He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 60

18th Century London Marriage Agency – Episode 60 (60/217)

60 The Future of the British Empire

Mid-July, 1776.

Two weeks prior, on July 4th, the Declaration of Independence was dramatically announced in the British colonies of North America.

However, the news didn’t reach England until two weeks later.

This was due to the delayed notification caused by the poor communication system of the time.

The British public was engulfed in great shock and anger upon hearing the news of the Declaration of Independence.

The British government regarded the Declaration of Independence by the North American colonies as an act of rebellion and treason and immediately began suppression measures.

The popular British magazine ‘The Morning Post’ published daily satirical commentaries, questioning how the colonists, who were proclaiming human freedom and equality through the Declaration of Independence, did not discuss freedom and equality for black people, who were also human beings.

◈ The Intelligence Club

The Intelligence Club was equally chaotic.

One member continued, his voice agitated:

“Our national treasury is depleted due to the long war with France to seize colonial lands. But now we have to fight another war with the colonies we struggled to obtain from France? Isn’t this a real disaster? If we continue to wage war over North American land like this, our national finances will be completely ruined because of the national debt that Britain has been issuing!”

Then another nobleman retorted in a determined tone:

“Still, didn’t the colonists start the fight and begin the war first? Now that things have come to this, we need to show them the power of Britain. I’m afraid we’ll really lose everything if we keep being dragged around like this.”

There were also voices defending the North American colonies.

“Don’t you know why the North American colonists are doing this? They are also our citizens. Yet, how much tax exploitation and inhumane treatment has the British government inflicted on them?

Think about it. If soldiers in boots barged into your home while you were sleeping, occupied your dining table, ate your food, and slept in your bed as they pleased, how many of you here could accept that without complaint?

And can you still say that you thought of them as true British citizens? What we need now is to understand and soothe their hearts. What good is it to point guns at each other like this?”

One member shook his head, grumbling.

“This is all because of those damned merchants! The merchants were so anxious about the colonists launching a boycott!”

“That’s right! Because they’ve been making huge profits selling goods to the colonies, they vehemently opposed any tax imposition or strict policies on the colonies. They were afraid that their money-making would be jeopardized.”

“Wasn’t His Majesty the King played by those merchants’ tricks? He listened to them and treated the colonists leniently, and that’s what caused this mess! We should cut off the heads of all the colonial traders and hang them in the streets!”

“Oh! How can you speak so harshly?”

At that moment, a gentleman with a large build slammed the table and shouted.

“Isn’t that the truth? Everyone here knows how many laws the merchants have petitioned and demanded from the government to appease the colonists while they were raking in money. Did they really think about the British people? They were just eager to protect the colonial bastards to fill their own pockets.

As a result, the colonial bastards have come to take Britain very lightly, haven’t they? That’s why they’ve committed such a great act of treason, even shooting at British soldiers.

Now Britain is finished. How are we going to cover the national debt that we’ve been issuing all over Europe to fight wars, and with what money are we going to wage war against the North American bandits? The nation’s fortune is completely waning because of those evil people! Waning! Tsk, tsk.”

Late 18th century, the British Empire.

This was a time when the modern Industrial Revolution had just begun, and the country was experiencing tremendous economic growth that would be remembered in human history.

From a modern perspective, Britain at this time seems to have just entered a new era and would have been full of energy for the next 100 years, but the reality was not so.

The British people were very tired of the repeated wars and were living an anxious life, fearing an uncertain future.

This social atmosphere was not much different even within the clubs where the relatively well-off classes of British society gathered.

The Intelligence Club, which had been in heated debate, fell into an unknown silence.

The gentlemen’s eyes were full of worry, and their hearts were complicated.

They had no idea what problems would arise in the world ahead.

No matter how hard they racked their brains, Britain’s future seemed endlessly dark and 답답하기만 했다 [frustrating].

At this chaotic time, there was one person who came to their minds.

The man who had predicted the North American colonial war early on, causing a stir in the club, and who had fearlessly mentioned the Declaration of Independence in front of George III.

Theo Sanderson.

But, for some reason, he hadn’t shown up at the club for almost a month.

“By the way, why haven’t we seen Mr. Sanderson at the club lately?”

“I was just saying the same thing. I don’t think I’ve run into him in London either?”

“I think he said he was going far away for work.”

Like children waiting for a teacher to tell them the answer to an unsolvable problem, the gentlemen of the club were earnestly hoping that Theo would attend today.

But until the time when the meeting was about to end, Theo’s 모습은 보이지 않았다 [figure was not to be seen].

그런데··· [But then…]

Squeak-

Like a lie, Theo opened the door and entered the club.

“Huh? Is that him?”

“Oh- Mr. Theo Sanderson!”

“Haha. It really is Mr. Sanderson?”

The heavy and 답답했던 [oppressive] atmosphere of the Intelligence Club changed in an instant with Theo’s appearance.

