I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 110

“The United States is at a crucial time, laying the foundation for the country. You say it will go as Washington intends, but you have your own firm beliefs, don’t you?”

“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have argued with John Adams when drafting the Declaration of Independence. But what does expanding territory mean…”

“Before discussing that, I want to hear about your ideals first.”

There were many intellectuals in the United States at this time, but of course, they did not all think alike.

The leaders who led the United States were ideologically divided into two main groups: Federalists and Republicans.

Federalists believed that the federal government should build a centralized system based on strong power, as their name suggests.

Representative figures include Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.

Conversely, Republicans aimed for a small government and emphasized a decentralized system.

Thomas Jefferson was the representative figure of these Republicans.

“Does my ideal mean that I should reveal my ambitions for how I want to manage the United States?”

“Similar. In fact, I know that you and John Adams are in opposition with completely opposite ideas.”

Jefferson’s face slightly hardened at the mention of his powerful rival’s name.

“I thought Your Highness would know. Adams is my friend privately, but politically, our ideologies are too different.”

“I felt it when I saw him briefly before. Your ideologies are so opposite that compromise seems impossible.”

Perhaps the formation of the federal government itself would have been impossible without the major adversary of England.

Jefferson sighed and shook his head.

“Personally, I don’t understand Adams’s thinking. Why doesn’t he realize that the birth of a strong central power easily leads to oppression…?”

“But couldn’t we create good checks and balances?”

“If we take a small government approach, we don’t need to take such risks in the first place, which is the conclusion that my colleagues and I have reached. Moreover, we must consider that the United States is not a country united from birth but rather a kind of union. Forcibly binding it into one and giving enormous power to the center? No one will accept it.”

“That makes sense.”

Originally, the 13 American colonies had a strong tendency to want to solve their own problems.

If the federal government ignores the state governments and tries to wield strong power, strong opposition will arise as Jefferson said.

“Adams says that the federal government must have power for the development of the country and quick decision-making. Of course, that makes sense, but the important thing is the side effects. We already have a way of doing things as we have been doing, so why forcibly change it? But I didn’t know that France was also concerned about this issue.”

“The United States is an important ally of our France. Moreover, since Nouvelle-France [New France, the area of North America colonized by France] will border the United States, we can’t help but be concerned about the movements of the United States.”

“I see.”

After nodding for a moment, Jefferson carefully opened his mouth.

“Then, what does Your Highness think…?”

“Wouldn’t it be better not to listen to my opinion as a foreigner?”

“There is no American who does not know that Your Highness has deep insight. And because you are a third party, you may be able to see it from a more objective perspective. If we use it only for reference, not unconditional acceptance, I see no reason not to listen.”

“I see. If that’s what you think, I’ll give my opinion.”

Jefferson swallowed nervously.

I pretended not to see his nervous face and continued speaking calmly.

“Personally, your words seem more reasonable than Adams’s.”

“Thank you! I knew Your Highness would understand.”

In fact, I had decided to side with him even before I called Jefferson to this place.

As a result of comparing various factors, it was more advantageous for me if Jefferson took power rather than Adams.

However, that does not mean that Jefferson is absolutely less capable than Adams.

Adams, who became the second president of the United States in the original history, did not have a good relationship with France.

He even declared war on France.

Conversely, Republicans generally had pro-French tendencies, and Jefferson was no different.

No, rather, the current Jefferson could be seen as an even more pro-French figure than in the original history.

Of course, Federalists would also show favor to France, but it was easier for me to control the Republicans.

Simply put, if the federal government had overwhelming power, the United States might not have suffered from the Civil War.

Of course, there is no guarantee that the United States would have been better off if it had adopted federalism.

Still, if the local government has that much power, it becomes easier for me to infiltrate.

From the standpoint of Nouvelle-France, which borders the United States, it is necessary to be friendly with the states of the United States that are adjacent to it.

Others might find it impossible, but I can lay the groundwork sufficiently while I am here.

I added a few words, taking the utmost care not to reveal such thoughts.

“Isn’t the United States a country founded on the idea of emphasizing freedom and individual rights? It may sound strange for the prince of a country that maintains a strict class system to say, but I want to see how far the United States can go while upholding its founding ideals.”

“I didn’t know you had such intentions…”

“Now that the nation called the United States has emerged, distinctions of status will gradually fade over the long term. So, shouldn’t we think in advance about which direction would be more helpful for the development of the country? If the United States becomes the touchstone, I couldn’t ask for more.”

Jefferson’s eyes filled with emotion.

Judging that he was halfway there, I naturally returned the topic to its original state.

