I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 693 Caribbean Nightmare

United States.

Philadelphia.

In the chamber of the Capitol, Hamilton stood on the podium, waved his right hand, and said loudly:

"After 20 years, the arrogant British once again crushed our trade rights and trampled our dignity!

"The federal government must protect our country's trade routes in the Caribbean at all costs. It must take an absolutely tough stance and ask the British to immediately release all illegally detained merchant ships and promise not to continue intercepting and arresting our ships and crew members!"

As the most hawkish representative in the United States, lawmakers usually do not react too much to his words.

However, this time a thunderous shout broke out in the meeting room:
"We must be tough on the British!"

"Send a diplomatic protest immediately!"

"Free trade must not be undermined!"

More than a dozen congressmen were so excited that they walked to the stage, stood behind Hamilton, and waved their hands together to show their support.

It is no wonder that they are so united in their hatred of a common enemy. Just over a month ago, the newly established government of Saint-Domingue sent a special trade license to the United States!

This was a real bargain. After Saint-Domingue became independent, merchant ships without a trade license could not buy a single piece of sugar cane from there.

This sudden special license meant that American businessmen only needed to fill up their sugarcane in Saint-Domingue and then go to Europe. With the current sky-high price of sugar, they could easily make a huge profit of 140%!
Of course, this license was actually brought by a French consultant from Paris - according to the secret agreement between France and Saint Domingo, the sugarcane produced in Saint Domingo within ten years could only be sold to people with French authorization.

Although Joseph believed that the Saint-Domingue government would most likely be able to outlast the British Expeditionary Force, considering that the island's output was single and many supplies relied on external imports, he decided to ask the nearby United States for a hand.

As he expected, Americans immediately went crazy.

A large number of merchant ships rushed to Port-au-Prince like hungry dogs smelling meat.

However, the British Navy blockaded the port in order to prevent the black government of Saint-Domingue from obtaining supplies from the outside world.

Soon, several American merchant ships were seized by Britain for the crime of "funding riots."

But this could not stop the enthusiasm of Americans who continued to rush forward.

Under the temptation of 140% profit, let alone naval guns, even if God brings down divine punishment, they will not retreat.

At the same time, savvy merchants turned to loading and unloading goods at previously obscure ports such as Azua Port and Puerto Plata on Santo Domingo Island.

The British fleet could only patrol around the island day and night, which was exhausting, but it also resulted in the capture of more American ships.

Finally, the US government exploded.

Well, a lot of the sugar shipping business in the Caribbean is invested by American congressmen or the big capitalists they represent.

The British Navy seized merchant ships, which was taking money out of their pockets.

Hamilton raised his hand to signal the congressmen to be quiet, and said solemnly:
"I suggest that a naval fleet should be sent to escort our merchant ships to ensure that the British no longer harm our country's legitimate interests!"

His words once again received a storm of cheers:
"Send the navy!"

"Never bow to the British!"

"Use warships to keep the waterway open!"

The U.S. Navy had just demonstrated its prowess in the Caribbean Sea two years ago, beating pirates like stray dogs, so the congressmen had full confidence in the navy.

With unprecedented efficiency, the U.S. Congress passed the Special Trade Act for the Caribbean with unanimous votes the next morning.

Of course, the quick passage of this bill was driven not only by the interests of the sugar trade but also by Americans' desire for revenge against the black riots in Georgia.

Although Americans also felt that it was a bit strange that Britain supported black slaves in causing trouble in the United States, most congressmen tended to let Britain take the blame until there were other clues.

A few days later, three unremarkable American frigates appeared off the coast of Santo Domingo… south of Santo Domingo, Azua.

Brigadier General Toussaint Louverture, Minister of the Republic's Army, looked at the map and instructed the officer beside him:

“We are very close to Cocos. Have the soldiers march as close to the woods as possible and keep quiet.

"Also, recall all the scout cavalry to prevent alerting the British."

"Yes, General!"

Before the officer turned around, he heard intensive gunfire coming from a distance.

Lu Weidu frowned immediately. Could it be that his whereabouts had been discovered?
He only brought more than 700 soldiers, and if the British were prepared, it would be difficult for this number of troops to defeat the 300 British troops in the Cocos camp.

Just as he was hesitating whether to turn back to Mount Duarte, a mixed-race cavalryman galloped over and shouted:

"General, there is a resistance force attacking Cocos Town and has already entered the north side of the town."

The so-called resistance army is the civilian armed forces formed in various parts of Saint-Domingo.

Louverture was greatly surprised. He was well aware of the combat effectiveness of the resistance army - most of the members were newly liberated black slaves, and it was rare for them to be able to shoot. He did not expect that these people could actually break through the British camp!

He immediately ordered:

"Speed ​​up the march and help them!"

By the time he led his troops to the town of Cocos, the fighting there had already reached a climax.

More than a hundred British soldiers, based at the town's mill, were engaging in a fierce gunfight with two or three hundred resistance fighters.

The appearance of Louverture's troops instantly crushed the British will to resist.

A white flag was hoisted over the mill.

Soon, the Minister of War of Saint-Domingo met the commander of the resistance army that attacked here.

After praising the latter, he asked curiously:

"So, how many soldiers did you lead to attack Cocos Town?"

"We have 260 men, General."

"So few!" Louverture's eyes widened. "How did you get into the town? The intelligence I received said that there are more than 300 British troops stationed here."

The resistance commander nodded:

"There are indeed three hundred white men here, General, but my relations in town told me the other day that a hundred of them are ill with yellow fever, and of the rest many are suffering from the diarrhea.

"So I decided to try my luck."

Yellow fever apparently had a serious impact on the morale of the British army, so much so that they were entangled by a group of rabble and were eventually defeated by Louverture's regular army.

The situation on the battlefield was quickly summarized to Louverture.

There were only 130 or so British troops in the town who were completely healthy. Yellow fever, dysentery and brown urine almost destroyed the army.

In fact, similar situations were seen everywhere among the British troops on the island, especially yellow fever, which spread extremely fiercely.

Yes, even in October, the temperature here still remains above 25 degrees, there are mosquitoes everywhere that can almost drown people, and yellow fever is rampant.

For British soldiers who lacked immunity, this was a complete nightmare from hell.

【Note 1】: Yellow fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus and mainly transmitted by the bites of the Aedes mosquito. The main clinical manifestations are high fever, headache, jaundice, proteinuria, relatively slow pulse and bleeding. The disease is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America, with a high mortality rate and strong infectiousness.

(End of this chapter)