The gentlemen in the club, who had not seen him for a long time, gathered around him and surrounded him in layers.

“No, why haven’t you been coming all this time?”

“I even sent a letter to your house, but I didn’t hear anything back, so I was very worried.”

“Have you heard the news from the colonies?”

“Did His Majesty call you, perhaps?”

Faced with a barrage of questions, Theo opened his mouth with a troubled expression.

“Ah… Yes. I stayed in Manchester for a long time because of work.”

In modern times, it would have been easy to know each other’s whereabouts through various social media or communication, but this was an era when that was impossible.

Moreover, Sir Walter Ricardo, who knew Theo’s movements, did not live in London and only visited the club once every couple of months.

As soon as Theo sat down, a barrage of questions related to the colonial Declaration of Independence poured out non-stop.

* * *

After finishing the meeting at the Intelligence Club, Theo got into a carriage with his tired body and headed home.

A few hours before coming to the club.

Many letters were piled up at the house he had arrived at after almost a month.

Among them were letters from the ‘Intelligence Club’ and the ‘Lunar Society.’

The letter from the Lunar Society expressed surprise at the accuracy of Theo’s predictions in the betting ledger and requested his attendance as soon as possible to discuss this difficult situation.

And a few days ago, an invitation letter from King George had arrived.

Theo was a little tired, but he decided to visit the Intelligence Club, which was being held this evening, to express his general beliefs about the future situation of England and to observe their reactions.

He was planning to prepare for his meeting with King George in a few days based on the reactions from discussing with them.

In fact, the American Declaration of Independence was an important historical fact for Theo, but he did not accurately know the atmosphere of the actual era.

But when he actually entered history, it was approaching the British in a completely different way.

The desperate atmosphere in England due to the North American Declaration of Independence far exceeded Theo’s expectations.

When he was in modern times, he vaguely thought that Britain in the early days of the Industrial Revolution would be very lively and dynamic in terms of people’s emotions and economic conditions, but when he actually came and examined it, Britain in the early days of the Industrial Revolution was very dark and gloomy.

‘······.’

And while looking at the gloomy expressions of the nobles in the Intelligence Club, Theo immediately thought of King George’s face.

As the monarch leading the country, his stress would be more severe than any nobleman in the club, and his anxiety would also be heightened.

He was already worried about how to speak to such a king to calm his anxiety.

‘He’s exhausted from the Seven Years’ War and has even been hurt by the war with the colonies. The reason he invited me is the same as the members of the Intelligence Club. No, he’s probably even more 불안하겠지 [anxious].

He must have called me with the hope of finding even a small hope in a 답답한 [frustrating] situation where he can’t see ahead.’

Theo seemed to have to prepare a special plan to stabilize the mind of King George, whom he would meet in a few days.

‘Looking at the current situation alone, it’s definitely not an easy task… But this is an opportunity for King George’s mental state to become greatly unstable.’

But suddenly, the faces of the club members who were happy when he talked about the bright future of England came to mind.

At the same time, he also thought of the members who did not understand the economic explanations well and kept missing the point.

Clatter-

The carriage shook violently as it soared up and down after hitting a large rock.

‘!’

In an instant, an idea flashed through Theo’s mind.

‘Ah… That’s it! Let’s try that method.’

◈ A few days later, Windsor Castle.

“Your Majesty, continuing the war with the North American colonies will not benefit our Britain. It seems best to understand the hearts of the colonists and generously forgive them.”

Charles James Fox, the leader of the Whig Party, was persuading King George.

And next to him stood George Hayley, a member of the Whig Party in the House of Commons, and Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, the Lord Chief Justice.

At this time, the leader of the Whig Party was from the aristocracy, but the party members were made up of capitalists such as merchants.

Therefore, unlike the King or the conservative Tory Party, they often demanded lenient policies and consideration for the colonies.

Preferential policies for the colonies were directly linked to the trade profits of merchants.

Meanwhile, a Tory senator, who had been listening with a deep frown, raised his voice in anger.

“So, because of your absurd claims, His Majesty has been very considerate of the situation of the North American colonists until now, hasn’t he?

But look at the results now. They mocked and ridiculed His Majesty’s generosity, and furthermore, they are now pointing guns and swords at us and have even written a declaration to declare their independence to the world.

And yet, you want us to forgive them again and stop the war? Are you on the side of Britain or on the side of the rebel colonists?”

The Whig Party, which opposed the war with the North American colonies, and the Tory Party, which supported the war, were sharply opposed to each other, calculating their respective interests, and George III’s worries deepened amid their division.

King George put his hand on his forehead, closed his eyes, and listened quietly to their fierce debate.

Then, he suddenly opened his eyes wide and raised his right hand.

“···Stop! Stop!”

The nobles and officials, who had been spewing out 격론 [heated arguments] and glaring at each other, all closed their mouths at King George’s gesture.

King George looked around and raised his voice.

