He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 330

(330) Talleyrand Unleashes the XYZ Scandal

This story begins with a diplomatic agreement known as the [Jay Treaty: A treaty between the United States and Great Britain that aimed to resolve issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War].

“Americans seem to have a habit of naming every treaty after their officials.”

“Anyway, it’s essentially an alliance treaty between Britain and the United States. Of course, our Democratic-Republican Party is completely against it. It’s a disgrace. Forming an alliance with oppressors.”

“You speak the truth, Mr. Monroe.”

Just as Eugene nodded in agreement with Monroe’s explanation, Hamilton interrupted.

“Quite the opposite! The Jay Treaty is the best negotiation that opens the horizons of our newly formed United States. An undeniable truth!”

Of course, it’s no secret that the [Federalist Party: An early American political party that advocated for a strong central government] faction, including Hamilton, strongly pushed for this treaty.

In 1793, the United States celebrated the 10th anniversary of its independence war.

However, British forces were still stationed in the frontier areas of the American West, and they frequently incited Native Americans to attack Americans.

If it had only stopped at this, it would have ended in a new conflict between the United States and Britain.

The problem was the French Revolution.

After the revolution, Britain launched an attack on the French colonies in the West Indies and indiscriminately attacked American ships trading with Saint-Domingue [now Haiti].

However, the United States was not strong enough to fight Britain yet.

So, the Washington administration, which was in power at the time, promoted the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Britain.

The contents of the Jay Treaty are as follows:

Guarantee of British navigation rights on the Mississippi River, repayment of American debts to Britain, and prohibition of support for France.

Instead of explaining all of this, Monroe summarized it simply.

“In any case, it’s a negotiation conducted by Mr. Jay, who was the first Chief Justice, and its main point is to establish diplomatic relations with Britain.”

“Was there a specific reason for concluding it?”

“It’s because of the British West Indies, Your Highness, Viceroy of New France.”

Just as Monroe spoke coldly, Hamilton interjected again.

“Our United States has been exporting food and timber since before independence, and re-exporting sugar, coffee, molasses, and rum from the West Indies to Britain. Anyway, New York is more advantageous than Jamaica in terms of sea routes.”

This was not a time when the United States was the factory of the world, but when it was a [farm: Primarily an agricultural exporter] in the New World.

As a result, the most important export was, of course, food.

Even in Britain, after the revolution, it was difficult to import French wheat due to the war, so American wheat was essential.

Moreover, the treaties that the United States had concluded with France were only with the king.

Since the king had been overthrown, the United States no longer needed to recognize the old alliance treaties.

But now, there was an opportunity to trade with Britain again.

This is the background to the Jay Treaty, which kicked out the old partner France and re-established diplomatic relations with Britain.

“But after independence, this suddenly stopped. All the things in the world are about money.”

“Even though our France gave enormous help to American independence?”

“Ha! When a country is about to collapse, is loyalty important?”

Just as Hamilton was laughing and retorting, Monroe couldn’t stand it and shouted.

“Trust is the top priority in diplomacy between nations, Hamilton! Besides, wasn’t it Britain that forcibly seized our merchant ships, claiming they were smuggling!”

In that moment, Eugene realized what the situation was.

So, this is a scene where Federalist Hamilton and Democratic-Republican Monroe are clashing with each other.

Of course, both may cooperate in terms of American national interests.

However, the internal enemy is more threatening than the external enemy, whether it is France or the United States.

At that moment, Livingston shouted.

“How unsightly! What is this behavior in someone else’s territory negotiation venue!”

After Livingston silenced the two with a single word, he looked at Eugene with a solemn face.

“Let me explain again. With the conclusion of the Jay Treaty, we established diplomatic relations with Britain. In return, John Jay, who was likely to become the second president, virtually collapsed politically.”

“That’s unfortunate. It would have been better if you had kept your faith.”

“But that’s just the thinking of pro-British advocates, the Federalists. We Democratic-Republicans think differently. No matter what anyone says, France is our friend and an important ally in maintaining American independence.”

Livingston, who had been reciting lines worthy of a French ambassador with a solemn face, suddenly frowned.

“So, I tried to resume diplomatic relations with France. But, they demanded a bribe.”

