutch request for a Hessian mercenary regiment of Grenadiers for border patrol - provided at English expense - will be met, whether or not all other powers agree to this proposal.

The Spanish proposal for compensation of French claims is also acceptable. We await a response from the French Ambassador...

 

[Henrik]

The french ambassador also wishes to apologize for his late arrival, he and the English envoy had been involved in private negotiatons in another part of Den Haag (which ofcourse is the neutral city where all of these negotiations takes place).

France will be happy to supply the Netherlands with millitary regiments to controll the borders, in fact France wishes to sugest that the forces made available to these border guard regiments should be increased, 3 grenadiers will be given to Holland by France. Unless, of course, the dutch Emisary would feel that this would be inapropriate, in which case, we will be happy to supply the priviously sugested amount of forces instead.

During the private negotiations with the English emisary the last english offer recieved was this:

All collonies in north america excluding the ones england possesed in 1660 (Boston, Providence, New Haven and Penobscot) and the specified colonies of Norfolk, Charleston and Savannah, will be given to the French.

French Troops will evacuate Exeter and Plymouth and English officials will be reinstalled in these cities.

This peace shall last for 20 years, and 5 years should be added to execute the necesary troop and territory transfers...

The secrets of: Joint Stock Company, Longitude Reckoning, Reformation and
Protestantism will be granted to the French in exchange for any techs the French has and the English lack.

However France has due to the international oppinion been convinced to lower our demands we sugest this:

• All colonies in northern north america except the ones along the atlantic coast will be given to the french.
  All cities that touch the Atlantic will remain English, this includes the city of Ile St. Jean/St John that was taken by the english during this war.
  
  Northern American collonies which would be ceded to the French:
  Fort Niagara
  Fort Abercromby
  Cumberland
  Buffalo
  Tinconderoga
  Ruperts House
  
  Colonies remaining English in northern America:
  Boston
  Providence
  Norfolk
  New Haven
  Penobscot
  Halifax
  St John
  Charleston
  
• Techs will be exchanged as above, that is, the English and French share thier techs.
• In the carabien the island of New Providence will be turned over to a French governor. (and will also be the only major (over size 4) colony turned over to the French). Almost all of the colonies England will keep are major or atleast nearing major sized.
• The english mainland cities of Plymouth and Exeter will be returned to English officials and they will be evacuated during a 5 year period.
  English troops may not reenter these cities unless French officials have given thier aproval (I want to rehome units allready homed to these cities in france).
  This five years period will also be the period during which the english are expected to turn over their colonies in the New World.
• 25 years of peace will follow the 5 year period of readministration.
• Spanish demands should acording to France be met as listed in the spanish proposition.
• France demands no economic compensation from England, however, should the evacuation of her north american colonies not be finnished after the five year period she will be expected to pay 50 gold duoblons per year that goes by before these colonies are actually turned over.

These are the french demands and the French sugestion for a treaty.

 

[Patient English]

Although the ceding of the township of New Providence was always hard for the English to accept, in the interests of a much-needed peace - and in recognition of the French concession over financial indemnities - we do now agree to this.

The grief of losing the war - and so many fine English colonies - has had a fatal effect on our Queen. We are sorry to report she died in her bed earlier this week. A succession crisis has arisen, as she has no offspring, and the Elector of Hannover (George) has been invited by Parliament to assume the English Throne. The Stuart heir, calling himself Charles III, has vowed to retake his father's crown, and has landed with a small force in Scotland to raise the standard of rebellion. The shattered English armies must force-march North to defend King George's succession.

A provisional ceasefire with the Bourbon Powers will be adopted by all English forces immediately (before our 1715 move).

French forces will have ample time to quit English shores. Orders will be sent out this year to our Colonists in North America to begin evacuating the ceded colonies. A similar stipulation to the French evacuation conditions is made: French or Spanish forces occupying their new conquests must not do so before clearance has been specifically granted by English officials, or 1720, whichever is the sooner.

England only awaits Spanish ratification of this treaty, and acceptance of the Guadeloupe colony (unless a setter unit is preferred) and two-part indemnity payment.

Long live King George! May his reign usher in a new era of peace... (boring, boring, but what can I do? )

 

[Henrik]

The map as of this treaty:

(I did add a few French collonies which waku was unaware of)

 

[Henrik]

Having found out of the, for them, priviously unkown colony of Fort Willliam France wishes to claim that piece of land as well, as it does not touch the atlantic, is this acceptable with the english monarch?

