Me?" A hint of helplessness flashed in Franklin's aged eyes.
Several months of continuous parliamentary and Presidential elections, coupled with recent vexing events, had made the seventy-year-old man feel increasingly out of his depth. But his sense of responsibility as the incumbent President still made him perk up and calmly state his view on the matter:
"No matter how it's arranged, several prerequisites must be observed: ensuring the nation is not divided, and ensuring that the handling of this matter does not harm too many Americans. This is a political event; it's best not to escalate it into a war. You only need to discuss within these prerequisites; for specific arrangements, I will respect all of your opinions."
Franklin had actually spoken out of caution, but his words set the tone for the crisis discussion.
Franklin was still the President of this nation, and his power and authority in the nation were undoubtedly paramount. Whether by legal provisions or practical means, Franklin had the ability to make the final decision. Charles and the others had been discussing so enthusiastically that they had almost overlooked him, the supreme decision-maker. Now that Franklin had truly spoken, the authority forged by his four-year Presidential term immediately erupted, and everyone dared not make random suggestions as before. Instead, they instinctively began to discuss specific arrangements, fully adhering to the scope Franklin had laid out.
"For the nation not to be divided, those Southern members of parliament who incite opposition to the Federal Government, and the British merchant behind them, certainly need to be dealt with by special means."
"Without resorting to war, it's basically very difficult to resolve!" Sullivan shook his head in disagreement.
"No! I believe the members of parliament from the Three Southern States, deep down, are still unwilling to truly secede. Right now, it's just about their interests. They're just bargaining!"
"If that's the case, then Mr. Jefferson will certainly need to make another trip to Richmond!" Madison said with a smile, looking at Jefferson.
At this moment, he, the almost certain Vice President, also began to realize the role of Jefferson and the other Southerners in the cabinet.
"I'm afraid I can't!" Jefferson shook his head with a wry smile, "After returning from Richmond this time, I've already seen it. The members of parliament from the Three Southern States now regard George and me as completely pro-Federal Government, and they don't consider us true Southerners at all. So, for me alone to persuade them is basically impossible. Otherwise, I wouldn't have rushed back to Philadelphia immediately after hearing the news!"
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
It was clear that what Jefferson said was very possible, but besides him, the famous Southern lawyer, who else could have the influence and eloquence to persuade those stubborn members of parliament in the South?
"Alas! I'll go with you, Thomas!" Washington, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke at this moment. And as soon as he spoke, it was to say he would go to the South with Jefferson.
Now everyone started to cheer up again. Although Washington's eloquence was certainly not comparable to Jefferson's, his influence was still above Jefferson's. Since he was willing to step forward, at least Jefferson would certainly go along with him. As for whether they would succeed, they could only leave it to fate.
Hearing Washington's words, a hint of regret flashed in Jefferson's heart.
He had originally planned to use this opportunity to extract some benefits from the Republican Party and the Federal Government before going to Richmond to lobby, but he hadn't expected Washington to be so eager to make a statement. He couldn't push back too much either; if he still prevaricated now, it would mean he truly didn't want to go to the South, and if things spiraled out of control, that was something Jefferson was unwilling to see. So, after hearing Washington's words, Jefferson immediately smiled and expressed his agreement.
"Haha! That would be great, of course. Actually, with the influence of our Democratic Party and myself in the Three Southern States, it's not a problem to get those members of parliament to maintain at least neutrality. It's just that the radical military faction is on the anti-Federal Government side, which makes it very difficult for me to handle. If George is willing to step forward, those militias will certainly be willing to follow your command, and then I can confidently lobby those members of parliament!"
Franklin, Madison, and the others immediately nodded in agreement with Jefferson's words, expressing great confidence in Jefferson and Washington personally stepping forward to resolve the issue.
Charles had initially been somewhat concerned about the South's attitude, but after learning that the British merchant was manipulating the situation behind the scenes, he felt somewhat relieved.
Because it was very simple: it was already almost August, and France, which was expected to start its Three Estates meeting in July, would soon have important news. He could fully anticipate that once a major change occurred in France, the British merchant would no longer focus their attention on the Three Southern States of America, which were relatively less profitable.