Then Pinckney, who had been listening to the story quietly, opened his mouth.

“Talleyrand’s agents, which I recorded in our report as X, Y, and Z, said that. Heh heh.”

Jean Conrad Hottinguer, Pierre Bellamy, and Lucien Hautefeuille.

These are the names that were later revealed in the US Congress in the original history.

Of course, this was still top secret in the United States right now.

At that time, Lucien Bonaparte, who had been listening silently, opened his mouth.

“At least one of them must be Bellamy.”

“Do you know him?”

“He’s Talleyrand’s closest aide, Eugene. I can guess the others, but it’s funny. Demanding a bribe in this situation? How much is it?”

After hesitating for a moment, Pinckney, who was also a former French ambassador and a party to the resumption of diplomatic relations, said.

“They demanded a bribe of $250,000 and an interest-free loan of $15 million.”

Ippolito, who was standing behind Eugene, leaned over and whispered.

“Your Highness, how much is that?”

“It’s about 4 francs to a dollar. I don’t know exactly because I haven’t dealt with foreign exchange these days, but.”

“If it’s 4 francs, then, uh, a bribe of 1 million francs and 60 million francs? Aren’t these guys thieves?”

This time, the voice was too loud, and everyone looked at Ippolito.

“Ahem. Excuse me.”

“No, I think you’re right, Mr. Charles.”

“It’s embarrassing, but why hasn’t this been reported to our government? I’m always by Your Highness’s side, but this is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

Livingston, the chief officer, smiled bitterly at Ippolito’s question.

“Well, our government covered it up. Anyway, shall we end today’s meeting here? There have been a lot of difficult stories for each other.”

So, to summarize, it’s like this.

The United States established diplomatic relations with Britain, effectively severing diplomatic relations with France.

But now it’s already the 19th century, and the severance of diplomatic relations leads to the severance of trade, which leads to losses for American farmers and merchants.

Therefore, the US government has repeatedly dispatched envoys to establish diplomatic relations with the French revolutionary government.

The problem is that the French government has changed too many times.

Then, foreign affairs expert Talleyrand took the lead.

Talleyrand, a man famous for bribes, demanded direct bribes and indirect bribes in the form of loans from the American envoys who had requested diplomatic relations.

There were three messengers who conveyed Talleyrand’s will at the time.

Banker Hottinguer, confidant Bellamy, and diplomatic official Hautefeuille.

This is the whole story of the [XYZ Affair: A diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War] that led to the breakdown of relations between the United States and France.

Eugene tapped the table lightly and stood up.

“Let’s do that, Mr. Livingston. I’ll guide you to your lodgings. Marquis de Lescure, please.”

This is not a problem that can be solved in official negotiations.

***

The moment he entered the Pensacola Governor-General’s Office, Junot kicked the log pillar.

-Bang!

Of course, Eugene chuckled at the sight of him jumping up and down in pain.

“Why are you angry? Junot.”

“Ouch! It hurts like hell. Talleyrand, isn’t that cripple crazy? Bribes and interest-free loans? I know it’s important to separate Britain and America!”

“Things in the world don’t always go according to common sense. Besides, Talleyrand probably thought it wouldn’t work anyway.”

Eugene sat down in the Governor-General’s chair and replied.

“After all, the ones leading the United States are the descendants of the British. It’s difficult for them to hold our France’s hand forever.”

Talleyrand didn’t just demand bribes because he was greedy.

Originally, a bribe is not something that one person receives, but money that the boss of a faction shares with his subordinates.

Furthermore, a national interest-free loan would help resolve France’s wartime debts to the United States.

He would have received a rebate, so it was still a bribe.

However, it is natural for Junot to be angry.

Originally, this caused the Franco-American relations to go wrong, and France and the United States entered into a virtual state of war in the West Indies in the original history.

In a situation where they had to fight Britain, the United States became France’s war opponent.

This problem was resolved after Napoleon took power, established diplomatic relations with the American envoy, and sold Louisiana again.

But Eugene has no intention of selling Louisiana.

At that time, Desaix asked.

“Then, what should we do? Your Highness?”

“What? Our foreign minister took a bribe, so should I say sorry and sell New Orleans?”

“We can’t do that, but this is not a problem to just let it pass.”

