A letter that was sent to every employee and printed in the colonial newspaper.
To the People of the former Eluvatarn colony of Valorium,
We have found our chance to free ourselves from the shackles and chains of two rulers far away. Yes, two rulers that know us not. Two rulers that have thrown away our blood and effort to serve their needs back home. Two rulers that simply wish to take and give nothing back. We have tried to appease these rulers by supporting their bickering and wars with monies and supplies. But was that enough? NO! They want MORE!
As Governor and Company-Steward, I am obligated to protect my residents and employees. I will not let us be taken advantage of. As a result, our security forces, the Sons of Liberty, have been deployed to take back what is rightfully ours. Yes, we have left Eluvatar and the Pelargir Company.
Fear not! Better times are ahead as a newly created company, the Allied States of Bustos. Let history mark August 19th, 1780 as our Independence Day!
No more paying taxes to Eluvatar. No more sending portions of our profits back to the Pelargir Company. No more waiting on distant tyrants to tell us what we can or cant do. Thus, all employees will see increased wages. New construction projects will begin to build our own factories. Trade will be opened to all nations of Taijitu.
Please join and enjoy the festivities to occur one week from today, celebrating freedom to all.
The future is ours!
Duke Christopher, of the Bustos, Governor of Valorium, Company-Steward of the Allied States of Bustos
A week later...
Scenes from various cities.
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Fireworks...
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Independence Day Parade
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...more fireworks...
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Food Preparations for a Party
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...and more fireworks.
(http://www.southamptontownny.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=215)
An official document from the early years of the company. It has been preserved and is currently on display at the National Museum of History in the capital city of Twenty-One. Given the age of the document, it is extremely hard to read. A copy of the text sits next to the document on display. It reads as follows:
From the desk of Duke Christopher, of the Bustos, Governor of Valorium, Company-Steward of the Allied States of Bustos. February 17, 1781
The head of the Board of Directors will be the Chairperson, elected by majority vote from within the Board of Directors. The Chairperson is elected for life, until resignation, incapacitated, or death.
The Board of Directors of the Allied States of Bustos, it is to include, but not limited to, the Directors of various Offices, that assist in the running of the company and large shareholders, 10% or more, of the company. Other members may be invited to be a part of the Board of Directors, temporarily or permanently, by a majority vote, of the current Board of Directors to fill the need of expertise or experience.
All Directors, unless shareholders, will have no votes.
Each share counts as one vote.
Offices of the Allied States:
Office of Defense, handling of the military, General Zeitev Yakovlev
Office of Commerce, handling of all finances, Prince Rhett, of the Bustos
Office of Resources, handling of all assets, Carolin Katrin Meinhardt
Office of Public Relations, handling of all international relations, Princess Riley, of the Bustos
Large shareholders:
Duke Christopher, of the Bustos, Governor of Valorium, Company-Steward of the Allied States of Bustos - Percentage of shares owned : 58%
Prince Rhett, of the Bustos - Percentage of shares owned: 21%
Princess Riley, of the Bustos - Percentage of shares owned: 21%
To have an official and organized body of leadership, Duke Christopher created the Board of Directors following his prescribed criteria. This system continues today. It was after the first Board meeting on March 11, 1781, the Duke's title, Company-Steward, was changed to Chairperson with 100% of the votes. It was this same meeting that the Allied States officially bought controlling interest in the free company, the Sons of Liberty, which was renamed the Allied States Military.
Charter of the Allied States of Bustos
1. The Board of Directors shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Company for a redress of grievances.
2. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
3. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
7. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty golds, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the Allied States, than according to the rules of the common law.
8. The enumeration in the Charter, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
9. The powers not delegated to the Allied States by the Charter, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
10. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the Allied States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Board of Directors shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Unanimously approved by the Chairperson and Board of Directors of the Allied States of Bustos on July 4, 1783
More infamously known around the world as the Charter of Rights. With the tenth right, it abolished slavery in the Allied States on said date.
(http://www.kafsemo.org/2007/09/20_castle_on_hill.jpeg)
October 4, 1799
The Duke's home, since the founding of the former colony, served as the colonial headquarters of the former Pelargir Company. Now it continues to serve Valorium as the headquarters of the Allied States. The small castle, stood on top of a hill in Twenty-One, easily visible to the surrounding inhabitants. The Board of Directors gathered again for its quarterly meeting to report to the Duke on the activities of the company.
The current topic, an issue regarding the security of the western and southern borders. Even before their separation from Eluvatar, hostile native tribes raided inhabitants along the frontier.
“These natives are leading a campaign to push us back,” said General Zeitev Yakovlev. He took a puff of his cigar. Since the opening of trade to all nations, he was pleased he could, not only, easily get his favorite cigars from his homeland, but cheaper too.
“How much have we suffered?” asked the Duke. The Duke sat at the head of the long, conference table. Even though there are only 5 members of the Board, the table could seat 10. To his right was the General. To his left was Prince Rhett.
Prince Rhett, of the Bustos, Director of Commerce, also younger brother to Duke Christopher chimed in. “Our losses are minimal as we have very few assets that far out. But they are encroaching closer and closer to our operations. They disrupt our operations by hitting our logistics. They have yet to successfully raid an operation to date.” His head for numbers served him well while making sure that every gold the company spent, counted. Anything that added more golds to the net profit was desirable.
General Yakovlev nodded with approval, easing smoke into the air above him from his mouth. It was his men that protected all operations of the Allied States. Carolin Katrin Meinhardt, Director of Resources, sitting to the right of the General acknowledged Prince Rhett's answer.
“So, how is this an issue?” The Duke looked slightly confused.
