I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 658 Political Gains
Oriol had recently received 5 pounds of funds from the "Abolition League" in Saint-Domingue - yes, it was the money that the British had previously paid to Brissot - and used the money to purchase the logistical supplies needed by the troops.

Then, he took advantage of the fact that the Governor of Jamaica sent troops to reinforce the Bahamas and led his troops to attack Kingston again.

Jones returned to Barbados with a vow of revenge and £5.

He originally thought that he would have to lie dormant for a while before restarting his resistance, but he did not expect that the British would leave Barbados soon and go to reinforce the Bahamas.

Jones would never miss such a good opportunity. He immediately gathered hundreds of black soldiers and began to attack sugarcane plantations everywhere.

In this way, the independence movement in the entire Caribbean region became unstoppable, like a huge wave swept up by a hurricane.

In the officers' meeting room of the British Expeditionary Force's third-class battleship "Black Mountains", Brand was leaning on the table with both hands, shouting at Lieutenant Colonel Galissonnier who was sitting opposite him: "If it weren't for your incompetence and cowardice, we would never have been defeated by those blacks! You, and the French government, bear an unshirkable responsibility for the situation in the Bahamas!"

As he spoke, he glanced at the Spanish commander Garcia Cortes, obviously trying to get his support.

Lieutenant Colonel Galissonnier sneered and fought back in a louder voice: "Who bribed that greedy envoy to transfer my troops from Fort Magua to reinforce Nassau?

"It's you!
"Your stupidity led to the loss of Magua. My soldiers learned that they had lost their supply base, which led to low morale, and they were attacked by the niggers.

"You are the one who should be held responsible for all this!"

Cortes also looked at Brand: "At that time, we should have reinforced Magua first. Facts have proved that your combat deployment was wrong."

"You, you guys..."

Galissonnier interrupted him coldly: "Our government will protest to Britain about this matter!"

Cortes shook his head and said, "General Brand, your series of mistakes have caused the situation in the entire Caribbean to deteriorate..."

At the same time, the Republic of Santo Domingo finally elected its first president.

Vincent Auger was elected with a high vote as expected.

The day after his inauguration, he and senior government officials held a very important meeting with Brissot in the Parliament Building.

"This is undoubtedly a victory for freedom and equality!" Brissot was the first to give an impassioned speech, "and this is a great country full of hope. Congratulations to you, and to the Republic of Saint-Domingue!"

"This is all due to the kindness of His Majesty the King and the guidance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Oger said politely. "The people of Saint-Domingue and even the entire Caribbean who have been liberated will always remember them!"

Other Saint-Domingue officials also spoke excitedly, expressing their gratitude to France.

After some polite exchanges, Auger got down to business: "Dear envoy, you know that the newly established republic is still facing extremely difficult difficulties.

"First of all, there is the military threat from Britain and Spain."

He was not exaggerating. Although Saint-Domingue was a French colony, it was currently the center of the abolitionist movement in the Caribbean. If the British wanted to suppress the abolitionist organizations in their own colonies, they had to eliminate this "command center" first.

Therefore, when the next British expeditionary force arrives in the Caribbean, it will most likely attack Saint-Domingo first.

At the same time, in order to protect its own Juan Island from the abolition movement, Spain may also join the British army's action.

Brissot nodded and smiled, saying: "Since our expeditionary force has 'surrendered', all their weapons and equipment will be left to you. This is enough for you to arm an army of more than 10,000 people." I will go to the United States later and try to get some more weapons.

“You need to use these months to recruit as many soldiers as possible.

"And I believe that the rebels from other regions will try to reinforce you."

"Thank you for your generosity!" A bald mixed-race man in his forties stood up, "But the parliament simply can't afford to pay enough to maintain such a large army."

Brissot knew that he was the new Saint-Domingue Finance Minister Straw, and immediately nodded and said, "You don't have to worry about this. In fact, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has approved a loan of 5 million francs for Saint-Domingue. This is enough to support you in defeating the British."

The military expenditure of 5 million francs was not enough in Europe, but it was a huge sum of money in the Caribbean - black soldiers almost did not need salary, only food and lodging, they were willing to pick up guns and fight the British. Because if they were defeated, they would have to return to the plantation to be slaves, or even be hanged by the British.

At the same time, military supplies such as uniforms, leather boots, and tents can also be omitted.

The 5 million was all used to purchase food and ammunition, enough to sustain an army of 1 for one or two years.

Oger and others immediately showed excitement: "This is great!"

"As long as we have the military funds, we will be able to defend Saint-Domingo!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and thank you for guiding freedom!"

Strauss asked cautiously, "Mr. Brissot, what is the interest on this loan? You know, Saint-Domingue has experienced such a turmoil, and its finances may be very tight."

"33%," Brissot said, "Saint Domingo's debt repayment risk is very high, and it will be difficult for Your Highness to get the bank to lower the interest rate."

Straw nodded silently. He knew that as a newly born country, Saint Domingo had to fight against Britain. Apart from France, no other country would be willing to lend money to it.

But such high interest rates are almost unaffordable for Saint-Domingo.

Brissot seemed to see his worry and continued, "Of course, His Highness knows that your financial situation may not be very good, so he specifically instructed me to waive the interest for you."

"real?!"

Not only Strau, but also Oger and others looked at the French envoy with surprise and joy.

Brisso nodded: "Of course, Your Highness has a small condition."

"Please tell us, we are willing to serve your Highness at any time!"

"For the next ten years, the sugar cane produced in Saint-Domingue can only be sold to those who have obtained a trade license from His Highness." Brissot added, "Of course, you don't have to worry about the price. It will not be lower than 70% of the landed price in Philadelphia."

When shipping from Saint-Domingo to Philadelphia, there will be transportation and labor costs, plus the merchant's profit, which is usually 25% to 30% higher than the purchase price, so this purchase price is very fair.

Oger and the Minister of Finance looked at each other and nodded immediately:
"Thank you, Your Highness. I think this condition is very reasonable."

(End of this chapter)