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Chapter 164: The Great Manipulator vs. The Old Fox
🕑 Added 2024-12-28 21:28:52 +0000 UTCChapter 164: The Great Manipulator vs. The Old Fox
"This is fantastic! Those damned pirates will finally be..." Thomas Jefferson, in charge of U.S. foreign affairs, started to express his excitement, but was interrupted by Benjamin Franklin's weak chuckle. "Heh heh, Mr. Envoy, I suspect there's more you haven't mentioned yet. Surely the French Navy wouldn't go to such lengths just for a few American merchant ships."
Franklin was indeed an old fox. Back during the American Revolutionary War, it was he who maneuvered between England and France, using the threat of France against England and the lure of England against France. He was especially crafty in securing millions of livres in loans from King Louis XVI, as well as military supplies and thousands of French troops, all of which helped secure the independence of the thirteen American colonies.
Unlike the younger Jefferson, Franklin was not so easily fooled.
Talleyrand nodded with a smile. "Of course, His Majesty the King also aims to promote free trade around the Mediterranean, benefiting all coastal nations. But for America, which lacks significant naval power, this is a most urgent need."
Franklin glanced at Jefferson, who quickly smiled and said, "Absolutely! We are deeply grateful, Mr. Envoy!"
"Ah, our king is always so benevolent, always thinking of you, our friends across the Atlantic." Talleyrand then painted a vivid picture of how the French Royal Navy would sweep through the Barbary pirates, boasting of its power and dominance.
"As you know, the center of world civilization remains in Europe. For America to survive and thrive, it cannot rely solely on the desolate and isolated lands of the Americas. Oh, please forgive me for saying this, but it is the truth.
"Just imagine, without the interference of pirates, how many American ships would be saved each year, along with the tribute and ransom you pay them.
"In the long run, the growth in trade with the Mediterranean countries will bring prosperity to America."
Franklin merely nodded calmly, knowing full well that the envoy hadn't yet gotten to the real point.
Sure enough, Talleyrand sighed as he continued, "The Navy has already submitted its plan to eliminate the pirates; only one small issue remains."
Jefferson, without thinking, asked, "What issue?"
"You see," Talleyrand explained, "our government's finances are not in the best shape, and deploying such a large force will require substantial funds. Therefore, as a beneficiary of this operation, the United States might consider contributing to the costs."
Finally, Franklin spoke up, "Your reasoning is sound. So, how much do you think America should contribute?"
Talleyrand smiled warmly, "Every year, the Barbary pirates cause losses of three to four hundred thousand dollars to America. Now, with just a contribution of two hundred thousand dollars to the Royal Navy's expenses, you could rid yourselves of this problem."
Two hundred thousand dollars equated to one million livres.
Talleyrand, seasoned in the art of negotiation from his years at the Versailles court, had intentionally left room for haggling.
"That's a considerable amount," Franklin mused, frowning. "You might not be aware, but the states' revenues are quite strained. We've just gone through Shays' Rebellion[Note 1]last year, so raising such a large sum could be difficult."
As he spoke, Franklin gave Jefferson a subtle signal.
"Yes, such a large sum would be hard for the state legislatures to approve," Jefferson quickly added. "If it were five or six thousand dollars a year, I think they'd seriously consider it."
Talleyrand inwardly scorned these Americans as stingy and calculating. He shook his head with a smile.
"Oh, you misunderstand. This isn't a long-term expense. The operation will be completed within a few years, and after that, you won't need to pay anymore.
"We're not just targeting the pirate ships at sea—yes, that's what we've been doing for hundreds of years, and the pirates continue to plague us. This time, we're addressing the root of the problem—sending troops to completely eradicate the pirates' strongholds on land!"
Talleyrand made a sweeping gesture, palms up, closing his eyes as if savoring the idea.
"From then on, the Barbary pirates will be history, and the Mediterranean will become a paradise for maritime trade."
Franklin's cloudy old eyes lit up. "Are you saying the French army will land in North Africa?"
"Not quite," Talleyrand corrected him immediately. "We'll only be fighting near the pirates' strongholds. We even hope that North African countries will join us in the campaign against the pirates."
Franklin hadn't expected the French government to plan such a large-scale operation, and he was tempted. If the Barbary pirates could truly be eliminated within a few years, it would save America a significant amount of money.
In comparison, paying the twenty thousand dollars a year might be worth it.
However, the old fox maintained a look of reluctance. "God as my witness, we are very willing to support His Majesty's actions and contribute to the costs, but twenty thousand dollars a year is still too much."
Talleyrand smiled kindly. "Mr. Franklin, let me be frank with you. His Majesty has given me some flexibility, with a floor of eighteen thousand dollars. To be honest, I'm eager to return to Paris as soon as possible, so I won't waste time—eighteen thousand dollars a year, and you'll secure eternal peace for your trade routes, while I return to the bustling streets of Paris."
"Ah, just a little less," Franklin pleaded. "You know, America is still recovering from the war and the chaos..."
"You're really putting me in a tough spot. Remember, French soldiers will be risking their lives and shedding their blood to help you fight these pirates!"
The two sides haggled back and forth for a while, and finally, Franklin reluctantly agreed to submit the annual payment of seventeen and a half thousand dollars to the federal congress.
Seventeen and a half thousand dollars was about eighty-seven thousand livres. This was well above the sixty thousand livres minimum that Joseph had set for Talleyrand but still far less than the amount America was losing to the Barbary pirates.
With the main issue settled, Talleyrand smiled again. "Actually, I have another sincere suggestion."
"I'm eager to hear it, Mr. Envoy."
"America should equip two warships—small frigates will do—and join the Royal Navy in combating the pirates."
Franklin instinctively wanted to refuse—America had disbanded its navy a few years ago to save money and was reluctant to fund warships again.
Talleyrand immediately enticed him. "You must understand that even if the Barbary pirates are eradicated, some minor pirates will still pop up from time to time, like flies on rotting meat. You could use this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the Mediterranean environment and later escort your own merchant ships.
"Two frigates won't cost much. They could even help escort ships from Denmark, Tuscany, and other small countries for a fee, perhaps even making a profit."
"Your suggestion is very reasonable," Franklin nodded. "How about this, Mr. Envoy? I'll also submit your proposal to Congress. The final decision will depend on the outcome of the vote."
"Of course," Talleyrand replied. "I recall that the Royal Navy recently commissioned a few new frigates. If needed, I can help you make the connection. The price will certainly be much cheaper than building new ships."
"Thank you for your kind offer."
[Note 1] Shays' Rebellion: After the American Revolutionary War, most of the Continental Army was disbanded, and there was no money to pay veterans their pensions. Meanwhile, the government implemented land sale policies favoring big capital and levied high taxes, leading to the impoverishment of many veterans.
In the fall of 1786, former Captain Daniel Shays and Luke Day led a rebellion in Concord with 15,000 former soldiers. In early 1787, the U.S. Congress feigned negotiations while gathering a large force to surround and ultimately suppress the rebels.
End of Chapter
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