And the Three Southern States, which had always been supported by the British merchant, would certainly panic once the British merchant stopped their support.
At that time, with just a bit more intimidation, those genuine plantation owners who had not yet enjoyed the post-war benefits would certainly choose to yield due to insufficient strength.
Charles still felt a bit uneasy about Jefferson and their actions, so he offered a slight suggestion:
"In fact, those British merchant are willing to represent Britain and help the Southern plantation owners, primarily for the sake of profit. Our customs and other departments can take appropriate measures to treat them differently: those willing to stand with the Federal Government can be offered appropriate tax incentives; those who secretly continue to help the South will be heavily taxed, or even permanently disqualified from America trade! For the British merchant behind the Three Southern States, we can only adopt a conciliatory policy."
"This is feasible. We still have relevant trade agreements with the British Government. As long as we get evidence of the British Government's backing, we can force them to stop aid. Otherwise, we can also cut off the trade preferences we originally gave them. I believe the British Government certainly doesn't want to see such a thing happen," Morris added his opinion.
Such matters need to be discussed thoroughly; two heads are better than one, and with everyone contributing, many ideas naturally emerged, and they all sounded very effective. However, these political figures clearly knew that political events change rapidly, and to truly prevent this Southern secession crisis, the key still lay in the strength of the Federal Government. So, in the end, they tacitly approved General Sullivan's decision to put the Continental army on high alert.
Just as Washington and Jefferson were leaving Philadelphia by carriage, Sullivan, the Minister of war, also officially ordered the cancellation of Continental army soldiers' leave, putting the entire army on first-level alert, and conscripting local retired soldiers in Philadelphia, ready to rejoin the Continental army at any time.
What seemed like an insignificant small event stirred up a tense atmosphere throughout America.
Because General Sullivan had disclosed this matter to the media from the beginning, the public and newspapers had been following its development closely, with daily reports tracking the latest situation. From Jefferson's fruitless return from Richmond, many people were not optimistic about the subsequent developments, and Sullivan's unsecretive military alert escalation further led many to believe that war would soon break out in America.
This not only made many French people who had just arrived in America begin to have doubts, but even many Americans also started to feel uneasy, wanting to go to South America or Europe to seek refuge. If the situation continued to develop like this, America would inevitably face the greatest disaster since its founding.
But at this critical moment, a fast mail ship from Europe timely delivered a message to the American continent: the French Three Estates meeting held in July officially rejected king Louis XVI's demand for increased taxes. Instead, the citizen representatives demanded that king Louis XVI reduce taxes and reform the government, and hold certain officials accountable.
Domestic conflicts erupted in France, and the entire European world turned its attention to France. Few countries paid attention to this small matter happening in America. Even the Ambassadors from various countries in Philadelphia, who had never Godfreyered on news from Richmond, all turned their attention to the mail ships coming from Europe, inquiring about the latest changes in the situation in France and various European countries.
In the first few days after Washington and Jefferson arrived in Richmond, the Three States' parliamentary representatives and General Charles himself were still quite firm, leaving the two with basically no solutions.
But on the third day, European news sent by express mail from Philadelphia reached Jefferson and Washington. Upon learning of this, Jefferson, the astute diplomat, immediately realized the opportunity it presented and promptly arranged an emergency meeting with the British merchant's representative in Richmond, conveying the news to them. He demanded that they reconsider their stance, otherwise, he would not rule out the possibility of their investments in the South being completely lost.
He then turned to comfort Washington, who was still very anxious, telling him not to worry about this matter anymore. He assured him that in just a few days, once those British merchant received confirmed news from Europe, the situation would certainly shift in favor of the Federal Government.
Those British merchant did not entirely believe the news Jefferson conveyed to them, but once they received confirmation through their own channels, they began to get anxious.
It wasn't that they immediately realized that the French Revolution would spread to Britain, but rather that as Britain, which had always been hostile to France, would certainly seize the opportunity to gain greater profits when France was in turmoil. This was naturally an opportunity for all major British merchant. Relatively speaking, the interests of the Three Southern States in America now meant almost nothing in their eyes. They were all eager to return to Britain to reap greater benefits from the upcoming French civil unrest.
