Chapter 859: 767: Fight Fire with Fire (Seeking Double Monthly Pass)

Chapter 859: Chapter 767: Fight Fire with Fire (Seeking Double Monthly Pass)

The United States would not indulge these “troublemakers.” Minister of Justice Jennings Randolph immediately mobilized the militia to disperse the protest crowd.

The protesters did not offer much resistance, leaving when told. However, they made a circuit around the streets and ended up at the Federal Court’s entrance, continuing to chant their slogans.

Well, one-third of these people were paid to act, which made them seem exceptionally “professional.” They had planned their actions a week in advance, including strategies to maximize their influence and countermeasures for encounters with the militia.

Thus, even though Randolph deployed over a thousand militia and took strict precautions at all key departments in Philadelphia, he still couldn’t extinguish the passionate enthusiasm of the protesters.

And the salaries of these “professionals” were funded by an organization called the “Association for the Relief of Wounded Veterans of the Independence War.”

The purpose of the “Association” is “to ensure the survival of American citizens harmed by British colonizers.”

Naturally, the staff within the Association harbored deep hatred for British invaders who had once harmed American citizens, which was entirely reasonable.

So, upon hearing that the British had launched a war against their dear French allies, the Association angrily organized this large-scale protest.

The funding for the Association primarily came from plantation owners in Georgia and South Carolina, most of whom were of French descent—after their plantations were ravaged by Book’s army of enslaved soldiers, French businessmen took advantage of the situation and acquired numerous cotton plantations in these areas on the advice of the Trade Minister.

Earlier this year, aiming to give back to the United States, these businessmen established the “Association for the Relief of Wounded Veterans of the Independence War” at the call of a moderately well-known lawyer and orator, John Castle.

No one knew that Mr. Castle had another identity—he was a Captain operative of the French Intelligence Bureau.

The learned Mr. Cars referred to the Association as a “Non-Governmental Organization,” meaning an organization reliant on non-governmental forces to conduct charitable activities.

This definition was rather cumbersome to pronounce, so people usually abbreviated it as “NGO.”

As for how NGOs are formed and operate, the future US CIA would provide extensive demonstrations. Joseph simply copied a “handbook” and gave it to Fouche, who quickly mastered and implemented the concept.

However, such “techniques” could only be employed in parliamentary systems like the United States. In monarchies like Prussia or Austria, trying such methods could result in Secret Police swiftly showing up to arrest people.

When the “anti-British hegemony” protesters began bearing portraits of young girls brutally killed by the British during the War of Independence and started a sit-in at Northwest Square in Philadelphia with increasing numbers, the Federal Congress finally began to feel troubled.

In Franklin’s villa, several United States dignitaries looked at the hundreds of petitioners passing by on the nearby street, all frowning.

“I visited the square yesterday afternoon; over a thousand people were gathered there,” said Speaker of the House Madison, shaking his head. “These foolish folks have no idea what getting entangled in the Anglo-French war truly means.”

“Ordinary people just want to vent their emotions; they don’t care about all that,” Hamilton said, his voice tinged with anger. “It’s all because of that French envoy. He’s been giving speeches everywhere lately, heating up these idiots’ heads.”

Jefferson, somewhat sympathetic to France, shrugged nonchalantly: “To be fair, he’s merely stating the facts, both about treaties and the ongoing wars in Europe.”

“But we absolutely cannot sacrifice so much for France. Chief Justice Jay’s negotiations are the course we prefer…”

As Hamilton was speaking, his assistant suddenly burst into the room, waving a newspaper frantically. “Mr. Hamilton, this is bad news…”

Hamilton shot him an annoyed look. “Don’t storm in like that, Clark. What happened?”

“You…you’d better see for yourself.”

Hamilton took the copy of “Philadelphia Communications Newspaper” from his assistant, unfolded it, and saw the glaring headline: “Government Negotiating with Britain to Exchange Interests for Improved US-UK Diplomatic Relations.”

He hastily scanned the text beneath, which detailed how the American Government planned to expand trade with Britain, cease pursuing issues with British Navy detaining American merchant ships, and forego the return of American citizens forced into service by the British. Additionally, the United States intended to open the Mississippi River to British merchant vessels and enforce a ban on raids targeting ships flying the British flag along American coasts.

Yes, after Britain began blockading French maritime trade, dozens of American merchant ships traveling to France for trade were detained by the British Navy.

This incident caused a major uproar in the United States.

And now the news claimed that the American Government would just let it go.

It was obvious that once this news spread, the domestic United States would be thrown into chaos!

What made Hamilton break into cold sweat most was that the American Government did indeed intend to follow this plan, and Chief Justice Jay was already on a ship headed for London…

Hamilton stuffed the newspaper into Jefferson’s hands and roared angrily, “Who leaked this news?!”

Only fewer than ten senior American officials knew about these secret negotiations; theoretically, it should’ve been impossible for this matter to be exposed.

The people in the room stared at each other, then shook their heads.

Of course, they didn’t know that Joseph had “guessed” the negotiation’s content.

At present, the international situation faced by the United States wasn’t very different from history, and since these same individuals were in power, the policies they implemented were bound to closely resemble historical precedents.

Thus, Joseph let Baron Fokard expose the “underclothes” of the American Government, leveraging American public opinion to force Washington to abandon these policies.

Glancing at the clock, Hamilton grabbed his coat and dashed out the door, calling back to Jefferson: “You fend off the French envoy; I’m going to report this to the President!”

And so, the “US-France Diplomatic Coordination Meeting,” originally scheduled for noon, was postponed for two days.

That afternoon, Washington made a public statement outside the Congress chamber, denying the rumors and declaring that the American Government would never yield to Britain. He emphasized that illegally detained American ships must be compensated, all kidnapped American citizens would return home, and the Mississippi River would always remain the exclusive domain of American merchant ships, untouchable by the British. Furthermore, he reaffirmed America’s unwavering commitment to its French ally.

Thanks to his swift response, the scenario of the American Shipping Guild mobilizing shipowners to create chaos in Philadelphia was effectively averted.

As Washington addressed the public, a fast sailboat departed Philadelphia Port, aiming to recall Chief Justice Jay from his journey to Britain.

However, the next afternoon, the French envoy surprised the American leaders, who were busy extinguishing fires everywhere, with good news—France was prepared to accept America’s neutrality in the conflict.