I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 112

America’s Manifest Destiny

Newly independent America was busy establishing its national framework.

First, Washington, who formed the first administration, moved the capital from New York to Philadelphia.

It was only a small city with a population of about 40,000, but it was the largest city in the United States at the time.

Washington, elected with an unprecedented 100% approval rating from the Electoral College, first declared political neutrality.

Currently, the United States was in a period of great chaos, with Republicans and Federalists engaged in fierce disputes, and even within the same faction, opinions were divided.

The representatives of those who advocated for a strong federal government were Vice President John Adams and the meteoric Alexander Hamilton.

In particular, Alexander Hamilton, who rose to prominence at a young age and became the Secretary of the Treasury, argued that the first president should hold office for life.

“Our war isn’t over just because we’re independent. There are still Native Americans living in the territory ceded by England this time. How will we deal with them, and how will we compete with England or other great powers? Now more than ever, a figure who can serve as a strong center of gravity and appoint governors of each state should become president for life!”

When such radical arguments emerged, naturally the opposition also became rampant.

Aaron Burr, a young war hero who had a subtly conflicting relationship with Hamilton, was a representative figure.

Not only young people like Hamilton and Burr, but also elderly veterans argued daily about the direction the United States should take.

They naturally petitioned Washington, who was seen as no different from a king in the current United States, to end the conflict between the factions.

Even those who were fed up with the fighting began to demand that Washington end the conflict between the political factions.

Even with basic constitutions and laws, the early United States, where the system was not yet fully established, was a daily continuation of such chaos.

Nevertheless, unlike the political situation, the scenery of the port had been clear recently.

The seasonal winds blew coolly, and the fishy smell of the port was not strong.

It was no different from usual, but there was one difference.

Soldiers in colorful, disciplined uniforms were watching a large ship entering the port.

After a while, a handsome young man in luxurious clothes slowly disembarked.

“Welcome, Duke of Orléans… no, Duke of Nemours. I am Aaron Burr, here to greet Your Excellency.”

“So you are the hero who carried the bodies of our soldiers on his back to return to the base. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It is an honor for me to meet the hero who contributed the most to the independence of this country. I would like to express my gratitude once again on behalf of all the people of this country. Orl… I’m sorry. It seems that you are so famous in our country.”

“Am I that famous? Even so, it would be difficult if everyone recognized my face everywhere.”

“Don’t worry. Your face is not widely known. But you are as handsome and good-looking as the rumors say.”

Aaron Burr directed the soldiers to treat the distinguished guest with the utmost respect.

He received strict orders from the federal government not to be negligent in any way, as the Duke was the most important figure for the United States.

Of course, even if there had been no such order, Aaron Burr had no intention of being rude to the Duke.

The other Americans felt the same.

He was not only a great help in the independence of the United States but also a benefactor who greatly expanded its territory.

This was the feeling that most Americans had for the Duke.

“…This is the office of the Federal Government. It seems that President Washington is a little late for the meeting. I’m sorry, but please wait a moment.”

“It’s okay. By the way, President…”

The Duke chuckled and looked around at the books in the waiting room.

“If you want anything, I’ll bring it to you right away.”

“It’s okay. I can pass the time as long as I have coffee and books.”

As Aaron Burr politely closed the door and disappeared, the Duke took out a few books from the bookshelf.

“Interesting. The history I know is subtly different, but the big picture is all flowing similarly.”

The streets visible through the window were neat, but it would not be wrong to say that they looked shabby compared to Paris.

Considering the future of the United States as the world’s strongest power, it still made a subtle impression.

“I wonder if Marie has arrived in Canada by now.”

Since he couldn’t bring his son to such a place, he had her go to Canada first.

He had hired plenty of people to do the work, so there would be no problem for the time being, but he was a little worried about the future.

As he reviewed the plans he was currently drawing up, the door finally opened, and a dignified middle-aged man entered.

It was George Washington, who had risen to become the first president of the United States, the man he was scheduled to meet today.

“Thank you for coming such a long way. I’m glad to see you again in good health.”

“Thank you for the grand welcome.”

“It would have been much grander if you had come in your original capacity, but it’s a pity. The citizens would have liked to meet the Duke.”

“It’s a bit much to come to the United States before I’m even officially inaugurated. I would appreciate it if you would treat me as the Duke of Nemours while I’m here.”

The Duke of Nemours, like the Duke of Valois or the Duke of Montpensier, was a title given to Christian along with the Duke of Orléans.

However, most people called him by the name of Duke of Orléans, so not many people knew the name of Duke of Nemours.

In particular, the name Count Lamarche had become quite famous in the United States, but almost no one knew that the Duke of Nemours was Christian.

“By the way, the people below were calling Washington ‘President’.”

“Ah… that’s because I’m not sure what position to put this presidential position in. It’s the first position ever created. So I just told them to call me like other leaders.”

The concept of president is very familiar to modern people, but it was almost the first position to come out in this era.

As a result, a bizarre situation was created in which the president, like a symbol of democracy, was called ‘Your Highness’.

