Chapter 616 Since you insist on joining in the fun, don’t blame me for being ruthless

Chapter 617 Since you insist on joining in the fun, don’t blame me for being cruel.

In the conference room on the second floor of the Port-au-Prince Parliament Hall, Auger and three abolitionist members looked at Brissot in amazement as he was making an impassioned speech, and tried several times to stop him from continuing.

The other two slave-holding congressmen were already stunned.

Brissot didn't care at all about the looks of the crowd, raised his arms and shouted loudly: "We cannot be satisfied with the liberation of the black slaves in Saint-Domingue, but should let this great cause shine throughout the Caribbean!

"The evil and shameful institution of slavery must disappear from this world.

"Jamaica, Barnabas, and even the West Indies, where the whip of sin is still lashing the blacks who should be free!

"And we, the spreaders of the spirit of freedom, have an army that can fight the slaveholders, and have the support of 500,000 free black people. What reason do we have not to rescue the slaves in the Caribbean..."

Finally, Ogé stood up bravely and said: "Mr. Brissot, we really want to abolish slavery in other Caribbean areas, but it seems that this should be done by the British and Spanish themselves..."

Other congressmen nodded, "Interfering in those places is likely to lead to retaliation from Britain and other countries."

"Mr. Brissot, the abolition of slavery is an issue that will take a long time to resolve..."

"Even if we wanted to push for abolition across the Caribbean, I'm afraid we wouldn't have enough power."

"Sorry, we really can't do this..."

Brissot looked around at the crowd and said with mockery in his eyes: "Is this what you mean by 'breaking the shackles and letting freedom and equality shine on every inch of the land that God looks at'?

"Just by liberating 500,000 black slaves in Saint-Domingue, does that mean you have realized your ideal?"

Auger had no choice but to say: "Okay, Mr. Brissot, to be honest, this is not in our interests, so..."

"You mean benefits?" Brissot smiled, "Then if I tell you that Saint-Domingue can gain independence, will such benefits satisfy you?"

The conference room fell silent for a moment.

Auger and others looked at each other, then looked at Brissot: "Sorry, I don't understand, is this a metaphor of yours, or..."

"No, it is independence." Brissot said calmly, "Establish the Republic of Saint-Domingue, and your parliament will mint currency, decide trade methods, tariffs, diplomacy, army, etc. The French government will not have any interference with you."

A middle-aged congressman suddenly laughed: "Mr. Special Envoy, you really know how to joke."

"No, I'm not kidding." Brissot took out an edict from his body, "His Majesty the King has agreed to abandon the colony of Saint-Domingue and establish your own country."

Auge hurriedly took the order and saw the signatures and royal seals of the king and queen on it. His hands trembled with excitement and he handed it to the congressman beside him.

For a moment, everyone's face turned red with excitement, their eyes shone, and they confirmed with each other whether they had made a mistake.

If they can get rid of their colonial status, they will gain great benefits - for example, they will not have to pay taxes to the French government, the market will not be open only to France, they will mint their own currency, conduct financial management, etc. Especially these MPs, they will jump from a humble colonial MP to a national MP, and the power in their hands will increase countless times!

You know, before Joseph only promised to reduce the tax rate in Saint-Domingue by 70% and give parliament greater power, he could get most of the slave-holding MPs to support the abolition of slavery. And these are just a few of the many benefits of independent nationhood.

For a moment, Auger took the lead and waved his fists and shouted: "Long live His Majesty the King! Thank you for granting freedom and independence to Saint-Domingue!"

When other congressmen were about to join in the cheers, Brissot raised his hand and interrupted them: "Gentlemen, there are preconditions for Your Majesty to allow Saint-Domingue to become independent."

All eyes turned to him immediately.

"First of all, His Majesty demands that slavery be abolished in the entire Caribbean.

"Secondly, the island of Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the West Indies must also achieve independence. It is best to form a Caribbean Confederation with Saint-Domingue."

The members of the House of Representatives heard this and started talking in low voices. To be honest, it is indeed extremely difficult, but the temptation of Saint-Domingue to establish an independent country is obviously greater.

Brissot waited for a moment and then said: "The French government will also provide weapons and ammunition to Saint-Domingue, as well as annual financial support of 2 million francs."

Auger and Governor Mably looked at each other, swallowed hard, looked at Brissot and said: "Mr. Special Envoy, let us discuss it and give you a reply before noon tomorrow."

"Okay, gentlemen. But I must remind everyone that this matter must be kept strictly confidential."

Brissot did not wait until noon the next day. At 10 o'clock that night, Auger and Mabuli came to his room together, saying that Saint-Domingue would be bound to lead the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean.

These two old rivals, who had been fighting in the Council of Saint-Domingue for more than ten years, seemed unusually united at this time.

Then Auge said with a sad face: "But you know, Mr. Special Envoy, this is not easy to do..."

Brissot smiled and nodded, and asked his entourage to summon an Intelligence Bureau officer.

"This is Major Delman. He's going to present you with a simple plan."

Delman handed two documents to Auger and Mably: "We must first ensure that other countries believe that the French government is against abolition. Otherwise France will be under pressure and will not be able to provide support to Saint-Domingue."

Auge and Mably nodded.

Delman continued: "So the Governor's army and the abolitionist army will maintain a state of war on the surface.

"Since the British accidentally interfered in the situation in Saint-Domingo, Mr. Brissot and I plan to take advantage of this."

Auge was a little surprised: "How to use this?"

Delman raised the document in his hand: "The French government will announce in a high-profile manner that in order to punish the Saint-Domingo Parliament's decision to abolish slavery, it will send 10,000 expeditionary forces to the island to eliminate the abolitionists.

"And Mr. Auger used this as an excuse to ask the British for help, saying that if no more aid is given, the abolitionist movement can only surrender to the French government. It would be better to let them pay a large amount of aid at one time, rather than a little bit every month.

"At that time, a slave-holding member of parliament will 'happen' to hear your conversation and make it public. You will then 'unable to bear the pressure' to admit it.

"Then your army will 'defeat' the Governor's army, seize a large amount of weapons and equipment, and thousands of the Governor's soldiers will 'surrender' and be incorporated into your army."

Oger's eyes widened: "This, this is also possible?"

Brissot continued: "When the government's expeditionary force lands, it will be 'ambushed' by your army, and then defeated and retreated to British Jamaica. You will seize more weapons and supplies, and even a few warships..."