A Correspondence of Crowns 1754
A HUMUNC 2025 Crisis Committee
Table of Contents
1. Letters
I. From the Chair
II. From the Director
III. Etiquette Reminder
2. The Tide of Empires
3. Current Situation
I. The World in 1754
II. The War of the Austrian Succession
III. The Battle of Jumonville Glen
4. Committee Mission Statement
I. Topics of Debate
5. Available Resources
I. Money, Money, Money
II. Military Organization
III. Other Options
6. Delegate Profiles
1. Letters from the Chair and Director
A Letter From the Chair
Dear Delegates,
I’m Patrick Bruso (He/Him), a junior at Hofstra and pursuing a Political Science major with an International Relations focus and I’m ecstatic to chair the historical Crisis committee this year!
Born and raised in Massachusetts, I joined my high school’s MUN club in my freshman year and have been active ever since. Although I’ve had six years of MUN experience, this will be the second conference that I’ll be serving as a chair. I’m very excited for this opportunity, not only to moderate the debate, but also for the opportunity to meet you!
Formalities aside, this committee’s topic is truly a historically significant one. The Seven Years War, which actually spanned only six years (haha), and four continents was a conflict on a scale never seen before in history. Where prior wars were fought within the confines of smaller distances, this war was fought across oceans. The first true clash between colonial empires, in its modern understanding. In American history, it is commonly taught as the French and Indian War, although the battles in North America were only one theatre in this intercontinental conflict.
With our eyes scanning across the seas, we will see timber splintered by cannon from the Gulf of Mexico to the Philippine Sea, and observe conflicts ranging from guerilla combat in the wilderness campaign in the Americas to huge battles in the fields of Central Europe. It is this scale I hope to see you all leverage in committee, along with an understanding for the bigger picture. That being said, I cannot wait to see you in committee!
Sincerely,
Patrick Bruso
Crisis Chair, A Correspondence of Crowns 1754
HUMUNC 2025
A Letter from the Crisis Director
Dear gathered delegates,
My name is Petar Gery. I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, spending my summers traveling and living in Europe. I can speak French and Serbo-Croatian. I’m a third-year double major in Global Studies and Filmmaking here at Hofstra University.
I’ve been involved in Model UN since I started at Hofstra. In that time, I have discussed solutions to climate change in detail, negotiated an end to World War II, and died at the hands of a Sith Lord on the Fourth Moon of Yavin. I have also been on Crisis Staff for a few crisis committees, including the Committee on Battlefield Artificial Intelligence at HUMUNC 2021.
On a related note, I am a big Star Wars and sci-fi fan. I build and paint my own custom miniature starships and have even started putting them into some of my films. Miniatures and Dungeons & Dragons are hobbies of mine, as are playing piano and keeping up with world events. Last year at HUMUNC, I wrote and directed a crisis committee based on H. G. Wells’ famous sci-fi novel, War of the Worlds, in which delegates faced the threat of an alien invasion in 1929.
This year, your chair and I decided to go back in time a little further. A Correspondence of Crowns 1754 presents delegates with a lightly fictionalized scenario starting in the prelude to the Seven Years War. Delegates will be rewarded for studying real history and actively using it. The aim of this committee is to challenge delegates to secure as many of their monarch’s wishes as possible, using pre-industrial era technology: no phones, no steam engines, and no bifocal glasses (until your “natural philosophers” invent them). Delegates will also need to overcome the geopolitical and economic circumstances of the time, which will be no small task.
With any luck, this committee will be a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I encourage you, delegates, to develop creative solutions with the resources available to you. Work together, bring your best ideas, and don your tricorn hats. I look forward to being your Crisis Director at HUMUNC this Spring.
Sincerely,
Petar Gery
A Correspondence of Crowns 1754 Crisis Director HUMUNC 2025
Etiquette Reminder
Gathered delegates,
Welcome. A gauntlet of diplomatic maneuvers awaits you, so read closely and we can get to the fun stuff as quickly as possible.
To begin, please, be aware of the sensitivity of discussions within Model UN, as whenever real countries are involved or real issues are brought up, there is a possibility that some participants may become upset if delegates are not sensitive in their depiction of their role. Do not overplay characters or make biologically prejudiced commentary, even if it might seem within your given character to do that. As you can probably understand, comments such as these and others can be hurtful, even if they are said “ironically.” For similar reasons, accents are also discouraged. Remember, everything that occurs in the front room falls under the Chair’s discretion, and they can have you removed from the committee if they feel you are breaking etiquette.
Likewise, do not speak over other delegates or speak after your time has expired. Respect the format.
With that out of the way, it is important to discuss character fidelity and continuity. Delegates may not radically stray from their given character and objectives. If, for example, you are given the character of “Lilly, President of the U.S., elected to a second term after passing civil rights legislation”, you cannot simply decide to start rolling back human rights protections (outside of extreme committee circumstances). If your relatively moderate Iraqi president decides he wants to unite the Arab states, that’s fine. However, if your Japanese president decides to unite the Gaelic states, that’s not. Admittedly, the line here can be blurry, so if you are unsure, feel free to ask questions through your crisis notes and the Crisis Director will assist you. Last, but far from least, try to have fun. Model UN is about coming together to face seemingly insurmountable challenges and finding a way to make policy despite them. We wish you all luck and are excited to see how you choose to guide the world under often desperate circumstances.
2. The Tide of Empires
An Introduction to the Crisis
The year is 1754. The United Kingdom and France vie for dominance over global affairs, from Canada to India. In Europe, the dust is still settling in the wake of the War of Austrian Succession. The Holy Roman Empire (HRE), dominated for centuries by the Austrian Habsburg monarchy, has been challenged by an upstart Prussia. In Asia, the Maratha Confederacy is pushing out the Mughal Empire, while the Ottomans evaluate the threat posed by a new Persian dynasty. The daggers of a dozen different nationalities wait in the shadows for the right time to strike. All of this is about to come to a head because of a young Virginian Lieutenant Colonel of
the British colonial militia, marching his troops towards a French fort in the Ohio River Valley. His name is George Washington.
Now, as the world’s monarchs frantically form armies and dispatch diplomats to rally the neutral powers to their respective sides, Grand Pensionary Pieter Steyn of the United Netherlands has invited leaders and representatives from across the globe to join him at the Hoflandstra Estate in the Dutch countryside for a “Correspondence of Crowns” to attempt to resolve the dispute. 1 Two globe-spanning empires are on the verge of war, and it is this conference of powers which will decide the outcome. The rights of nations will be decided, and in the end, only one country may become the world’s first superpower…
This committee will cover as many of the conflicts which made up the Seven Years War as possible. Delegates will need to not only navigate their way through the complexity of 16th century geopolitics but also forge new standards for diplomacy and sovereignty while securing territorial gains for themselves and discussing ways to end the conflict. Delegates will need to take into account the real-world conditions of their countries at the height of the Age of Sail.
3. Current Situation
I: The World in 1754
The map below shows the political boundaries of the committee in 1754. For a more detailed look at the map, visit http://geacron.com/home-en/.
II: The War of the Austrian Succession
Maria Theresa of Habsburg Austria finally inherited her father’s throne in 1740 via Pragmatic Sanction, but she faced continued opposition.2 Sure enough, the Bavarians claimed to be the rightful successors, calling on the support of Bourbon France, and war started in earnest when Prussia invaded Austria without warning or formal declaration. Frederick II of Prussia seized the rich region of Silesia, and held it, despite Austrian attempts to take it back.3
What followed was a series of loosely connected wars, as more and more powers were drawn into the fighting for one reason or another.4 Soon, skirmishes were being fought as far away as Ohio and Madras. Spain, also ruled by the Bourbon dynasty, joined France in the hopes of gaining Italian territory. Britain joined the war on the Austrian side after a British man had his ship pillaged by Spanish coast guards in the West Indies.5 Simultaneously, Sweden and Russia found themselves at war over control of Finland, a conflict which ended in Russia’s favor following the ascension of Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great.6
The majority of the fighting finally ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748.
