Charles saw that everyone had almost finished expressing their opinions, and even if others had something that wouldn't affect the overall situation, he simply stated:
"I think the form of this united government can be decided through parliamentary discussion. However, I can first express my personal attitude, which is that this united government cannot be separated from the United States. As for the Continental Congress' jurisdiction over us, it should remain the same as before. Haha, I do indeed feel that leading the entire United States is more important than just leading Ohio!"
After speaking, he smiled and glanced at Major Sullivan. This Major was quite insightful, and he would definitely be given a good position in the state government this time.
Although Charles said he was only expressing his personal attitude, his influence over the entire Pittsburgh meant that his personal attitude basically represented Pittsburgh's attitude. Therefore, as soon as this statement was made, the tone of the united government was set.
The only thing left to discuss was that, provided it did not exceed the level of the Continental Congress, the specific form of the united government could adopt everyone's opinions and be decided democratically. This was Pittsburgh's unique political situation, a grassroots democracy under centralized leadership.
"So, that means we can only establish a state government?" Patrick asked Charles with a smile.
A huge weight had been lifted from his heart. Although with his foresight, he had long seen that Charles would not possibly want to break away from the Eastern Thirteen States and establish an independent government. But in reality, he was still a little worried: if it really became independent, what would his status be? Prime Minister of an independent government? Or still the Mayor of Pittsburgh?
But now that Charles' stance of not leaving the United States was set, he could be sure that he would be the highest official, in name, of the newly established united government. If it were a united state government, he should be the governor.
"Let's still follow democratic procedures. As for whether it's a Western United Government or an Ohio State Government, this can be decided by a vote in the Pittsburgh Council. In fact, choosing what government name will not affect the government itself, but it will depend on the Council's vote for our future stance on the lands further west. Does everyone think this is acceptable?" Charles did not clearly state his position this time, but instead asked for everyone's opinions.
"Good! This is very good," everyone said with approval on their faces.
After hearing Charles' arrangements, Patrick and the others actually had their own plans. Some felt that they should maintain equal relations with the Eastern States in the future, and therefore should establish a state government. Others were ambitious, believing they should expand further west, and thus felt that naming it the Western United Government would facilitate future expansion westward, and even serve as a unique large state distinct from the Eastern Thirteen States when interacting with them.
The current Ohio and Great Lakes area was simply too vast. Furthermore, due to the British king's Western Proclamation, many lands that originally belonged to the Thirteen States were now in the Ohio area. To treat it as just another ordinary state among the Thirteen States was something everyone found unacceptable, no matter what.
However, wanting to be above the other states was actually very difficult. Because Ohio's strength was very weak; even including Pittsburgh, its total population was not as much as a city like Philadelphia in its heyday, let alone its peers Pennsylvania and Virginia.
These matters of status were actually superficial. The truly decisive factors had already been prepared by Charles. What was left for them to consider was merely how to handle relations with the various states. It was like Charles had eaten the meat, and everyone else got to drink the soup. The fate of Ohio would be jointly decided by everyone, so that not everyone would merely follow Charles' arrangements.
However, these few people were very adept at knowing when to advance and retreat. After a quick discussion, they agreed that a government should be established with the full name of the Ohio and Pittsburgh United State Government, or simply the United State Government. This meant that the original Great Lakes, Ohio, and Pittsburgh region would now be called the United State.
As for the administrative planning within this state, it would be discussed and decided by the Council, which would require compromises of interests from all parties.
The cocktail party continued. After finishing their conversation with Charles, everyone immediately mingled with the crowds at the party, quietly recounting Charles' recent topic to their acquaintances. Charles' direct subordinates, such as Greenspan, naturally focused on promoting Charles' vision for Ohio's status to their friends, encouraging them to support his proposal. Meanwhile, Mayor Patrick, Hans, and others genuinely discussed with their partners how they should maneuver to gain higher and better positions once Ohio's status was confirmed.
Such a loose autonomous region as the Great Lakes and Ohio, suddenly establishing a high-level local government, naturally required the promotion of a large number of officials. The status of these officials would be very special; many would govern very large areas but supervise very few people. A mayor might have a territory comparable in size to Pennsylvania, but only a few thousand civilians within it. The official's income might even be less than a village head of a colonial settlement near Pittsburgh, whose administrative area was only a few square miles. This would require mutual compromise when delineating specific administrative jurisdictions to establish relatively fair municipal administrative regions.
Furthermore, it was very important that different officials would receive different benefits. For example, a low-ranking official managing trade on the Ohio River might not have high power, but would clearly have huge illicit gains. On the other hand, if one managed a large inland township, they would surely be exhausted to death in their territory without gaining any illicit gains. These lucrative official positions also required certain people to discuss and compromise.
In any case, the establishment of such a new large state would certainly create many new positions. Those who received the news were already making preparations, hoping to obtain lucrative positions through Charles or Patrick and others.
Charles had just returned to Dianag's side, intending to invite her to dance with him, when a ruddy-faced landlord scurried over to Charles.
"Hello! Esteemed Councilor Charles, do you still remember me?"
"Uh, you are...?" Charles looked confusedly at this person whose appearance was quite characteristic of an Ohio landlord.
Ohio landlords basically had few workers, few slaves, and a lot of land. They generally had to personally plant crops and clear land, which was incomparable to those old landlords in the eastern United States who had managed estates for hundreds of years.
"I am David Bull. The Ohio Copper...
