A Return to the Homeland

[Alanston]

After some intense discussions in the GWC chambers in Mauritsstad one morning, it is agreed upon that the company should reach out to representatives in the UK in an attempt to reacquire the old company headquarters of the West-Indisch Huis (West India House) in Amsterdam. Hiram Bos, one of the board members from Nieuw Utrecht (Belem) has been selected for this task, as he is one of the only board members who is fluent in Nordish, as well as Dutch. To this extent, Hiram has been given full access to funds in order to make an acceptable offer on the building, as well as to establish a European branch of the GWC that will service the old homeland and surrounding regions. Hiram is also requested to discuss the establishment of GWC offices in their former lands in the Antilles, either through a representative in Europe, or by visiting the islands on his return trip. Getting wind of this decisions, the Council of Governors intercepts Hiram and provides him with a formal request to also establish official relations, including trade and potential military arrangements, with the United Kingdoms, as well as to build favourable relations between the two nations. Hiram is given full reign to discuss relations with the UK, but is warned against establishing Mauritsland as a constitutional monarchy, and requested to contact the Council of Governors for approval before agreeing to any military arrangements.

After spending a couple days preparing for the meetings, Hiram Bos sends an official request to the @United Kingdoms for a meeting. In his request he outlines his intent to visit London to discuss official relations between both nations, his intent to visit Amsterdam and Den Haag to discuss company business with the Dutch, and to ideally visit Willemstad in the Antilles, or to meet with an Antilles representative in Europe, to discuss company business with them as well.

[Holy Roman Empire]

Mr Bos receives a letter (email) from London a day later, bearing the digital seals of HM Government, Stadtholder of the Netherlands, and Viceroy of the Antilles:

To the esteemed Hiram Bos of Mauritsland,

His Majesty's Government accepts your request to petition with the United Kingdoms in London on matters of state between our two nations. A meeting with the Foreign Secretary has been scheduled for eleven in the morning GMT, two days hence. The Foreign Office shall be in contact shortly to arrange accommodation and itineraries for this meeting and those following it.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands invites you to entreat on matters of commerce and property at West-Indisch Huis four days hence from delivery of this letter. The venue has been booked out for the day by HM Viceregal Government of the Netherlands to allow for a showcase of Dutch and Mauritslander wares. The meeting shall be attended by the Trade Secretary and His Majesty's representative in the Netherlands Stadtholder Rutte.

His Majesties' representative in the Antilles, Viceroy Lara, is happy to meet with Mr Bos at either the West-Indisch Huis meeting with the Netherlands or separately at Willemstad three days after that meeting has concluded.

By the Grace of God and His Majesty King William V, Defender of the Faith and Protector of the Realm
Robert Marshall, Prime Minister of the United Kingdoms, MP for Lindsey
Elizabeth Olpin, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdoms, MP for Derby
Mikkel Andersen, Trade Secretary of the United Kingdoms, MP for Ribe
Mark Rutte, Stadtholder of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Brian Lara, Viceroy of the Kingdom of the Antilles

[Alanston]

Following the receipt of the letter from the British Government, Hiram Bos sends a follow-up email, informing the British that he will be accompanied by two aides and two guards, and that he hopes to meet with Viceroy Lara in the Netherlands during the West-Indisch meeting. Following this, he boards an official GWC plane for London with his two aides and two security guards. Flight information is sent to the British. He also brings several gifts for the British, primarily including paintings.

Upon arrival in London, Bos and his entourage would head to meet with those waiting to welcome him.

[Feel free to skip to the meeting in London]

[Holy Roman Empire]

Bos' entourage would be escorted in a small motorcade from their accommodations by four policemen on motorcycles up to the gates of the grand gothic Palace of Westminster where they are quickly waved through and driven to St Stephen's entrance in the middle of the western facade. A small honour guard in their red coats and bearskins stands at attention to welcome the Mauritslander delegate. A parliamentary aide leads the group through the halls of Westminster, up to a river-facing drawing room on the third floor, furnished in Dutch style with burnished orange drapes and artwork depicting King William III, Royal Navy vessels, and 18th-century coastal scenes.

Before the fireplace stands a tall woman in her late forties, clad in a dark blue suit and reading glasses perched on her nose. She steps forward as Hiram Bos enters the room, extending a hand, "Ah, mister Bos, welcome to London. I trust you had a pleasant journey?" She motions to a circular table with two chairs facing one another, "Please, have a seat, your aides are welcome to sit by the window or fireplace and avail themselves of our refreshments. What business did you wish to discuss?"

[Alanston]

Hiram Bos shakes her hand with a smile, "Thank you, Elizabeth Olpin, it is a pleasure to be here. My journey was rather pleasant, thank you. Though I confess that the weather here was a bit of a shock, it's a tad colder here than back home." He smiles as he takes his seat, gesturing for the aides and guards to sit near the fireplace. One of the aides would hand him a rolled tapestry, carefully wrapped in plastic, before taking a seat. Turning back to the British Foreign Secretary, Bos presents her with the package. "To begin, I would like to offer you this gift on behalf of the Mauritslander people. May it be a sign of our friendship and shared history. This tapestry is styled after an original piece of artwork by Frans Post, one of those commissioned by our first Governor, John Maurice of Nassau, after whom our land gets its name. It represents a view of the landscape, including the cathedral, around the city of Olinda in the 1600s."



After pausing for a bit to allow her to unroll and examine the tapestry, he continues. "As for what I wish to discuss, I have been commissioned by the Mauritslander government to establish trade, the possibility of military cooperation, and the formal establishment of diplomatic relations. I remain open to hearing your preferences on military and formal relations between our nations. However for trade we wish to discuss the lowering of tariffs on agricultural products, as well as an agreement with regards to agricultural standards. We also wish to discuss the import of raw resources, including various metals, oil and gas, and the like."

He pauses for a moment, as if considering something, before continuing. "Further, the GWC would like to commission some British engineers and technicians to assist with several projects we are hoping to begin in the coming months. These engineers would be paid a top rate, their accommodations would be provided for, and they would be given supervisory and/or consultant positions within the appropriate projects we are hoping to establish. These projects include the establishment of either high speed rail, or a hyperloop system, depending on cost; and the expansion of our main ports, St Louis, Mauritsstad, and Salvador, as well as upgrading the existing ports in Nieuw Utrecht, Frederikstad (Joao Pessoa), Nieuw Amsterdam (Natal), and Schoonenborch (Fortaleza). We are hopeful that some sort of arrangements can be made in this regard?"