#291Chapter 292 The British Withdrew
After receiving definite news from Europe, a British merchant, without consulting Virginia, immediately arranged a private meeting with Washington and Jefferson, representatives from Philadelphia.
Washington and Jefferson, who were waiting for them, naturally would not refuse the request of this mastermind, and immediately agreed to hold a private meeting with them.
"Your Excellency, Vice President Washington, Your Excellency, Secretary of State Jefferson, it is an honor to be received by the two of you. We are here for peace. We hear that your Federal Government and the governments of the Three Southern States, including Virginia, are currently in a state of political opposition.
As old friends of the American people, we are willing to step forward and help you mediate!" a prominent British merchant said respectfully.
Washington didn't feel much, but Jefferson, who had more experience in dealing with people, detected a hint of disdain in the British merchant's words.
Indeed, a small scheme by a few British merchants had caused tension across half of the United States. If they hadn't had other matters to attend to and couldn't focus on this, dividing the United States into two wouldn't have been impossible.
Of course, this was merely the thought of those British merchants. They had fundamentally overlooked that the root cause of this crisis was the long-standing dissatisfaction and conflicts of interest between the Three Southern States and the Federal Government.
The appearance of these British merchants merely provided the South with more leverage to openly defy the Federal Government.
"Gentlemen, I am very grateful that you are willing to come forward and help with the affairs of the United States.
I believe President Franklin and other Federal Government officials will also appreciate your assistance," Washington said reservedly.
By his nature, he would naturally welcome such help. But it would be the greatest help if these annoying British people would disappear from his sight immediately.
However, considering that a compromise with these British merchants was indeed necessary now, he could only reluctantly sit with them, prepared to use the words Jefferson had prepared beforehand to deal with them.
"Alas! It is our honor to help you, but this time, our involvement might offend the plantation owners in the Three Southern States.
It will be difficult for us to do business in the United States again, and our losses will surely be substantial!" the leading merchant representative from before said.
As soon as he spoke, the other British merchants below immediately caused a commotion.
"Yes! Yes! If we stand with the Federal Government, our losses will surely be substantial!"
"No, we cannot sacrifice ourselves for nothing, otherwise who will compensate us!"
"Whoever is willing to compensate us for our losses, we will help!"
This was, of course, an arrangement they had prepared long ago, nothing more than an attempt to extract some more benefits from the Federal Government before they left.
However, they were more concerned with appearances. They didn't openly say things like, "We were originally allies of the Three Southern States, and now we are prepared to abandon our allies and leave at the risk of losing credibility, so you should compensate us."
If Washington had followed his true feelings, he would not have agreed to such a request.
Having been entrusted by Jefferson at this moment, he forced a smile and said, "All legitimate rights and interests of your country's merchants in the United States are protected by the Federal Government.
Furthermore, according to the agreement four years ago, many special preferential treatments were granted. This time, we can reiterate the original preferences and restore the benefits you have always enjoyed, considering it as compensation for your assistance to the Federal Government!"
Maintaining the original benefits as compensation for these British merchants would naturally not satisfy them.
"What? Isn't that our original right, Your Excellency? How can you use it as our compensation?"
"Exactly! Exactly, Your Excellency Washington, you didn't misspeak, did you?"
The merchants continued to jeer, and even their leader looked at Washington in confusion, not believing he was truly prepared to use that as compensation.
But Washington smiled and nodded.
"That's right, this is the benefit the Federal Government is prepared to give you, and the only one we can give you.
We cannot offer any other terms that would harm the States. Because of some recent events in the South, we have already decided to cancel the original trade preferences and the like, and I am very sorry about this.
Now that gentlemen are willing to help, all we can do is restore the original preferences. I also hope that gentlemen can accept such benefits, so that we can continue our good relations!"
Once Washington confirmed what he had just said was correct, the overly dramatic merchants could no longer keep up their pretense and all looked to their leader, awaiting his decision.
