Chapter 618: American Fury
Number 3, Clapham Street.
The reporter eagerly gazed at Wilberforce. "So, you've heard about the abolition bill passed on a certain island?"
In truth, the members of the Clapham Sect had only heard that the San Domingo Parliament had passed an abolition bill; the specific details remained unclear to them.
However, the reporter had just delivered "the latest news obtained by the newspaper," so they harbored no doubts whatsoever.
Wilberforce nodded. "Indeed, it's truly exhilarating news."
"What is your stance on the abolition bill?"
"I have always opposed the inhumane slave trade, so any action that leads to the liberation of slaves should be encouraged."
As a government official, Wilberforce could only speak in official platitudes. Afterward, he turned to Thomas Clarkson, a fellow member of the Clapham Sect.
Clarkson, evidently unburdened by such concerns, chuckled. "The French subjected those West African black people to extremely cruel persecution, and now the slaves are retaliating against them. This is a tremendous victory for the Abolition Movement."
The other members of the Clapham Sect immediately joined in the laughter.
The English always reveled in seeing the French suffer a setback. In truth, Britain had far more black slaves in Jamaica, the West Indies, and other territories than France did, but hypocrisy had always been their forte.
Earl Middleton added from the side, "It's well known that the French are the cruelest in the world when it comes to treating black slaves. It's no surprise at all that they've found themselves in this situation today."
The reporter continued to interview them for a long time, circling around topics and using leading questions to make Wilberforce and the others appear quite familiar with the situation in Santo Domingo.
The next day, the reporter presented the finished interview manuscript to Wilberforce for review.
Wilberforce merely scanned it, and seeing that no specific names like Santo Domingo were mentioned, he agreed to publish the article in the next day's newspaper.
As a renowned abolitionist, Wilberforce's support for the abolitionist movement would only boost his political prestige. And since the matter would also vex the French, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
Consequently, British newspapers swiftly published his interview on the abolitionist events occurring on "a certain island." The article was quickly reprinted by several countries, even appearing in American newspapers.
Wilberforce, at this point, still hadn't realized he had fallen into a trap.
That reporter, of course, had been arranged by the French Intelligence Bureau. Many of the details he shared with Wilberforce and the others about the situation in Santo Domingo had not yet reached Britain.
For instance, Ogé's army defeating the Santo Domingo Government Army, and the Boukman Movement members fleeing Santo Domingo—these events had all transpired over a month prior. The French Intelligence Bureau had long been aware of Ogé's plans, allowing them to relay the news back to Europe with maximum speed. However, the British would take at least another week to learn of it, as there was no internet in that era; one had to send someone to the scene to ascertain what had happened.
Yet Wilberforce had received this 'spoiler' from the reporter and included it in his interview manuscript.
After another half month passed, news of a severe black slave uprising in America finally reached Europe.
People soon learned that this wave of black rioters sweeping through Georgia State in America were none other than the "Boukman rioters" who had been driven out to sea by the Santo Domingo Government Army.
Subsequently, explosive news broke: these rebellious black slaves were proclaiming everywhere that "the great Duke of Leeds" had provided them with weapons. When they were routed by the Santo Domingo Governor's army, it was also the Duke of Leeds's ships that transported them to America.
These black slaves even forced American craftsmen in Milly Town to erect a statue of the Duke of Leeds—his full name carved onto the pedestal.
St. James's Palace.
In the second-floor reception room, American Special Envoy Connor Tristan stood with a stern expression, presenting a diplomatic note to Lord Grenville, who had recently returned to the country.
"If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, then your nation's actions will be regarded as a provocation against the United States!" Tristan roared furiously, almost to the point of disregarding diplomatic etiquette.
Over a thousand people in Georgia State had already fallen victim to the Boukman rioters, nearly a third of the plantations were ruined, and many more planters had chosen to flee their homes for safety, fearing for their lives.
Currently, Savannah City was besieged by over 1,300 black rioters, and with a population exceeding 70,000, the consequences would be unimaginable if it were to fall.
It was well known that no white person who fell into the hands of those ferocious black rebels had ever survived; most were brutally tortured to death. Just over a month ago, more than fifty white people from a certain plantation were all thrown into boiling water and scalded alive, an atrocity that shocked the entire United States.
Lord Grenville took a deep breath and countered, "I believe those black rioters are simply trying to frame the Duke of Leeds. I can assure you, he is absolutely unconnected to this matter."
Tristan retorted coldly, "You may have seen the interview with Mr. Wilberforce in the newspapers over a month ago. He was clearly very familiar with the situation in Santo Domingo; he revealed many specific details barely a month after the events occurred. At that time, such news could not possibly have reached Europe.
"We can only interpret this as him being one of the participants, allowing him to know the inside story in advance."
Lord Grenville cursed inwardly. 'Why would the Duke of Leeds tell this abolitionist Wilberforce about such a matter? And that idiot Wilberforce actually revealed such a secret to a reporter!'
He could only pretend ignorance while knowing the truth. "There are many possibilities. For example, Mr. Wilberforce might have sent someone to Santo Domingo on official business and coincidentally witnessed the events.
"In fact, I recall that Mr. Wilberforce didn't mention Santo Domingo at all in that interview..."
"Even a child wouldn't be fooled by your words," Tristan declared loudly. "I expect your nation to provide a reasonable explanation for this matter and compensate my country for its losses!"
"No, no, you are far too hasty. I reiterate, my country has absolutely no connection to the abolitionist events in Santo Domingo. I will issue a formal diplomatic note to your nation shortly."
Tristan protested for a long while longer, but to no avail. Ultimately, he could only depart in a rage.
At that time, America was still a poor and backward minor nation. Even if Britain, the world's hegemon, truly intended to antagonize them, they would have no recourse.
However, as a crucial source of raw materials, America could engage in certain minor trade actions to exact revenge on the British.
Just as Tristan emerged from the reception room, he saw French Special Envoy Count Saigul, his face alight with anger, pass by him and storm into the hall.
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