I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 769: America’s Little Abacus
In fact, Joseph never expected the United States to abide by the treaty of alliance and declare war on Britain.

Not to mention the United States' economic dependence on Britain, the United States would be destroyed within three months of the war. Given the United States' limited combat capability, if it really wanted to fight as France's ally, it would probably have to send its own troops to rescue France.

Therefore, as long as France can maintain the United States as an important source of raw materials and a not-so-large sales market, it will be completely acceptable to France.

Jefferson bowed excitedly to Baron Faucade and said:
“I thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his broad-mindedness and understanding of the difficult situation in the United States.

"Please rest assured that our country will strictly abide by the principle of neutrality..."

Foucade immediately smiled and said:

"Your Highness the Crown Prince always hopes that the United States will always be prosperous and strong, so you must not relax when it comes to trade income."

"Trade income?" Jefferson was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Sugar," said Fourcade. "You should know how high the current sugar price is. Your Highness hopes that all sugar products resold from the United States will keep a close eye on the market price and not miss out on the profits that should be made."

Jefferson immediately understood that this was a request that the United States should not use low-priced sugar to help Britain overcome the sugar shortage - the so-called market price of sugar, isn't that the price of the Paris Agricultural Futures Exchange?

He forced a stiff smile:
"You see, our country's sugarcane production is not enough to affect the British market."

Foucade didn't want to beat around the bush with him, and waved his hand and said:

“Your country’s sugar from the Caribbean does that.”

Joseph was well aware that with French merchant ships unable to reach the Caribbean, American smuggling ships were the only sales outlet for all plantations in the Caribbean.

If you really force them not to sell to the Americans, they will probably have to sell directly to the British.

Jefferson grinned awkwardly and said:
"But... the trade demand between our country and the UK seriously restricts the price of sugar..."

Fourcade knew that the United States wanted to use low-priced sugar in exchange for admission to the British market for more goods.

He shouted: "Excuse me, the United States needs to be tougher!"

Jefferson looked bitter, which clearly meant "I can't do it."

The United States is so small that it dares not to confront Britain. Moreover, Britain gave its Caribbean colonies to the United States in exchange for low-priced sugar. The United States dares not breach the contract.

Seeing this, Foucade leaned closer to him and whispered, "Holding back the stock and being reluctant to sell."

"what?"

Before Jefferson could react, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Hamilton's eyes lit up:
"You are truly a master in the field of trade."

It's a simple truth that Britain had no idea how much sugar the United States smuggled in from the Caribbean.

Once the price of sugar is low, the United States will tighten its belt and tell Britain that all sugar has been sold out, and the price of sugar will naturally go up.

And there is no need to reduce sales too much.

A 20% shortage of goods on the market can lead to a 40% price increase!

All it would take is for the British to think that North American sugar was slightly cheaper than French sugar.

This not only meets the French people's requirements, but also does not hinder your own ability to make money. Why not do it?
As for the secret agreement with the British?

Just kidding, the US and the UK are enemies.

Look at the painting of the little girl killed by the British on the Northwest Square. Every American citizen with a conscience will agree with the government’s decision!
What Hamilton didn't know was that his decision at this time would push the price of sugar in London from four times higher than last year to six times higher.

Jefferson and the Secretary of the Treasury had a brief exchange and told the French envoy that he agreed in principle to the request to set a price limit for the sale of sugar products to Britain. Well, it was a minimum price.

Baron Foucade continued:

"In addition to the price of sugar, His Royal Highness also asked the United States to promise to sell cotton, timber, oils and fats according to France's needs, and the price should not be higher than that sold to Britain."

Jefferson looked puzzled:
"Our country very much wants to maintain exports to France, but, as you know, the British fleet blockaded the coast."

Fourcade smiled and said, “American merchant ships only need to unload their cargoes in Genoa.”

Genoa is a neutral port in southwestern Italy, very close to Toulon, France, and can be reached by land in a few days.

Hamilton frowned:

"Mr. Envoy, if I remember correctly, Sardinia has chosen to stand on the side of Austria."

Between France and Genoa lies the Sardinian province of Nizza.

Fourcade nodded: "Don't worry about that, we will pay in Genoa and find a way to ship it back to France."

In fact, he was also a little curious about how His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was going to transport such large quantities of goods from right under Sardinia's nose without anyone noticing.

Of course he didn't know that Joseph had no intention of transporting it secretly, but had confidence in Napoleon.

Sardinia will soon be a French-occupied zone, so the convoy can go wherever it wants, right?
As for the future, once the French Navy gains control of the Mediterranean Sea, American merchant ships will be able to dock directly in Marseille.

By then, if the British Navy dared to completely block the Strait of Gibraltar and prevent any merchant ships from entering the Mediterranean, Joseph would be looking forward to it.

Because that would mean cutting off trade between the United States, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and a large number of other countries and countries along the Mediterranean coast. I don't know if Britain can appease them all.

The Americans had no objection to unloading the cargo in Genoa - as long as they paid, it would only be a matter of walking a few hundred more nautical miles.

A week later, Baron Fourcade and Jefferson, on behalf of both countries, secretly signed a package of agreements on diplomacy, trade and other aspects.

At the Port of Philadelphia, Fourcade waved goodbye to the Americans on the shore. The "Cloud" raised its sails and slowly sailed to the sea.

The assistant standing beside him sighed and said:

"In the end, the Americans still escaped their allies' obligations when we needed them most."

Foucade smiled and turned to walk towards the cabin:

"I think since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has authorized us to do this, he must have his own plans."

He did not expect that his words would come true. At this time, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, another NGO, the United States Veterans Home, was busy.

This is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans who participated in the American Revolutionary War but did not receive resettlement funds to maintain their lives. The funds are mainly provided by the American News and a mysterious rich man.

"…In the end, Mr. Brunet turned around and blocked the British cavalry to save us." An American veteran in his 40s said, wiping tears from his eyes, "I never saw him again. May he rest in peace in heaven."

The more than 30 veteran representatives around him also looked sad.

In the past few hours, they have been recalling the past when American and French soldiers joined forces to fight the British.

The old soldier who was speaking clenched his fists:
"We should try to repay our French friends!"

A staff member of the Veterans Home continued:
"France also needs your help."

(End of this chapter)