At this point, Don Peoli and the native white gentry of eastern Cuba had already begun to regret their decision. They had no desire whatsoever to keep fighting.
But the course of the war had long since slipped beyond their control, and they did not even possess the strength to influence the situation enough.
War had become an utterly unprofitable choice. They had lost far more than they had imagined, yet gained only an illusory promise and American citizenship.
Especially after Narciso López received support from the US Army, Don Peoli and his companions no longer even had the right to refuse.
If they refused, Narciso López and the Americans under his command would act on their own.
The reversal in strength forced Don Peoli to curry favor with Narciso López and the American government.
Only now did Don Peoli realize that he was nowhere near as important as he had imagined. On this chessboard, he was no more than an ant.
Meanwhile, the quarrels within the United States Congress never ceased. The North and South had brought their debate over whether Cuba should join the Liberal Cantons or the Slave States to a white-hot pitch.
"Gentlemen of Congress, Cuba has endured a century of suffering. As the beacon of freedom for the world, America has both the responsibility and the obligation to exercise the right granted to it by law—to embrace this land of burning earth!"
Before Lincoln could accept the applause of his supporters, Davis rose to his feet.
"Forgive my bluntness, Congressman Lincoln, but slavery is Cuba's tradition. We ought to respect the customs of the locals rather than change them. Only that can be called freedom."
"Slavery is the evil left behind by the Spaniards! Are we supposed to accept all of this?"
Seeing that Davis