"Alas! Your Excellency Washington, since your Federal Government is in such difficulty, we certainly cannot make excessive demands. This matter, well... although I very much want to help the Federal Government, we cannot disregard the other members of our Chamber of Commerce."
The leader said blandly, seemingly not intending to help.
Washington did not try to keep him, but merely smiled and nodded, then glanced at Jefferson next to him, saying nothing more.
In reality, he was extremely anxious; as long as the matter of Virginia remained unresolved, the Presidential election could not proceed normally.
If these British merchants were not as eager to return to Britain as Jefferson had predicted, then the Federal Government would definitely be forced into a dilemma where it would have to resort to military force to resolve the Southern issue.
Jefferson, of course, was quite confident and immediately interjected with a smile:
"Gentlemen, I hear you have recently acquired a significant amount of tobacco and cotton. Now, with France facing the risk of civil war, these are relatively scarce military supplies. I believe you will make a fortune when you return to Britain.
However, time waits for no one. If your goods do not depart now, it may not be so smooth to sell them in the future!"
These merchants were shrewd individuals, and Jefferson, a professional diplomat, did not conceal the meaning of his words, so upon hearing it, they immediately reacted:
"Are you preparing to obstruct our normal commercial activities, Your Excellency!"
Although the Three Southern States, including Virginia, all had their own extensive coastlines, if Jefferson used the navy to blockade these ports, he could certainly keep these goods within the United States.
The United States Navy dared not act against British ships for fear of British naval retaliation, but blockading ports on its own country's coast? Would the British really come knocking?
Moreover, Britain's military power was now largely concentrated on its home soil, focused on the situation in France, and would fundamentally not agree to intervene in such a minor matter occurring in America.
"No! No! I just think that once real unrest breaks out in the American South, your business will be in trouble!" Jefferson smiled.
He turned back again, signaling Washington, for him to play the good cop.
"Gentlemen, in fact, we all know what's going on with the Three Southern States this time. If you withdraw now, we can pretend nothing happened. You can take the benefits you've already received, and don't inquire about anything else.
Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to guarantee your future interests," Washington said calmly.
If these British merchants could be ruthless enough to gain the support of the British Navy and, in exchange for supporting the Three Southern States, extract even greater benefits from the South, that would naturally also be a profitable deal.
But for people coming from the European world now, the center of the world was Europe, and the importance of events happening on European soil far outweighed events anywhere else.
Now that there was better business on Europe, these merchants had no desire to tie their business to the small Three Southern States, including Virginia.
Washington's insistence, as well as Jefferson's threat, were all based on the premise that the British merchants no longer had any desire to Godfreyer in the American South for business.
The British merchants, on the other hand, were planning to make one last big score before leaving, figuring there was nothing to lose, and naturally strove with all their might to secure their interests.
The two sides seemed to be on the verge of an impasse, but in reality, they were both holding their ground, striving for greater benefits and shorter timeframes.
As for stopping the negotiations, neither side had considered it, because they had no other better option, only the best negotiating partner in front of them.
These negotiations, conducted behind the backs of the Three Southern States' representatives, lasted only two days before immediately yielding a mutually acceptable outcome.
In addition to maintaining the original trade preferences they had always enjoyed, the British merchants also received extra benefits extracted from the Three Southern States.
New benefits also included a promise from the United States to continue safeguarding their commercial interests in the United States and to allow them to purchase a large quantity of American industrial products, among other mutually beneficial measures.
As for the only benefit the United States gained, it was that these British merchants publicly declared they would no longer support the South, no longer support the former plantation owners, and unconditionally guaranteed to recognize only the Federal Government as the sole legitimate government of the United States.
Thus, for the Federal Government, selling some industrial and commercial products and gaining an advantage in negotiations with the Three Southern States did not result in much loss.
While the British merchants would suffer a loss of credibility in the South, they also re-established trade channels in the Northern industrial and commercial circles.
Moreover, after successfully returning to Britain with a substantial windfall, they could use these benefits to earn even higher profits during the upcoming opportune time of upheaval in France.