As part of the terms, a Spanish Bourbon King, Charles III, was put in power in southern Italy, while French dominance in India was ceded to the British.7 The most meaningful changes were that Maria Theresa was recognized as the rightful ruler of Austria and the Holy Roman Empire, and Prussia was able to keep Silesia.8
In other words, the war was indecisive, leaving some question as to who the dominant powers truly were. Furthermore, the fighting was expensive, and it drained the war chests of the European powers. As our committee begins at this point in history, we can observe the understanding that the current peace will not last much longer. Soon, armies will march, and fleets will set sail again.
History is just waiting for a spark to ignite the flames.
III: The Battle of Jumonville Glen
At the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers sits Fort Duquesne, built to secure Ohio as a part of New France. 9 However, the French are not the only empire in North America; the British also have their sights set on the Ohio River Valley, seeking control over the rich farmland to support the continuous influx of new colonists arriving from England. As such, the British colonists spent the last year or so trying to convince the French to stop building the fort, but the French refused. Unwilling to surrender their claims, the British sent a raiding party of forty colonial militiamen under Lieutenant Colonel George Washington to the area. On May 28, 1754, French Officer Joseph Coulon de Jumonville left Fort Duquesne with a small force of thirty-five men, only to be ambushed by Washington’s troops and their Iroquois allies under Tanacharison, the “Half-King”.10 Jumonville and nearly all of his men were killed.
This skirmish, dubbed “The Battle of Jumonville Glen,” is the spark that has started the fire. The French claim that Jumonville was on a diplomatic mission to try and convince Washington to leave, but Washington’s troops brutally killed him. There are even rumors that Tanacharison
personally slaughtered Jumonville. The British contend that Jumonville was acting as a soldier and intended to ambush Washington, and so was a legitimate target. The truth remains unclear.
Pursued by New French forces, Washington retreated to a palisade that he dubbed “Fort Necessity.”11 Half a world away, his actions will be the subject of much debate at the Correspondence of Crowns.
(For further information on the global situation, please examine the Delegate Profiles.)
4. Committee Mission Statement
I: Topics of Debate
Grand Pensionary Pieter Steyn of the United Netherlands has invited leaders and representatives from across the globe to join him at the Hoflandstra Estate in the Dutch countryside. He has also agreed to mediate the debate.
The goal of this Committee is to determine the nature of the new international system by attempting to come to an agreement on the following questions:
1. Should countries be required to publicly declare their wars? What would be the punishment if they did not?
2. What can we do to prevent incidents like Jumonville Glen from happening again? Could a better system for diplomats to present their credentials be a solution?
3. What are the limits of sovereignty and the rights of monarchs? Is sovereignty absolute, or should countries expect other countries to interfere in their internal affairs?
4. What would it take for the sides to make peace?
Solutions can be achieved through military, technological, or diplomatic means. Delegates can use territorial conquests to buy support from opponents and shape international law to fit their country’s needs. Delegates are encouraged to name their Public Directives “Treaty of (city name here),” in the style of 18th century diplomacy.
5. Available Resources
I: Money, Money, Money
To quote the French Marshal Trivulzio in 1499, “to carry out war three things are necessary: money, money and yet more money.”12 Given that the War of the Austrian Succession has just ended, money is something which most of the European states lack right now, with one notable exception. The United Netherlands is offering vast sums of money to any government that wants it, but there is a catch; the money comes in the form of loans from Dutch banks.
The crowned leaders of Europe are eager to take the money to fund their militaries. No one expects the current peace to last, and sparks are already igniting far away across the Atlantic. War will come soon, so every country will need to find the balance between fighting the war and funding it.
In this committee, money will be handled nebulously; if you want to take a large-scale action, you need to explain the large-scale way in which you’re going to fund it. There is no need to do math or calculate interest rates.
Here are a few historical examples to give you ideas of how to get funding.
● Increased taxes, and harsher tax collection
● Loans and borrowing money
● Looting and piracy
● Forced loans
● Selling noble titles or government offices
● Purchase of commissions
Each of these methods have consequences, some of which are minor, while others could potentially be catastrophic. Any of these methods can be used to finance armies or fleets of any size, and the Crisis Staff will attempt to scale the consequences appropriately (i.e. taking out a loan for a single ship or company of soldiers might set you back a little bit, but borrowing enough money for an entire armada could collapse your economy).
II: Military Organization
Once you have figured out where your money is coming from, you can think about how to put it to good use for the benefit of your state. In terms of military power, you don’t need to be super specific regarding the contents of a force, but do try to specify size and its mission parameters. Are you sending in a small team of armed spies to steal information, or are you sending an entire division to occupy a city? The same goes for naval deployments; make your request and if you don’t know how to get it, ask for a recommendation from the CD in crisis notes. If you don’t know what military assets your country has, feel free to make it up (pending the CD’s discretion). Note that aircraft and cars do not exist yet, and that fleets of wooden ships are expensive to build.
Training in this era of warfare is especially important. Better trained troops are less likely to run away when they get shot at but may cost extra additional time and money to train if you don’t already have them.
Equipment is not generally an essential element in this era of land warfare, as muskets, bayonets, uniforms, horses, and swords are easy enough to acquire for most European powers. Non-European powers, however, do not have as easy access to guns. Even in Europe, only the most powerful countries start with access to elite units such as Grenadiers, armed with hand-held explosives or early grenade launchers.
Army Scale Reference:
o Most Armies consist of between 50,000 and 150,000 soldiers.
o A Division is approximately 10,000-15,00 soldiers.
o A Battalion is approximately 1,000 soldiers.
o A Company has approximately 100 soldiers.
o Historical Examples:
George Washington's army in the Revolutionary War consisted of around 48,000 soldiers at any given time.
The Bengali army at the Battle of Plassey consisted of 50,000 soldiers: 30,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, as well as 300 cannons.
The French army at the Battle of Lauffeldt consisted of approximately 160,000 soldiers.
In the Age of Sail, naval power is frequently just as important as land armies. The following reference is based off of the British Royal Navy’s classification system, in which the power of a warship is measured by how many cannons it has. These classifications include the following types of ships.13
o Ships of the Line or Line Ships have around 75-100 cannons. These powerful vessels are rare and expensive. Line Ships are usually where a squadron’s commanding officer is stationed.
o Mid Rate ships are the backbone, dedicated warships of any fleet, and have around 25-50 cannons. Sloops include smaller warships built for speed or repurposed civilian ships, armed with fewer than twenty-five cannons.
Navy Scale Reference:14
o Most countries have only one Fleet, but send out squadrons, Naval Divisions, and Patrols on specific missions. Note that the naval strength of each country is listed in the Delegate Profiles in terms of number of squadrons and Naval Divisions, but delegates may use ships however they like.
o A Squadron is approximately thirty ships. Squadrons are the mailed fist of any navy and generally include a number of Line Ships. They are powerful, but also precious, as losing a squadron can be a major blow to national pride. Squadrons are best deployed to attack an enemy navy directly, or as a show of force to threaten other powers.
o A Naval Division has approximately ten ships. It may include one or two Line Ships, but mostly consists of Mid Rates and maybe a few Sloops. Naval Divisions are the standard multi-purpose naval force, used for everything from blockading specific port cities, supporting naval invasions, and chasing down enemy treasure ships.
o A Patrol is approximately five ships, a mix of Mid Rates and Sloops for protecting trade routes, blockading whole seas, or raiding coastlines.
Remember that ships were frequently captured by boarding parties in this time period. Just because you can’t afford to build a new Line Ship or Patrol for your fleet, doesn’t mean you can’t try to steal one.
