He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 331

(331) Using Alexander Hamilton to Divide America

So, who exactly was Alexander Hamilton?

The phrase ‘the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury’ barely scratches the surface.

Most politicians in the New World at the time disliked Hamilton.

Only Washington favored Hamilton, making him a powerful, yet controversial, figure in politics.

That’s why he was largely forgotten by history, despite creating the first central bank, significantly reducing foreign debt, and pioneering the strong U.S. federal government theory that shaped later American history.

“You’re going to make me president? Do you know how many enemies I have?”

Even as he said this, Hamilton kept glancing outside.

If he had been planning to refuse, he would have dismissed them outright from the start.

He seemed very worried that the other politicians, who had come as envoys, might overhear.

Taking a light sip of coffee, Eugene nodded.

“I know. I also know that your son died in a duel because of a political enemy some years ago. First, I offer my condolences.”

“Ha, one of my most painful wounds. Knowing that full well, you’re still going to make me president?”

“Otherwise, the next president will be Mr. Madison.”

Alexander Hamilton’s eldest son, Philip, died in a duel in 1801.

The opponent was a political enemy who had slandered Hamilton. Philip, fiercely protective of his father’s reputation, challenged him, leading to his death.

Due to this tragic incident, his eldest daughter, Angelica, suffered a mental breakdown and has never fully recovered.

It’s remarkable that he remains so active, but this is the 19th century, an era when heads of households didn’t always provide meticulous care for their children in the way we expect today.

Besides, Hamilton reacted more quickly to the mention of ‘Madison’ than to the memory of his son who died years ago.

“Ha, that fussy, sickly lawyer friend as president? That’s too much of a stretch, Your Royal Highness.”

“The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking secretary. Surely you don’t think Aaron Burr will become president, do you?”

“The Democratic-Republicans won’t be rampant forever. The Governor of New York or the Governor of Virginia could very well be the next president!”

But James Madison becoming president is what happened in original history.

The reason is very simple.

Eugene smiled coldly and revealed the outcome of original history.

“No, you will lose. Because Britain will show ambition in the New World again.”

Federalists face a dual problem.

They advocate strengthening the U.S. government, but at the same time, they exhibit pro-British tendencies.

Of course, it is true that Britain was the leading global power of the time and set an example in many ways.

But simultaneously, Britain was an enemy that had tried to rule America just 20 years prior.

What if that Britain shows ambition in the New World again?

Whether Britain actually occupies the New World is a secondary issue.

The immediate consequence is that criticism will inevitably be directed at pro-British politicians.

Hamilton swallowed hard and asked.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’ve heard the news that the war in Europe is over, right? That’s partly why I had the leisure to come here.”

“Well, it’s famous even in the New World. The Bonaparte family of France dissolved the Holy Roman Empire [a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Central Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806], conquered Egypt, and even defeated the Ottoman Turks again? And Britain eventually acknowledged it.”

To Hamilton, who was showing off his quick access to information, Eugene said.

“But you can’t seem to grasp the consequences. Britain has been deprived of its interests in continental Europe. It has also lost Ceylon [modern-day Sri Lanka] and been preempted in Egypt. Now is the time for them to turn their eyes back to the New World.”

In fact, Eugene’s words are partly untrue.

But at the same time, they contain an element of truth.

Originally, in original history, Britain wasn’t a system where a single central government commanded in an orderly manner.

It was a country where numerous forces, from nobles to financiers to merchants, variously expressed their desires.

However, with their ambitions for expansion blocked in continental Europe, British nobles turned their attention to the New World.

That’s why South America became Britain’s target when Spain collapsed in original history.

As a result, South America entered a state of virtual economic colonization by Britain.

This is also the historical backdrop against which Monroe, who came as an envoy this time, advocates the so-called [Monroe Doctrine] [a United States policy of opposing European colonialism in the Americas beginning in 1823] in original history.

Therefore, Hamilton couldn’t help but be confused.

Clearly, Britain doesn’t seem likely to invade America right now, but Eugene’s words sounded plausible.

“The West Indies will be more urgent for Britain than our United States. That can’t be.”

“Well, if I hadn’t come, that might have been the case.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Eugene suddenly said with an arrogant expression.

“Didn’t you just say it, Mr. Hamilton? I crippled the British fleet in Egypt. I killed that famous Admiral Nelson. The British fear me.”

It is a very arrogant boast, but it also contains an element of truth.