Princess Riley, of the Bustos, Director of Public Relations, the sister and youngest of the three siblings added, “It's the residents that are filing complaints. We claim those lands as ours, charge them rent so they expect the same security afforded to them closer to the coast.” In the 1700s, it may have been usual that a woman held a job, much less, such a high ranking position. Their grandfather always reminded his family, that skill and ability mattered in the end, not their appearance or sex.
“They left civilized society to live in the Wild Lands. What did they expect?” Even more confused on how this was a problem for the Allied States to deal with.
As Director of Public Relations, she, not only dealt with foreign nations but, foreign and local companies, and the inhabitants of the Allied States. Princess Riley's empathy allowed her to excel with interpersonal relationships, however, her solutions were not always good for the company's bottom line. “While yes it may be the Wild Lands, it's a part of Valorium and people expect to be under the protection of the Allied States.”
The Chairperson quickly interjected. “There are plenty of areas they can have our protection. When we offered opportunities in the frontier, it was at these towns, farms, and mines. Not in the middle of some random forest by themselves.”
Princess Riley was very aware of this detail. “And, I explain that every time but they see it as our excuse to not spend golds.”
Carolin Meinhardt leans in a bit. “Quite frankly, it's not entirely out of our means. Enlarge the military and increase their workload.”
The General raised his eyebrows in approval at the suggestion of expanding his Office, then let out a small snort at the comment of having the workload increased. The other Directors gave small smiles.
Meinhardt continued, “This will increase operating costs, certainly. The long term benefits would be in our favor. Better security would allow our operations to expand more freely. Less logistic disruptions. More people would move out there. They too will assist in defending their homes, as they do now. In the end, our labor pool along the frontier will grow. That is our limiting factor, isn't it?” The Directors saw where she was going with this line of thinking. Meinhardt started working for the company as a quartermaster of one of the company's warehouses. Her ability to maintain accurate inventories and excellent organizational skills caught the attention of Prince Rhett and he suggested her to the Lord to be given the responsibility of doing the same, for all assets of the company.
Prince Rhett saw golds flash before his eyes. “We'll have to invest in development, on top of the security. If we can secure our claims, the costs will be offset by the rent and expansion of our operations. In the long run, we'll see returns on our investments. These natives stand in the way of progress. And if you think about it, they started it. Really.”
(http://pixdaus.com/files/items/pics/0/57/100057_a1698dac152c218a14385ccfe085c877_large.jpg) (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~taft/ac03127rDFTaftCavalry.jpg) (http://d1jrw5jterzxwu.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/default/files/uploads/bounty_ticket_1.jpg)
Some of various ads printed in the Valorium Chronicle during the Frontier Expedition. The Allied States increased the size of its standing army during the 1800s. Many new recruits were stationed along the frontier. The hostile tribes had banded together, calling themselves the Great Tribe. Until the Great Tribe was defeated, numerous atrocities were committed from both sides during the Frontier Expedition.
May 1798: The Great Tribe begin their campaign to reclaim Valorium.
1800-1820: The Allied States expand their military.
January 1800: The Allied States lead the Frontier Expedition to repel hostile tribes from their frontiers.
October 1802: The first recorded use of biowarfare by the Allied States, when Bustian Soldiers distribute smallpox infected blankets to released native POWs.
June 1817: The Great Tribe defeated. The Board of Directors and Chieftains of the Great Tribe sign Peace Treaty of 1817. First recorded use of the Peace Blunt, introduced by Chief Sky High.
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The Bustos Family Crest
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Duke Christopher I
Born in Athene, Valroium, the colony of Eluvatar on August 30, 1745, to Duke Iacchus V, of the Bustos and Duchess Praxis. As the eldest, of three siblings, he was tailored to become the next Governor of Valorium and Company-Steward of the Pelargir Company in the Far East. His education consisted of personal tutors and following his father around as he handled the affairs of the company.
His grandfather and father often spoke ill of the Last King, the royal Eluvatarn government, and the Pelargir Company. They wanted to expand the colony but instead were commanded to keep the raw goods and monies coming to Eluvatar rather then spend them inside Valorium. This forced the Bustos Family to take their own wealth to fund infrastructure development of the colony. Duke Christopher learn to carry the same resentment towards royal government and the Pelargir Company. A resentment that spread within the Bustos Family and their employees in Valorium.
He married Duchess Francette Jasmine, of the Myrorian House Hlarith in 1771. She bore him seven children, three sons and four daughters. He, famously, adored the color red. Most of his wardrobe was red. This led to a short period where red clothing was the fashion of the Allied States. Most lions found in Valorium Zoos today are descendants of lions imported by Duke Christopher. The Bustos Family continues to maintain a private zoo of lions.
The death of Duke Iacchus V, in 1766, transferred all responsibilities and powers to Duke Christopher. He continued the status quo, until 1780 when the Second Eluvataran War of Non-Succession began. On August 19, 1780, he led the hostile takeover against the royal government and the Pelargir Company. He reorganized Valorium and created the Allied States of Bustos, a privatized government.
The book, Oboputh Gewaldesi Goludogalutuil (On Nations Ability to Become Wealthy, your Majesty) by Elendil Gofari, served as his manifesto towards becoming the epitome of laissez-faire capitalism. Claiming his grandfather and father carried and taught him this same vision and that its teachings were his inspiration behind the Charter of the Allied States.
Under his direction, the Allied States opened trade to all nations, created the Board of Directors, wrote the Charter of the Allied States, abolished slavery, raised the standard of living, developed domestic manufacturing, secured Valorium's borders, and defeated the Great Tribe. He led the Allied States until his death on November 23, 1820, at 75 years of age. He was succeeded by his eldest child, Duchess Fernanda.