For the United States, this was practically doomsday. British dumping into America would become even more unscrupulous, turning America completely into a source of raw materials for Britain.
Paris offered certain concessions, but was unwilling to underwrite too large a sum and likewise demanded collateral. Vienna, needless to say, simply refused to take America's order at all.
If the war continued, only one outcome awaited the United States: bankruptcy. At this point, Millard Fillmore and the upper ranks of the US government could only hope that the Austrian Empire would accept America's proposal to redeem Cuba Island.
Ferdinand II let out a long breath. He had not expected that, after all this time, no country had intervened in the war, while the Austrian Empire's response had been so sluggish.
This war was no small burden for Spain as well. Fortunately, losses at the front had not been severe, and Spain had accepted the asylum applications of some Cuban nobles. At least it had recovered a little health.
But to Ferdinand II, what mattered most was that this war had fought out Spain's spirit. He believed that Spain would surely return to its peak in the future. Before then, all he needed to do was pay off its debts.
Texas Colony, Harrisburg.
"I hope your country will seriously consider our proposal. In order to redeem Cuba Island, we are willing to offer 150 million dollars."
US Secretary of State Daniel Webster said through gritted teeth. In truth, the US government had hoped to settle the matter with 100 million dollars—ideally, without spending any money at all.
Yet Daniel Webster understood the disparity in strength between the two sides all too well. They were simply not on the same level. If he had retained even a trace of fantasy before, then the