Alternatives to Fighting
As any royal diplomat knows, the pen is often mightier than the sword. Remember, sending in the military is never your only option. Consider: how might you prepare to negotiate with the other blocs and delegates? Listed here are just a few of the many, many, options you have when it comes to third party non-state actors who may be willing to do your bidding for coin, favors, or the goodness of their hearts. They may or may not be of any use, but it’s good to remember that they exist. Options include, but are not limited to:
○ Lower-level diplomats
○ Lawyers and legislative experts
○ Natural philosophers and Royal Societies (scientists and technological research programs)
○ Mystics and theologians
○ Educators
○ Pirates and privateers
○ Political parties and social organizations
○ Rebels and revolutionaries
○ Military advisors
○ Mercenary soldiers
○ Private businesses
○ Religious authorities
○ Highwaymen, assassins, and other less-than-reputable folk
○ Any other actors whom you can think of who might somehow help you.
6. Delegate Profiles
Below are the profiles of each delegate present at the Correspondence of Crowns, containing a quick primer on their character, positions, and key resources. The profiles are reasonably historically accurate, although some do stray from history either for the sake of committee fairness or due to limited availability of historical sources. Delegates are strongly encouraged to use these as a jumping off point for their own research.
● United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: William Pitt the Elder, Paymaster of the Forces15
○ Good sir, it seems that Parliament is looking to you for advice these days. “The Great Commoner” is what they call you. With all your influence, they really ought to just elect you Prime Minister already. Anyway, it seems something dreadful is brewing in the colonies, and your chance to strike at the French may come soon.
○ King George II has decided to go play in his European sandbox through his ownership of Hannover, which is probably for the best. Parliament tends to get rather annoyed when the King tries to butt in on the affairs of state. However, his role in Hannover is controversial with the British public. If the opportunity arises, he should really give up that land.
○ It is Parliament's opinion that countries should formally declare their wars. If the United Kingdom’s reasons for going to war are to be clearly explained and justified, a formal declaration must be written and debated by Parliament to prevent purposeless violence.
○ On the subject of the coming war, the kingdom will need to find allies quickly, especially among the other Great Powers. Austria has traditionally been an ally against the French, but Prussia has also made bold and respectable moves recently. Their army is magnificent and would surely make a terrifying asset if they had a way to get it to you. Fortunately, we’re on an island, so it may be in the kingdom’s interest to support the Prussians in their goal to become everyone else’s problem. Spain is another possible ally, although you might have to surrender Gibraltar to them in return.16
○ Speaking of being on an island, Britain also rules the waves. The British navy is the largest in the world, consisting of eight full squadrons.17 You can leverage your naval power to move troops around the world and keep others from doing the same. Once the war truly begins, you will want to blockade the ports of France and New France as soon as possible, to keep the French from being able to supply their colonies.
○ Stealing from French trade ships may be profitable, too. The kingdom already funds privateers in the Caribbean for just this purpose.
○ Beyond Prussia and Austria, you should try to sway the other powers of Europe to your side. Parliament is prepared to spend a significant amount to bribe countries
to side with the kingdom, although it may take more than just money to secure strong allies.
○ It should be noted that your wealth is contingent on stable trade with the colonies in India and America. If they fall, or if your supply lines are cut, it could be trouble. As such, it may be prudent to dispatch army expeditions overseas. Your army, although not as numerous as France’s, is just as well-trained, and the British Grenadiers are feared around the world. Sailing takes time, though, so you will need to try and predict where reinforcements will be needed in advance.
○ You have a spy in the Russian Court. He could prove useful in manipulating them if the need arises.
● British East India Company (EIC): Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive of Plassey, Lieutenant Colonel and Commander-in-Chief of India18
○ Colonel, your political and battle prowess has been a great asset to this company through the first Carnatic War. Now, in another time of great political instability in Europe, once again there is an opportunity to achieve great glory in South Asia.
○ The vast untapped resources of the subcontinent lay before you. With this abundance, comes your principal goal; acquire India’s wealth for the benefit of both investor and Empire. Companies like yours have a right to engage in economic activities within each other's borders without needing to inform the reigning monarch or government. As ever, the only right a nation has is the right of conquest.
○ As you have surely heard, there is some talk in Europe of reasserting the rights of kings to command their subjects. Absolutism is a silly system. When one bows to a crown, it is because it is made of gold. The market is the real king.
○ With many local rulers in India weakened by local strife, your main opposition is likely to be Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The Nawab could oust the EIC and the French, or he could choose to play the French against you. Either situation would not reflect well on your stock price. Fortunately, the Nawab’s court is divided on which side to support. The Nawab’s advisor Mir Jafar seems to favor the EIC’s efforts and could potentially be very useful. If you play your cards right, placing an ally on the throne of Begnal could reap dividends many times over.
○ Beware of your true adversary, though: the French! They seek to seize the riches of this subcontinent for themselves. Their efforts will parallel yours, and so it is paramount that you oust the French company from India’s shores, particularly in the south. Hold Madras and Calcutta, and you will be in good shape. Be wary, good sir, and good luck. The Company Navy has one squadron of warships and merchantmen at your command.
○ The other European empires may attempt to involve themselves in our business. While they have a right to try, you have a duty to stop them. The Dutch, Danish, and Portuguese all have trading posts in the region, but the only real danger comes from the Spanish. The Spanish Philippines would be quite the prize if you can find a way to snatch it out from under Madrid's nose.
● Electorate of Hanover (British Personal Union):19 Prince-Elector and King George II20
○ My illustrious liege, I know you have always been somewhat disappointed that you do not have much control over government in the British Isles. But take heart! Here in Hanover, you are Prince-Elector and hold far-reaching powers over the affairs of state.
○ Let Wiliam Pitt and the British Parliament deal with Britain and the colonies in the coming conflict. France is here on the continent with you, so you can wage your own little war from Hanover and stick it to the French directly! It will be up to you to pursue British interests in Europe while Parliament focuses on the situation abroad.
○ Defend Hanover and court the support of the Prussians. If possible, try to rally the minor German states to the cause.
○ Your rule over Hanover is controversial with the British public. They believe that your inherited title as Prince-Elector (and therefore technically a servant to the Holy Roman Empress) is a conflict of interest. If an opportunity arises for Parliament to get rid of Hanover in a treaty, you may need to convince them to let you keep it.
○ This business of Kings “asking for permission” to declare wars and issuing “formal declarations” may be standard practice in Britain, but in Hanover things are different.
If you want to go to war with or without a formal declaration, that’s your decision to make. As for interfering in the affairs of other countries, that’s only okay if both countries in question are ruled by the same monarch.
○ As an Elector within the Holy Roman Empire,21 Hanover gets to cast a vote to choose the next Holy Roman Emperor. Of course, the Austrian Habsburgs have held that title for centuries, so it isn’t likely to change, but a bureaucrat can dream.
○ Annoyingly, Parliament has not been willing to let you give official orders to the British Royal Navy. Hanover has only a single, measly Naval Division available to you, designed to patrol the waters of the North Sea.
● Albany Congress of the Thirteen Colonies:22 Benjamin Franklin, Representative of Pennsylvania
○ Mr. Franklin, The Albany Congress has selected you to represent the shared interests of His Majesty’s Thirteen Colonies. Understand that the individual colonies and their governors may choose to act on their own, but your presence at the Correspondence means your recommendations will be highly valued by all.
○ Lieutenant Colonel George Washington is currently preparing to defend Fort Necessity from the oncoming French forces in Ohio. It’s not likely that much can be done to help him before the French arrive, but taking Fort Duquesne should be one of your priorities. Ultimately, you’ll need to secure the farmland in the Ohio River Valley to feed the colonies, as more settlers arrive from the British Isles every few months. If Washington escapes, he could become a useful asset to serve the goals of the Congress.23
○ Trade routes to England are vital the colonies rely on trade for tea and other staple goods. If trade were to be cut off, there would be serious unrest in the colonies.
