Pickering hurriedly began to negotiate, saying that this export volu was only a third of what it used to be. If it was really enforced, the Arican finances would collapse in a few months.
After two days of persistent bargaining, even Hamilton, one of the top five leaders of the United States, ca to plead, and Lart finally pretended to be overwheld and presented the real armistice terms sent from Paris:
"My bottom line—this is also the last eting with you all before signing the agreent—is that the export of timber and tar is unrestricted, cotton exports to England should not exceed 8 million pounds. The sale of wheat to England is prohibited. As for the ’private trade’ of sugar, it must all be reported to the Louisiana authorities."
Both Pickering and Hamilton breathed a sigh of relief.
The United States’ wheat export volu wasn’t large, and it could completely shift to selling to the Caribbean Region, but the price would just be a bit lower.
And the cotton sold to England last year was 11 million pounds; the reduced amount could barely be borne. A large part of it could be smuggled to France, though so might be seized by the British Navy.
The most important thing is that the French people no longer obstruct the smuggling of sugar. You must know, smuggling sugar from the Caribbean Region has now beco Arica’s "pillar industry."
It’s not that Joseph is easy to talk to, but rather because 90% of the revenue of countries like Santo Domingo relies on sugar exports. Currently, under the threat of the British fleet, French rchant ships cannot go to the Caribbean Sea, and if Arican smuggling is truly halted, pro-French Caribbean countries would collapse.
It’s better to regulate sugar smuggling here. It can also be considered a ans of interest constraint on Arica.
"The other parts will be drafted as previously identified," Lart dropped the final sentence and got up to leave.
The so-called "other parts" mainly refer to: Arica acknowledging the Iroquois Duchy and all newly established countries in the Caribbean Sea. The Arican Governnt promises never to invade French and Spanish colonies. Arica will pay France a war indemnity of 360,000 US Dollars.
Hamilton quickly stepped out, hoping to leverage friendship with France to secure more, and whispered while bowing his head: "Baron, you know, the federal finances, 360,000 US Dollars is really too much..."
Well, he was not lying; now Arica is truly poor.
Baron Lart signaled for him to get in the car, and once the door was shut, he spoke slowly, "There’s gold all over North Arica, if you can’t afford it, then let your army carry that gold back."
Hamilton grimaced, "But all the Indian Tribes in the East have migrated to Louisiana..."
Lart gave him a look of disdain and shook his head, "I’m talking about the Canada region. It has never been involved in war, and the accumulated wealth even surpasses yours."
"Canada?" Hamilton’s eyes widened instantly, "This, how is this possible?"
Lart knew his "impossible" referred to defeat, so he said calmly, "The British are being held up by our country in Europe, leaving them no energy to manage Canada.
"And the internal contradictions in Canada are very large, Catholics and Protestants are hostile to each other. As long as you send troops, those who speak French there might even help you teach the British a lesson."
He picked up a piece of candy from the table and slowly chewed it, "Moreover, the Crown Prince has always been very dissatisfied with handing over the Canadian colonies to the British.
"If you attack Canada, the Crown Prince will likely transfer troops from Louisiana to support. There might even be support from Spain and the Iroquois Army.
"I know, your Federal Congress has always wanted to expand territory, but you must be clear, Arica’s expansion direction should never be westward."
Hamilton’s heart began to pound violently.
Canada is vast and sparsely populated, and just as the envoy said, its internal discord is significant. Actually, the Arican governnt had also considered expansion northward before, and the conclusion then was that the chances of winning were high. But the Mississippi River valley was more fertile, and coupled with British encouragent, they then chose to expand westward.
If they got support from the Louisiana army, and that Bonaparte, the Franco-Arican Alliance’s power over Canada would be overwhelming.
To speak of it, his judgnt seems flawless from the surface view.
Historically, after the Arican governnt purchased Louisiana, their westward move was blocked by the Rocky Mountains, coupled with Anglo-Arican frictions in mariti trade and other areas, Aricans believed that "under the autocratic regi, Canadians would surely welco democratic liberators," thus they eagerly initiated the Anglo-Arican war.
Unexpectedly, Catholics and Protestants in Canada imdiately abandoned their differences and united against Arican invasion, then counterattacked Washington, setting the White House ablaze.
Joseph was naturally well aware of all this—the British Governnt’s rule over Canada was actually quite lenient, with tax rates even much lower than those of the Arican governnt, and Canadians certainly did not want to be oppressed by Aricans.
His aim was to stir up conflict between Arica and Canada.
By then, the Louisiana governnt could step in to assist when Aricans could barely hold on, and when Canadians retreat, they could continue to incite Aricans to attack.
If "manipulated" properly, it’s possible for both sides to fight for over a decade.
After both Arica and Canada are exhausted, not just France, even the Iroquois Duchy could deal with Arica.
There is no need for a strong power to arise on the North Arican Continent!
Hamilton eagerly asked again, "If we really defeat Canada...how about the benefits?"
Baron Lart, though not quite understanding the Crown Prince’s generosity, conveyed Paris’s intent truthfully: "Everything east of Superior Lake is ceded to Arica, other parts are incorporated into Louisiana."
Hamilton’s eyes widened completely straight.
This is equivalent to giving the most fertile Great Lakes Region entirely to Arica. Arica’s land area would more than double!
In fact, Joseph was worried that giving too much would arouse Arican suspicion, it was just empty promises, as if he could give all of Arica to the United States.
Five days later, the France and Arica "Pittsburgh Treaty" was officially signed.
On that very noon, a secret envoy of President Adams boarded a ship for Paris.
...
Southern London, Kingston Town.
Forr director of Chat Han Shipyard, now the deputy director of Britain’s "Fuel Managent Committee," Sir Hope dispiritedly placed an intricately designed pastry in his mouth, muttering as he shook his head, "It has no taste."
Yes, due to the improper handling of the "steamship malfunction crisis," which caused trendous losses to Chat Han Shipyard, along with the subsequent exposure of the shipyard embezzlent scandal, he was dismissed by the Navy Board.
Then he arrived at this place filled with pungent slls and thick smoke, tasked with managing the "Fuel Commission," essentially a governnt agency responsible for researching coal tar refining technology.
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