Chapter 620: Texas in a Dilemma

Chapter 613 Texas in a Dilemma

Texas is far away from the North. Texas can just declare independence from the Union like the six independent southern states such as South Carolina and Georgia.

After all, before the outbreak of the Civil War, Texas had already experienced an independence process. It became independent from Mexico in 1836 and became an independent republic. It did not join the United States until 1845 and became one of its states.

Texas is the only state in the South that has experience in independence. Logically, Texas should be familiar with the referendum for independence.

It's just that time has changed. After ten years of joint development with California.

Although Texas is still a slave state with plantations all over the state. But Texas's industry and commerce have also made great progress and account for a large proportion of the state's economy.

The slave owners in Texas also run industry and commerce and are no longer pure slave owners. Therefore, when considering whether to follow the six independent southern states to secede from the Union, the attitude of Texas's top leaders is very cautious.

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

In the State Assembly Office in Austin, Texas, Texas Governor Ron showed several telegrams from the six independent southern states to the Texas executives present.

"At the same time, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana also invited us."

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

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

These six slave states are all hardcore slave states. There is no decent industry in the state, especially the military industry they urgently need.

Among the southern states, there are only two states with a systematic and relatively complete military industry. One of these two states is Virginia, and the other is Texas. The six independent slave states have long coveted the Richmond Arsenal and the Austin Arsenal.

Virginia and Texas are important targets for the six independent states in the South.

Texas is thus caught in a dilemma. If they vote for independence, they are not clear about the attitude of California in the west and the federal government towards independent states.

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

If they choose not to be independent, the armies of the six southern states have already stationed on the Sabine River, the boundary river between Texas and Louisiana. It is possible that these crazy people will cross the border and attack Texas directly, and force Texas to become independent by force and join the Southern Alliance they are forming.

You know, Houston, the largest city in Texas, is less than 90 miles away from the Sabine River. If the Southern Army advances fast enough, it will be enough to advance to the city of Houston within a week.

Although the Texas army is known for its bravery and fighting skills, two fists cannot beat four hands. With the strength of Texas alone, it is difficult to compete with the six southern states.

"The militias of Louisiana and Mississippi are now stationed on the Sabine River, waiting for our reply!" Espy said coldly, "Just seven or eight thousand militias want to force us Texas to surrender. It's too much of a compliment to us."

Espy was very dissatisfied with the Southern Army's stationing troops on the Texas border and trying to interfere in Texas' internal affairs.

"We have sent warships to patrol the Sabine River day and night. Even if the militias of Louisiana and Mississippi cross the border and enter the territory of Texas, we are sure to cut off their logistics routes and make the troops that cross the border never return." Bell's attitude was also very tough.

"Whether to choose to stay in the federation or to withdraw from the federation and set up a new one, this is our Texas' own family affair, and it is not their turn to make decisions."

For the first time, the senior officials of Texas really tasted the benefits of having a navy.

Although Texas currently only has a small green water fleet, it relies on this green water fleet consisting of five shallow-water heavy gunboats converted from the Bold-class and more than a dozen loach boats to force the Louisiana and Mississippi militia on the other side of the Sabine River not to cross the river easily.

"Bell, has your son-in-law made any moves? What are the three states on the west coast saying? Do they choose to stay in the federation or leave the federation?" Ron asked.

Compared with the attitude of the six independent southern states, Ron is more concerned about the attitude of the three states on the west coast.

"The informant in California has reported that the senior officials in California have held several secret meetings in the past two months. The content they discussed was so confidential that I didn't even hear a word."

"Can Zora come out and ask and test Liang Yao's attitude?" Ron said.

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

"But judging from what my son-in-law has done since last year, he probably doesn't want to stay in the Federation."

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

"General Liang built a group of fortresses in North Platte and stationed heavy troops there, obviously trying to prevent the eastern army from entering the West. Last year, President Buchanan awarded him the rank of lieutenant general and the actual position of Secretary of War, but General Liang refused due to illness. This shows that General Liang doesn't want to stay in the Federation."

Nathan and Harvey are the sons of Ron and Espy, respectively. They were sent by Ron and Espy to Liang Yao's command for several years.

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

Liang Yao is the undisputed leader of the West, and Liang Yao's attitude is, to some extent, the attitude of the West.

"You have made progress over the years." Ron cast an approving look at Nathan.

"Whether to become independent or not affects the fate of hundreds of thousands of people in Texas, so we should be cautious. Lincoln won't be inaugurated until next month at the earliest, so we still have time to consider." Espy said to Bell.

"Mr. Bell, please visit Governor Liang in California to see what his attitude is. As for the militia on the other side of the Sabine River, we will be responsible for keeping an eye on them. I don't think they dare to act rashly."

Espy hoped that Bell would make a decision after he personally went to California before Lincoln to understand the attitude of the Western leaders.