In fact, Eugene Freischutz Bonaparte is the only one who has managed to achieve even a narrow defeat against the British Navy, which is virtually invincible.

Therefore, even when Eugene comes to the New World, Admiral Berry is specially assigned to monitor him.

So, it is also true that as long as Eugene is here, the United States cannot recklessly attack the French territories in the West Indies.

Especially if the Spanish fleet and the French fleet are combined.

Facing Hamilton, whose face had turned pale, Louis Philippe suddenly interjected.

“Let’s talk about realistic matters, Mr. Hamilton. I heard you founded the New York Evening Post.”

“Oh? Ah, I guess you heard it from my brother, Philippe.”

“I also heard that management is difficult. But, here, His Royal Highness Eugene is wealthy.”

Philippe smiled and made a suggestion to Hamilton.

“He can easily help with newspaper publishing. What do you think?”

At this time, Hamilton, a former secretary who was pushed out of politics due to an adultery scandal, had created a newspaper.

It is the [New York Post], one of the major daily newspapers in modern America in original history.

At the time, it was called the New York Evening Post, but at the current point in time, it was the most popular newspaper.

However, since it is not an era when newspapers are profitable, it is running at a loss every year.

Hamilton was caught off guard by this and widened his eyes.

“How much can you help?”

“10,000 dollars, right? The initial investment? Let’s put in 100,000 dollars.”

“Wait, 100,000 dollars? Then that’s at least 400,000 francs or more. How, how do you have that money? If you put it in with public funds, wouldn’t that be a problem?”

Of course, if you are a national power holder, you can mobilize huge funds.

But isn’t that all the nation’s finances?

However, this is just the thinking of Hamilton, who has lived as a politician.

Eugene, whose true identity is a financier who handled the national bonds issued by Hamilton, smirked.

“It’s my private money. Furthermore, if you run for president, the money to support you at that time is the same. I promise 1 million dollars then.”

Of course, strictly speaking, it is the funds of the Beauharnais Cartel.

***

Unlike the 21st century, in the 19th century, there was no law to punish entrepreneurs for using company funds as if they were private money.

“Why Hamilton of all people?”

So, on the way to the lodging, what Louis Philippe pointed out was not the problem of embezzling company funds.

Of course, it wasn’t a rebuke for bribing a politician.

The question was why Hamilton.

It sounds strange at first glance.

Is it a problem to lure a powerful politician with bribes?

In fact, it is a problem.

Eugene shrugged his shoulders as he walked with Hippolyte.

“Well, because he has many enemies. Simple reason, right?”

“Having many enemies means it’s not effective. It’s surprising that he was included in this delegation. Hamilton is an isolated figure. Besides, the Federalist Party is currently the opposition party.”

“That’s right. If Hamilton sticks to pro-Britishism, he will remain so forever.”

Eugene nodded and replied.

“Even if he has many enemies, if he has enough funds, he can make friends. It’s a game worth playing for us.”

As Louis Philippe pointed out, the Federalist Party eventually becomes the loser in history.

Why?

Because Britain really did invade America.

It is not a well-known fact, but in original history, Britain attacks the United States in 1812.

Perhaps it was because Napoleon had just failed in the Russian expedition and was on the verge of collapse, so there was room to spare.

At the time, Britain’s offensive was so fierce that the White House was burned down.

Of course, there is an even bigger problem.

In fact, Hamilton dies in 1804.

He dies in a duel with his most hated political enemy, Aaron Burr.

Louis Philippe, who wouldn’t know this far ahead, shook his head and said again.

“The president still has a term until 1805, so let’s put that aside. But even in the Louisiana Purchase negotiations, Hamilton is not helpful. He is not even the leader among the delegates.”

“The working-level person is Monroe, and the decision-maker is Livingston, right? I know.”

“Knowing that, you chose this method?”

Eugene looked at Philippe quietly and said.

“What I trust is not Hamilton, but Livingston. Duke of Chartres.”

Philippe widened his eyes.

“Justice Livingston? Why? That person is not someone who can be persuaded, and he is a Republican, an opponent of Hamilton.”

“If necessary, he is someone who can even buy Louisiana. He is an open-minded person who is open to various technologies. But he has a decisive weakness. He hates war.”

“Why is that a weakness?”

Eugene shrugged and said.

“Duke of Chartres. As long as I am here, there is only one way for America to acquire this land. It is to wage war. But who in that negotiating team is likely to choose war?”

