**Chapter 63**
**University and Slavery (4)**
Anthony Butler came to see me after a month.
“Seeing that you’ve come, it seems you’ve made a decision. Is it approved?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Our United States has decided to accept the trade conditions you presented.”
“Good. Then, let’s sign the treaty without delay.”
I took out the document I had prepared in advance.
The contents were as follows:
———
1. The Mexican Empire government agrees to accept individuals and families of indigenous peoples who voluntarily agree to relocate within the United States into the Mexican Empire.
2. The United States government, from a humanitarian perspective, takes responsibility for safely transporting the indigenous peoples to the cities on the border of the Mexican Empire.
3. In order to strengthen mutual cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries for these measures, the United States government will waive the 4 million peso debt to the Mexican Empire government.
———
Anthony Butler frowned as he read the document I presented.
“…Your Majesty, is clause 2 really necessary? Isn’t clause 1 and 3 enough?”
Anthony Butler asked that.
“It’s absolutely necessary.”
I answered firmly.
Seeing that I wasn’t going to change my mind, Anthony Butler sighed and said.
“If we sign this treaty, is it certain that you will return the arms dealer arrested in Texas and the recovered weapons?”
“That’s going to be a bit difficult. We will return the weapons.”
“…You mean you will detain him in the Mexican Empire? He’s an American.”
“If we return the weapons, there will be no evidence, so there’s no need to take him, right? He already agreed to live as a Mexican Empire citizen. If he wants, I’ll convince him directly. If he wants to go back to America, I’ll send him immediately.”
If he confesses and then goes to America, it’s obvious what will happen. Besides, he’s a member of the US military intelligence unit and can be of great help to us. If possible, it’s better to use him alive than to send him to America and let him die.
When I said that, Anthony Butler surprisingly didn’t seem to mind much.
“Well, alright. He’s just a mentally ill person who has nothing to do with our US government, so it doesn’t matter.”
He scribbled his signature, as if he wanted to get it over with quickly.
The ‘Treaty on Indigenous Relocation (El Tratado Sobre la Reubicación Indígena)’ was officially enacted.
I don’t know how humanely the Americans will relocate the indigenous people, but since it’s an official treaty, they won’t be able to completely ignore clause 2.
I hope the number of deaths will be less than in the original history, but it won’t decrease drastically.
The main causes of death on the Trail of Tears were disease, overwork, and starvation, and disease couldn’t be helped with the technology of this era.
Indigenous people who are not in good condition will be fully recovered in the border cities and then sent to the settlements.
***
The treaty on indigenous relocation with the US became a major issue in the US, but it was immediately buried in Mexican society.
Because there was a hotter issue.
It had been a month since the Republicans had begun their full-fledged counterattack, and the Catholic Church had also increased the level of its criticism.
Father Fausto Vasconcelos (Padre Fausto Vasconcelos) even gave a public speech. He thought that talking only within the church was limited.
He looked like a devout priest to anyone, standing on the podium in traditional Catholic priest attire.
“My dear believers,
Today, I want to talk to you about our faith and tradition.
We are currently facing a serious issue of establishing secular universities, which was triggered by the claims of the Republicans.”
His speech started with ‘My dear believers’, not ‘My fellow citizens’, and mentioned the issue of secular universities and the Republicans from the beginning.
“We all acknowledge the value of education. But education should go beyond simply imparting knowledge, it should instill moral values that nurture the soul. We need to carefully consider how secular universities can reflect this essence of education.
The Republicans’ proposal could shake the foundation of our society. They challenge traditional values and family stability, and they pursue secular and materialistic education. This could bring spiritual poverty to our young people, and it poses a risk of weakening our faith and moral foundation.”
It was criticism without any accurate basis, but it sounded plausible, and many citizens in the audience nodded. Father Vasconcelos continued his speech.
“We need to grow spiritually and mature morally through education based on our faith. Our culture and identity stem from the faith and tradition passed down through generations. We need to carefully consider whether secular universities will respect and preserve our values and identity.
I urge you all to work to protect our faith and tradition. We need to carefully review the establishment of secular universities, and we need to closely evaluate the potential impact of the Republicans’ proposal on our society.
Following the wisdom and teachings of God, we must protect our faith and values, and work for the unity of our society. We must unite and fight against this challenge.
May God’s blessings be with you all. Amen.”
It was clearly a public speech, but many people reflexively said ‘Amen’ when the priest finished with ‘Amen’.
It was a clever way to emphasize the authenticity of the speech to the audience and induce them to agree with the message.
The issue of establishing secular universities was becoming a hot potato not only in Mexico City, but also in Mexican society.