The one who, you were the first to introduce stocks..."
"Oh! I remember you!" Charles heavily clapped David Bull on the shoulder.
He was that Ohio mining magnate who owned a large copper mine but lacked funds to develop it, and eventually listed it on his stock exchange to raise capital.
"Hahaha! Mr. David Bull. How is the Ohio Copper Mine development coming along? You look radiant, your recent income must be good, right?"
"Of course it's good, that's a rich mine!" David Bull stroked his beautifully trimmed beard, indicating that he indeed had considerable capital. "Now, not to mention the direct income from the copper mine, just the income from the stock rising by dozens of percentage points is enough for me to make a fortune. But I still have to thank you, Councilor Charles, for your patronage. If you hadn't guaranteed it back then, the mining stock wouldn't have been listed so easily. If you hadn't guaranteed the purchase of all the copper produced, the mine's profits wouldn't have been so high, and the stock wouldn't have risen so quickly. It's all your credit!"
"Heh heh, that's mainly the result of your own hard work. You didn't work hard? Uh... at least it's your good luck, and has little to do with me," Charles said modestly with a smile.
If you really want to thank me, just send me a little more gold.
"No, no, I have to thank you for everything, Your Excellency! When I came today, I specifically had someone send you a crown made of gold to express my gratitude to you." David Bull smiled and had his companion bring over a wooden box that he had been holding in his hand, and personally handed it to Charles.
—
He actually sent me gold? But if it's gold, it's gold, why send me a crown? Charles didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
A crown held great political significance. If he accepted a crown today, tomorrow someone might say he wanted to be king, or at least that he wanted independence. This would be very detrimental to his relationship with the Continental Congress and the upcoming plan to annex Ohio. However, since it was gold, Charles would certainly accept it. Let others say what they wanted; he had no intention of being king, and as long as he acted uprightly, he wouldn't fear gossip.
"Heh heh! You're too kind. Your presence is enough, why bring a gift!" Charles' eyes narrowed with a smile.
In any case, having someone send him a gold crown could arguably be considered a blessing for him to be a leader in all walks of life.
He glanced at the exquisitely crafted, antique-looking treasure box, covered in bronze-green bas-reliefs, and Charles cautiously reached out to take it. He felt a heavy weight in his hand; estimating with the box, it weighed at least ten catties. He had originally thought it was a light crown made of gold sheets, but now it seemed to be a heavy crown cast from solid gold. Charles truly didn't know how he could possibly wear such a cumbersome item.
"Please open it and take a look!" David Bull looked at Charles with anticipation.
When the two of them spoke, they didn't deliberately lower their voices, and many people around heard that the mining magnate was going to give Charles a crown, so they gathered around to see.
Charles helplessly patted the box. It seemed impossible to keep the crown's appearance a secret today.
This box had now been upgraded by Charles to be called a treasure box. In fact, just by looking at the box's appearance, one could tell it was extraordinary. It was a cube-shaped box, with exquisite bas-reliefs covering every side, and the entire treasure box looked very ancient. If David Bull had said it was a treasure box dug out from underground, Charles would not have doubted it.
Now, Charles was even more eager to see what was inside. Just by looking at the box, he knew that the contents must have come from a master craftsman. He wondered what kind of beautiful crown it would be.
With a click, Charles opened the outer clasp of the treasure box, a smile on his face.
"Oh..." A collective gasp echoed.
The guests' expressions were very complex, basically wanting to laugh but not daring to. Only a few more brazen ones couldn't help but burst out laughing, turning their heads to laugh heartily.
"Hahaha! How can this crown be so ugly? Could that guy have made it himself with brass from the mine!"
"Even if it's really gold, this crown can only be used as a fence!"
"Perhaps a saw would be more fitting!"
Once one person started laughing, others around joined in the fun, joking without any reservations.
After all, the object of their ridicule was not Charles, the host. They had no qualms about the mining magnate.
Facing this crown, Charles shook his head internally. He simply wanted to leave the box on the spot and return the crown inside to David Bull. Because that crown, let alone being inlaid with jewels, or having any decorative styling, didn't even have a simple pattern. It was completely plain and shiny, and its overall shape resembled a hacksaw bent into a circle, or rather, if this crown were cut and straightened, it would be a golden hacksaw.
Alas! However, a crown made with such solid material still couldn't be returned. Tomorrow, he would put it in the bank as a gold reserve.
The style of this crown was not actually rare. In European countries like Britain, the kings of early duchies and even kingdoms wore this type of serrated crown. Especially in many Nordic countries, crowns emphasized simplicity and practicality, with solid materials, and were generally too heavy to wear comfortably.
Although the people around him were mocking, David Bull didn't mind at all and instead shouted loudly:
"Hmph! This crown is absolutely pure gold, made with solid material, and its value is much higher than your gifts!"
Indeed, this crown was definitely the most valuable gift among all the presents today. So, in response to the disdainful glances directed at him, David Bull's reply was always to stare back with pride and confidence.
Charles' butler, Jonathan, came up cooperatively and quickly helped Charles take the treasure box, whispering with a smile:
"This crown will be just right for when the family gets an earldom in the future."
Having no choice but to face it, Charles still smiled and thanked the mining magnate:
"Thank you very much for your gift. I wish you a pleasant time at today's party!"
After another round of modesty, he quickly pulled Dianag away to dance.
Charles truly had no energy to deal with a mining magnate who liked to give such crowns.