1850 American Gold Tycoon

Chapter 613 Texas in a dilemma

Texas is far from the north. Texas can be the same as the six independent southern states such as South Carolina and Georgia. Directly declare independence from the Union.

After all, Texas had already experienced an independence process before the Civil War broke out. It became independent from Mexico in 1836 and became an independent republic until it joined the United States as a state in 1845.

Texas is the only southern state with experience in independence. It stands to reason that Texas should be familiar with the matter of voting for independence.

It’s just this moment and that moment, after ten years of joint development with the state of California.

Although Texas was still a slave state, plantations were spread throughout the state. But Texas' industry and commerce have also made great progress and accounted for a large proportion of the state's economy.

The slave owners in Texas were also engaged in industry and commerce and were no longer pure slave owners. Therefore, when considering whether to follow the six independent southern states to secede from the Union, the top leaders of Texas expressed their opinions. The attitude seemed very cautious.

"The Governor of South Carolina, His Excellency Kingston, has called us many times to cordially invite us to join the Confederate States they are forming. I have not yet responded to His Excellency Kingston's warm invitation."

In the office of the State House in Austin, Texas, Texas Governor Ron showed several cables from six independent southern states to the Texas senior officials present.

"Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana also extended invitations to us."

Texas seems far away from the north, but at this moment, Texas has its own troubles.

Although Texas is far from the north, it is close to the six independent southern states.

These six slave-holding states are all hard-core slave-holding states. They do not have decent industries in the states, especially the military industries they urgently need at present.

Among the southern states, there are only two states that have a well-established and relatively complete military industry. One of these two states is Virginia and the other is Texas. The six independent slave states coveted the Richmond arsenal and the Austin arsenal.

Virginia and Texas were important contestants for the six independent states in the South.

Texas was thus caught in a dilemma. Let's vote for independence. They didn't know the attitude of western California and the federal government towards independent states.

The economy of Texas is closely linked to California. If California chooses to remain in the federal government, the Texas economy after independence is bound to be hit hard. Even the Austin Arsenal, which they are proud of, will see a sharp decline in weapons production. After all, the Austin Arsenal still relies on California for many of its raw materials, and many skilled technicians also come from the original Sacramento Arsenal.

If you choose not to be independent, the armies of the six southern states have already deployed on the Sabine River, the boundary between Texas and Louisiana. These madmen in Baoqi are so anxious that they directly cross the border to attack Texas and use force to coerce Texas. Independence, joining the Confederacy they were forming.

You know, Houston, the largest city in Texas, is less than 90 miles away from the Sabine River. If the Confederate army advanced quickly enough, it would be enough to advance to the city of Houston within a week.

Although the Texas army is known for its bravery and proficiency in fighting, it is difficult for Texas to compete with the six southern states.

"Louisiana and Mississippi militiamen are now stationed on the banks of the Sabine River, waiting for our reply!" Espy said coldly, "A mere seven or eight thousand militiamen want to force Texas to surrender. They think too highly of us."

Espy was very dissatisfied with the Confederate army's troops on the Texas border and their attempts to interfere in Texas' internal affairs.

"We have dispatched warships to patrol the Sabine River day and night. Even if the militias from Louisiana and Mississippi cross the border and cross the river to invade Texas territory, we are sure to cut off their logistics routes and allow the troops crossing the border to There's no going back." Bell's attitude was also very tough.

"Whether we choose to stay in the federation or withdraw from the federation and establish a separate country is our own domestic matter in Texas, and it is not their turn to dictate."

For the first time, Texas executives got a real taste of the benefits of having a Navy.

Although Texas currently only has a small green water fleet, relying on this green water fleet consisting of five shallow water heavy artillery ships modified from the Bold class and a dozen loach ships forced Louisiana and Mississippi militiamen on the other side of the Sabine River did not dare cross the river easily.

"Bell, is there any movement on your son-in-law's side? What do the three West Coast states say? Do they choose to stay in the Federation or secede from the Federation?" Ron asked.

Ron was more concerned about the attitudes of the three West Coast states than the attitudes of the six independent southern states.

"Informants in California have received news that in the past two months, senior officials in California have held several secret meetings. What they discussed was so confidential that I didn't even catch a hint of it."

"Can Zola come forward to ask and test Liang Yao's tone?" Ron said.

"I'm afraid it's useless even to ask. If I want to know Liang Yao's attitude, I need to go to California to meet him in person." Bell analyzed.

"But based on what my son-in-law has done since last year, he probably does not want to stay in the federation."

"I agree with Uncle Bell." Nathan, a cavalry lieutenant colonel of the Texas militia, stood up and spoke.

"General Liang built a group of forts in North Platte and garrisoned them with heavy troops, obviously to prevent the eastern armies from entering the west. Last year, President Buchanan awarded him the rank of lieutenant general and the actual post of secretary of war. General Liang also claimed that he was ill. It shows that General Liang does not want to stay in the Federation."

Nathan and Harvey are the sons of Ron and Espy respectively. They were sent by Ron and Espy to train under Liang Yao for several years.

Therefore, Nathan and Harvey have a deeper understanding of the West than their father.

Liang Yao is the undisputed leader of the western region. To a certain extent, Liang Yao's attitude is that of the western region.

"I guess you've made progress over the years." Ron cast an approving look at Nathan.

"Whether we are independent or not is related to the fate of hundreds of thousands of people in Texas, so it is better to be cautious. Lincoln will not be announced as inaugurated until next month at the earliest. We still have time to think about it," Espy said. Bell said.

"Sir Bell, would you please go to California to visit Governor Liang and see what his attitude is. As for the militiamen on the other side of the Sabine River, we are responsible for keeping an eye on them. I don't think they dare to act rashly."

Espy hopes that Bell can go to California in person before Lincoln to understand the attitude of the Western Conference's top leaders before making a decision.