He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 336

(336) Concluding a Vassal Treaty with the Seminole Confederation

In other words, the United States had been at war with the indigenous peoples since before its inception.

“Even President Washington’s early career was all about fighting indigenous peoples, not even battles against the French army.”

“Summarize the report, Jomini.”

“In short, the Americans seized land that the French had lost to the British, and then war broke out. It was a war between the so-called [Western Confederacy] and the United States.”

He speaks as if he were an expert on the New World, but in fact, this is Jomini’s first time in the New World.

However, few in Europe can match Jomini when it comes to collecting, analyzing, and organizing information.

Moreover, in an era without computers, all information analysis had to be done manually.

Thus, Eugene entrusted this role to Jomini.

As Eugene expected, Jomini explained the collected analysis data very accurately.

“Eventually, the Shawnee, Myaamia, and Huron tribes were defeated, and the Northwest [Territory] was reorganized.”

Territory, that is, a [quasi-state], a temporary administrative district before being promoted to a state.

In later history, Hawaii and Louisiana both went through the era of quasi-states.

The northwestern part of the current United States was originally British territory during the War of Independence.

However, as Britain was defeated by the United States, it came to the conclusion that it would be difficult to maintain the land.

The natives who originally lived in the Northwest rebelled against American rule, leading to the Western Confederacy War between the natives and the United States in 1794.

However, although it was a war, the natives were a small number of tribes with only a few thousand warriors.

They could not possibly defeat the United States regular army and were expelled from their homes to live in designated areas.

It was from this time that so-called [Indian Reservations] began to be established everywhere.

“But of course, the Americans are ignoring the reservations and advancing.”

“So they ran away?”

“There are many more complicated circumstances, but since you told me to summarize, I’ll just say this much. Haha!”

Then an unexpected person interjected.

“When we [Rossiya] were developing Siberia, we also encountered many natives.”

It was the Russian princess, Alexandra, who was staying in Pensacola with Louis-Philippe.

“What are you trying to say, Princess?”

“It’s a simple story. The conqueror must receive the obedience of the conquered. But if they obey, they should be protected, right? That’s the secret to our conquest of Siberia.”

“Obedience, huh? If the natives here were that simple, they would have already finished negotiating with the Americans.”

Alexandra stared at Eugene and asked.

“But isn’t conquest the same principle? Or are you going to leave them as they are?”

In this era, Russia is naturally more backward than France.

However, there is one area where it is far ahead.

That is the field of colonial development.

The history of French colonies dates back to the 17th century, but it has been virtually halted for more than half a century after the Seven Years’ War.

Even after the Great Revolution, the Caribbean colonies that they still held were out of the control of the home country.

The reason why Eugene didn’t bring Antoine Dumas from Martinique is similar.

He judged that he would be of no help in governing the New World.

However, there are also differences from Siberia, which Russia occupied.

The North American natives are more numerous, more combative, and more receptive to European civilization.

Eugene recalled the vaguely known history of the New World and said.

“The [Iroquois Confederacy] also has quite a bit of power.”

“For reference, the Huron tribe, which is the main axis of the Western Confederacy, and the Iroquois Confederacy were hostile. Haha!”

“Isn’t that just saying that they were both dismantled, Jomini?”

Then Colonel Oregon, a soldier from the Spanish Florida Governor-General, reported.

“Currently, there are reports that the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Cayuga, and Onondaga tribes, who were members of the Iroquois, are also in the upper reaches of the Mississippi River.”

“Isn’t that all American land?”

“Not necessarily. Some straddle British Canada. Moreover, the United States has not yet completely subjugated or expelled the indigenous peoples from its territory.”

Jomini quickly added.

“In addition, there are Creek tribes in Georgia and the Mississippi Territory, which occupy Florida and the north, and they are said to be quite civilized, along with the Cherokee tribes in the vicinity.”

It looks complicated, but it’s actually simple.

First of all, there was the Iroquois Confederacy, which roamed the Great Lakes area in the far north.

Once, when Britain and France fought, they took the side of Britain and occupied almost more land than France, but the population was small due to European epidemics.

At the time of American independence, they were divided between the United States and Britain, and the confederacy was dissolved.

Since then, they have been expelled to the upper reaches of the Mississippi River.

In addition, there are the five major tribes, including the Creek and Cherokee, who lived in the south-central United States in later history.

