The Fox of France

Chapter 279: Negotiations (2)

When this question was posed, Dusault Leduc laughed.

"Monsieur Treville, I've heard that during the French Revolution, many nobles found themselves swinging from lampposts. Now that you have a parliament, why continue to hang those nobles?"

"Because they sought to subvert the republican system," Victor replied firmly. "The Republic has given them numerous chances, but they refuse to repent."

"That is one reason, of course, but I must say it's not the root cause," Dusault Leduc shook his head. "The fundamental issue is that they control too much land. If the French Revolution can't dismantle their grip on land, the common people of the Third Estate won't see any improvement. If it remains this way, what's the point of the revolution?"

"In Santo Domingo, it's the same. Just like France had three classes of priests, nobles, and commoners before the revolution, Santo Domingo has a similar class division."

With that, Dusault Leduc even extended his hand and brought three fingers together in a gesture.

"Just this little bit, no more. But just like in France, where the first and second estates, although small in number, controlled most of the land, these white slave-owners dominate the vast majority of Santo Domingo's land. If this continues, black people will continue to struggle with hunger and death. If that's the outcome, what's the point of our previous revolution?"

"So, you're saying that your quest for independence is to address the land issue?" Victor asked. "But have you considered the economic consequences of doing so?"

"Economic consequences?" Dusault Leduc inquired. "Could you be more specific?"

"Firstly, you must know that Santo Domingo's economy heavily depends on trade. Whether it's sugar or coffee, they only become valuable through trade. Without trade, these goods are worthless. And these goods are not irreplaceable; there are many other places in the Caribbean with the potential to replace Santo Domingo."

"The attitudes of the Spanish and the British towards your ideal nation, I'm sure you're aware," Victor continued. "Even the Americans, who rely heavily on black slaves, wouldn't want to see a prosperous free black nation emerging in the Caribbean, as it could set an example for their own enslaved population."

"To put it more plainly, if black people in Santo Domingo attain prosperity through rebellion, then why wouldn't black people in the United States or Cuba follow suit? The more prosperous your life, the greater the motivation for slave uprisings, and both repressing and appeasing those rebellions would become more costly for them. Conversely, if your living conditions worsen and life becomes harder, stability prevails."

"So, Governor, if Santo Domingo gains independence and black people generally acquire land, then whether it's the British, the Spanish, or the Americans, they won't engage in trade with Santo Domingo anymore. I'm sure they've made many promises to you now, but, Governor, promises are the least reliable thing. As long as you analyze where everyone's interests lie, you'll see."

"But…" Dusault Leduc started to say.

"Governor, I understand your point. Even if excluded from the trade network, independence is still worthwhile for most black people, because under the current system, trade benefits hardly reach the black population. In that case, whether Santo Domingo can sell a pound of sugar or coffee doesn't matter, even if the land in Santo Domingo has to be turned into fields for food, black people would still have more than they do now."

"Isn't that right?" Dusault Leduc asked.

"Exactly. But the First Consul believes that black people have a better path to take – a much better one," Victor said.

"What path is that?"

"Santo Domingo remains with France. At the same time, we find a way to address the issue of black people's lack of land," Victor explained.

"How do we address it?" Dusault Leduc inquired.

Victor replied, "The first option is that black people can freely leave Santo Domingo and go to Louisiana. This land is now returned to us by the Spanish. To develop this land, the First Consul has just passed a policy. Anyone who is willing to pledge loyalty to France can receive up to 6,500 acres of public land in Louisiana. They need to cultivate it for 5 years – during these 5 years, the land should not be left unused. After 5 years, or within that time, if they reside on the land for at least six months and pay a fee of 21 francs per acre, the land becomes their own. Additionally, these lands are tax-free for the first five years."

"Santo Domingo's black people also have French citizenship, and they can apply for land in Louisiana. Of course, one person can't truly cultivate so much land, but if they can cultivate it, after five years, it becomes their own. And if they stay in Santo Domingo, there's no way they could get as much land as this."

"Heh..." Dusault Leduc chuckled coldly. "Monsieur Treville, are you suggesting we divide our united black population by allowing them to leave Santo Domingo?"

"Governor, I assure you, neither I nor the First Consul have any such intentions. If you do not accept this plan or believe it is currently unacceptable, we have a second plan to address the land issue through alternative means."

"Redemption?" Dusault Leduc laughed. "Alternative means? Are you talking about redemption? Am I not already in the process of redemption? And aren't the white people of Santo Domingo trying to resist me because of it? Aren't you here for that as well? Of course, I know the price I'm offering is low, but it should be enough for them to acquire land in Louisiana, shouldn't it?"

"Governor, I've just realized that there might be a serious misunderstanding between us," Victor said with a furrowed brow. "You may think that the First Consul and I, as white men, would unquestionably stand with those white people. However, this idea is completely mistaken. Just as Americans and the British are also white, are they now on our side?"

"What do you mean?" Dusault Leduc was quite surprised.

"In the eyes of the Republican government, the white slave-owners in Santo Domingo are mostly remnants of those feudal nobles, and they were never on the same side as the Republic to begin with. When the revolutionary government abolished slavery and granted citizenship to black people, their hatred for the Republic only intensified. I am sure that many of them have clandestine dealings with exiled nobles. If they were in mainland France, they'd probably have been sent to the guillotine for counter-revolutionary crimes. The current government, the Consulate, is also tasked with defending the revolutionary gains. How could we possibly side with these people?"

"So, what is the intention of the First Consul?" Dusault Leduc inquired.

"Even though these fellows are our political enemies, it's not the time anymore to set up revolutionary tribunals on a whim. The First Consul has just enacted the 'Code,' have you read it?"

"I have. It's indeed the immortal 'Code,'" Dusault Leduc praised.

"The 'Code' stipulates that we must protect private property. Although these individuals are our enemies, we can't undermine our own rules. So, directly confiscating their land is not possible. However, if they commit acts of treason first, that changes things. Do you understand what I mean?" Victor answered with a smile.

"What do you mean...?"

"Your Excellency, the French government in Santo Domingo, as the highest authority, has the right to investigate any acts of treason and punish those traitors. When the government punishes traitors, these actions are entirely justified. It can also help avoid many economic consequences. At least, French merchants won't abandon Santo Domingo..."

"Your Excellency, I believe that by now you should no longer doubt our sincerity, right?" Victor smiled. "Of course, if you still wish to see Santo Domingo as an independent country, that's also a topic for discussion."

Dusault Leduc thought for a moment and asked, "What if I still want Santo Domingo to be independent?"

"In that case, France must receive some compensation. Firstly, those white slave-owners, though our political enemies, are still French citizens. If you become independent, you will be a foreign entity. We cannot allow foreigners to mistreat French citizens and seize their legitimate property. So, if you still want to retain the trade routes, you will need to adopt a real 'redemption' method, and it must be based on genuine 'voluntariness.'"

"Furthermore, Santo Domingo is French territory. If you want to become independent on French soil, the cost of purchasing this land is also indispensable. Of course, we can provide you with loans. Finally, Santo Domingo holds a vital military position. If you side with Britain and the United States after gaining independence, it would pose a significant threat to France's interests. Therefore, if you still wish to be independent, you must accept France's protection. Additionally, France needs to have some military bases in Santo Domingo to ensure that the connection between Louisiana and mainland France won't be easily severed..."