Chapter 615: A British Sponsor
These conditions ensured that the interests of the San Domingo plantation owners would not be overly infringed upon.
As for paying wages to the black workers, this portion could be temporarily offset by tax reductions from the San Domingo government. Once chaos erupted in the Caribbean Sea, the price of sugarcane was bound to skyrocket. San Domingo's sugarcane plantations might even earn more than before, and no one would care about those wages.
Of course, the British would not stand by idly and watch France profit immensely from San Domingo's sugar. They would undoubtedly adhere to the principle of "if I can't have it good, no one can," and attempt to cut off Port-au-Prince's shipping lanes.
Crown Prince Joseph had anticipated this situation and had already prepared an ultimate weapon.
That night, Brissot returned to the villa of the Marquis de La Bayetterie, which served as his residence in Port-au-Prince. He and the Intelligence Bureau officials who accompanied him thoroughly discussed the British intervention in San Domingo and revised the Crown Prince's plan.
The next morning, Brissot informed Ogé of the arrangements for the abolitionist organization's military forces, and Ogé agreed without much hesitation.
After Brissot departed, Ogé immediately rushed to the earlier basement to convene a meeting of the abolitionist organization's representatives.
Under the excited gazes of more than a dozen representatives, Ogé announced the French government's decision to abolish slavery, his speech interrupted several times by enthusiastic cheers.
He then relayed the French government's requirements, concluding:
Solving the problem within the existing framework of order was undoubtedly the optimal solution. At this point, the Boukman Movement, which continued to slaughter white people and sought to destroy that framework, became an enemy of the abolitionist organization.
Ogé looked at a mixed-race officer: "Major Jonas, we will cooperate with the Governor's army to drive the Boukman rebels to the northern side of Tortuga. Some ships will be waiting there to take these rioters away.
"The specific battle plan will be delivered to you by the Marquis de La Bayetterie. I need you to assemble your troops as quickly as possible, and act immediately after the abolition bill is passed."
"Understood, Mr. Ogé."
Three days later.
The San Domingo Parliament voted on the abolition bill submitted by Ogé.
The Governor had previously received instructions from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, ordering the Pro-Slavery Faction members not to oppose it.
At 10:30 AM, the abolition bill passed with an overwhelming majority.
The entirety of San Domingo was shaken.
Black slaves, unshackled, rushed onto the streets in excitement, shouting loudly and weeping with joy.
Major Rochemore of the abolitionist organization maintained order in the streets with his troops, while the Governor's people were responsible for placating the plantation owners.
An entire day passed without any violent incidents.
The following day at noon, the Marquis de La Bayetterie led the Governor's army to attack the Boukman rebels from the eastern side of Tortuga.
At the same time, 1,200 soldiers under Major Jonas, armed with British Brown Bess Flintlock Muskets, appeared on the southern side of Tortuga.
Tortuga was a peninsula located in the northwest corner of San Domingo, with its northern and western sides facing the Caribbean Sea. Thus, the two armies effectively blocked all escape routes for the Boukman rebels.
Just three days later, the black slave rebels, lacking weapons and ammunition, were compressed into a small port near the northern side of Tortuga.
From a rock by the harbor, Boukman raised his telescope, its lens cracked, and saw the Governor's army, clad in white uniforms, already assembled a few kilometers away.
Due to a lack of reconnaissance, the enemy's exact troop strength was unknown, but he estimated at least 1,500 men.
He also knew that a thousand more soldiers, commanded by mixed-race officers, would soon arrive from the south.
His own 800-plus rebellious black soldiers only possessed 300 firearms and were no match for such forces.
He looked at the low-hanging evening sun, silently cursing all white people, then turned and returned to his camp, preparing to enjoy his last day of life.
Just then, his attendant appeared before him with a shriveled black elder.
Boukman's eyes instantly filled with murderous intent. He drew his saber from his waist, pressing it against the elder's chest, and snarled:
"Troque, you bastard who sold his soul to white devils! Thanks to my ancestors for letting me catch you. I'll skin you alive and offer you to the spirits of nature!"
Troque looked at him calmly and said, "Boukman, I've come to save you."
"Ha, with those old bones of yours?" Boukman burst into laughter. "Can you get me 500 flintlock muskets? If not, shut up!"
"I know where there's a ship."
The surroundings instantly fell silent. All the black soldiers stared intently at the elder.
"There's an English gentleman, he sympathizes with your plight and is willing to take you away on his merchant ship," the elder said.
Night fell.
Torches still burned in Boukman's camp, but all the black rebel soldiers followed Troque along the coast, heading west.
After walking for about three or four hours, Boukman saw a massive merchant ship anchored on the distant sea under the moonlight!
Several small boats were quickly lowered from the ship, making more than ten round trips, finally bringing Boukman and his soldiers aboard.
A mixed-race middle-aged man emerged from the ship's cabin and opened his arms to Boukman:
"My hero, you should not die in San Domingo!"
Boukman didn't understand English. A soldier nearby quickly ran over to translate for him.
Boukman smiled at the words, then turned and embraced the "English merchant" tightly, saying in a deep voice:
"Thank you for your help. May the ancestors bless you."
The merchant smiled back: "I manage the Duke of Leeds' business. There are many weapons on this ship, and I can give them all to you."
"Really? Thank you so much!"
The "English merchant" then pointed north: "There are too many enemies in San Domingo right now, so I suggest you find a new foothold."
Boukman had read some books and hesitated, "Are you talking about the Bahamas?"
"No, no, that place isn't any bigger than San Domingo, completely insufficient for your great endeavor," the "English merchant" shook his head. "Further north, America. There are vast cotton plantations there, and millions of black people enslaved. If you go and liberate them, you could quickly have tens of thousands of soldiers!"
Boukman pondered for a moment, then patted the merchant's shoulder, nodding vigorously: "You're right, that's where I should go."
Just then, one of his officers emerged from the ship's cabin and whispered a few words into his ear.
Boukman's eyes lit up immediately: "A thousand flintlock muskets?"
He instantly looked back at the "English merchant," grinning, "Are those for me?"
He had already made up his mind that if the merchant said "no," he would kill him and the crew once they reached America, then use those guns to arm the black people there.
However, the "English merchant" also grinned: "If you like them, take them all. The matching ammunition is right next to them.
"I only have one request: when you achieve great things, do not forget the support the Duke of Leeds gave you."
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