○ The Congress is opposed to the idea of absolute monarchies. The King exists to conduct diplomacy and act as a symbol for his subjects to rally behind, but it is the citizens who should decide the direction of the state. Declarations of war should be formally made, and it is wrong for a country to involve itself in another’s internal affairs.
○ In the War of Jenkin’s Ear,24 the British seemed perfectly willing to trade territory taken from the Spain in North America for bits and pieces of land elsewhere. This
upset many of the colonists, so you should be wary of giving up land in future treaties.
○ You presented your “Plan of Union” for the colonies to the Congress before leaving for the Correspondence of Crowns. They were impressed, but a representative of the crown objected, and so it has not been implemented. If you can, get King George to write a directive approving the plan to create a unified colonial government.25
● Prussia: Frederick II (the eventual Great), King in Prussia and Prince-Elector of Brandenburg.26
○ Prussia is a rising power in Europe and has been for over a century now. You sit on the throne as Frederick II, Prince-Elector of Brandenburg, King in Prussia, and probably the greatest general of the age!
○ Prussia has only a single naval division of warships, but the navy has never been Prussia’s strength. Your father, Frederick I, built one of the finest armies on the continent. The Prussian army is 80,000 strong and equipped with all the tools of modern warfare muskets, cannons, and grenades. You have seen this terrifyingly effective machine in action when you led it into the War of the Austrian Succession, seizing Silesia from the Austrians, and securing Prussia’s place among the Great Powers.
○ Prussian culture values individuals who have done military service over those who have not, so getting recruits would be less of a problem for you.
○ Secure Silesia, since the Austrians will inevitably want it back. Your army is strong but will need allies if it is to keep the Austrians at bay indefinitely. France and Britain are both prime ally material. Whichever power, France or Britain, you ally yourself with, the Austrians will choose the other. There can only be one German Great Power in Europe, and it must be Prussia, and not Austria.
○ Your kingdom is in something of a rough financial situation due to the recent War of the Austrian Succession. However, Saxony sits just between you and Austria, and their vast collections of art and other valuables could be sold to fund your army for some time.
○ As an Elector within the Holy Roman Empire, Brandenburg-Prussia gets to vote for the next Holy Roman Emperor. Of course, the Austrian Habsburgs have held that title for centuries, so it isn’t likely to change, but a bureaucrat can dream.
○ You have a spy in the Russian Court. He could prove useful in manipulating them.
○ The good Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel is one of your oldest and most dependable allies. Whomever you side with in the coming war, Duke Ferdinand has promised to offer all that Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel has in support of your cause.
○ Remember that you are “King in Prussia” and not the “King of Prussia.” Your territory in the Holy Roman Empire isn’t supposed to have a king other than the Holy Roman Emperor (or, in the case of the current situation, Empress). Calling yourself the “King of Prussia” might make the Polish-Lithuanians and other Germans angry.27
● Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel: William VIII, Landgrave28
○ The Diet of Kassel greets you, my lord. May you find wisdom and profit at the Correspondence of Crowns, for we Hessians await your command!
○ More so than taxes or trade, war is your source of income. Hessian soldiers are well-trained, and although you are a small country, every company will count in the coming conflict. If the great powers want you on their side, will they be willing to pay our expenses? Can you negotiate a respectable signing fee?
○ Remember, your troops aren't mercenaries, they are auxiliaries. You decide who pays to use the army. You have some 50,000 auxiliaries for hire at the moment, as well as 10,000 troops for your own defense.29
○ One in nineteen of your people are auxiliaries.30 If the war ends, good Hessians will suddenly be out of work, so you must do everything you can to keep the powers from making peace. At the same time, you must make deals to keep ourselves employed and find ways to enhance our power while doing it.
○ Hesse-Kassel is part of the Holy Roman Empire, and as such has its religion determined by the faith of its ruler. We, of course, are Calvinist, as you and your forbearers have decided. The Landgrave, as ever, has absolute control over the internal affairs of Hesse-Kassel. This is the form of sovereignty that was agreed
on a century ago at the Peace of Westphalia. There is talk among the other delegates of letting powers interfere in other countries’ internal matters; this dangerous idea must be quashed.31
○ Furthermore, it has been common courtesy for generations that monarchs and lords formally declare war before launching invasions, Prussia’s theatrics in the last war notwithstanding. If diplomats are going to do away with formal war declarations, the other powers will need to offer convincing arguments or serious incentives to gain your vote.
○ If you can gain the support of most of the Electors of the Holy Roman Empire, you may want to try and occupy Hesse-Darmstadt and ask to be made PrinceElector of the Principality of Hesse. This would have to be done through a public directive. That way, you may vote on future Emperors and perhaps even become one.
Kingdom of Portugal: Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal
● By the will of King Joseph, you, honorable Marquis, have been made Secretary of State! Your knowledge of history, enlightened thinking, and diplomacy will surely lead Portugal to greatness!
● This “Correspondence of Crowns” is certain to be a fine arena for you to debate the great theories of our time! Obviously, countries should be involved in each other’s internal affairs, but beyond that these questions of international diplomatic standards are new and alien ideas. Is there good reason not to formally declare wars? Is Washington some kind of criminal? Listen carefully to the arguments of the other delegates and determine for yourself which positions will best serve Portugal!
● Traditionally, Portugal has allied with Britain whenever it is drawn into a war. This is usually because they, like you, are enemies of Spain. Spain is neutral currently, so there is little reason for Portugal to get involved right now, but beware; Spain would gladly wipe your beautiful Kingdom off the map to expand their territory.3233 You must be ready, in case King Ferdinand or his puppet minister Ricardo Wall decide to change their minds about peace on the Iberian Peninsula!
● Your colony of Brazil is large and difficult to fight in due to the terrain. Worse yet, it is surrounded by Spanish colonies, so you will need to make a plan to defend it during wartime.
`
● At your urging, the King has authorized you to create new trade companies like the ones that the British and French have, so that you may expand Portugal’s territory and trade routes in India and South America.34
● The Jesuit Order, as well as some of the nobility, are annoyed by the immense power over Portugal which the King has granted you.35
● Portugal’s army is small but acceptably equipped, and it has three squadrons of warships available.
● Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy: Tanacharison, the “Half-King”36
○ Following in the Legacy of Hiawatha, Jikonsase, and the Great Peacemaker, the League of Six Nations has chosen you, Tanacharison, to represent its interests to the world.37 You must seek permission from the Council of Chiefs, but so long as the Six Nations support you, the council will do whatever you need.
○ The Confederacy is a democratic and egalitarian society, opposed to the tyranny of rule by a single leader. Much as its nations are all considered equal within the Confederal Family, so too should all nations be considered equals in international law.38
○ It is the council’s position that countries should formally declare war and peace when possible and should try to be understanding of delays in communication.
○ Your hatred of the French is legendary, and you have recently made a deal with Washington to support the British, at least for now. You actually requested the construction of, and picked the location for, the fort which is now known as Fort Duquesne. The British agreed to it too, although the French have since occupied the area. The Confederacy wanted that fort as a place to secure its civilians in the event of war.39 Since the French have taken it, you must either take it back or build a new fort of our own in the region.
○ You were with Washington at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. You didn’t kill Jumonville yourself, but you do not object to his death, since you could not be certain what his intentions were. It is important, though, that you defend Washington’s actions at the battle, since you would not want to alienate your British allies.
○ The Confederacy leases land to a number of Palatine Germans who serve as translators for your people.40 They are reliable and trustworthy, and may be useful to you as agents in the Royal Courts of Europe.
○ Although your warriors are not as well armed as the elite troops of the French or British, they are better than their colonial militias. Furthermore, your scouts, trackers, and pathfinders are second only to the Wabanaki in North America.
