Pete McDougal was a miner and member of the UMWA in Grantville. After the formation of the Confederated Principalities of Europe, McDougal, at the request of Mike Stearns, traveled to the destroyed city of Magdeburg in late 1632, which Gusavus Adolphus had designated his continental capital. McDougal wores several hats, acting as Stearns' direct representative in the capital, an ombudsman and facilitator heading up the New United States embassy, and co-ordinating American assistance to Gustavus' people. Ex-CEO John Chandler Simpson clashed with McDougal over security issues, in particular the lack of military discipline as evinced in the casual way another American, Matt Lowry, stood guard over the New United States embassy.