Philippe, recalling the members of the negotiating team, licked his lips.

“Hamilton.”

“That’s right. But Hamilton has been bought by us.”

“That delegation will no longer be able to make strong claims.”

Eugene moved his steps into the darkness, leaving behind the words.

“Instead, we just need to get what we want. Free navigation rights on the Mississippi River, and free trade rights.”

That was the reason why Hamilton was specifically targeted.

***

Of course, if that was the only reason, Eugene wouldn’t have stepped in himself.

“We cannot give up New Orleans.”

At the conference hall, Monroe frowned as Eugene spoke more firmly than before.

“Are you thinking of breaking off negotiations? If so, I must warn you that it might lead to a military clash?”

“Try fighting if you want.”

“What did you say?”

Eugene said coldly to the surprised Monroe.

“I conquered Cairo, 4,000 kilometers away from Paris. Do you think I can’t conquer Washington, 1,500 kilometers away from here?”

Monroe is the one who later advocated the New World isolationist foreign policy in original history.

He is smart and has a broad view of diplomacy, but fundamentally, he hates military clashes.

But is it just Monroe?

Those who came to negotiate here are all similar.

Even Pinckney, who participated in the Revolutionary War, is not someone who prefers war.

He would be a great politician in peacetime.

But the person they are dealing with is Napoleon’s adopted son, Eugene Bonaparte.

When Monroe, who was suddenly overwhelmed, stopped talking, Hamilton suddenly interjected.

“That’s a very excessive remark, Your Royal Highness Eugene.”

“Why?”

“We came to negotiate. We need to compromise and concede to find common ground. Surely Your Royal Highness didn’t come to the New World to fight our long-time ally, the United States?”

Eugene put on a troubled expression and replied.

“Of course. I don’t want the XYZ Affair [a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War] to come to light either.”

At that moment, Hamilton briefly wore a bitter smile.

Hamilton is a media owner with a knack for gathering information.

He knows very well that Talleyrand is Eugene’s political enemy, regardless of the XYZ Affair.

For Eugene, this incident wouldn’t be bad even if it broke out.

Nevertheless, Hamilton began to speak passionately as if acting, starting with this remark.

“How about this? Free navigation rights on the Mississippi River and New Orleans.”

“It’s New Orleans itself.”

“Okay. Free navigation rights in New Orleans, and complete tariff exemption. I think our federal government would accept that much.”

Conversely, Eugene was inwardly impressed by Hamilton, who was saying what he was about to say.

Certainly, he deserves to be called the man who created the U.S. federal government in later original history.

But is it really good for America for this man to survive?

Eugene put on an even more troubled expression and said.

“I’ll have to think about it.”

“No, please decide here! We are busy people too. There’s also the next election! Mr. Pinckney here has to prepare for the next New York gubernatorial election.”

“Oh, I was thinking of retiring now. Ahem.”

Just as Pinckney was clearing his throat, Eugene shouted as if he were a tragic actor.

“Then, what exactly does our France get!”

Then Hamilton retorted as if they were in sync.

“The friendship of our United States and covering up the XYZ Affair! Now, will you accept it or not!”

It’s truly a play.

But it unfolded so suddenly that even the American envoys and the officials of the French Royal Governor-General’s Office could not cope.

Before anyone could intervene, Eugene, the protagonist of this [tragedy], grabbed his head and looked up.

“…I accept it. Mr. Hamilton.”

Before the envoys could come to their senses, the prepared agreement was placed before them.

Livingston, who was standing blankly, signed it in a daze.

Eugene also signed with a very troubled expression.

When he took the pen off the paper, Hippolyte, who was behind Eugene, whispered.

“Oh, wasn’t the negotiator supposed to be Monroe or something?”

“We need to save Hamilton’s face so that his position will be stronger when he returns. Now we have to pour in 400,000 francs. No, is it 4 million francs until the presidential election?”

“But what did we really get? Anyway, we can’t wage war against America.”

Eugene looked at Livingston, Pinckney, Monroe, and Hamilton and answered very quietly.

“Now America will enter a state of complete division.”

Hamilton, the Federalist who will become the loser or the deceased in original history.

The day Hamilton becomes the winner, America will surely be divided.

Because Hamilton has no generosity to accept political enemies, there are many political enemies who try to kill him, and eventually Britain will invade America.

Thus, the superpower America of original history will be shattered while Eugene is alive.

This is the real reason why Eugene chose Hamilton of all people.