Kingdom of France: Louis XV, King of France41
● By the Grace of God, you, Most Christian King of France and Navarre, heir to the House of Bourbon, have led our great Kingdom through a challenging century. You have kept the hounds of Europe at bay, but now an opportunity has arrived to send them away for good. Vive Le Roi!
● To borrow the words of your great-grandfather and predecessor Louis XIV, you are the state, and the state is you. In the age of absolute monarchs, there was no one more absolute than your great-grandfather, and you have followed in his footsteps. France is yours to command, and yours alone.42
● So should it be with all countries, in every respect! To declare war or intervene in foreign countries is a choice to be made by monarchs. A monarch’s right to rule comes from God, so it cannot be limited by lowly mortal lawmakers.
● Your army is large, and well equipped with all the trimmings of modern warfare muskets, cannons, grenades, etc. The navy is not as powerful as that of the British, but six squadrons of warships is still a sizable force.
● In the War of the Austrian Succession, you allied with the Prussians, Swedes, and Spanish43 to take on the Austrians, the British, the Dutch, and the Russians. 44 Your armies fought well, but received little in the peace treaty. The British were not sufficiently punished for their transgressions! This time will be different.
● Ultimately, France must rule the waves and stop the British from becoming more powerful. Furthermore, it would be good to settle the contest between Austria and Prussia over who should hold influence over Germany.
● If you can occupy enough territory in Europe, you can force the British to surrender some of their colonies abroad. The British holdings in Hannover are an obvious place to start.
● Attempting to defend our colonies could be difficult due to Britain's superior navy, which will make delivering troops and supplies difficult. If you are successful enough in Europe, you can hopefully trade the captured territories of Britain’s allies for the return of our colonies. As such, the support of other powers in treaty negotiations will be important.
● The kingdom’s immediate objective is to devise positions for its armies and fleets so that they are not unprepared when proper war breaks out. Though the navy is the second strongest in the world, France cannot reliably defeat the English on the ocean, so it must devise a way to bring its land power to bear. If you want to move any troops to or from the colonies, you must do so before the British can blockade our ports!
● You have already placed Brigadier General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm in command of New France to fight the British in North America. Be sure to coordinate with him and Governor-General Joseph Marquis Dupleix in India to ensure success on all fronts.45
● The King's Secret is a network of spies loyal only to your personal interests, my liege. They operate internationally, completely separate from the French government, and can be used to advance your personal agenda. You already have spies in the courts of Russia, Austria, Sweden, and Türkiye, and a number of corrupt Polish-Lithuanian nobles are on your payroll.46
France: Brigadier General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm47
● Welcome to New France, General. King Louis XV has placed you in command of France's largest colony to defend it from British aggression. Vive Le Roi, mon General!
● The territory is vast, stretching from the mouth of the Mississippi River up to the Great Lakes, and from there, eastward to Quebec, Acadia, and the Atlantic. However, most of this land is either untamed wilderness or the domains of Native American tribes. New France’s control is limited to the St. Lawrence River (Quebec City, Montréal) in the north, New Orleans in the south, and a scattered series of fortresses which are intended to one day connect the two halves of New France.48 If New France is to survive, its trade routes must be secured, along with the support of the Native peoples.
New
● The territory’s entire population is only around 70,000,49 and does not have enough people to raise more than around 5,000 colonial troops in total at any given time. There are approximately 1,000 professional troops from France, with the rest being colonial militia. However, unlike the English, the French have been generous in trade with the Native peoples in our lands and can count Native troops for support. Exactly how many is hard to say for certain, but if called, they will answer, and the more offered to them, the more will come.
● New France only has a single Naval Division of its own warships, as King Louis likes to keep France’s navy under his direct command.
● The Wabanaki50 and Iroquois Confederacies reside between New France and the British Colonies. The Iroquois have been enemies of the French in the past, supporting the British, while the Wabanaki under Major Cope may prove to be useful allies.
● Fort Duquesne sits at the confluence of two major rivers in the Ohio River Valley. It is this fort which has raised British ire this year, and it is this fort which will solidify French control over the Ohio River Valley, and further the goal of connecting Louisiana and Québec.51
● A young French officer, Joseph Coulon de Jumonville,52 was mercilessly slain by that brute, Washington, at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. Now, French troops are pursuing Washington.
● France must be convinced to send as much military support as possible before the British navy blockades New France’s Atlantic ports. Prepare for war with the British Colonies!
French East India Company: Joseph Marquis Dupleix, Governor-General53
● The French position in India is in serious peril. Your vision for this company foresaw it spreading across the subcontinent, becoming rich and a power in its own right. The reality, which results from years of fighting Robert Clive and the British, is not so grand.
● Though the French still hold Chandernagore and Pondicherry, it holds little territory beyond that, and its influence with the Indian princes is waning. Though it still has connections in Mysore in the south and with the Mon across the Bay of Bengal, it can barely defend its ports. If French India is to survive this new war, it must have more troops.54
● You must acquire more troops as soon as possible. Obviously, you can request that King Louis XV place troops under your command, but he could also recall them whenever he wants. It may be better to instead ask the King for a loan to hire mercenaries or auxiliaries, or to rebuild an army of Sepoys here in India.
● Your small-unit tactics allow for a small number of well-trained troops to be used as effectively as a larger force on India’s battlefields, so you don’t need an army of 50,000 troops; 5,000 will serve you just as well, or even better, since it will be cheaper to supply.
● The Company’s private navy has one Squadron of warships and merchantmen at your command.
● To prepare for the possibility that the King denies a request for troops, the Company is fortifying Chandernagore, in Bengal. This is certain to upset the Nawab, Siraj-ud-Daulah, but it may be the only way to ensure that the Company forces are not crushed by a British attack.
● If the Company can secure its position in India, it will want to make a move against the British in their strongholds at Calcutta and Madras. The more progress made, the more money can be sent back to France to fund the war in Europe and America.
● As ever, the only right a nation has is the right of conquest. Countries do not have rights beyond what they can enforce through their own power, money, and influence. As such, companies have a right to declare wars or engage in economic activities without needing to inform the reigning monarch or government.
● That said, the Company is still subjects of the French King, and his word is absolute.
Vive Le Roi!
Austrian Empire: Maria Theresa I,55 Archduchess of Austria, Apostolic Queen of Hungary, Bohemia and Croatia;56 and Holy Roman Empress
● Greetings, your august Majesty, your rule is at last secured! The War of the Austrian Succession is over, and the crowned heads of Europe have accepted you as leader of the Holy Roman Empire.57 Unfortunately, this has come at a cost; the devious Prussians invaded Austria in 1740 without declaring war, seizing the valuable province of Silesia. Now, the Imperial coffers are empty because of the cost of that war.58
● As Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, you are granted authority by the Pope, although that doesn’t mean much these days. Still, you are the highest authority among the German principalities and do not consider your throne equal to that of other monarchs.59
● Britain has been Austria’s ally in the west ever since the French threw out your Habsburg cousins. However, your state chancellor, Prince Wenzel Anton, has considered an alliance with France, to isolate Prussia from continental support.60 The choice is yours, but whichever of these two Austria chooses as an ally, the Prussians will choose the other. There can only be one German Great Power in Europe, and it must be Austria, and not Prussia.
● The Prussians may try to invade without declaring war again; it cannot be trusted. Furthermore, Austria must not tolerate attacks by countries that do not formally declare war, otherwise small conflicts may become larger if the goals of a war are not clearly defined.
● The Austrian Netherlands, where the empire’s naval squadron docks, sits between France and British Hannover, so it could be caught in the crossfire no matter which side it chooses to join.