It was a rather interesting sight that showed at a glance that it was a transitional stage.

“Anyway, why did you visit here before Canada?”

“First of all, I wanted to greet the new leader of America’s closest ally in the New World.”

“The closest ally…”

Washington smiled slightly at the fact that the United States was mentioned before Spain.

“And as the Governor-General of New France, I thought it was necessary to know the current state of the adjacent United States better than anyone else. As a newborn country, it is changing rapidly, and there will be parts that cannot be known unless you see it directly.”

“Yes, it is certainly changing rapidly.”

“Certainly, even though I just arrived today, I can see various conflicts. It must be difficult.”

“…To be honest, I didn’t know that being at the top of the country would be this much of a headache.”

The situation in the United States was much more complex and subtle than in Europe, where absolute monarchy had been established.

Still, because of the existence of Washington, these conflicts could not be openly revealed.

“But if the President takes a strong stance, no one will be able to object. Don’t you have that kind of authority?”

“That’s why it’s more of a problem. Mediation is impossible. For example, as soon as I lean towards the Republican side, the triumphant Republicans will suppress the Federalists. The opposite is also true.”

“I know what you mean. That’s why you’re advocating political neutrality.”

Washington sighed and nodded.

Of course, this seemed to be the best option in the current situation, but strictly speaking, this was just putting off the conflict.

Washington also knew that, but he had not found a definite answer.

Fairness looks good and ideal, but it is difficult to achieve in reality.

“What I’m worried about is not just this conflict. I’m worried about which direction it will spread…”

“…Well, internal conflicts can be easily resolved by creating an enemy outside. And there’s a perfect opponent.”

Washington’s eyes sank coldly.

His gaze turned to a large map hanging on one side of the office.

The territory, which had nearly doubled since the first independence, was proudly displayed on the map.

However, this was only an area that the United States and Europe had arbitrarily marked.

The same was true of the territory of New France.

They declared that a vast area including most of west-central North America and Canada was their land, but in reality, it was a mess.

The only areas that had already been developed were the Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Ontario regions.

The rest was just a claim that it was their land, but in reality, the people who lived on that land were different.

“There is a very good reason to develop new territories, and the people who occupy that land are hostile to us. Is the United States secretly relieved that there is a last resort?”

“That’s a painful point. But I think your country is also worried about a similar problem. The west of the Mississippi River is the territory of New France, but there are still many Native Americans living there. What does New France plan to do with them?”

Washington was recognized as a benevolent monarch in the United States and Europe, but he was by no means a friendly figure to the Native Americans.

Even before the United States was established, he led the army and directed the policy of exterminating the Native American people.

He joined hands with the Iroquois Confederacy in the war with England, but that did not mean that he was favorable to the Native Americans.

The tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy had fled to Canada to avoid the United States, which had turned hostile as soon as it was founded.

“I have no intention of exterminating the Native Americans.”

“Are you going to assimilate them into us? But you’ll see. They have a strong tendency to protect their culture and order. They will never assimilate with us. In the end, if you want to develop the land, one of the two will have to disappear.”

“You’re cold. But I can’t deny that it’s a realistic opinion.”

Christian also agreed with Washington’s argument.

It was not that Europeans did not try to assimilate Native Americans and promoted extermination.

But it is not easy to live with people from completely different cultures.

Even in modern times, more than 200 years later, many problems arise, not to mention at this time.

The leaders of great powers such as England, the United States, and Spain made a potential conclusion that it was impossible, so they made a ruthless decision.

However, Christian did not intend to wipe out the Native Americans like the United States or England in the original history.

“Duke, there is an inevitable flow in the world. I don’t think even the most outstanding individual can go against this flow.”

“Is wiping out the natives such a flow?”

“It may be too harsh to say that. But recently, similar words have been appearing openly in newspapers. For example, God has given us the duty to spread the gospel and order to this vast land. Once these words start circulating, even I can’t stop them.”

A slogan called Manifest Destiny, or obvious destiny [the belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America].

He didn’t know that the ideology that spread an enormous amount of blood throughout the New World was already sprouting.

Christian narrowed his eyes.

“I’m curious about the scope of the word ‘we’.”

“Don’t worry. Public opinion about France is very favorable in the United States. After all, this continent is endlessly vast. Many intellectuals think that no country other than France can be considered as a partner to develop this land together.”

“…Well, how to develop the land occupied by the natives is a common concern for both sides. I understand.”

In the current situation, the United States has no choice but to go southwest, and New France must proceed with development from the north to the west.

There was no reason to blush each other yet.

“I would like to reach an amicable agreement on this issue while you are staying here. What do you think?”

“I have the same mind as President Washington.”

The blade of madness that the United States will wield sooner or later.

The fate of this century will be determined by which direction this is guided.

At a critical crossroads that would determine the fate of many, Christian quietly resolved.

He, and his New France, would not allow that blade to be directed at them.

This is a map showing the approximate state of North America.

The current United States is black, New France is blue, and Spain is red.

I did this so that readers can see it intuitively and easily at a glance. If you think my Paint skills are poor, it’s just your imagination.