“Theo Sanderson! Sanderson, where are you? Has Sanderson arrived?”

Theo, who had been lost in thought, was startled and stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am here.”

As Theo approached, King George asked with a bitter expression.

“It really happened as you said. However, I am not in the mood to praise you for your great prediction right now.”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

King George sighed deeply and asked.

“What’s next?”

“···?”

“If you can accurately predict the Declaration of Independence of North America to that extent, you must have thought about the future development as well? Tell me quickly about the future course of the war. Of course, we will win, right? The problem is how quickly we can win and minimize the damage.”

“······.”

As expected, King George’s nerves were all focused on the North American colonies.

‘The future course of the war···.’

In the Battle of Saratoga next year, the British army will be defeated by the North American colonial army, and France will officially join the war, causing them to be pushed back significantly.

Also, after a while, even Russia, which they trusted most as an ally, will declare neutrality, putting Britain in international trouble.

And a few years later, while being trapped by the colonial army on land and the French army at sea, Britain’s defeat in the North American war will be virtually 확정된다 [confirmed] with the end of the Battle of Yorktown.

In the end, the North American colonies will defeat the British army, and the United States will be born.

Looking at the results alone, a series of events that the British would not want to recall would happen, to the point where they would not know why they fought the war.

But ironically, after this humiliating defeat, Britain will grow even more with a more stable system and economic development.

Moreover, British politics, which had been noisy due to division, will show unprecedented political solidarity after the launch of the coalition cabinet of Charles James Fox of the Whig Party and British Prime Minister Frederick North.

And in the upcoming chaotic French Revolution, Britain will show outstanding unity and will move to the forefront of international relations, along with unprecedented economic growth due to the Industrial Revolution.

“Why aren’t you talking?”

Theo glanced at King George’s face, who was urging him.

Thanks to the psychological stabilization method he had taught him last time, his complexion had improved a lot.

However, his anxiety seemed to have worsened again since the recent announcement of the Declaration of Independence, his eyes were bloodshot, and the movement of his pupils was also shaking.

The subtle expressions and emotions revealed in various parts of his face also seemed to 그대로 알리는 듯했다 [be directly telling] how 답답하고 불만에 싸여있는지 [frustrated and dissatisfied] his 심경 [state of mind] was right now.

Theo, who had made up his mind, began to speak.

“Your Majesty, what is the ultimate purpose of fighting this war like this?”

Not only King George but also the surrounding nobles and high-ranking officials tilted their heads at Theo’s somewhat absurd question.

While looking at King George, who was blinking his eyes, wondering what he was talking about, Theo opened his mouth again.

“Whether it is war or trade, I would like to dare to say that the ultimate purpose of everything is ultimately focused on the prosperity of the people of this country.”

“······.”

“A astronomical amount of money has been invested to occupy the North American colonies, and if we lose the colonies in this war, there is also a concern that all the efforts and resources will be wasted and Britain will never be able to recover.”

King George nodded with a dark face.

“It is a colony that we have struggled to protect by pouring all our national power into it. So, if we lose such a colony, isn’t it natural that I am worried? So, we must never… never lose this war. Never!”

King George was holding the handle of the chair tightly with a firm expression.

“But, Your Majesty. Even if we lose the North American colonies, what if Britain becomes the world’s leading economic power and enjoys unprecedented prosperity?”

At Theo’s words, George III made an absurd expression.

“What? What on earth are you talking about? The economy is on the verge of collapse because of the colonial war, but how can Britain become the world’s leading economic power by losing such colonies? Are you trying to play word games with me right now?”

“Your Majesty, I am not just talking about this war with the colonies. I am suggesting that we objectively and calmly predict the future of Britain not for a few years but for the next 100 years.”

“Predict the next 100 years? Why should we do that?”

“It is to strengthen Your Majesty’s heart.”

“···?”

“There is a person. It is certain that he will have 1 million pounds in his possession in the future.

But would you understand if he was upset that a thief broke into his house and lost 10,000 pounds of property and became seriously ill?”

King George snorted.

“It sounds like you’re saying that foolish person is me?”

“Your Majesty! I can confidently say that even if we lose the North American colonies, I am talking about the tremendous and prosperous results that our Britain will achieve in the future. And wouldn’t Your Majesty ultimately be at the foundation of that solid hundred-year cornerstone?”

“A hundred years of… cornerstone…?”

Theo, looking around at King George and his officials with puzzled expressions, gestured to a servant who had been waiting with something from earlier.

Then, the servant brought a wooden situation board with several large sheets of paper hanging on it and placed it next to Theo before stepping back.

Tak-

The large paper on the situation board had bar graphs and unknown 꺾은 선 [broken lines] drawn on it.

King George stretched his neck and asked.

“That looks like a bar graph… But, what on earth are those crooked lines on top of it?”

The officials and nobles around him also buzzed at the 그림에 [diagrams] they could not identify.