● Hungary has a special status within the empire. They receive lower taxes and more funding from the state to placate the Hungarian aristocracy and populace. However, given the empire’s current lack of money, there is talk in the court of repealing this special status, permanently or temporarily, to fund the defense of the empire. Ultimately, that decision will be yours.61
● You have a spy in the Russian Court. If needed, she could be useful for manipulating them.
● The War of Austrian Succession was fought to defend your right to rule the Holy Roman Empire, so defend it. There is no equality between crowns. As ever, all the world is subject to Austria!62
Electorate of Saxony: Count Heinrich von Brühl63
● Our liege, the Elector of Saxony, Friedrick Augustus II (known in Poland-Lithuania as King Augustus III), is more interested in art and indulging in his wealth than the affairs of state,64 and is, for all intents and purposes, your puppet. You made him King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. You rule Saxony in his name, and all of its riches will be yours.
● Unfortunately, your adventures (as well as a few absolutely necessary expenses for your exquisite tastes) have left the Saxon treasury close to empty, and the army is in bad shape. As such, you must be wary. If war breaks out, Saxony has no way of preventing Prussian occupation. Saxony could try to rebuild the army or prepare an escape route. Just don’t forget to bring Friedrick Augustus II.6566
● Poland-Lithuania is Saxony’s vassal state and subject to your rule. Grand Duke Michał Czartoryski67 can be trusted to keep Saxony in control there. Be sure to coordinate with him closely; remember that you can also issue orders to the Polish government.68
● Saxony was once the shining gem atop the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, but Prussian meddling has left it a lesser power among the German princedoms. Austria, once Saxony’s equal, now eclipses it, while the northern part of the Empire looks to Prussia for leadership instead of Saxony. Frederick the Great had the audacity to claim the title of “King in Prussia!” An insult! Within the HRE, there are no kings, only the Emperor (or Empress). Your rule over Poland is completely different, of course.69
● As an Elector within the HRE, Saxony gets to vote on the next Holy Roman Emperor. Of course, the Austrian Habsburgs have held that title for centuries, so it isn’t likely to change, but a bureaucrat can dream.
● As a true patron of the arts, any paintings, fine jewelry, valuables, or palaces you can get your hands on will do much to boost Saxony’s international standing (as well as your own personal wealth and reputation).70
● Formal declarations of war are a good thing, since you can frame them like paintings. However, there is nothing wrong with making some backroom deals without consulting a stupid monarch or government. It’s how business gets done.
● If Frederick II starts calling himself “King of Prussia” instead of “King in Prussia,” correct him because you technically own Polish Royal Prussia he can’t just call himself that!
Kingdom of Sweden: Anders Johan von Höpken, President of the Royal Majesty's Chancellery 71
● Greetings, your Excellency. Your party finds itself in a difficult position, as does your country. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy, and your party is known as the Hats. In the Riksdag of the Estates, it controls a majority of seats for the moment, but its failures in foreign and domestic policy have started cutting into its support. Your party is losing prestige at home and is at risk of falling out of power. The opposition party, known as the Caps, argue that the Hats have mismanaged the government. The Hats have also failed to deliver on promises to expand the Swedish Empire by reclaiming lands lost to Prussia, Russia, and Poland-Lithuania. 72
● The Kingdom was defeated in the Russo-Swedish War in 1734, and so many of the Hats believe that Russia should be taught a lesson and to reclaim the rest of Finland from them. However, this might conflict with another goal; the party’s stated position to create a strong alliance with France. If the French believe that the Russians will be useful to them, then the Kingdom will need to decide which goal is more important.73
● This debate over declarations of war and sovereignty is something to watch. Although the party does not support absolute monarchy, it does not have strong positions on these issues. Trade your vote at the Correspondence of Crowns to gain territory or military alliances, as that is where your real goal lies.
● On a related subject, there is the issue of the upstart King in Prussia, Frederick II. His army is much too strong for your Kingdom’s liking, so watch him closely. Prussia borders Swedish Pomerania in northern Germany, and it would be easy enough to occupy Prussian Pomerania if the opportunity arises.
● The Kingdom has two squadrons of warships, most of which are currently in Sweden. However, to enable the Swedish East India Company to become profitable, a few of the ships have been traveling back and forth to Surat in India.74
● There is an election coming up for the position of Lord Marshal. Axel von Fersen the Elder is running for the Hats, and if he can get elected, he may prove to be a useful leader for the Kingdom’s armies.75
● The Kingdom has a spy in the Russian Court. He could prove useful in manipulating them, if needed.
Spanish Empire: Ricardo Wall, Prime Minister, General, and Knight of the Order of Santiago76
● You have come a long way from your birthplace in Ireland, your Excellency. By the will of King Ferdinand IV, our illustrious liege, you have been made Prime Minister of Spain!77
● The magnificent Spanish realm stretches from the Southern tip of America to the distant Philippines. Its grand fleets have carried home treasures for centuries now, and its armadas still strike fear into the hearts of foreign sailors. Unfortunately, 1754 is not a good year for the empire as it suffered defeat against the British in the War of Jenkin’s Ear and seems to have fallen well behind France and Britain in the ranks of the Great Powers. Worse still, it failed to acquire Gibraltar from the British during the War of the Austrian Succession.78
● His majesty’s reforms to the system of colonial commerce have switched Spain from the traditional treasure fleet system to one of ship registration. This has helped the economy but has made the government unpopular with private investors. Be careful not to upset them further.79
● If possible, get the British to stop funding privateers in the Caribbean. If Spain chooses to stay out of the coming war, a prohibition against privateering and piracy would be ideal, to ensure that accidental conflicts like the War of Jenkin’s Ear cannot happen again.80
● The subject of war is, unfortunately, unavoidable. For now, Spain is neutral, but if it does join, it must be sure that it can achieve its territorial goals. The Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the King’s heir and stepbrother Charles III, is loyal to the Spanish Crown. He took it back from Austrian rule in the last war, and he hopes that Spain will pursue further expansion in the Mediterranean for protection against the Austrians.81 However, other members of the royal court argue that Spain should focus on expanding its holdings abroad. Perhaps Spain could link up its territory in Florida with Mexico, or gain control over a province in India?
● Furthermore, if Spain were to go to war, it may need to defend itself against Portugal both in Europe and in South America and secure its trade routes to the Caribbean and the Philippines. There is the possibility that Spain, which has a larger army than Portugal, could defeat its neighbor outright, and unify Iberia under a single flag.82
● While Spain’s European army is strong, its navy consists of four full squadrons deployed across its empire.
● Be wary, your Excellency. Everyone wants a piece of your empire. Above all else, you must hold on to as much as possible! For Spain!
Wabanaki Confederacy:83 Mi'kmaq Sakamaw,84 Major Jean-Baptiste Cope 85
● Though you are one chief (Sakamaw) among many, you have also been chosen to represent all the peoples of the Confederacy in these matters. Your steadfast leadership of the Mi’kmaq people and your good reputation among the French Acadians will be assets to you in the coming negotiations.86 Remember that you can be a powerbroker in North America. Your help, or that of the Iroquois, could be enough to tip the balance in a war.
● It was you who signed our peace treaty with the British in 1752, for which they know you as “Major Cope.”87 As a result of your experience with those negotiations, you have, by now, made friends and contacts across the British and French colonies.
● The brutal Governor of the British Colony of Nova Scotia, Edward Cornwallis, is offering rewards to his citizens to attack your people.88 This is not only a violation of the peace they promised, but also a threat to your people. If the Mi’kmaq and the Confederacy are to survive in the long-term, it must get the British to end this practice, either by negotiation or by force. If the Europeans will not respect their own formal agreements, why should the Mi’kmaq bother issuing formal declarations of war?
● British and French settlers arriving from Europe continue to disrupt the Mi’kmaq way of life by settling your lands. A prohibition or moratorium on the creation of new settlements would allow your people a chance to recover.
