Chapter 612 Abolition Movement

Chapter 613 Abolition Movement

At noon, the cabinet meeting ended.

When the Minister of the Navy walked out of the golden door of the conference hall, he smiled more brilliantly than on his wedding day.

But Mirabeau and other ministers of the emerging aristocracy who were not far behind him looked a little serious.

After passing the corner of the corridor, Bailly glanced at Mirabeau's expression and said, "You also noticed something, right?"

The latter nodded solemnly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince gave the Navy an additional allocation of 20 million francs, which is indeed unusual."

This 20 million is an allocation in addition to the normal military expenditure of the Navy. If the amount that Kalona brought back from the UK is counted, the Navy has received an additional 40 million francs.

Before that, the Navy had cut military expenditure for three consecutive years, and the tonnage of newly built warships was even lower than that of Russia.

Bailey immediately replied, "Yes, in addition, His Highness also wants me to purchase a large amount of wood, grease, ropes and even cotton. It is obvious that he is worried about the obstruction of trade channels."

Verniot added, "It also includes grain. There is no sign of poor harvest at the moment."

These matters were ordered by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince before the end of the cabinet meeting just now.

"So," Bailey lowered his voice, "Is the war going to break out?"

"It seems that there is a move in the UK." Talleyrand followed the three people with some effort. He was very familiar with the latest strategic direction of the UK. "Your Highness obviously wants to prepare in advance."

He suddenly paused here and shook his head and said, "But it is a bit unreasonable that His Highness wants me to go to the Ottoman Empire to promote a new trade agreement at this time."

Joseph's task for him was to reach an agreement with the Ottoman Empire to reduce tariffs and increase the types of goods allowed to enter. Obviously, he wanted to increase the trade volume between the two countries.

Mirabeau was also quite puzzled: "If we go to war with Britain, the Mediterranean trade should be in danger of being interrupted."

Vergniaud immediately said: "So His Royal Highness allocated 20 million funds to the navy, probably to compete for sea control."

The other people looked at him with strange eyes. Mirabeau said: "Then this amount of funds is probably far from enough."

Bai nodded: "And if you have the confidence to defeat the British at sea, there is no need to stockpile supplies."

The few people discussed for a while, but still had no clue. If the Marquis of Castelli was here, he would definitely tell them excitedly that the navy relied on the new steam-driven warships to drive the British fleet away from the Mediterranean. After the war, the Ottoman Empire on the east side of the Mediterranean will be a very important market for France.

Finally, Talleyrand exhaled and said: "I think we should trust His Royal Highness's judgment."

The other three also nodded. In their memory, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's decision-making has never been wrong.

...

A few months ago.

South of North America, Caribbean Sea.

Central Saint Domingo, Port-au-Prince.

In a dim basement, Vincent Auger, the leader of the abolition movement, lit up the candle in the middle of the room, and the candlelight immediately illuminated the faces of more than a dozen people sitting around the room.

Most of these people were mixed race with light brown skin, and there were four blacks and one white. They were representatives of abolition organizations from all over French Saint-Domingue.

"Thank you all for arriving here on time." Auger walked to the front of the crowd, looked at them with a very capable look, and said in a deep voice, "The Booker movement has captured most of Tortuga, and the governor's army is now almost all gathered in the north. Our chance has come!"

Everyone present immediately clenched their fists excitedly and cheered with suppressed voices.

Auger continued, "We will gather on the east side of Port-au-Prince in a week. Major Jonas and I will lead half of the people to attack the Governor's Palace."

He looked at a middle-aged mixed-race man in a white French military uniform: "Major Oriol will lead a battalion to occupy the parliament. The others will disperse to ensure the stability of Port-au-Prince."

The two officers immediately stood up and signaled, "At your command, Mr. Auger."

Auger waved his fist vigorously and said, "We now have the same sophisticated equipment as the Governor's Palace Guards, and Major Jonas is even equipped with cannons.

"We will quickly control Port-au-Prince, and then ask the parliament to vote to pass the abolition bill. Everyone will be free and equal, and the dark age of Saint-Domingo will end from now on!"

The representatives of the organization in the room cheered again.

When everyone quieted down, an old black man in a gray-black coarse linen coat slowly stood up and said, "Mr. Auger, how should we deal with the French army from Europe? They may be about to cross the Atlantic at this time. "

Auge said with a resolute look: "Then we will fight them until they accept the abolition bill!"

The old black man shook his head and sighed: "Mr. Auger, our current army is impossible to defeat the French expeditionary force, just like a few years ago..."

Auge raised his hand to interrupt him: "Mr. Trok, we have received more than one batch of supplies before.

"In fact, a country has promised us that it will provide us with 30,000 pounds of supplies every month in the future. We will win in the end!"

The supplies that Auger mentioned are mainly military equipment such as flintlock rifles, uniforms, tents, and some food, medicines, etc.

Trok immediately showed a look of surprise: "Thank God for giving us hope."

He participated in two abolitionist uprisings, both of which were suppressed due to lack of weapons and ammunition. This time the situation is finally different!

An hour later, Auger, who had made detailed arrangements for the uprising, left the basement and returned to his residence by car.

Before he entered the door, his butler came out and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Special envoy of the French government?" Auger frowned, thought for a moment, and then walked towards the room.

Sitting in the living room was a middle-aged man wearing a long black coat and a somewhat disheveled wig.

Auger took a deep breath, stepped forward and said loudly: "Mr. Special Envoy, if you want to persuade me to support the suppression of the Booker Movement in Parliament, I'm afraid you will be disappointed..."

The middle-aged man stood up when he heard the noise, caressed his chest and saluted Auge.

When the latter saw his big nose, forehead wrinkles, and deep eyes, he couldn't help but exclaimed: "You, you are Mr. Brissot?!"

Brissot smiled and nodded: "That's my name. You should be Mr. Auger. It's an honor to meet you."

Auger hurriedly bowed in return: "I once listened to your speech in Philadelphia. Oh, I also have your "Miscellaneous Notes of Negroes in the American South" in my bookcase, which is very true!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed that book."

Auge suddenly thought of something, suppressed his excitement and said: "The King of France sent you as a special envoy, could it be..."

Brissot nodded: "Yes, His Majesty has agreed to sign the abolition of slavery."