I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 170 The Three Musketeers of Pennsylvania (4,000 words)

February 3, 1765, afternoon.

The fleet arrived in Philadelphia, the capital of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, has a population of 23,000 and is an important grain export hub on the east coast of North America, mainly exporting flour and other grains, as well as livestock such as cattle and pigs.

At the same time, Philadelphia's shipping and handicraft industries were relatively prosperous, with pillar industries such as shipbuilding, ironware and printing, and it was also a transportation hub for immigrants from the east to the west.

Looking at the rows of Georgian-style red brick buildings on the shore, Chen Wenbin couldn't help but recall the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention and the Declaration of Independence. This was the future command center and temporary capital of the American Revolutionary War!

He naturally made some investments in such an important city.

As early as the first half of last year, he used the money he earned in the UK to purchase some real estate and estates in Philadelphia and made industrial investments.

For example, Pennsylvania Steel, now the largest ironworks in Philadelphia, was founded with his money and a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, who facilitated the partnership with Michael Hillegas, a local ironworks owner in Philadelphia.

The project was specifically managed by Reverend Jason and Franklin's wife, Deborah Franklin, along with treasurer Martin Jackson and lawyer George Craig, among others.

Because three immigrant fleets from Rhode Island had arrived in Philadelphia in the previous two weeks, the whole of Philadelphia knew that the famous Dr. Robin Chen, Baron Britannia, the richest man in North America, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and Governor of the Western Territory, would be arriving in Philadelphia soon.

The news of Chen Wenbin's fleet's arrival quickly caused a sensation throughout Philadelphia.

These days, there aren't many news or entertainment programs in North America. Even a slightly famous scholar, doctor, or politician will often attract attention and discussion, let alone a renowned figure like Governor Chen.

So when Chen Wenbin and Pastor Jensen stepped onto the Philadelphia dock under the protection of a group of guards, hundreds of Philadelphia citizens who had been drawn by the news to watch the spectacle had already gathered there.

When Governor Chen, tall, fair-skinned, handsome, and dressed in a fitted woolen overcoat, appeared on the dock, he immediately caused a stir and discussion among the crowd.

"—Is that Dr. Robin? He really does look like a Roman!"

"Pete, the newspapers said he's an Eastern nobleman, not a Roman!"

"Damn! How can this guy be so young?"

"I heard he has a fortune of two hundred thousand pounds!"

Although the crowd was noisy, Chen Wenbin was still able to hear what they were saying thanks to his keen senses.

Just as he was about to say something to the crowd, a middle-aged gentleman in his early forties wearing a wig, escorted by two militiamen, parted the crowd and walked towards Chen Wenbin from the back of the crowd.

"It's the Attorney General! Get out of the way!"

"Make way, everyone!"

When Pastor Jason, who was standing next to Chen Wenbin, saw the newcomer, he immediately reminded him in his ear.

"—Robin, this is Benjamin Chu, the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He's here on behalf of the Philadelphia Council and City Hall to welcome you."

Chen Wenbin nodded slightly. After all, he was the governor of the Western Territory. Although the permanent population of the entire Western Territory was probably less than a quarter of that of Philadelphia, he was still a high-ranking official. It was normal for prominent figures in Philadelphia to come out and welcome him.

Sure enough, the middle-aged Attorney General approached Chen Wenbin. Seeing his tall stature and enviable handsome face, he paused for a moment, then smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Your Excellency, I am Benjamin Chau. Welcome to Philadelphia! I've long heard you are a handsome gentleman, and seeing you in person certainly makes a strong impression!"

"Hello, Attorney General." Chen Wenbin smiled and shook hands with him. "I've wanted to come to Philadelphia for a long time. Franklin has mentioned to me many times how wonderful his life was in Philadelphia."

Upon hearing Chen Wenbin mention Franklin, the middle-aged prosecutor's smile deepened.

He nodded and said, "Your Excellency, Franklin is right. Philadelphia is indeed a wonderful city, and I think you will love it here!"

Then please follow me!

Speaker Galloway and Mr. William Allen are already waiting to meet you in the Parliament!