● Although your warriors are not as well armed as the elite troops of the French or British, they are the equals of their colonial militias. Furthermore, your scouts, trackers, and pathfinders are unparalleled in North America.
● Do not be afraid to make requests or demands of the other European powers. If you are to make the British and French see your people as equals, you may need to conduct diplomacy as they do. Whether you choose to side with the British to gain concessions, or the French to drive the British out, the Wabanaki Confederacy will follow your lead.
Russian Empire: Elizabeth Petrovna, Tsarina
● My most merciful Empress of all Russia, the second-eldest daughter to Peter the Great, the decade since you came to the throne has demonstrated your benevolent rule, following a time of crisis. Your pledge not to execute anyone during your rule has made you a beacon to the people and talented artists, mathematicians, and philosophers flock to your court like no other in Europe. You have even proven yourself as a wartime leader during the War of the Austrian Succession. Unfortunately, it seems like that war was indecisive, and now Russia is at risk of being beset by enemies within and without.
● Always remember your pledge not to execute any Russians during your rule. You can torture and exile whomever you want, but if they die, you will lose much of your credibility with the court and people.89
● This “Correspondence” is likely to raise many new ideas about formalizing an international system of diplomacy. Declarations of war are useful but sometimes get in the way. They are a point of respect and practicality between governments. Certainly, countries that do not declare wars should not be punished.
● Though it is the envy of nearly every great thinker in Europe, the Imperial Court at St. Petersburg is also full of corruption. Behind every second smile is a dagger, waiting to impale someone’s back at the right moment. You are aware of a number of spies within the court, leaking information to their foreign masters. Until you can expose them, there is a constant risk of your plans being revealed to the other great powers.90
● Their interference over Russia’s internal politics is something no monarch should have to tolerate, and this complaint must be made at the Correspondence.
● You have promised to create a centralized system of education. There are no universities in Russia yet, nor any specialized academies for the arts and sciences. If the Russian Enlightenment is to continue to draw the greatest thinkers from across the continent, they will need a place to gather, and to pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation. Perhaps they can even find ways to make Russian’s spending more efficient, so that it won’t need to worry about financing like the other powers.91
● Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin (or just Bestuzhev to his friends) is your Chancellor and has proven himself to be both completely loyal and an extremely effective diplomat in his own right, although he has many enemies in the Imperial Court. If there are any countries not at the Correspondence who you want to make deals with, sending Bestuzhev is an effective way to ensure the best possible result. Be careful not to get him hurt, though.92
● Keep your European neighbors (Sweden, Prussia, and Austria) fighting each other. If they become allies, or if one begins to dominate the others, they may become a threat.
● Bestuzhev suggests you take particular care to watch the Prussians, as their military is dangerously powerful and only the feeble Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth stands between you and them.93
● The fledgling Russian fleet built by your father has only a single squadron of ships moored in the Baltic Sea. Russia’s army is massive, though not consistently wellequipped. The most elite division, the Imperial Guard, is on par with the greatest European troops and is completely loyal to you. The horse-mounted Cossacks can provide devastating charges and scouting capabilities.94
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: Michał Fryderyk Czartoryski, Grand Chancellor of Lithuania
● A weak and fading state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has been ruled by King Augustus III ever since the War of the Polish Succession in the 1730s. The Germans know him as Fredrick Augustus II, the Elector of Saxony. You know him as a patron of arts, an incompetent ruler, and a puppet to Count Heinrich von Brühl. Von Brühl has supported you and your reformist Familia faction in the past, if only to keep PolandLithuania stable under the Saxon thumb.95
● The Commonwealth is “a Noble’s Democracy”, in which members of the nobility, regardless of wealth or background, are considered equals and may participate in government by electing members of the bicameral legislature, which is made up of the Sjem (parliament) and the Senat (senate). It is these bodies who elect the King. Of course, this system is rotted through with corruption at the moment, as individual nobles regularly take bribes from foreign powers to veto any and all new laws. The Familia has done what it can, but if the Commonwealth is to survive, further reforms are needed. You will need to court votes from the nobles if they decide to oppose you.9697
● The Polish-Lithuanian Grand Army is of moderate size, but disagreement among the nobles and demoralization from the War of the Polish Succession has left it a shadow of its former self. The navy is only one squadron, but capable of global travel, provided the Denmark Straits remain open.
● As long as von Brühl continues to support you, it may be prudent to build a closer relationship with the Saxon overlord. However, if the European powers go to war, the Commonwealth could find itself trapped between Prussia, Russia, and Austria. In such a situation, Saxony might not be relied upon for protection, and the Commonwealth cannot
afford further partitions of the beleaguered country. As an alternative to the Saxons, your nephew, Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski, is a prime candidate to become the Saxon diplomat to Russia. It would be possible to send him to St. Petersburg to try and cut a deal with Tsarina Elizabeth.98
● Save the Commonwealth, Chancellor. You may be its only hope.
Endnotes
1 “Pieter Steyn.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Steyn
2 Pick, Robert. "Maria Theresa". Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Nov. 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Theresa.
3 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Pragmatic Sanction of Emperor Charles VI". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pragmatic-Sanction-of-Emperor-Charles-VI.
Accessed 31 January 2025.
4 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "War of the Austrian Succession". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Dec. 2024. https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-the-Austrian-Succession.
5 Ibid.
6 ‘Treaty of Åbo | Peace Agreement, Sweden & Russia [1743] | Britannica’. https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Abo. [accessed 23 January 2025].
7 ‘Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies - History’, 2003. http://www.realcasadiborbone.it/uk/archiviostorico/cs_041.htm ‘Carnatic Wars | Anglo-French, Mughal, Maratha | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Carnatic-Wars
8 Ibid. ("Pragmatic Sanction of Emperor Charles VI")
9 ‘Battle of Jumonville Glen (1754) | Summary | Britannica’. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-ofJumonville-Glen [accessed 26 January 2025].
10 Ibid.
11 Fort Necessity National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)’. https://www.nps.gov/fone/planyourvisit/index.htm [accessed 26 January 2025].
12 “War Finance” Oxford Reference. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803121015113
13 Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, “Facts About the Continental Army during the American Revolution”. Boston Tea Party Ships, 2019. https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/facts-continental-army [accessed 3 December 2024].
14 “The Decisive Battles of India from 1746 to 1849 Inclusive : Malleson, G. B. (George Bruce), 18251898”. https://archive.org/details/decisivebattleso00malluoft/page/6/mode/2up [accessed 3 December 2024].
15 White, Vera Muriel. “William Pitt, the Elder”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Pitt-the-Elder.
16 “Ricardo Wall and Devreux - Royal Academy of History”. https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/5982/ricardowall-y-devreux. [accessed 20 January 2025].
17 Clowes, William Laird, Sir and Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir. “The royal navy, a history from the earliest times to the present.” Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/royalnavyhistory02clowuoft/page/n5/mode/2up
18 Spear, T.G. Percival. “Robert Clive”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Clive.
19 “Personal Union.” Oxford Reference. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100319290.
20 “George II (1683 - 1760).” BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/george_ii_king.shtml
21 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "elector". Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Oct. 2013, https://www.britannica.com/topic/elector Accessed 29 January 2025
22 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Albany Congress”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Jun. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/Albany-Congress. Accessed 30 January 2025.
23 Daughters of the American Revolution Pittsburgh Chapter (Pittsburgh Pa.), Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt: Early Names of Pittsburgh Streets (Daughters of the American Revolution of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1907); Paul R. Misencik, George Washington and the Half-King Chief Tanacharison: An Alliance That Began the French and Indian War (McFarland, 2014).
24 Sweet, Julie. "War of Jenkins’ Ear." New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Dec 10, 2019. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/war-of-jenkins-ear/.
25 “Albany Congress | Definition & Significance | Britannica.” https://www.britannica.com/event/AlbanyCongress. [accessed 30 January 2025].