Desaix said with a gentle but firm expression.

“At least we must hold Talleyrand accountable to the home country.”

He is from a military academy, so he is full of culture, but this is a judgment worthy of Desaix, who does not know about politics.

It is true that this problem is Talleyrand’s responsibility.

If we follow the law, a politician who takes bribes is naturally guilty even in the 19th century.

However, if the world only worked according to the law, Napoleon would not have become emperor.

Eugene looked at Desaix and shrugged.

“If we start asking for responsibility, what about Lafayette, the ambassador to the United States?”

“Yes?”

“He should have found out earlier and notified us and resolved the situation. It’s been three months since he first went to Philadelphia, what has he been doing during that time?”

At that moment, Lucien, surprised, intervened.

“Ambassador Lafayette is doing his best. Besides, these bribery scandals are secret affairs. It’s difficult to know early.”

“I know, uncle. So, it’s difficult to ask the home country for responsibility.”

“Are you going to just let it pass?”

Eugene sat in the chair and leaned back as if he was about to fall over and replied.

“It will be a card to use when I return home later. Because it’s an issue that the United States can take issue with at any time. But in the end, the problem is territory.”

In Eugene’s view, leaning back, he sees a map hanging on the wall of the Governor-General’s Office.

A map of the American New World.

Although it is a 19th-century map, it is precise.

You can see land that is equal to the territory currently occupied by the United States.

Louisiana.

By occupying this land, the United States takes a step closer to becoming the superpower of modern history.

Eugene has no intention of leaving it like that.

“Changing Louisiana to Louisiana. That’s the goal of that delegation, and the goal of the United States. Delaying this for at least 20 years is my task.”

“Why 20 years?”

“That’s simple, Ippolito. That’s enough time to immigrate at least 1 million people to this New World. If possible, 3 million is the goal.”

After all, in the 19th century, population is national power.

The reason why the United States overwhelmed Europe is also because of its rapidly growing population.

So, instead of killing the overflowing population with war while France is still fertile, send it to the New World.

This is Eugene’s plan.

“A true [New France: A French colony in North America] that can stand up to the United States must be born on this land. So, 20 years is necessary.”

That is also a [Royalist: A supporter of the monarchy] New France centered on those from the Vendée as much as possible.

***

Originally, Alexander Hamilton was from Nevis Island, an island in the West Indies.

“Ahem, the air is so warm here, like my hometown. Huh?”

That’s why he was able to fall asleep comfortably as if he was in his hometown.

But then he heard someone knocking on the door.

Hamilton, tilting his head, opened the door, and a face he had seen quite a while ago appeared.

“Hello, Mr. Hamilton.”

Hamilton smiled as he looked at the young man smiling brightly.

“It’s been a while. Mr. Bourbon.”

“Hehe, call me Philippe. Aren’t we that close?”

“Then you should call me Alexander too. Haha!”

Hamilton asked, patting him lightly on the shoulder.

“How have you been, Philippe? I heard you became the son-in-law of the Russian Emperor?”

Of course, there is quite a big age difference between the two.

Hamilton is 45 years old and the head of a household with 3 sons and 4 daughters.

On the other hand, Louis-Philippe is a 29-year-old young man who has just married late.

Nevertheless, the two had a very good friendship in Washington.

Philippe smiled and replied.

“Can you stay here for a long time? Then, I’ll show you the princess.”

“Oh, there’s a Russian imperial princess in America? That’s really amazing. What’s the matter?”

“Half exiled, half honeymoon. Haha! More than that.”

Suddenly, Philippe stepped aside slightly.

“I’m going to introduce you to a friend.”

Hamilton widened his eyes and made a strange expression.

Because behind Philippe, an unexpected young man was standing.

Why did he come to see me?

“It’s Your Highness. Hmm, if you had to see me, you wouldn’t have had to mobilize an old friend.”

“The story we have to share today requires a mediator. If I proceed alone and you misunderstand, I’ll have to resolve it.”

“What kind of story is it that’s so grand? I’m just a former minister who’s out of power in the opposition party anyway. I don’t even know French well.”

Eugene Bonaparte, the Viceroy of New France, looked at Hamilton and threw it casually.

“I’ll make you president. Mr. Hamilton.”

A proposal to change history.