Chapter 692 Caribbean Nightmare
Chapter 693 Nightmare in the Caribbean
USA.
Philadelphia.
In the chamber of the Capitol, Hamilton stood on the floor, waved his right hand, and said loudly:
"After 20 years, the arrogant British have once again crushed our trade rights and trampled our dignity under their feet!
"The federal government must maintain our country's trade routes in the Caribbean at all costs. We must take an absolutely tough stance and ask the British to immediately release all illegally seized merchant ships and promise not to continue to intercept or arrest our ships and crews!"
As the toughest representative of American hawks, lawmakers usually don't react much to his words.
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However, this time, a loud shout erupted in the conference hall:
βMust be tough on the British!β
"Immediately issue a diplomatic protest!"
βFree trade must not be undermined!β
More than a dozen congressmen were so excited that they walked to the stage, stood behind Hamilton, and waved in support.
No wonder they share the same hatred. Just over a month ago, the newly established government of Saint-Domingue issued a special trade license to the United States!
This is pie in the sky. After the independence of Saint-Domingue, merchant ships without a trading license could not buy a sugar cane from there.
And this sudden special license means that American businessmen only need to load sugar cane in Santo Domingo, and then go to Europe. With the current sky-high price of cane sugar, they can easily make a huge profit of 140%!
Of course, this license was actually brought by a French consultant from Paris - according to the secret agreement between France and Saint-Domingue, sugar cane produced in Saint-Domingue within ten years can only be sold to people with French authorization.
Although Joseph believed that there was a high probability that the Saint-Domingue government could drag down the British Expeditionary Force, considering that the island's output was single and many supplies relied on external imports, he decided to get close to the United States to "help".
As he expected, the Americans immediately went crazy.
Massive merchant ships flocked to Port-au-Prince like hungry dogs after smelling meat.
However, the British navy blocked the harbor in order to prevent the black government of Saint-Domingue from receiving supplies from the outside world.
Soon, several American merchant ships were seized by the British for "financing riots."
But this did not stop Americans from continuing their enthusiasm.
Under the temptation of 140% profit, let alone naval guns, even if God sends divine punishment, don't let them back down.
At the same time, savvy businessmen turned to loading and unloading goods at previously inconspicuous ports such as Port Azua and Puerto Plata on Santo Domingo Island.
The British fleet could only patrol around the island day and night and was exhausted, but it also arrested more American ships.
Finally, the U.S. government broke out.
Well, many of the sugar transportation businesses in the Caribbean are invested by U.S. congressmen or the big capitalists they represent.
By seizing merchant ships, the British navy was taking the money out of their pockets.
Hamilton raised his hand to signal the members to be quiet, and said solemnly:
"I suggest that a naval fleet should be sent to escort our merchant ships to ensure that the British no longer harm our country's legitimate interests!"
His words once again received a storm of shouts:
"Send in the navy!"
"Never bow to the British!"
"Use warships to keep waterways open!"
The U.S. Navy had just shown its prowess in the Caribbean two years ago, beating pirates like lost dogs. Congressmen have full confidence in the navy.
With unprecedented efficiency, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed the Special Caribbean Trade Act the next morning.
Of course, the rapid passage of this bill was due not only to the interests of the sugar trade, but also to Americans' revenge for the black riots in Georgia.
Although Americans also felt that it was strange that Britain supported black slaves to cause trouble in the United States, before there were other clues, most congressmen were inclined to let Britain take the blame.
A few days later, three unassuming American frigates appeared off the coast of Santo Domingoβ¦
South of Santo Domingo, Azua.
Brigadier General Toussaint Louverture, Minister of the Army of the Republic, looked at the map and ordered the officers beside him:
βWe are very close to Cocos, so let the soldiers march as close to the woods as possible and keep quiet.
"Also, take back all the scout cavalry and be careful not to alert the British."
"Yes, General!"
Before the officer turned around, he heard intensive gunshots in the distance.
Louverture suddenly frowned. Could it be that his whereabouts had been discovered?
He only brought more than 700 soldiers. If the British were prepared, it would be difficult for this small force to defeat the 300 British troops in the Cocos camp.
Just as he was hesitating whether to turn around and return to Duarte Mountain, a mixed-race cavalry galloped over and shouted:
"General, a resistance force is attacking Cocos Town and has already entered the north side of the town."
The so-called resistance army is a civilian armed force formed in various parts of Saint-Domingue.
Louverture was greatly astonished. He was very aware of the combat effectiveness of the Resistance Army - most of the members were newly liberated black slaves, and it was rare to know how to shoot. Unexpectedly, these people actually broke through the British camp!
He immediately ordered:
"Speed ββup the march and help them!"
By the time he led his army to Cocos Town, the fighting here was already heating up.
More than a hundred British soldiers, relying on the mill in the town, were fiercely fighting with two or three hundred resistance troops.
The appearance of Louverture's troops instantly crushed the British will to resist.
A white flag flew on the top of the mill.
Not long after, the Minister of War of Saint Domingo met the commander of the resistance army who attacked here.
After praising the latter, he asked curiously:
"So, how many soldiers did you lead to attack the town of Cocos?"
"We have 260 people, General."
"So few!" Louverture's eyes widened immediately, "How did you break into the town? The intelligence I received said that there are more than 300 British troops stationed here."
The commander of the resistance army nodded:
"There are indeed 300 white people here, General, but my relatives in the town told me a few days ago that hundreds of them have yellow fever, and many of the remaining ones have diarrhea.
"So I decided to try my luck. "
The yellow fever obviously seriously affected the morale of the British army, so that they were entangled by a group of rabble and eventually defeated by Louverture's regular army.
The battlefield situation was quickly summarized to Louverture.
Only more than 130 British soldiers in the town were completely healthy. Yellow fever, dysentery, and brown urine almost destroyed the army.
In fact, similar situations can be seen everywhere among the British troops on the island, especially yellow fever, which spreads extremely fiercely.
Yes, even in October, the temperature here is still above 25 degrees, and there are mosquitoes everywhere that can almost drown people, carrying the ravages of yellow fever.
For the British soldiers who lack immunity, this is a hellish nightmare.