“Now that we know each other’s thoughts, there’s no need to hesitate any longer, so I’ll get straight to the point. As you said, the United States is currently being run according to Washington’s wishes, but he is not a person who is greedy for power. I think he will step down within 10 years at the latest.”

The reason why Washington is revered as the greatest president in American history.

Because he gave up the power he had in his hands.

Unlike the presidents of the early United States, Washington had so much power that he could have become king if he had wanted to.

Washington, who gave up all of this on his own, can certainly be called an extraordinary figure.

One variable is that the current Washington has much stronger power than the Washington of the original history.

Thanks to me, the United States, which was thoroughly prepared, achieved tremendous results against England in the war.

During the war, Washington was even called the god of war due to his repeated victories, so I can roughly guess how great his power is.

In the United States today, there are even loud voices calling for Washington to hold permanent power.

But even so, Washington will step down and relinquish power.

I had an almost certain premonition.

“You said something similar, but the person who will seize power after Washington steps down will be the best prepared. As I see it, there are two candidates: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.”

If left alone, John Adams would become the second president and Thomas Jefferson would become the third president, unless there are major variables.

“I think Your Highness thinks so too. I also think that my biggest competitor will probably be Adams.”

“I heard that John Adams is planning to participate in the upcoming presidential election of the United States. The first place is virtually determined to be Washington, so it’s meaningless, but the second place can be aimed for sufficiently, and if that happens, he can become the first vice president of the United States.”

“I also think that Adams has a chance of coming in second.”

“If that happens, wouldn’t Adams have a much bigger advantage than you in the next presidential election? He can give the impression that he assisted Washington, the most beloved figure in the United States right now, in running the country.”

In this era, the concept of president itself was still unfamiliar to people.

So much so that some people called the person in the position of president ‘Your Majesty’ because they didn’t know what to call him.

Of course, even Americans did not perfectly understand the system they were operating.

Jefferson pondered for a moment and then nodded with a stiff face.

“Certainly, if Adams becomes vice president, he may be more familiar to the people of his home country than I am, far away in France. However, I think that’s a difference that I can overcome if I make noticeable achievements here.”

“That’s right. That’s why I asked you if you were willing to make achievements.”

“You said it was an achievement to greatly expand the territory.”

“Yes. If you accept my offer, you will surely be praised as a politician who has brought tremendous benefits to the United States.”

Jefferson’s body naturally leaned forward.

Then, he muttered to himself as if he were talking to himself.

“Certainly… it would be proving perfectly why I applied to be the French envoy…”

Then, he raised his head again and looked straight at me and asked.

“You said that the territory could be greatly expanded, but where specifically? Could it be that you intend to sell us the area west of the Mississippi River or near the Great Lakes?”

“No. The area I’m trying to sell is right here.”

The area I pointed to was Louisiana.

It was the very land that José Moñino of Spain had offered to hand over as a reward for the treaty a while ago.

“Wasn’t this area under the jurisdiction of Spain?”

“The story ended a while ago with us taking it over.”

“You’re going to sell it back to the United States? Why?”

“There are several reasons. First of all, Nouvelle-France is already too large. Even if the land increases here, it will only be difficult to manage. So, wouldn’t it be better to sell this area to you, who desperately want it, and use that money to consolidate the interior of other lands?”

“I see. Then, can I know the second reason?”

I smiled at Jefferson while looking him in the eye.

“It’s because I want to establish a friendly relationship with the United States, or more precisely, with the United States that you will lead. As I said before, I think the ideals you have are more suitable for the president of the United States than Adams’s.”

Jefferson kept looking back and forth between the map spread out on the table and my face.

“Louisiana is clearly land that the United States needs to expand further… wait, but why did Spain suddenly hand over this area to France?”

“I can roughly guess, but it’s a bit sensitive for me to say it, so it’s hard to tell you. Please understand.”

If I say only this much, the quick-witted Jefferson will realize it right away.

As expected, his eyes, which had been lost in thought for a while, sank coldly.

“Could it be…”

“Whatever Spain is thinking, we just need to do what we have to do, don’t we? The friendly relations between the two countries will not be shaken by such trivial matters.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right. Of course.”

Now, as soon as Jefferson returns, he will begin an investigation into Spain.

Naturally, a report containing his opinion will be sent to the United States.

There is no need to push him too hard or speak ill of him from my side.

It is enough to simply let the two sides border each other naturally and then fan the flames of the fact-based conflict to make it bigger.

“Now, Jefferson. Can you give me an answer soon?”

“It seems like there’s no reason to refuse a story that has no disadvantages from a national interest perspective or from my personal perspective. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Jefferson stood up from his seat and politely extended his hand forward.

I shook his outstretched hand and gave him a fairly polite greeting.

“I look forward to working with you too. Future President.”