Chapter 659: A Shift in Balance
Joseph was certain that providing loans to the Caribbean nations was a surefire way to profit.
For instance, the five million francs provided to the newly established Republic of Santo Domingo – even without interest, it was unlikely they would repay the sum within ten years.
The government's leadership, comprised of Black and mixed-race individuals, possessed no administrative experience, and the Caribbean region lacked any industry. Therefore, these small island nations couldn't develop on their own.
Forget about repaying loans; it would be fortunate if their national finances didn't collapse.
Thus, this loan would ultimately be repaid by mortgaging plantations or similar assets.
In this way, France seemingly relinquished the Santo Domingo colony, but after a roundabout, most of the sugar industry there would revert to French hands.
While the profits certainly wouldn't be as high as before, and France could no longer monopolize the colonial market, it simultaneously saved a significant amount on maintaining the colony.
For example, Santo Domingo previously housed hundreds of French officials and nearly two thousand soldiers; their salaries alone constituted a hefty sum. Should an uprising occur on the island, it would devour even more massive expenses.
Now, the Black and mixed-race inhabitants of the island managed themselves, and even if they starved, the French government wouldn't need to cover the costs.
Moreover, after gaining freedom and autonomy, the Black and mixed-race people would shed tears of gratitude for France – a gratitude that would often become a tradition in these nations, enduring for centuries.
Furthermore, Joseph intended to assist these newly established nations in their development and impart administrative experience to deepen this gratitude. Of course, the experience shared would certainly not include anything detrimental to France.
At the same time, since most Black slaves in the Caribbean Sea had been plundered from West Africa by Britain, which monopolized the slave trade, Black people naturally held a deep-seated hatred for Britain.
Adding to this, Britain, in its attempt to preserve its colonies, had dispatched large numbers of troops to fiercely combat the Black governments, further intensifying this animosity.
It was foreseeable that anti-British sentiment would also become a tradition in these nations.
With this back-and-forth, France profited immensely.
And atop all of this, Joseph harbored an even grander plan: to gradually establish the "Sugar Franc"!
The meeting in the San Domingo Parliament building continued.
Brissot spoke with an air of complete confidence:
"As for Spain, I believe you only need to employ some diplomatic means to make them abandon their interference in Santo Domingo."
Ogé immediately rubbed his hands together awkwardly:
"Monsieur Brissot, you see, we don't have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs yet..."
As a colony, Santo Domingo had previously had no need for diplomacy; foreign relations were simply handled by executing orders sent from Paris. This meant that after the new government was formed, they couldn't even find a single qualified diplomat.
Brissot reassured him, "Your Excellency, the President, need not worry about this. I can represent Santo Domingo in negotiations with the Spaniards. Oh, and afterward, I can request Versailles to dispatch a diplomatic expert to assist you."
Ogé and the others showed no resentment over "foreign interference in internal affairs"; instead, they repeatedly offered thanks: "You've truly been a great help."
"Thank you, Monsieur Brissot. I guarantee the expert's salary will absolutely be higher than what they earned in Paris."
"Aha, now we have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs too."
The Minister of Justice for Santo Domingo, standing nearby, rose hesitantly and said:
"Monsieur Brissot, the Republic is currently in dire need of chief justices. While this might be a difficult request, if you could arrange for Paris to send some judges, I swear I would forever remember your kindness."
"Actually, we also need a Minister of Industry, Monsieur Brissot, what do you think..."
"And schools! Santo Domingo only has four regular schools, which is far from enough. Monsieur Brissot, I beg you to..."
This was a common situation for colonies.
Having relied too heavily on their suzerain nation in the past, they suddenly found themselves in charge and realized they couldn't manage many things, habitually seeking help from their former ruler.
Indeed, even into the 20th century, after India gained independence, many government positions were still held by Britons.
Brissot quickly motioned for everyone to calm down, then addressed Ogé:
"Your Excellency, the President, you can first compile a list of your government's needs, and I will present them collectively to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."
Ogé, overcome with emotion, bowed repeatedly:
"Thank you so much, Monsieur Brissot, you truly are the guardian deity of Santo Domingo!"
After concluding discussions about the new government, Brissot adopted a solemn expression:
"I must remind you all that Santo Domingo still faces a difficult war.
"If you cannot defeat the British expeditionary force, everything we have achieved today will come to naught.
"Conversely, as soon as you defeat the British this time, the French government will immediately recognize the Republic of Santo Domingo."
Ogé and the others were instantly overjoyed – gaining recognition from a great power like France meant the new government had a foundation to establish itself internationally!
...
One week later.
Juan Island, Havana.
Brissot, his face filled with anger, complained to Cristobal de Rojas, the Governor of Juan Island:
"Those damnable British, they ruined Santo Domingo with their foolish battle plans!"
Marquis Rojas nodded in profound agreement:
"My troops barely made it back either. Britain's blunders have led to the entire Caribbean region spiraling out of control.
"Now, my greatest concern is the abolition movement spreading to Juan."
"That is indeed very dangerous," Brissot said, lowering his voice. "Between us, Versailles is likely to abandon Santo Domingo in exchange for the safe return of captured soldiers to France."
"Oh, God above!" Rojas exclaimed, making the sign of the cross nervously and frowning. "This is simply terrible! It seems I must fully cooperate with the British, and though I don't care for them, it's the only way to suppress those rebellious blacks for now."
Brissot spoke with deep earnestness: "This is precisely what I'm concerned about, which is why I came specifically to see you. Out of the profound friendship between France and Spain, I cannot stand by and watch Juan Island meet the same fate as Santo Domingo."
"I'm not entirely sure what you mean."
"I recall that Juan's garrison consists of merely fourteen hundred men."
"Yes, 1,430 soldiers."
"Frankly, if those from Santo Domingo come to Juan Island to incite abolitionist riots, your army will likely be unable to defeat them."
"And the British army..."
"Ha, they haven't even dealt with the rebellious blacks in Jamaica and the Bahamas. By the way, I hear rebels have emerged in Barbados again."
A look of panic flickered in Rojas's eyes:
"His Majesty, the King, will probably not be able to send an expeditionary force to Juan."
Spain's national strength was currently in decline, making it indeed difficult to produce the colossal funds required to organize a transatlantic military operation.
Brissot looked at the Spaniard intently:
"If I were you, I would choose to make contact with those people from Santo Domingo."
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