Chapter 658: Political Gains
Auriol had recently received 50,000 pounds sterling from the Republic of Santo Domingo's 'Abolition Alliance'—yes, the very money the British had previously paid Brissot—and used it to purchase the logistical supplies his troops needed.
Afterwards, seizing the opportunity while the Governor of Jamaica dispatched troops to reinforce the Bahamas, he led his forces to attack Kingston once more.
Jones returned to Barbados, carrying vows of revenge and the 50,000 pounds sterling.
He had initially expected to lie low for some time before resuming his great cause of resistance, but to his surprise, the British soon departed Barbados to reinforce the Bahamas.
Jones wouldn't let such a golden opportunity pass. He immediately rallied hundreds of Black soldiers and began raiding sugarcane plantations everywhere.
Thus, the independence movement across the entire Caribbean Sea region surged like a hurricane-swept tide, becoming an unstoppable force.
Inside the officer's conference room aboard the British Expeditionary Force's third-rate battleship, the "Black Hills," Brand slammed his hands on the table and roared at Lieutenant Colonel Galissonière, who sat opposite him: "If not for your incompetence and cowardice, we wouldn't have been defeated by those Black rebels! You, and the French government, bear undeniable responsibility for the situation in the Bahamas!"
As he spoke, he glanced at the Spanish commander, Garcia Cortes, clearly seeking his support.
Lieutenant Colonel Galissonière, however, let out a cold laugh and retorted in an even louder voice: "Who bribed that greedy special envoy to divert my troops from Fort Magua to reinforce Nassau?
"Your idiotic actions led to the fall of Magua. My soldiers learned they had lost their supply base, which caused their morale to plummet, and that's when they were conveniently ambushed by those Black forces.
"You are the one who should be held accountable for all of this!"
Cortes also looked at Brand. "At the time, we should have reinforced Magua first. It turns out your operational deployment was flawed."
"You, you all..."
Galissonière coldly cut him off. "My government will protest this matter to Britain!"
Cortes then shook his head. "General Brand, your series of blunders has led to the deterioration of the entire Caribbean Sea situation..."
Meanwhile, the Republic of Santo Domingo finally elected its first president.
Vincent Ogé was elected with an overwhelming majority, a result that surprised no one.
The day after his inauguration, he held a crucial meeting with Brissot and high-ranking government officials in the Parliament Building.
"Without a doubt, this is a triumph of liberty and equality!" Brissot declared in an impassioned and stirring address. "And this is a great and hopeful nation. Congratulations to you, congratulations to the Republic of Santo Domingo!"
"This all stems from His Majesty the King's benevolence and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's guidance," Ogé replied politely. "The people of Santo Domingo, and indeed all those liberated across the Caribbean Sea, will remember them forever!"
Other Santo Domingo officials followed suit, speaking with fervor and expressing various forms of gratitude toward France.
After an exchange of pleasantries, Ogé got straight to the point. "Esteemed special envoy, as you know, our newly formed republic still faces extremely arduous challenges.
"Firstly, there's the military threat from Britain and Spain."
He was not exaggerating in the slightest. While Santo Domingo was a French colony, it was currently also the epicenter of the abolition movement in the Caribbean Sea. To suppress abolitionist organizations in their own colonies, the British would first have to dismantle this 'command center'.
Therefore, it was highly probable that the next contingent of the British Expeditionary Force, upon arriving in the Caribbean Sea, would prioritize an attack on Santo Domingo.
At the same time, Spain, eager to protect its own Juan Island from the influence of the abolition movement, might also join the British military operations.
Brissot nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Since our expeditionary force has already 'surrendered,' all their weapons and equipment will be left to you. This is enough to arm an army of over ten thousand. Later, I will also make a trip to the United States to try and procure more weapons.
"You need to use these next few months to recruit as many soldiers as possible.
"Furthermore, I believe the rebel forces from other regions will also find ways to reinforce you."
"Thank you for your generosity!" a balding, forty-something mixed-race man stood up. "But with an army of this size, the Parliament simply cannot afford the military expenses to sustain it."
Brissot knew he was Strau, Santo Domingo's new Minister of Finance. He immediately nodded. "You needn't worry about that. In fact, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already approved a loan of 5 million francs for Santo Domingo. This should be sufficient to help you defeat the British."
While 5 million francs in military funds might seem insignificant in Europe, in the Caribbean Sea, it was an immense sum. Black soldiers required virtually no wages; merely providing food and shelter was enough for them to take up arms and fight the British fiercely. Because if they lost, they would be forced back into slavery on the plantations, or even directly hanged by the British.
At the same time, military necessities like uniforms, leather boots, and tents could all be forgone.
All 5 million could be used to purchase food and ammunition, enough to sustain a ten-thousand-strong army for a year or two.
Ogé and the others immediately showed signs of excitement. "This is wonderful!"
"As long as we have military funds, we will certainly be able to defend Santo Domingo!"
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, thank you, guide of freedom!"
Strau then cautiously inquired, "Monsieur Brissot, what is the interest rate on this loan? As you know, Santo Domingo has experienced such upheaval, and its finances will likely be very strained."
"Thirty-three percent," Brissot stated. "Santo Domingo's debt repayment risk is very high, and His Royal Highness found it difficult to convince the banks to lower the interest rate further."
Strau nodded silently. He knew that as a nascent nation, Santo Domingo, also hostile to Britain, would find no other country willing to loan to them besides France.
However, such a high interest rate was almost unbearable for Santo Domingo.
Brissot seemed to perceive his concerns and continued, "Of course, His Royal Highness knows your financial situation might be difficult, so he specifically instructed me that the interest can be waived for you."
"Really?!"
Not only Strau, but Ogé and the others also looked at the French special envoy with mingled surprise and delight.
Brissot nodded. "Certainly, His Royal Highness has a small condition."
"Please state it, we are willing to serve His Royal Highness at any time!"
"For the next ten years, the sugarcane produced in Santo Domingo can only be sold to those who hold a trade license from His Royal Highness." Brissot added, "Of course, you needn't worry about the price. It will not be lower than 70% of the landed price in Philadelphia."
Transporting from Santo Domingo to Philadelphia involved shipping and labor costs, plus merchant profits, typically increasing the sale price by 25% to 30% above the purchase price. So, this procurement price was considered very fair.
Ogé and the Minister of Finance exchanged a look, then immediately nodded.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I believe this condition is very reasonable."
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