Chapter 659: Caribbean Confederation
Marquis Rojas's eyes widened instantly.
"This... this simply won't do!" he exclaimed.
Brissot said, "There aren't many Black slaves on Juan Island, so those abolitionist activists aren't particularly focused on it.
"If you can assure them you won't interfere with their affairs, improve the treatment of Black slaves on Juan Island, and even cooperate with them privately, it's possible you could secure their promise not to meddle with Juan Island."
"This..."
"Making contact with them won't cost you anything. Our nation is already leaving the Caribbean Sea, and I truly don't want to see you face the same situation."
While Brissot was meeting with the Governor of Juan Island, representatives of the abolition movement from Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Lesser Antilles converged on Santo Domingo for the first general meeting of the Caribbean Abolition Alliance.
Ogé stood on the high platform in the Port-au-Prince assembly hall, addressing the representatives from various regions with impassioned and stirring words:
"The path to freedom and liberation has never been smooth. On the contrary, we face a deadly threat from the most powerful and most wicked nation in the world—Britain!
"Against the devil's army, only by uniting more closely can we defeat them and consolidate the gains we have already made!
"If we fight separately, we will very likely be picked off one by one by the British.
"Our loved ones, our friends, will once again be shackled, returned to those wretched plantations, and march towards death under the lash of the whip!
"Do you, will you, allow such a thing to happen?!"
A tsunami of roars immediately erupted in the assembly hall:
"No, we won't let the devil win!"
"No one can take our freedom!"
"We must unite and teach the British a harsh lesson!"
Ogé waited for the crowd to quiet down, then continued:
"According to reliable intelligence, five thousand British soldiers will arrive in the Caribbean Sea by ship in three months. Adding in Bland's remaining forces, we will face six thousand five hundred British troops!
"To better mobilize our strength—only by gathering all our soldiers will we stand a chance against the British—I propose the formation of the 'Caribbean Military Committee,' which will unify the command of forces from all regions.
"I call upon all warriors fighting for freedom and equality to join this committee.
"With our sincerest unity and fearless spirit, we will overcome all enemies who seek to continue enslaving us!"
The Special Envoy of the Bahamian President was the first to raise his hand, declaring loudly:
"The Republic of the Bahamas will join the Military Committee! We will protect our freedom alongside our Santo Domingo brethren!"
Previously, had Santo Domingo not sent Toussaint Louverture with eight hundred soldiers to reinforce the Bahamas, Nassau would likely have fallen.
Toussaint Louverture has now been granted the title of lifetime honorary president of the Bahamas and wields immense influence there.
And Ogé was his superior.
Therefore, the Bahamas joined the Military Committee that Ogé had called for almost without hesitation.
Next, Jamaica's representative also indicated their intention to join.
Auriol, the military commander and leader of Jamaica's abolition movement, was also sent by Santo Domingo. Furthermore, Jamaica's current rebel forces are relatively weak and are eagerly awaiting external military aid.
Immediately afterwards, Saint Vincent and Barbados also agreed to join the Military Committee.
Their rebel forces had all received weapons and financial support from Santo Domingo's abolitionist organization, and they had previously cooperated in maneuvering against British troops. Thus, they were more than willing to accept the formation of a unified military front.
In this way, the entire Caribbean Sea region, with the exception of Juan Island, saw all Black people and mixed-race individuals form a tight-knit military organization.
Behind them were over 2.1 million Black people. Even just in the relatively close regions of Santo Domingo, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, there were more than 1.6 million Black individuals.
In addition, there were over 300,000 mixed-race individuals, the vast majority of whom sided with the abolitionist organization.
The total population reached as many as 2.4 million.
One must remember that when the American War of Independence broke out, its population was less than three million.
Ogé excitedly raised his arms and cheered:
"Long live freedom! Long live the Caribbean Confederation!"
The dozens of representatives present immediately echoed his shouts:
"Long live freedom!"
"Victory is ours!"
Ogé looked at the fervent scene before him, his heart pounding with excitement.
With this "Caribbean Military Committee" as a foundation, they could gradually integrate the finances of the various islands through military expenditure and subsequent supplies, thereby maximizing their political influence.
His goal was singular: to establish the "Caribbean Confederation."
A truly powerful nation with real strength!
Mr. Brissot had already shown him the Crown Prince of France's personal letter, promising that once the Confederation was established, it would receive France's full support.
...
The Ottoman Empire.
Constantinople.
Grand Vizier Damat Mehmed Pasha smiled as he watched the French Minister of Foreign Affairs limp out of the carriage, bowing slightly and speaking in fluent French:
"I thought you had already returned to Paris to submit our trade agreement to His Majesty the King."
Talleyrand returned the gesture, his hand over his chest, and replied with a smile:
"Perhaps I've fallen in love with Constantinople. You see, I only left a few days ago, yet I couldn't wait to return to seek her warmth again."
He intimately followed Mehmed Pasha towards the imperial guesthouse next to the palace, muttering under his breath:
"To be honest, that last trade agreement wasn't nearly enough for me to take back and present."
"I swear, those were the most generous terms I could possibly offer."
"Ah, increasing the number of merchant ships and lowering tariffs on textiles and grape juice by 2.5%. How truly generous," Talleyrand scoffed. "That reminds me of the butcher shop downstairs from my home; the owner always says the same thing when he throws in some unwanted scraps as a bonus."
Mehmed Pasha stepped through the doorway, turning his head to say:
"You specifically came all the way back from the Mediterranean. Surely it's not just to tell me about butcher shops in Paris, is it?"
"What if I told you I wanted to buy a lot of meat this time—say, an entire sheep?" Talleyrand followed him into the room, adorned with colorful geometric patterns, pulling over a chair and sitting down. "Would you then give me a larger discount? Oh, coffee, please."
Sultan Selim III's "New Order" reforms had been underway for over two years, bringing about considerable changes in the Ottoman Empire. For instance, chairs were becoming accepted, and people no longer had to sit on the floor during conversations.
Mehmed Pasha said with a calm expression, "But surely your household can't consume that much? If it's just a single transaction, it would be difficult for me to offer you a discount.
"You see, I'm certainly not short on customers here."
Talleyrand took the coffee from the servant's hand and offered a slight smile:
"Of course not. Please believe me, from now on, I will be your biggest customer."
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