However, they are also being pushed south and west of the Mississippi River by Americans expanding in search of settlements.

The Seminole tribe can be said to be a tribe formed in this process.

“There’s a reason why Spain gave up this land so easily.”

“Although they are said to be civilized, it is not difficult to win a fight, Your Majesty. Even Nueva España secured land by fighting with the Comanche and Apache tribes. Before that, there was a tribe called the Mexican tribe…”

“Fight with the United States, fight with the natives, and then fight with Britain? That’s troublesome.”

Eugene shook his head at Colonel Oregon’s Spanish [Conquistador] historical remarks.

“But it would be troublesome to be swayed by the natives. Besides, when we enter the interior of Louisiana, we will have to clash with other natives.”

So there are three main ways to develop the New World.

Spanish style: conquer everything, carry out forced mixed-race policies, and assimilate them.

British style: create divisions among the natives, form alliances, exterminate other tribes, and then colonize the British.

American style: establish reservations, push them out, and then develop the land and civilize it.

France was neither of these and lost in the New World by acting ambiguously.

Eugene must avoid all these paths and develop the New World.

Suddenly, the Commander-in-Chief of New France, Deje, handed over another report.

“It has been reported that there are Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache tribes west of the Mississippi River. This is data compiled by the Governor-General of Nueva España.”

“There are many indeed.”

“Are you planning to form alliances with all of them one by one?”

Eugene turned his gaze.

Lasalle is standing in the corner with an embarrassed face.

He is about to become a division commander with the rank of brigadier general, but he is a junior here with so many star-studded generals.

But he boldly crossed Florida and returned, boldly declaring an alliance with the Seminoles.

Perhaps this is another path that France can choose.

France, which has gone through a revolution and become an empire, can accept the alien Native Americans differently.

Eugene, who had been lost in thought, shook his head.

“No, we don’t need to manage them all. We only need to manage the great lords.”

“Yes? Did you say great lords?”

“Yes, it’s a natural state, tribal democracy, but in the end, they lack material civilization and have failed to form a nation. In that case, we can treat them like the nomads of the Old World.”

Suddenly, Eugene’s eyes lit up.

“We need to show them a show of force. Was it called Alachua? Summon the army. Take the shortest route to that place and gather the Royal Guard. Especially prepare the artillery and that [new product].”

Of course, the order is easy, but the execution will be a very difficult expedition.

***

Nevertheless, Eugene’s Orient expeditionary force succeeded in preparing for a high-level show of force.

“What on earth is going on?”

Florida is still full of forests in many places.

However, Alachua is a fortified city that has been developed by the Spanish since before, so it is easily accessible.

If you know the way.

But the natives who already lived there have already told the French cavalry the way to Alachua.

Chief Payne of Alachua, who did not think about that fact, tilted his head as he watched the dust rising.

“Oh, there, white people are coming!”

“What? White people? Don’t tell me, an army against us!”

“As expected, you can’t trust white people! Summon the warriors! Immediately!”

However, it was too late when the Seminole warriors of Alachua realized it.

– Bang!

A powerful cannon fire erupted in the distance.

As the Alachua Seminoles scattered in panic, the horse artillery rushed in.

The sound of cannons rang out again loudly.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

Until now, the New World European armies that the Seminole tribe had clashed with mainly used guns.

Cannons are difficult to move, and horse artillery in particular has not been introduced to the New World.

Moreover, there is naturally no road network here.

However, the New France army succeeded in advancing.

How?

The Suwannee River, which flows through the center of Florida and into the Caribbean Sea.

By mobilizing the fleet and moving upstream the Suwannee River, they poured fire on the natives who came close and advanced.

In a word, it is the result of a barrage of firepower.

“Save me!”

“Oh my god, Micanopy has brought disaster!”

“Ah, our home is being taken away by the white people again!”

Amid the Seminole tribe’s cries, only Chief Payne walked around with a face full of anger and shouted.

“We must face them with death! Everyone get up and fight! We must kill all the white bastards!”

But a huge roar covered his voice.

– Rumble!

Payne turned his head and widened his eyes.

“What is that?”

The Seminole warriors, the elderly, and even the women were surprised and shouted in their own language.

“Iron, iron, is that a lump of iron rolling?”

“Wh, wh, what? How on earth!”

“N, no way. Th, the British and Americans didn’t have anything like that!”

It is a steam car of enormous size.

