The Fox of France

Chapter 278: Negotiations (1)

The "Constitution" had weathered two rounds of cannon fire during the battle, but its sails remained undamaged, and its navigational capabilities were largely unaffected. Both ships continued their journey towards Saint-Domingue, and around ten o'clock the next morning, a massive island gradually emerged from below the horizon.

"Mr. Treville, that's Saint-Domingue right there, we've arrived," Captain Lefranc pointed to the island, addressing Victor.

This was the first time in Victor's life that he had spent such a long time on a ship, and as he looked at the distant island, a sense of joy welled up within him, causing the corners of his mouth to curl upwards.

"You must be yearning for land, I presume?" Captain Lefranc noticed Victor's mood and inquired with a smile.

"Yes, indeed. I hadn't realized it before, but the moment I saw that island, I immediately felt an intense longing to stand on solid ground that doesn't sway beneath my feet," Victor replied with a smile.

"In truth, we're all the same. Whether passengers or sailors, after a long sea voyage, everyone yearns to feel their feet on stable ground. The only difference might be that sailors like us, once we set foot on land, can't stay away for more than two months before we start longing for the blue sea and the swaying decks," Captain Lefranc chuckled.

"Haha, that's the way of humans," Victor added.

Although the island was now visible, it was still quite a distance away. It wasn't until around three o'clock in the afternoon that the "Free Trade" and the captured "Constitution" arrived at the largest harbor in Saint-Domingue, Port-au-Prince.

Port-au-Prince was the largest harbor in Saint-Domingue, as well as the biggest city and political center. Most of the island's products, such as sugar and coffee, were shipped from here to Europe, making it a bustling port.

The appearance of the "Free Trade" and the "Constitution" caused a commotion. After all, it was rare to see such large ships in this region.

The "Free Trade" anchored in the harbor's vicinity and waited. After nearly an hour, a small boat flying the French flag approached.

The single-masted boat stopped not far from the "Free Trade," and a small dinghy was lowered into the water. Two black men rowed the dinghy to deliver a uniformed black man to the "Free Trade."

"I am Jacques, the harbor master of Port-au-Prince. What brings you here? Do you wish to enter the harbor? You may need to wait, as we currently lack adequate berths for your ship," the black harbor master asked.

"Hello, I am the captain of this warship," Captain Lefranc replied. "We've come from France to escort the special envoy of the First Consul to meet with Governor Dusault Leduc. If there's no berth available, we can delay our entry into the harbor. However..."

At this point, he turned, proudly pointing towards the "Constitution" behind him. "On our way to Port-au-Prince, we were attacked by an American warship, and we defeated them, capturing this vessel. It sustained some damage in the battle and may require urgent repairs. So, if possible, I hope you can arrange a berth for this ship as soon as possible."

Unfortunately, the harbor master seemed to miss the implied undertone of Captain Lefranc's words. He simply replied, "I see. We will make arrangements as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, the First Consul's special envoy is here. You can inform the harbor authorities and the Governor's office," Captain Lefranc added.

The black harbor master then excused himself and left. By the time night fell, he returned and informed Captain Lefranc that a berth had been made available for the captured "Constitution." Additionally, Mr. Special Envoy could disembark and proceed to the Governor's mansion.

Victor followed the black man onto their small boat, heading to Port-au-Prince ahead of the "Constitution."

Port-au-Prince was an organically grown city, with the harbor at its core. From the harbor's docks, it sprawled outward layer by layer, extending all the way to the nearby hills. Because it had been built without planning or regulations, the city's roads were narrow and winding, often too tight for two carriages to pass each other.

On either side of the roads stood crude, crowded shanties. Many of these shanties had been rebuilt after the earthquake of 1794. The entire port area was dirty and chaotic.

But in the area on the hillside, things were different. This was the district of the wealthy, the place where plantation owners and nobility resided. The roads were relatively broad, and the houses consisted mainly of luxurious garden villas.

The Governor's Palace of Saint-Domingue was naturally situated in this area. However, it used to be inhabited by white people, and now, a black man occupied the position.

Once Victor disembarked, he climbed into a carriage and, escorted by a group of black soldiers, navigated the narrow, winding streets. By the time he reached the Governor's Palace, darkness had fully settled in.

Victor entered the Governor's Palace, where a black military officer welcomed him. He introduced himself as the governor's adjutant, inquired about Victor's identity, and whether he had already dined.

Victor presented his authorization letter from the First Consul and informed him that he hadn't eaten.

"His Excellency the Governor would like to invite you for dinner first, and then he will meet you in the reception room," the adjutant said.

He then led Victor to a nearby dining room. After Victor finished his meal, he was escorted to the reception room, where the only black governor of France was already waiting.

Governor Dusault Leduc's aspirations for secession and independence for Saint-Domingue were no secret to the entire French nation. However, in dealing with the special envoy of Napoleon, he displayed an exceptionally courteous demeanor.

Governor Dusault Leduc began by casually discussing Victor's journey, and then he asked, "Has the First Consul sent you to issue any specific instructions to me?"

Victor was more direct in his response. "Your Excellency, the First Consul has no intention of issuing directives to you. He has sent me here to engage in some amicable discussions with you about the current and future situation in Saint-Domingue. It is no secret that Your Excellency has been pursuing the idea of making Saint-Domingue an independent nation."

"So, what does His Excellency the First Consul think about it?" Since Napoleon's envoy was being straightforward, Governor Dusault Leduc responded in kind, "I have heard of the First Consul's formidable reputation on the European battlefield, but we are not afraid to sacrifice for freedom. Although there may be difficulties ahead, if you intend to conquer us by force, you are welcome to try."

"No, no, Your Excellency, you may have misunderstood our intentions," Victor replied. "Your Excellency, when the revolution against the tyrants began in France, you also rose in rebellion here in Saint-Domingue. In the early stages of the uprising, you allied with the Spanish and the British against us, the French. However, you soon parted ways with them, and you even cooperated with us to fight against the Spanish and the French. What was the reason for this?"

Governor Dusault Leduc glanced at Victor but didn't interrupt.

"Because, Your Excellency, your goal is the liberation of black people and the abolition of slavery. But whether it's the Spanish or the British, they are supporters and beneficiaries of the barbaric institution of slavery. They can support you against France to oppose their oppression, but they won't allow you to truly overturn slavery. In fact, they fundamentally do not want to see an independent black nation that has abolished slavery emerging in the Caribbean. Because if such a situation were to arise, it could trigger a chain reaction in their territories, especially in places where slavery is still in use. That is why you fell out with the British and the Spanish."

"And as for us, France, we are a completely different country from Britain and Spain. I've heard that Your Excellency is well-read, that you have perused the works of Rousseau, Montesquieu, and other great French thinkers. You should know that, when the news of your uprising reached Paris, the revolutionary government immediately responded. They declared the abolition of slavery and granted full citizenship rights to black people. This included the right to vote and be elected. Your Excellency, you were elected as the governor of Saint-Domingue through a democratic process."

"Your Excellency, can you find any other colonial governor who was elected? Can you find any other black man in the entire Americas who has full citizenship rights? Your Excellency, besides Saint-Domingue, is there any other place where black people enjoy complete citizenship? France has been faithful to its promises after the last war, abolishing slavery and granting full citizenship rights to the black population, including the right to vote and be elected. Your Excellency, we did this because it is not a temporary measure, but the foundation of the French Republic - a requirement of the Declaration of the Rights of Man. So, I don't understand why Your Excellency is determined to seek independence for Saint-Domingue."