***
Reginald Greenfield sighed as he received a letter from the Crown Prince, the owner of the company.
“I thought things were quiet, but he’s giving me a lot of work again. Let’s see.”
The letter had several names written on it.
“Francis Ronalds. I wonder how they found out about these people.”
Under the name, which had a star next to it, because it was absolutely necessary to scout, there was a rough description.
“Scientist and inventor, and the first electrical engineer? I don’t know what it is, but it seems important.”
That wasn’t all.
There was also a request to investigate the names of professors working at famous universities in Europe, and a list of book titles to get and send was listed below.
“Liam! You can get these, right?”
Reginald handed Liam Murphy, his colleague, the list with the book titles.
“…That’s not part of my job.”
“You’re an employee of our company, what are you talking about? Anyway, your subordinates are doing all the work, and you’re just playing around these days.”
That was true.
Liam Murphy, who was in charge of Irish people at the immigration company, had already hired dozens of agents.
At first, he had a lot of work managing them because there were trial and error, but these days, there’s not much of that, so he just comes to work every day, summarizes the letters, and writes result reports.
“Well, it’s not difficult. I’ll try to get them.”
Liam put on his coat and went out, and Reginald also went out to find the whereabouts of the person named Francis Ronalds at the top of the list.
***
Francis Ronalds, even in his mid-40s, had not lost his passion for science and invention.
Even though his most important invention, the ‘electric telegraph’, was deemed ‘wholly unnecessary’ by John Barrow, the British Secretary of the Admiralty.
After his invention of the electric telegraph was rejected, he turned his attention to other fields, such as mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and astronomy.
One day, while he was engrossed in his research, a man came to see him.
“Hmm… So, you’re saying that the Crown Prince of the Mexican Empire is interested in the electric telegraph I invented?”
Francis narrowed his eyes and looked at the man who introduced himself as Reginald.
“Hahaha, it’s understandable that you wouldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t have believed it either. Here, this is a letter written by the Crown Prince himself. Take a look.”
Francis wanted to tell this con man to get lost, but he exercised his patience and took the letter.
[To Francis Ronalds,
…]
Francis skipped the parts that were not of great significance and read straight to the key part.
[Your innovative invention of the electric telegraph has not been fully appreciated in England, but I am convinced that the electric telegraph has tremendous potential. The Mexican Empire believes in the transformative power of such innovation and is committed to supporting visionary individuals like you.
…]
After that, there was a detailed plan on how to put the electric telegraph into practical use. The contents showed an understanding and concern for electricity and telegraphy.
“…Is this really what the Crown Prince of the Mexican Empire wrote? It’s too technical for him.”
“I don’t know about the contents of the letter, but he’s called a genius within the Mexican Empire. He’s known for favoring scientists and engineers. That’s probably what’s written in the letter.”
Reginald Greenfield said that.
Favoring scientists and engineers? Francis read the last part of the letter.
[In recognition of your pioneering efforts, we would like to propose cooperation with you. We are looking to establish an electrical and telegraphic company within the Empire, and we want you to be at the center of it.
This project will not only provide you with the resources and freedom to further develop your research, but it will also provide you with company shares. We are confident that your expertise will bring a new era of connectivity and progress to our country.
If you are interested in this proposal, we are ready to provide all the necessary conveniences for your relocation and give you the opportunity to receive the respect and attention your work deserves.]
For Francis Ronalds, who had invented countless inventions, the electric telegraph, which he invented in his late 20s, was a sore spot.
He was greatly heartbroken when his invention, which he proposed in 1816, claiming it would become a great communication tool, was deemed ‘wholly unnecessary’, and he even went on a grand tour of Europe and the Near East in his late 20s, which was a bit late.
‘Establish a company for the electric telegraph and give me shares?’
It was definitely an attractive proposal, but the last part of the letter was more attractive to Francis.
[We are ready to provide you with the opportunity to receive the respect and attention your work deserves.]
He still believed in the potential of the telegraph. But if he continued like this, someone else would succeed in commercializing it and take his fame.
After agonizing for days, Francis made a decision after talking with his family.
***
The telegraph was developed by several inventors in the early and mid-19th century. Samuel Morse, who developed Morse code, is the most famous figure in the original history.
‘I’m sorry for him, but I’m going to create and use Morse code first.’
There were still 3 to 4 years until the university opened, but there was no reason to not bring in those with the skills to use it immediately.
The companies being created now are expected to invest at least hundreds of thousands of pesos in initial capital, so I’m planning to give only 5% of the company shares, but I want to give the same privilege regarding the company name.
Francis Ronalds was the beginning of it all.
“What about ‘Electrónicos Francis’ for the company name?”