(I found out via Wakus map)

 

[Patient English]

Henrik,

I honestly can't remember where this settlement is! Can you describe it's location more accurately?

John

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

Holland is quite pleased at the fine spirt of coperation shown by the French and Spanish ministers at this conference.

We accept the French offer of three Grenidier regiments to act as border guards, these should be based at our colonies of Neiu Amsterdam, so please move the units next to this city (We can set up an On-line conference to affect this, Henrik, as I doubt the AI is smart enough to accept them!)

We are glad of the Peace that now prevails, after the unfortunate events of the last several years.

Signed,

Lord Van Kris Endhoven

Foriegn minister for the Staadholdr and people of the United Provinces

 

[Henrik]

It is situated where I placed the cursor, not a very important colony, I think it is small enough to become destroyed even, which is fine by me.

 

[Patient English]

Henrik,

Well, it is hardly a moot point whether Fort William is on the Atlantic or the St. Lawrence Estuary. If you accept St. John's as an Atlantic port, why not Fort William?

I consider it to have been left to me by our previous negotiations, and as it wasn't in your treaty list above on either side, and is on an island in the North Atlantic, and on the coast of that island, I also consider it to default to the English by this treaty. This was the colony I mentioned in our emails as the colony in "Nova Scotia (can't remember it's name)". It is hardly my fault if you didn't discover it!

However, I put it to the general peace conference. (Chris & Waku). If they vote I should abandon it, I will.

John

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

Holland favors England retaining said colony.

France agreed to the treaty, it is unfair to make claims after the fact based on an over site, and such a tiny colony is harmless.

That is our stance.

 

[Waku]

The Spanish Ambassador is a bit confused by how his first proposal has been developped.

What originally was:

4 cols + 250 (- Ex&Ply) to France
1 col + 3tech + 250 to Spain

has become into:

8 cols (- Ex&Ply) to France
1 col + 3tech + 200 to Spain

what forces the spanish ambassador to make a new claim, this time over a second caribbean colony: New Providence

Spain wants to insist in the fact that this war was not declared with expansionistic purposes, and asks Pope Cristóforo to take part in this conference

Side notes:
-We want to thank the original dutch proposal of a slave settler but regretably Spain is not interested
-Spain will gladly contribute with patrol units
-His Imperial Spanish Majesty has announced his presence in the funeral services at St.Paul's Cathedral for his beloved cousin Anne

 

[Patient English]

My Lord Ambassador,

Please convey to His Most Catholic Majesty our thanks and appreciation for his condolences at the death of our beloved, and unfortunate, Queen Anne.

We also thank him for his efforts at the peace conference, without which it is doubtful if an agreement could ever have been reached.

Whilst France has gained more out of the late war than Spain (it may seem), the English Foreign Office doubts if peace could have been secured with France under the terms Spain originally proposed. However, the moderating and restraining effect of these proposals on French ambitions has, we believe, hastened a resolution on terms acceptable to the English people. It will not be forgotten.

Should Spain seek a re-distribution of the spoils of war, that is a matter she should take up with her so-called allies.

Spain still gets the same benefits out of the peace treaty from England (give or take 50 gold, about which we are sure there will be no difficulty, especially as France has renounced financial indemnities). What has changed is that France has gained more than was originally proposed by Spain. If the King of Spain takes issue with that, the matter must be taken up with his cousin of France.

The colony of New Providence is due to be ceded to France. If it is to be ceded to Spain instead, as was always the stated English preference if the colony was to be lost at all, then the matter should be resolved before 1720, before English troops are forced, by the terms of this peace treaty, to evacuate.

It should be noted, that France has extorted 4 techs from the English as well, in exchange for one of their own. This was not done willingly, but only as part of the peace agreement England was forced to make.

Finally, England wishes to thank the delegates for their ruling in the matter of Fort William.

 

[Patient English]

The English have moved. The evacuation of colonies has commenced, but the French and Spanish are requested not to move in until the rebasing of units is complete. This will be before 1720, and will be notified as it happens.

Turn posted here. Are we happy just posting the turn now, as CivFanatics seems much more reliable?

English attitude to French and Spanish has been set to Neutral. Are we going to use negotiations with the AI to swap techs and money?