He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 342

(342) Andrew Jackson Shouts ‘America First’

In the early 19th century, the United States was generally on friendly terms with France.

“Even so, this New World belongs to us, the United States of America! We can’t just hand it over to the Europeans!”

In February 1804, Washington D.C. was still chilly, making it hard to leave the warmth of the fireplace.

President Jefferson wasn’t thrilled with the impassioned Southern visitor.

However, when the other party was a senator, it wasn’t easy to dismiss them, no matter how unwelcome they were.

Moreover, the federal president of this era held less power than a state governor in some respects.

Reluctantly, the 61-year-old president, in his third year of office, questioned the 37-year-old young senator.

“Senator Jackson, who are you talking about? Who, exactly?”

“France, of course, Mr. President.”

“Our federal government has no intention of fighting France, as I’ve stated repeatedly. Besides, Nouvelle-France [New France, a French colony in North America] hasn’t shown any aggressive tendencies.”

President Jefferson glanced at the report on his desk and adjusted his spectacles [glasses].

“Above all, our United States federal government has no justification for war, now that we’ve secured navigation rights to the port of New Orleans.”

Eyeglasses were one of the latest technological advancements in lens technology of the 18th century.

They were especially popular in England, and the elites of the United States, descendants of English immigrants, often wore them.

However, they were rarely included in portraits, as they were not considered dignified.

On the other hand, Jackson, who didn’t have bad eyesight but came from a lower-class background, eyed the glasses with displeasure and spoke bluntly.

“300,000.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s the number of French people who have entered Florida, Louisiana, and the New Orleans area! I hear they’re aiming for a million. And that’s just the official immigrant ships!”

Jackson, pronouncing the place names in English, raised his voice.

“If unofficial immigrants are included, it could exceed two million at any time! A massive power threatening our United States is emerging in North America, Mr. President!”

The constant use of honorifics didn’t mask his rough tone.

Jefferson frowned.

In later history, Jefferson, remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence, a friend of Lafayette, an American supporter of the French Revolution, and the hero of the Louisiana Purchase, is often seen as a pacifist.

However, in 1801, he was the one who decided to launch America’s first overseas expedition, attacking pirates in North Africa.

This happened while France was preoccupied with conquering Egypt.

So, Jefferson isn’t avoiding conflict now out of fear of France.

He simply has no reason to fight Nouvelle-France.

Jefferson stared intently at Jackson before speaking.

“Mr. Jackson, do you know the population of [New Spain, a Spanish colony in North America]?”

Jackson, who had no interest in New Spain, hesitated.

“Well, maybe about three million?”

“It’s eight million. Of course, that includes Indians, blacks, and people of mixed race. But isn’t that twice our United States [population]?”

“Indeed, that’s true. What does that matter?”

Here, the population of the United States refers to four million whites, excluding one million slaves.

Naturally, the indigenous people living within the territory are excluded.

This shows the perception that they are not Americans.

It’s a typical attitude for Jefferson, who, despite having a relationship with a slave, Sally Hemings, and even having children with her, still lives as a slave plantation owner.

Jefferson frowned and pressed Jackson.

“It’s about the population, Mr. Jackson. New Spain, with a population of eight million, isn’t a threat to us. Do you really think a French colony with barely 300,000 people is a threat?”

Of course, in later history, the United States utterly crushes the successor to [New Spain], the Republic of Mexico.

They secure California and Texas, gaining access to gold mines and vast oil reserves.

But in 1804, the internal territory of the United States is still sufficient.

Jefferson is pointing out this fact.

“We are a new nation, and there is still plenty of land to develop within our own territory.”

“The limit will come soon! Disputes are already breaking out among plantation owners in the South. Besides, the black slaves who are escaping to Florida are also a problem!”

“I don’t want to lecture a senator, but wouldn’t war be a bigger problem?”

Suddenly, Jefferson stood up and glared at Jackson, spitting out his words.

“You said 300,000 people? France has a population of 30 million. Moreover, they have an army that has won victories in [Europe]. We have the British Navy over our heads. And consider the [Simcoe Report, a supposed British plan to retake America]!”

Jefferson once served as the French ambassador.

At that time, he was very active in Parisian society, even having a romantic relationship with the famous painter Maria Cosway.

Therefore, he accurately understands the power of Europe and the strength of France.

Above all, the [Simcoe Report], recently exposed by Lafayette, is a problem.

England, once a maritime power that controlled all the territory of the United States.

As long as this country still has its eyes on America, we must not antagonize France.

Jackson hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“The British ambassador denied those facts.”

“Of course. Does any enemy openly report that they are going to war? But both you and I have actually fought a war with England. England can return at any time!”

“If we leave Nouvelle-France alone, it could become a second England!”

Seeing Jackson jump up again, Jefferson waved his hand.

“Tennessee borders Florida. Aren’t you too focused on local interests? Remember that you are now a federal senator.”

Driven out by President Jefferson, Jackson turned back and gritted his teeth.

“You will realize that I am right, Mr. President.”

This is Jackson’s prophecy, and a future that did not come to pass in the original history.

***

It is said that there are two types of prophecies.

Self-defeating prophecies and self-fulfilling prophecies.

The former refers to predictions that do not come true because those who hear the prophecy take precautions.

But the latter is completely different.

It is a prophecy that people strive to fulfill, making it a reality.

As a prophet, Jackson is now back at his base, seeking to achieve a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Knoxville, the early 19th-century capital of Tennessee.

