Chapter 620: The Great Franco-American Alliance!
London.
In a high-end French-owned café on the easternmost side of Downing Street.
Count Segur, with a furious gesture, declared to Tristan:
"Britain is undermining order in North America and the Caribbean!"
He had originally intended to lodge a diplomatic protest with Britain but unexpectedly encountered the American Special Envoy and invited him to an unofficial meeting.
The American Special Envoy, however, seemed more restrained:
"Count Segur, I believe this might merely be the individual actions of British abolitionists."
As a senior diplomat, he knew that the Duke of Leeds had recently conveyed Britain's desire to strengthen diplomatic relations with the American government.
To that end, the British would support American territorial claims over Native American settlements—effectively abandoning their support for Native Americans—and foster increased trade between the two nations, opening more British markets to the United States.
Count Segur sneered, "The whole world can see what the British are trying to do. Your nation's cotton output is rapidly increasing, which will severely depress cotton prices from Britain's Far Eastern colonies. So, they've chosen to use black slave rioters to destroy your plantations."
Tristan couldn't help but frown slightly. He had to admit that the French Special Envoy's words were not without merit. In that case, the Duke of Leeds's recent visit to Philadelphia had been a ploy to lull the American government into a false sense of security.
He secretly resolved to submit a report to Congress upon his return, highlighting the risks posed by Britain.
Count Segur pressed, his tone slightly coercive, "So, how does your nation intend to punish Britain for these actions?"
"Well... I've already lodged a stern protest with Lord Grenville, denouncing their..."
Count Segur shook his head. "Listen to me, your nation's excessive reliance on trade with Britain is precisely why they feel emboldened to harm your interests with impunity. As allies, we must do something to change this situation. Yes, our nation has also suffered immense losses this time; Saint-Domingue has been thrown into chaos by the British. We must unite!"
Tristan's expression immediately brightened with interest.
He was a hawk within the American government; otherwise, Washington would not have entrusted him with the task of holding Britain accountable. However, he also knew that as a smaller nation, America lacked the power to retaliate against Britain directly. But if they could leverage France to punish Britain, that would be an excellent option.
"What do you propose?"
"Starting with reducing your trade dependence on Britain," Count Segur stated. "Our nation can significantly increase imports of cotton and timber from the American market. This will give you more leverage when negotiating with the British."
Tristan hesitated. "With all due respect, Count, France's import capacity is already saturated. You wouldn't be able to consume such vast quantities of cotton and timber."
"You are correct," Count Segur nodded gravely. "However, to support our allies in gaining diplomatic leverage, and to vent our own frustrations, our government will provide special appropriations to purchase a large quantity of cotton. We will also invest in your nation to help those damaged cotton plantations resume operations as quickly as possible."
Tristan was overjoyed. "Thank you, our closest ally! Then, would you be able to disclose the scale of this special funding?"
Count Segur promptly replied, "At least eight million francs."
He had already received instructions from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince: immediately after lodging the diplomatic protest in Britain, he was to proceed to America to discuss cotton procurement. This conversation was merely a preliminary warming-up with Tristan.
Joseph knew that the Boukman Movement would severely impact cotton production. He intended to stockpile as much cotton as possible before the market reacted, ensuring sufficient raw materials for the French textile industry.
Even if the textile mills couldn't use all the cotton, reselling it later when prices surged due to American production cuts would still yield a handsome profit.
As for investing in American cotton plantations, that was an even more lucrative prospect.
The severely damaged plantations faced the risk of bankruptcy; at this point, with just a small investment, plantation owners would be willing to sell shares.
This would not only increase France's raw material sources but also help to pull America away from the British market as much as possible.
In truth, had it not been for the immense aid France provided to help America establish itself, from an economic standpoint, they would have long been in lockstep with the British.
This is precisely why, historically, as soon as the French Revolution erupted, America eagerly severed its alliance with France and instead embraced Britain.
Logically, America, as a parliamentary republic, should have strongly supported France in abolishing its monarchy and establishing a republic.
In reality, everything was dictated by America's market dependence on Britain.
Therefore, promoting a shift in American trade was crucial. And America's current dissatisfaction with Britain presented a rare opportunity.
Tristan's face was alight with unconcealable joy. "I will report this good news to Congress as soon as possible. Long live the Franco-American Alliance!"
"Long live the Franco-American Alliance!" Count Segur echoed, then added with a smile, "Of course, if your nation could offer appropriate concessions, I could request even more funding from Archbishop Brienne."
"I promise to lobby the Board of Trade as vigorously as I can."
...
Western Caribbean Sea, Jamaica.
As dusk settled, the Port of Kingston quieted down from its day-long bustle. Enslaved people on the docks were herded by overseers' whips, trudging listlessly back to the slave quarters.
However, on an inconspicuous shoal north of the dock, over thirty enslaved people, directed by five or six white and mixed-race individuals, were steadily unloading wooden crates from a single-masted sailboat.
The "overseers" appeared to hold whips, yet in reality, they paid no attention to the enslaved people's work, instead constantly scanning their surroundings.
One of the mixed-race men lit his pipe, took a deep drag, and murmured to the "overseer" beside him:
"The Governor already mobilized over a thousand soldiers last week. Even with these guns, we wouldn't stand a chance against them."
Indeed, what the enslaved people behind him were moving were crates upon crates of Brown Bess Flintlock Muskets—the very ones the Duke of Leeds had taken to Saint-Domingue two months prior.
The tall, middle-aged man beside him calmly stated:
"This island has 300,000 enslaved people. I've brought guns, so our soldiers will always outnumber the plantation owners."
Another white man immediately interjected, "Major Auriol, those enslaved people only know how to grow sugarcane. We can't rely on them."
"Yes, the slave rebellion two years ago involved over three thousand people, and it was still suppressed by 600 British soldiers."
Auriol smiled. "Then we'll unite with the Dignity Movement and rise up together. Their Patrol Team has over 400 members."
The "Dignity Movement" he referred to was Jamaica's abolitionist organization, though most of its members were white.
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