Negotiations (3)

Toussaint Louverture summoned several of his trusted subordinates to discuss the advice that Victor had given him regarding Napoleon, the First Consul.

Everyone discussed the suggestions, but none of them could make up their minds. Meanwhile, the "Free Trade, which was still docked outside the port, was also putting considerable pressure on everyone. Although the " Free Trade " was still outside the port, the " Constitution " was already docked at the pier in Port-au-Prince.

The captured and wounded United States were also brought ashore, and through questioning, they learned what had happened at sea. Although most of the Black men knew nothing about these events, Toussaint Louverture learned from these descriptions what a terrifying monster the "Free Trade," still anchored outside Port-au-Prince, truly was. For one thing, if the two sides turned against each other, the Free Trade " could absolutely wreak havoc on the entire port area.

Of course, if it's for independence, to escape slavery, or even just to gain land, then this sacrifice is nothing to be ashamed of. In the original history, when facing the France expeditionary force, the black insurgents adopted a very thorough scorched-earth strategy. For example, when the France expeditionary force landed in Port-au-Prince, the black insurgents set fire to the entire Port-au-Prince.

However, it's always better to minimize losses if it's not necessary. Even Black people who haven't received much education are unlikely to do something as foolish as burning tens of thousands of their own civilians to death before the enemy even arrives.

After some debate, they reached the following conclusion: to postpone declaring independence and, following Victor's advice, investigate the "crimes" of "treason" committed by the white slave owners. The goal was to preserve trade routes, and then gradually consider which path to take. They also sent some people to Louisiana to test the waters.

After receiving this answer, Victor proposed that the French Army needed to build a dedicated naval port in Saint-Domingue. He explicitly told Toussaint Louverture that a major reason why the First Consul was willing to make these exchanges and show such goodwill was to ensure the security of Louisiana, and that a reliable naval port in Saint-Domingue was necessary to ensure the security of Louisiana.

So the debate over the naval port continued. Toussaint Louverture wasn't particularly opposed to the naval port itself, but he was very worried about the France troops stationed there. Initially, he even demanded that the France hand over all land security for the naval port to his army.

Victor naturally rejected this unreasonable request without hesitation. Victor stated that neither he nor the First Consul doubted the fighting capabilities of his soldiers, but...

"Your Excellency, let us be frank," Victor said. "The reason you are so concerned about the France troops stationed in the naval port is actually because you are worried that these troops will pose a threat to you, or to put it more clearly, you do not fully trust us and are worried that we will use these troops to endanger the security of Saint-Domingue."

However, we also have reservations about you. We are also concerned that you might suddenly side with our enemies under certain circumstances, posing a serious threat to our naval port. Therefore, the security of the naval port must be kept under our control. Of course, for the sake of our cooperation and to enhance mutual trust, we can discuss the size of the garrison and the types of weapons they will be equipped with."

The two then had a frank discussion about the location of the France naval port, the number of troops stationed there, and the weapons they would be equipped with.

After a week of discussions, both sides finally reached a basic understanding:

The French Army could build a naval base at French Cape, with the French Army own land defenses. However, the number of the French Army stationed there could not exceed three thousand. Furthermore, the French Army stationed at the base could not be equipped with more than twelve cannons weighing 12 pounds or less. (Governor Toussaint Louverture believed that, considering the land transportation conditions of Saint-Domingue, cannons exceeding this weight would be difficult to move and not very suitable for offensive operations. French Cape was also relatively far from Port-au-Prince, making it relatively safer.)

French Cape was actually the first place where the France landed on the Haiti Island, and it served as the capital of the entire Haiti colony until 1790. However, it was severely damaged in a subsequent earthquake. In another timeline, after Haiti finally gained independence, it was renamed Cape Haiti. The port itself is quite good. However, Toussaint Louverture tells Victor that the port now has a problem:

"Some United States ran there, and we haven't had time to get rid of them yet."

Of course, this was just an excuse. Victor knew very well that these United States had gone there with Toussaint Louverture's tacit approval, or even that United States support his independence cause.

"Oh, at least for now, Saint-Domingue is still France territory. How can they stay there?" Victor said.

"They're just a bunch of guys temporarily taking shelter from the storm and repairing their ships," Toussaint Louvidur said. "They're just a bit slow. But anyway, according to our agreement, your naval port won't start construction until the land issue is resolved. I can assure you, we can get these United States out before construction begins."

Victor looked at Toussaint Louverture and said, "Governor, I understand you don't want to directly break ties with the United States at this time. You see them as a backup plan. We completely understand that. However, in that case, those 'traitors' probably can't be handed over to you for detention. They will be sent back to France for trial on charges of treason... In case you betray us, we also need a backup plan."

After completing the basic negotiations and signing a memorandum, Victor returned to the Free Trade. The Free Trade was scheduled to leave Haiti and head to New Orleans, the capital of Louisiana, for a period of rest before returning to Europe.

"Captain Zola," Victor said to Captain Zola as soon as they boarded the ship, "We need to go to French Cape before we go to New Orleans."

"Is there a problem with French Cape?" Captain Zola asked.

"There's nothing seriously wrong, it's just that some United States are supposedly repairing their ships there," Victor said. "Since they gave us such a large frigate, how can we not give them a proper visit? Besides, Captain Zola, your ship can't stay here for long. And after the Free Trade's leaves, our naval power in this area won't be enough to suppress the United States. They'll definitely make some moves again. We might as well take advantage of our time here and let the United States navy understand how big the gap is between them and a true maritime power."

Captain Zola naturally understood Victor's meaning: to take advantage of the Free Trade to deliver a heavy blow to the United States Navy and reverse the disadvantageous position of France naval power in this area.

"You mean we should go and fight the United States directly? Does the First Minister know about this?" Zola asked.

"How could the First Consul possibly know these things? But, when we set off again, Minister Lucien Bonaparte said to me: ' Victor, you must understand, once we decide to take over Louisiana, we will inevitably become enemies of the United States. Since the United States have already made the first move, I think we have nothing more to restrain ourselves from.'"