“We can’t stay like this. Mr. Calhoun, don’t you agree with me?”

Jackson sat in his Knoxville office, grumbling as he asked.

The man sitting in front of him, organizing documents, was John Calhoun.

A Yale University graduate and lawyer from South Carolina.

In the original history, he would compete with Jackson and become vice president, but now he was just a young politician.

Having just obtained his law license, he frequented Washington and became an aide to Senator Jackson.

Calhoun nodded and said to Jackson.

“Of course, Senator. The same problem is constantly occurring in my home state of South Carolina.”

“Is it about slaves again?”

“Yes. Slaves are escaping and crossing into Indian territory. Then, the Indians use force to prevent the slaves from being taken back. And now, the French have been added to the mix!”

Listening to Calhoun, Jackson clicked his tongue.

“Nouvelle-France is the problem. The British are a grateful presence, supplying us with slaves. Rather, Nouvelle-France is liberating our slaves as they please!”

Originally from a lower-class background, Jackson had become a successful self-made man and was now a large plantation owner.

Especially at this time, he was the person who created the [West] of the United States, the undeveloped territory of Tennessee.

Therefore, he was a respected pioneer in the southwestern United States.

However, in the New World, a pioneer is someone who drives out the natives.

Jackson was similar, especially in the original history, where he gained fame through massacres of Native Americans.

He wasn’t quite at that level yet, but he also served as the commander of the militia, crossing between Tennessee and the Mississippi Territory.

There was a reason why he became a 30-year-old senator from a lower-class background.

At that moment, a 31-year-old young soldier sitting on the opposite sofa spoke up.

“They even give them weapons.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Harrison?”

“When black slaves escape from the South, Florida gives them free emancipation papers. Then, if they serve in the military, they get French citizenship.”

Hearing Harrison’s words, Jackson exclaimed in disbelief.

“Fucking French! Giving guns to slaves, do they want to die? If this continues, the civilized world of this New World will collapse!”

The young man’s name was William Henry Harrison, a soldier from Virginia.

He had gained fame in the Native American extermination wars, and former President Adams, who was from the same region, had favored him, appointing him as the Secretary of the Northwest Territory at the young age of 25.

He was currently serving as the Secretary of the Indiana Territory, which bordered northern Tennessee, effectively acting as governor.

But why was Harrison in Jackson’s office, when he wasn’t even from Virginia?

The two had something in common.

They believed that Native Americans should be driven out and a [Great America] should be created.

Eventually, in later history, Jackson served as the 7th President and Harrison as the 9th President, so it could be said that they accurately captured what the American people wanted.

Furthermore, the idea that Nouvelle-France would eventually become a threat was not just the opinion of the people gathered here.

It was the gathering sentiment of the citizens of the southern United States.

The supporters standing around the sofa also spoke up.

“We can’t stay like this.”

“But the federal government is reluctant to fight France. It’s because the pro-French faction has seized power.”

“Actually, our Democratic-Republican Party is the pro-French faction. Anyway, the federal cavalry won’t budge.”

Jackson, who had been lost in thought, twisted his lips.

“No, there is an army that can move.”

As Harrison, Calhoun, and the other supporters turned to look at Jackson, he slowly raised his finger.

“I have another position besides being a senator. I am the commander of the Tennessee militia.”

Militia.

From its birth, the United States was a country that fought against the British army with an army voluntarily gathered from civilians, without a regular army.

Also, the federal government was still weak, and the frontier was a lawless zone that had to fight against bandits, Native Americans, and the remaining British forces.

Thus, the militia was born, an army where state residents defended themselves.

Apart from his senatorial position, Jackson was currently promoted to commander of the militia.

He fought well and massacred the Native Americans as the residents wanted, so he was very suitable as the commander of the militia.

But now he was trying to use this military force.

Calhoun, still young and without military experience, asked in surprise.

“Are you going to attack Nouvelle-France with the militia?”

“What are you talking about? They are a regular army. Unless we fight at the federal government level, we can’t wage war with the militia.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

Jackson said solemnly.

“To save the nation and civilization, I will risk my life. As it happens, we are experiencing a mass escape of slaves in Tennessee.”

As Harrison, Calhoun, and the other supporters nodded, Jackson declared.

“We must retrieve those slaves.”

Thus, the historical event of the Tennessee militia invading the border for the first time began.

***

Eugene heard this news in Nouvelle-Orléans [New Orleans].

“Tell me again. Who is invading the northern border of Pensacola?”

Originally, the person in charge of information under Eugene was naturally Rochejaquelein.

However, Rochejaquelein was currently on a journey across the continent to negotiate with the Governor-General of Russian Alaska.

So, the man who brought the urgent report was Zomini, who was recently creating the General Staff.

“It’s the Tennessee militia. In short, it’s the state’s defense force.”

“Could it be that they mistook a Native American warrior group or a rebel army? It’s about time for the Native American hardliners to arrive.”

“Unfortunately, they are all white. They are said to be speaking English.”

Zomini read the report sent by Junot from the Pensacola [Government] Palace.

“The commander is Andrew Jackson, a senator from Tennessee. They say they came to find their [enslaved people].”

At that moment, Eugene sighed.

“A man shouting ‘America First’ in the 19th century has arrived.”

February 1804.

Nouvelle-France had not yet fully secured Louisiane [Louisiana].

The United States moved first.

Driven by the demagoguery of Andrew Jackson, who shouted ‘America First’.