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenbin's heart stirred. He smiled and agreed, but secretly became more vigilant. He then instructed his security captain, Shelby, and lawyer Marvin, along with their entourage, to follow in another carriage. He then boarded the other party's carriage with Pastor Jason and they headed to the Philadelphia Council Hall together.

While exchanging pleasantries and making small talk with the middle-aged prosecutor in the carriage, he pondered the two names he had just heard.

Joseph Galloway, a political ally of Franklin, is the current Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, while William Allen is Philadelphia's richest man and a major landowner, as well as the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but his relationship with Franklin is not particularly close.

The two of them, along with Benjamin Chu in front of them, are practically the three driving forces of Pennsylvania.

It was normal for Benjamin Chul to personally welcome him at the dock, but it seemed a bit odd that as soon as he stepped off the ship, these three carriages rushed to see him.

He carefully recalled the commonalities among the three men and the political landscape of Pennsylvania, and seemed to understand something—they were mostly after the Payne family!

The main conflict in the Pennsylvania colony at that time was not the British sugar tax law and paper money law, but the conflict between the Payne family, the largest landowners in Pennsylvania, and these emerging families and the legislature.

The Pennsylvania colony differed from other North American colonies in that it was initially promised by King Charles II of England to John Payne, the leader of the Quakers, to pay off debts.

After the Payne family received the land certificate from the British Crown in 1681, theoretically all land and colony governance in Pennsylvania belonged to the Payne family.

However, a family's ability to expand is very limited, so the Payne family and the Quaker Church promised religious freedom and vigorously attracted immigrants.

They not only accepted British immigrants, but also Lutheran Germans, Catholic Irish, and Presbyterian Scots—they accepted all comers without discrimination—thinking they were farmers and that the more sheep they had on their farms, the more wool they could harvest.

However, reality often proves us wrong. Before the Payne family had even passed down three generations, the immigrants they had attracted started a parliament and began to fight against the Payne family for their own interests.

Parliamentary representatives demanded that the Payne family's vast tracts of land be taxed, or that undeveloped land be transferred to Parliament at a low price to serve the public interest of the colony.

A prominent figure among them was Benjamin Franklin, a Fellow of the Royal Society who was a household name in North America. When he was the postmaster and a congressman in Philadelphia, he repeatedly criticized the Payne family for holding a large amount of real estate but not paying taxes, which garnered widespread support.

However, the Payne family had the backing of Britain, and was wealthy and powerful, so Franklin unsurprisingly lost the struggle and was forced to live in Boston and England, unable to return home.

Following the Seven Years' War, Britain was gradually strengthening its control over its North American colonies, naturally increasing its support for the Payne family. Therefore, life became increasingly difficult for anti-Paine figures like Joseph Galloway and William Allen.

They now have Benjamin Chul come to the dock to greet them, which he guesses is probably an attempt to win him over.

After all, Governor Chen had invested several thousand pounds in Philadelphia, and was also the Governor of the West and the richest man in North America. He was also a friend of Franklin, and his overall strength was no weaker than that of the Payne family—he seemed to be the most suitable ally!

Chen Wenbin wasn't particularly averse to this. Only the most ordinary people live lives free from struggle and scheming, while every struggle in the upper class affects the distribution of too many interests, so naturally, they have to use every means possible.

He didn't want to be used as a pawn so easily, unless the benefits were enough to tempt him!

The carriage procession soon arrived outside the Philadelphia Council building.

Chen Wenbin got off the carriage and looked at the Philadelphia Council Building in front of him, thinking to himself that this must be the place where the Declaration of Independence was later signed.

It looked quite ordinary, just a two-story Georgian-style government building. It was similar to his city hall in Robintown, but probably had fewer rooms.

At the entrance of the building stood a middle-aged gentleman and an elderly gentleman with a cane. As Chen Wenbin looked around the building, they were also looking at him with curious eyes.

"—Robin, please allow me to introduce you." Benjamin Chau stepped forward, smiling as he introduced Chen Wenbin: "This is Speaker Joseph Galloway, and this is His Excellency William Allen!"

Chen Wenbin smiled and shook hands with the two Philadelphia locals, exchanging pleasantries and compliments, with the other side mainly praising his medical skills and achievements.

