Chapter 1319: Financial Warfare, Part Two
Pickering scrambled to bargain. This proposed export volume was only a third of what it used to be; if implemented, America's treasury would collapse within a few months.
After two days of relentless badgering, and even after Hamilton, one of America's five leading figures, came to plead, Baron Lamothe finally feigned exasperation and presented the true armistice conditions sent from Paris:
"My bottom line—and this will be my final meeting with you all before the agreement is signed—timber and pitch exports will be unrestricted, but cotton exports to Britain must not exceed 8 million pounds. Wheat is forbidden for sale to Britain. As for the 'private transactions' of sugarcane, they must all be reported to the Louisiana authorities."
Pickering and Hamilton both breathed a sigh of relief.
America's wheat exports were not large and could easily be redirected to the Caribbean Region, albeit at a slightly lower price.
Last year, 11 million pounds of cotton were sold to Britain, and the reduced amount was manageable. A significant portion could be transported to France via smuggling ships, though there was a risk of seizure by the British Navy.
Most importantly, the French had not blocked sugarcane smuggling. It was well known that smuggling sugarcane from the Caribbean Region had become a 'pillar industry' for America.
This wasn't because Joseph was lenient, but because 90% of the income for countries like Saint-Domingue relied on sugarcane exports. With the current threat from the British fleet, French merchant ships still couldn't reach the Caribbean Sea. If American smuggling were truly cut off, the pro-French Caribbean nations would collapse.
It was better to supervise these sugar smuggling operations. This also served as a form of leverage over American interests.
The 'other parts' primarily referred to: America recognizing the Principality of Iroquois and all newly established nations in the Caribbean Sea. The American government pledging never to invade French or Spanish colonies. America paying France 360,000 dollars in war reparations.
Hamilton quickly followed him out, hoping to leverage his relationship with France for further concessions. He lowered his head and whispered, "Your Excellency, Baron, you know the Union's financial situation; 360,000 dollars is truly quite a lot..."
'He wasn't lying; America truly was impoverished right now.'
Baron Lamothe motioned for him to get into the carriage. Once the door was closed, he calmly remarked, "North America is teeming with gold. If you cannot afford it, then let your army go retrieve that gold."
Hamilton replied with a bitter expression, "But the Indian tribes from the east have all migrated to Louisiana..."
Baron Lamothe shot him a sidelong glance, shaking his head. "I'm referring to the Canadian region. It has never been embroiled in war and has accumulated wealth that even surpasses yours."
"Canada?" Hamilton's eyes widened instantly. "But how, how could that be?"
Baron Lamothe knew his 'couldn't be' meant 'they couldn't win'. He said calmly, "The British are tied down in Europe by our nation; they can't spare the energy to manage Canada.
"Furthermore, Canada has significant internal conflicts, with Catholics and Protestants despising each other. If you send troops, the French-speaking population there might even help you teach the British a lesson."
He picked up a piece of sugar from the table and slowly chewed it. "Also, the Crown Prince has always been deeply displeased about handing the Canadian colony over to the British back then.
"If you attack Canada, the Crown Prince will most likely dispatch troops from Louisiana to support you. There will even be Spanish and Iroquois armies.
"I know your Union's Congress has always wanted to expand its territory, but you must understand that America's direction of expansion should never be to the west."
Hamilton's heart began to pound.
Canada was vast and sparsely populated, and as the Special Envoy had said, deeply disunited internally. The American government had actually considered expanding north, concluding at the time that the chances of victory were high. However, the Mississippi River basin was more fertile, and with British instigation, they had chosen to expand westward instead.
If they received support from the Louisiana army, and with Bonaparte involved, the combined American and French forces would undoubtedly sweep through Canada.
On the surface, his assessment seemed flawless.
Historically, after the American government purchased Louisiana, their westward expansion was hindered by the Rocky Mountains. Coupled with friction between Britain and America over maritime trade and other issues, the Americans believed that 'Canadians under tyrannical rule would surely welcome their democratic liberators', and thus unhesitatingly launched the American-Canadian War.
What they hadn't expected, however, was that Catholics and Protestants in Canada immediately set aside their differences and united to resist the American invasion, even pushing back to Washington and burning down the White House.
Joseph, of course, was perfectly aware of all this—the British government's rule over Canada was actually quite lenient, and taxes were even significantly lower than under the American government. 'Canadians certainly wouldn't want to be oppressed by the Americans.'
And his goal was to incite a conflict between America and Canada.
At that time, the Louisiana government could step in to assist when the Americans were on the verge of collapsing, and if the Canadians retreated, he would continue to instigate the Americans to attack.
If 'managed' properly, the two sides could potentially fight for more than a decade.
After both America and Canada had suffered significant losses, let alone France, even the Principality of Iroquois could chastise America.
'The North American continent doesn't need a superpower!'
Hamilton eagerly pressed for more, "If we truly defeat Canada... what about the gains?"
Although Baron Lamothe didn't quite understand the Crown Prince's generosity, he faithfully conveyed Paris's message: "The region east of Lake Superior will all be ceded to America, and the remaining parts will be incorporated into Louisiana."
Hamilton's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
This meant handing over the entirety of the fertile Great Lakes region to America. America's territory would more than double!
In truth, Joseph was concerned that promising too much would arouse American suspicion; it was simply an empty promise, he could offer all of America to them if he wanted.
Five days later, the Franco-American Treaty of Pittsburgh was officially signed.
That very noon, President Adam's secret envoy boarded a ship bound for Paris.
...
Kingston, a town in southern London.
Henry Pearce, former chief designer of steam warships at Chatham Dockyard, and now deputy head of Britain's Fuel Management Committee, listlessly brought a delicate pastry to his lips, shaking his head and muttering, "It has no flavor at all."
Indeed, due to the mishandling of the 'steamship malfunction crisis', Chatham Dockyard suffered significant losses. This, coupled with the exposure of a shipyard corruption scandal, led to his tragic dismissal by the Navy Board.
He was then transferred to this abominable place reeking of pungent fumes and thick smoke, responsible for managing the administrative affairs of the Fuel Committee.
The Fuel Committee was, in fact, a government agency dedicated to researching coal tar refining technology.
Comments