26 Ten Minute History - Frederick the Great and the Rise of Prussia (Short Documentary), dir. by History Matters, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzYfkezHp3k. [accessed 4 December 2024].
27 Ibid.
28 “William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_VIII,_Landgrave_of_Hesse-Kassel
29 Alan Axelrod, Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies (CQ Press, 2013); ‘Hessians’, American Battlefield Trust. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/hessians. [accessed 30 January 2025].
30 Black, European Warfare, 1660-1815
31 “Thirty Years’ War | Summary, Causes, Combatants, Map, & Significance | Britannica”, 2024 https://www.britannica.com/event/Thirty-Years-War [accessed 30 January 2025]; “Peace of Westphalia | Definition, Map, Results, & Significance | Britannica’. https://www.britannica.com/event/Peace-ofWestphalia [accessed 30 January 2025].
32 “Ricardo Wall and Devreux - Royal Academy of History”.
33 Roland Vogt, European National Identities: Elements, Transitions, Conflicts (Routledge, 2017).
34 ‘Marquis de Pombal | Biography & Facts | Britannica’, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marquis-de-Pombal
35 Ibid. (Marquis de Pombal | Biography & Facts | Britannica).
36 “Tanaghrisson, the Half King.” U.S. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/people/tanaghrissonthe-half-king.htm
37 Communications, ‘Who We Are’, Haudenosaunee Confederacy. https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/who-we-are/. [accessed 5 December 2024].
38 Ibid. (Communications, ‘Who We Are’.)
39 Misencik, George Washington and the Half-King Chief Tanacharison
40 James Paxton, Joseph Brant and His World: 18th Century Mohawk Warrior and Statesman (James Lorimer & Company, 2008).
41 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Louis XV”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XV. Accessed 30 January 2025.
42 Lucien Bély, Louis XIV: le plus grand roi du monde (Editions Jean-paul Gisserot, 2005).
43 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “War of the Austrian Succession”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Dec. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-the-Austrian-Succession. Accessed 30 January 2025.
44 “War of the Austrian Succession.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Austrian_Succession.
45 ‘Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon, Marquis de Montcalm | French General, Battle of Ticonderoga | Britannica’. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Joseph-de-Montcalm-Grozon-marquis-deMontcalm. [accessed 30 January 2025]; ‘Joseph-François Dupleix | French Colonial Governor, India Expansion | Britannica’ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Francois-Dupleix [accessed 30 January 2025].
46 “Louis XV | Biography, Accomplishments, Wife, & Facts | Britannica”. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XV#ref161737 [accessed 30 January 2025].
47 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Louis-Joseph de Montcalm-Grozon, marquis de Montcalm”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Josephde-Montcalm-Grozon-marquis-de-Montcalm Accessed 30 January 2025.
48 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “New France”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/place/New-France Accessed 30 January 2025.
49 Venière, Samuel. "Population Settlement of New France." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Last Edited February 19, 2021. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/peuplement-de-la-nouvelle-france.
50 “Wabanaki Nations.” U.S. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/acad/learn/historyculture/wabanaki.htm
51 Pa.), Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt.
52 “Joseph Coulon de Jumonville.” U.S. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/people/josephcoulon-de-jumonville.htm.
53 “Joseph François Dupleix.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Fran%C3%A7ois_Dupleix
54 Dodwell, Clive and Dupleix.
55 Pick, Robert. “Maria Theresa”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Theresa
56 “Apostolic Majesty.” Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Majesty
57 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “War of the Austrian Succession”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Dec. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/War-of-the-Austrian-Succession; ‘Pragmatic Sanction of Emperor Charles VI | Austrian Succession, Imperial Reforms, Habsburg Monarchy | Britannica’. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pragmatic-Sanction-of-Emperor-Charles-VI
58 Scott, ‘The Seven Years War and Europe’s Ancien Régime’.
59 Ibid. (Pragmatic Sanction of Emperor Charles VI)
60 Kirby, George Hall, Stadler, Karl R., Zöllner, Erich, Roider, Karl A., Fellner, Fritz, Holzner, Lutz, Leichter, Otto and Wagnleitner, Reinhold F.. "Austria". Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria
61 Scott, ‘The Seven Years War and Europe’s Ancien Régime’.
62 “AEIOU”, Die Welt Der Habsburger. https://www.habsburger.net/en/chapter/aeiou [accessed 5 December 2024].
63 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Heinrich, count von Brühl”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Oct. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Heinrich-Graf-von-Bruhl Accessed 31 January 2025.
64 “Augustus III | Polish-Saxon Union, Elector of Saxony, Polish Monarchy | Britannica”. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augustus-III.
65 Ibid.
66 Ibid.
67 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Czartoryski family”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Nov. 2011, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Czartoryski-family.
68 Ibid. (‘Augustus III’).
69 Ibid.
70 Ibid. (“Henrich, count von Brühl”)
71 “Anders Johan von Höpken.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Johan_von_H%C3%B6pkenv.
72 “Sweden - Charles XII, Expansion, War | Britannica.” https://www.britannica.com/place/Sweden/Thereign-of-Charles-XII#ref29867. [accessed 29 January 2025].
73 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Treaty of Åbo”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Sep. 2011, https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Abo Accessed 3 February 2025.
74 Sven T. Kjellberg, Svenska ostindiska compagnierna, 1731-1813: kryddor, te, porslin, siden (Allhem, 1975).
75 ‘Fredrik Axel von Fersen | Nobleman, Courtier, Diplomat | Britannica’ <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fredrik-Axel-von-Fersen> [accessed 29 January 2025].
76 “Ricardo Wall.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Wall
77 Ibid. (Ricardo Wall and Devreux).
78 “Spain - Early Bourbons, 1700-53 | Britannica”. https://www.britannica.com/place/Spain/The-earlyBourbons-1700-53
79 Ibid.
80 ‘War of Jenkins’ Ear | Spanish-British, Caribbean, 1739-1748 | Britannica’.
81 ‘Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies - History’.
82 Vogt, European National Identities.
83 “Wabnaki.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabanaki_Confederacy.
84 “Jean-Baptiste Cope.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Cope
85 “COPE (Cop, Copt, Coptk), JEAN-BAPTISTE .” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/cope_jean_baptiste_3E.html
86 Geoffrey Plank, “The Two Majors Cope: The Boundaries of Nationality in Mid-18th Century Nova Scotia”, Acadiensis, 25.2 (1996), pp. 18–40.
87 Plank, “The Two Majors Cope”.
88 Ibid. (The Two Majors Cope).
89 “The Issue of Capital Punishment in the Reign of Elizabeth Petrovna on JSTOR”. https://www.jstor.org/stable/130523?seq=1
90 “Elizabeth | Empress of Russia, Biography, & Facts | Britannica”, 2025 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-empress-of-Russia
91 Ibid. (‘Elizabeth | Empress of Russia, Biography, & Facts | Britannica’.)
92 “Aleksey Petrovich, Count Bestuzhev-Ryumin | Russian Statesman, Diplomat & Politician | Britannic”’. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aleksey-Petrovich-Count-Bestuzhev-Ryumin
93 Ibid.
94 “Units in Empire: Total War - Total War Wiki”. https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Units_in_Empire:_Total_War.html#Russia
95 “Michał Fryderyk, Prince Czartoryski | Polish Nobility, Enlightenment, Enlightenment Thinker | Britannica”. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michal-Fryderyk-Prince-Czartoryski
96 “Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - The Liberum Veto and Attempts at Reform | Britannica”. https://www.britannica.com/place/Polish-Lithuanian-Commonwealth/The-liberum-veto-and-attempts-atreform.
97 Ibid. (‘Michał Fryderyk, Prince Czartoryski. Britannica’).
98 Ibid. (‘Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - Britannica’)