Chapter 707: 616: Since You Insist on Joining the Fray, Don't Blame Me for Being Ruthless

Chapter 707: Chapter 616: Since You Insist on Joining the Fray, Don’t Blame Me for Being Ruthless

In the meeting room on the second floor of the Port-au-Prince Council Hall, Oreal and three Abolitionist congressmen looked on in astonishment at Brissot, who was delivering an impassioned speech, repeatedly trying to stop him from continuing.

The two Slave-holding Faction congressmen were even more stunned, rooted to their spot.

Brissot, completely indifferent to everyone’s expressions, raised his arms and proclaimed loudly, “We cannot be satisfied with the liberation of the black slaves in Santo Domingo alone. Instead, we must let this great cause shine throughout the entire Caribbean!

“The sinful and shameful practice of slavery must disappear from this world.

“In Jamaica, Banaba, and even the West Indies, the sinful whip still lashes the blacks who should be free!

“And we, as the spreaders of the spirit of freedom, possess an army capable of battling the slave-holders, the support of 500,000 free blacks. What reason do we have not to liberate the slaves of the Caribbean…”

Finally, Oreal, steeling himself, stood up and said, “Mr. Brissot, we indeed wish for other regions in the Caribbean to abolish slavery, but it seems more appropriate for England and the Spaniards to do so themselves…”

The other congressmen nodded in agreement, “Interfering in those places might provoke retaliation from countries like England.”

“Mr. Brissot, abolition is an issue that requires a long time to resolve…”

“Even if we want to promote abolition throughout the Caribbean, we probably lack sufficient strength.”

“I’m afraid we really can’t do that…”

Brissot looked around at everyone, his eyes mocking, “Is this what you call ‘breaking the shackles, letting freedom and equality shine on every inch of land watched over by Jesus’?

“Just by freeing 500,000 black slaves in Santo Domingo, have you fulfilled your ideals?”

Oreal could only respond helplessly, “All right, Mr. Brissot, to be honest, this does not align with our interests, so…”

“You speak of interests?” Brissot revealed a smile, “Then what if I told you that Santo Domingo could achieve independence? Would such an interest satisfy everyone?”

The room fell instantly silent.

Oreal and others exchanged glances, then turned to Brissot, “Sorry, I don’t understand. Are you speaking metaphorically, or…”

“No, I mean independence,” Brissot said calmly. “To establish the Saint Domingue Republic, where your congress will mint its currency, decide on trade manners, tariffs, diplomacy, army, etc. The French Government will not interfere with you in any way.”

A middle-aged congressman suddenly laughed, “Mr. Envoy, you really have quite the sense of humor.”

“No, I am not joking,” Brissot said, pulling out a decree from his person, “His Majesty the King has already agreed to relinquish the colony of Santo Domingo for you to establish your own nation.”

Oreal hurriedly took the decree and saw the King and Queen’s signatures, the royal seal. His hands trembled with excitement as he handed it to a congressman nearby.

Momentarily, everyone’s faces turned red with excitement, their eyes sparkling, as they confirmed with each other whether they were mistaken.

If they could shed their colonial status, they would gain tremendous benefits—like not having to pay taxes to the French Government, not having their market open only to France, minting their own currency, managing their finances, and more. Especially for these congressmen, who would leap from being inconspicuous colonial congressmen to national congressmen, their power would multiply enormously!

It should be noted, previously Joseph only promised to reduce Santo Domingo’s tax rate by 70% and to grant more power to the congress, which was sufficient to win the support of most of the Slave-holding Faction for abolition. And these were just a tiny part of the many benefits of establishing an independent nation.

Momentarily, Oreal was the first to raise his fists and exclaimed loudly, “Long live His Majesty the King! Thank you for granting Santo Domingo freedom and independence!”

As the other congressmen were about to join in the cheer, Brissot raised his hand to stop them, “Gentlemen, His Majesty’s permission for Santo Domingo’s independence comes with prerequisites.”

All eyes immediately turned to him.

“Firstly, His Majesty requires that the entire Caribbean Sea Region must abolish the Slave-holding System.

“Secondly, Jamaica Island, Bahama Islands, and the West Indies must also achieve independence. It would be best if they could form the Caribbean Federation together with Santo Domingo.”

The congressmen began discussing softly among themselves. Honestly, the task was indeed incredibly challenging, but the temptation of Santo Domingo establishing its own nation was evidently much greater.

Brissot waited a moment, then continued, “The French Government will also provide Santo Domingo with weapons, ammunition, and an annual fund of two million francs.”

Oreal and Governor Mabuli looked at each other, swallowed hard, and turned to Brissot, “Mr. Envoy, let us discuss this, and we will give you an answer by noon tomorrow.”

“Very well, gentlemen. However, I must remind everyone that this matter must be kept absolutely secret.”

Brissot didn’t have to wait until the next day at noon. At 10 p.m. that same night, Oreal and Mabuli came together to his room, indicating that Santo Domingo would lead the abolition movement in the Caribbean Sea Region.

These two old rivals, who had battled in the Saint Domingo Council for over a decade, appeared unusually united at this moment.

Then Oreal, with a worried look, said, “But you know, Mr. Envoy, this won’t be easy to achieve…”

Brissot nodded with a smile, then signaled to an officer who had come with him from the intelligence bureau.

“This is Major Daleman. He will introduce a simple plan to you.”

Daleman handed two documents to Oreal and Mabuli, “We must first ensure that other countries do not think that the French Government supports abolition. Otherwise, France will be under pressure and unable to support Santo Domingo.”

Oreal and Mabuli nodded one after another.

Daleman continued, “Therefore, His Excellency the Governor’s army and the abolitionist army must maintain a state of warfare on the surface.

“Since the British unexpectedly got involved in Santo Domingo’s situation, Mr. Brissot and I plan to use this to our advantage.”

Oreal was somewhat astonished, “How do we use this?”

Daleman lifted the documents in his hand, “The French Government will loudly declare that to punish the abolitionist law passed by the Santo Domingo Council, it will send an expeditionary force of ten thousand to the island to eliminate the Abolitionists.

“Mr. Oreal, you will then use this as a reason to seek help from the British, saying that without increased aid, the abolitionist movement will fail. It would be best if they could provide a large sum of aid at once, rather than a little each month.

“At that time, a Slave-holding Faction congressman will ‘happen’ to overhear your conversation and make it public. You will then ‘under pressure’ admit to this.

“Afterwards, your army will ‘defeat’ the Governor’s army, capturing a large amount of weapons and equipment, and thousands of the Governor’s soldiers will ‘surrender’ and be incorporated under your command.”

Oreal’s eyes widened, “This, this can work?”

Brissot took over, “When the government’s expeditionary force lands, they will be ‘ambushed’ by your army and retreat to British Jamaica. You will then capture more weapons and supplies, even several warships…”