by Elena Lu

Divisions are growing in the United States Cabinet as it works to mobilize its troops for war and simultaneously pull itself together. In the words of Daniel Webster, “We’re deadzo.” All hope is not lost, though. A large number of U.S. troops are in place, and James Monroe thinks that it’s time to “seize the initiative.” The U.S. is sending 30,000 troops to attack Detroit, and the Cabinet doesn’t care if the city is burned to the ground as long as the British are forced to retreat. The British Canadians will have to respond quickly in order to maintain their hold over the key city, so the current plan is to “play mind games” with the U.S.

However, mind games may not be necessary when spies could be anywhere. Hull and Armstrong spent several minutes privately debating who in the U.S. Cabinet might be a spy for the British Canadians. Armstrong, suspicious of Lewis Cass, commented, “We’re in his territory, and he hasn’t said anything.” The two decided to keep a close eye on Cass and Monroe. Despite his mistrust of his fellow Cabinet members, Hull agrees with Webster that the U.S. can’t afford to fight itself, and needs to instead focus on “our real enemy: the British” (Webster).

On the British Canadian side, things are just as interesting. “If you’re trying to strip me of my power, I don’t have any!” Charles Douglas Smith announced to Sir George Prevost this afternoon. Yet that’s exactly what happened. After discovering that Smith was actually an American spy, the British Canada Cabinet has stripped him of all his powers.

Battle updates and strategies are flying around each Zoom room. When asked about the most important part of the U.S. strategy, Daniel Webster cited “troop movements, nationalization of the militias, and the actual fact that we don’t have troops.” James Monroe added, “I think the most important goal of the US is to win a rapid, decisive victory in Canada, taking York and Montreal. This would put immense pressure on the British, and allow us to win a rapid victory. Fast movement is key.” Similarly, Charles Douglas Smith says that attacking hard and fast is a key part of the British Canada Cabinet’s war strategy. “I believe we must be proactive, and that peace is no longer an option,” Smith wrote decisively. With both countries going on the offense, it’s bound to be an interesting weekend.