Of course, it is wrong to think that the British do not have it.

Because it is already moving in the British mainland in 1802.

In fact, the reason why it is so large is that the efficiency of the steam engine is so poor.

But it was enough to surprise the New World natives.

– Squeak!

Suddenly, Lasalle waved his hand from the car and shouted.

“Hey, friend! How do you like our greeting? Isn’t it cool?”

Micanopy, a warrior of Alachua, who had been blankly watching the scene until then, shouted.

“A greeting? An army has come, do you call that a greeting!”

“I couldn’t help it, friend. The son of [Emperor] Your Majesty, soon Your Majesty, came from the home country. How should I translate it? The son of the king of kings? Haha!”

“What? The son of the emperor has come?”

The moment Micanopy’s face changed, Lasalle nodded greatly.

“Yes. He is the highest-ranking person who has come to this New World from Europe so far. He came to sign a contract directly with you!”

At this moment, the Seminole tribe was virtually subdued.

***

In fact, when you know it, the Seminole tribe is a newly formed group.

“You guys aren’t the original inhabitants here either, are you? Isn’t that right?”

In the first place, it is mainly composed of the Creek tribe, residents of the Great Lakes area who fled from the Iroquois Confederacy, and even black slaves are mixed together.

So the [enslaved people] that Chief Payne is using are originally those who were used by the Americans.

Moreover, since they are immigrants, it is difficult to claim that this land is originally theirs.

In front of the wooden building in Alachua, a city built by the Spanish, Chief Payne glared and opened his mouth.

“So, what do you want to say, Your Majesty?”

“It’s simple. Just like our France used to sign contracts with the natives, you can also sign contracts with us. However, it is not a simple contract, but a [vassal contract].”

“What is that?”

Payne, who had been glaring until now, changed to a bewildered expression at the unexpected proposal.

In the first place, the term vassal contract itself was born in modern Europe.

So no matter how well he speaks English, there is no way Payne can understand it accurately.

Eugene smiled and explained simply.

“It’s simple. You become a great lord. I become the sovereign.”

At that moment, Micanopy, Payne’s nephew and successor, shouted.

“Wait, we are free people! We are not subordinate to anyone, nor are we ruled by anyone!”

“Is that really so? What if I bestow the [steam car] and firearms I brought here today to Chief Payne?”

“What did you say?”

This time, not only the natives but also the New France division that followed Eugene were surprised.

The steam car is something that even the New France garrison has only three of.

The only person who rides it is Pauline, who has been familiar with cars since Egypt, but even so, are you giving it to the natives?

Amid the shocked people, Eugene looked down at Payne and said.

“It’s a simple contract. Serve me as your sovereign, and I will bestow the title of Duke to the Seminole tribal family. Then, you will subdue other natives again and conclude lower vassal contracts.”

Payne blinked and looked back at Micanopy.

Micanopy, who is familiar with the New World white situation, stared at Eugene with calculating eyes.

It doesn’t seem like he’s just trying to deceive them.

Here, Eugene added one more thing.

“Also, your new fief will be set in Louisiana.”

“Wait, are you telling us to migrate?”

“No, the land you currently occupy here will be bestowed as a fief. As the superior sovereign, I will not invade that territory. However, the boundary line cannot deviate from the land you currently occupy. Also…”

Very simply, he limited the natives’ habitat to [fiefs] rather than reservations.

In fact, when you think about it, there is not much difference.

However, in later history, the United States even drove the natives out of the reservations.

Here, Eugene added another condition.

“You must send your successor as a hostage, and at the same time, you must help when our New France army advances into Louisiana.”

Chief Payne rolled his eyes and said pleadingly.

“Give me time to think.”

“No, decide today right now.”

“What do you mean? At least give me some time.”

However, Eugene shook his head firmly and declared.

“Otherwise, I have no choice but to hand you over to the Americans because we are also under pressure from the Americans. What are you going to do?”

Carrot and stick.

It’s a classic method, but it’s effective.

Especially for underdeveloped races who have already tasted the sweetness of civilization.

In the end, Payne succumbed.

“Okay.”

With this, the New World’s first [vassal treaty] was concluded.

Originally, it was the moment when the Seminole tribe, who were branded as barbarians and subjugated by the United States in history, took a different path.

Furthermore, it was the day when a new New France ruling system was established.

A [native] vassal system with Eugene Bonaparte as the supreme sovereign.