After exchanging a few polite words at the entrance of the parliament hall, the two sides stepped into the hall.

However, they did not linger in the lobby, but instead went to a conference room, which contained a round table and a dozen chairs.

Speaker Joseph Galloway, in his early thirties and in his prime, wearing a wig, invited Chen Wenbin to sit down and said apologetically, "Lord Robin, I'm sorry to have asked you to come here so soon after you disembarked, but we have an urgent matter we'd like to hear your opinion on—after all, you are the Governor of the Western Royal Territory, trusted by the King, and a true North American."

Did I guess wrong?

Not to deal with the Payne family?

Chen Wenbin frowned slightly and nodded, saying, "What's the urgent matter? Mr. Speaker, is it related to me?"

"Of course it matters! It concerns all of us North Americans!"

Before Galloway could speak, the elderly William Allen said seriously, "Sir Robin, we received a letter from Mr. Benjamin Franklin four days ago. In the letter, he mentioned that the British Parliament has passed a bill to impose a stamp duty on North America—this is the first time in history that the British Parliament has levied a tax directly without the consent of the legislatures of the North American colonies!"

I think you probably already know about this.

Chen Wenbin nodded calmly. It wasn't surprising that the fat old man Franklin had written to Philadelphia in advance to inform them. He had already written to persuade the fat old man to stand on the side of North America. Could it be that something had happened to him?

He said carefully, "I do know about this matter, but His Majesty has not yet officially approved it. There should still be room for maneuver. Benjamin is still working on it."

"Mr. Franklin's efforts are in vain!"

Speaker Galloway shook his head and said, "He mentioned in his letter that the King is ready to sign, and perhaps the order to impose taxes is currently on the Atlantic Ocean!"

Furthermore, we have received concrete information that Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor John Payne has begun recruiting and training armed tax collectors without parliamentary approval!

He has clearly secured London's support!

He looked at Chen Wenbin and said very seriously, "Dr. Robin, you have a mercenary force of three hundred men in Philadelphia. On behalf of the Pennsylvania legislature, I hope to borrow this mercenary force from you to go to the Payne family's estate and dismantle this illegal armed group!"

I rely on!

Are these guys really that fierce?

Chen Wenbin was really starting to lose his composure!

Reverend Jason, sitting next to him, was equally astonished. He jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "What? We're going to besiege a vice-governor's estate?"

Chen Wenbin regained his composure at this moment. He turned to look at Pastor Jason, gave him a quiet look, and then swept his gaze across the three serious-looking people opposite him, saying coldly, "Speaker! Mr. Allen, and Attorney General, are you kidding me?"

You want me to use mercenaries to disarm the Payne family?

He didn't authorize it, so why should I? Besides, this is an internal matter of your Pennsylvania colony. Congress can also direct the militia to do this, so why must I help?

Speaker Galloway shook his head and said, "Lord Robin, the council can grant you authorization! As for why we need your help—"

He sighed and said helplessly, "Because John Payne is recruiting and training tax collectors in the name of the British North American Inspectorate, if we use the militia, the situation may completely get out of control!"

But you're different!

"Lord Robin, you are the governor appointed by the King. Although this is not the West, you have the authorization from the Pennsylvania legislature to disarm Payne Manor—the King's official tax collection order has not yet reached North America, so your actions are entirely legal!"

Legal my ass!

You three bastards are clearly trying to drag me down with you!

They want to use someone else to do their dirty work!

And they don't even tell you what the benefits are!

He stood up abruptly, stared at the three men opposite him, and said coldly, "Gentlemen, if it were just this, I could pretend I didn't hear what you said before. I am a North American, and I do not want Britain to actually impose a stamp duty in North America, but I do not want to sacrifice myself for your benefit!"

I'm not that stupid!

Having said that, he snorted and strode away. The three men exchanged glances, and finally William Allen nodded to Benjamin Chu, who immediately stood up and stopped Chen Wenbin, saying solemnly, "—Land! Mr. Robin, we can offer you land from the Ohio Company!"

It covers a full 30,000 acres, right around Fort Pitt, where you're going!