Chapter 615: Sponsors from Britain
These terms ensured that the plantation owners in Saint-Domingue would not suffer significant losses.
As for the wages to be paid to freed black workers, this expense could temporarily be covered by the Saint-Domingue government through tax reductions. Once the Caribbean descended into chaos, sugar prices would inevitably skyrocket. In fact, Saint-Domingue's sugar plantations might become even more profitable than before, and the cost of wages would hardly be a concern.
Of course, the British would not sit idly by while France profited heavily from Saint-Domingue's sugar. Driven by their "if I can't have it, no one can" philosophy, they would undoubtedly try to block Port-au-Prince's trade routes.
Joseph anticipated this development and had already prepared a "game-changing weapon."
That evening, Brissot returned to the Marquis de La Bayette's villa in Port-au-Prince, which served as his residence. There, he met with Intelligence Bureau officials to discuss Britain's involvement in Saint-Domingue in detail and revised the Prince's plan accordingly.
The following morning, Brissot met with Ogé to explain the arrangements for the abolitionist militias. Ogé, without much hesitation, agreed to the plan.
Once Brissot departed, Ogé hurried to the underground meeting space to convene the abolitionist representatives.
As Ogé recounted the French government's decision to abolish slavery, the room erupted into cheers multiple times.
He then conveyed the government's conditions and concluded, "Our militia will remain intact to fulfill certain duties—assisting the government in suppressing the Bookman Rebellion."
Resolving the issue within the framework of the current order was undoubtedly the best outcome. At this point, the Bookman movement, which aimed to dismantle the established order through violence, became the abolitionists' new adversary.
Ogé turned to a mixed-race officer. "Major Jonas, we will work with the Governor's troops to drive the Bookman rebels toward the northern side of Tortuga. Ships will be waiting there to take them away.
"The Marquis de La Bayette will send someone to deliver the specific battle plans. I need you to assemble the militia immediately. Once the abolition law passes, we'll launch the operation."
"Yes, Mr. Ogé."
Three Days Later
The Saint-Domingue Assembly voted on Ogé's proposed abolition law.
The Governor, following instructions from the Prince, had warned pro-slavery legislators not to oppose it.
At 10:30 a.m., the abolition bill passed with overwhelming support.
All of Saint-Domingue was shaken.
Freed slaves tore off their shackles, stormed the streets in joy, shouting and crying tears of relief.
Rochemaure, a major in the abolitionist forces, led troops to maintain order in the streets, while the Governor's staff worked to reassure plantation owners.
By the end of the day, no acts of violence had been reported.
The next afternoon, the Marquis de La Bayette led the Governor's forces in an assault on the Bookman rebels from Tortuga's eastern flank.
Simultaneously, Major Jonas and his 1,200 militia, armed with British Brown Bess muskets, advanced from the south.
Tortuga, located in the northwest corner of Saint-Domingue, formed a peninsula surrounded by the Caribbean Sea on its northern and western edges. The two forces effectively trapped the Bookman rebels.
Within three days, the ill-equipped rebel forces, numbering just over 800, had been driven to a small port on Tortuga's northern shore.
Standing atop a rocky outcrop near the harbor, Bookman surveyed the scene with a cracked spyglass. He saw the Governor's troops in white uniforms assembling a few miles away.
Unable to determine the exact size of the enemy force, he estimated there were at least 1,500 soldiers.
He also knew that over 1,000 mixed-race soldiers, led by Jonas, would soon arrive from the south.
His 800 insurgents were armed with only 300 muskets—there was no way they could win.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bookman cursed all white men under his breath. He turned back toward camp, resigned to making the most of his final day alive.
Just then, one of his guards entered with an elderly, frail-looking black man.
Bookman's eyes burned with rage. Drawing his sword, he pointed it at the old man's chest and snarled, "Troc, you traitorous soul-seller! Thank the ancestors I caught you—I'll skin you alive and offer your hide to the spirits of nature!"
Troc met his gaze calmly. "Bookman, I've come to save you."
"You?" Bookman let out a bitter laugh. "With your brittle bones? Unless you can conjure 500 muskets, shut your mouth!"
"I know where there's a ship."
The camp fell silent. Every rebel fixed their gaze on the old man.
"There's an English gentleman who sympathizes with your cause," Troc explained. "He's willing to use his ship to help you escape."
By nightfall, the rebels' campfires still burned, but the insurgents themselves had quietly marched westward along the coastline under Troc's guidance.
After three or four hours, they reached a point where, under the moonlight, they could see a massive merchant ship anchored offshore.
Small boats were lowered from the ship and ferried back and forth until all of Bookman's forces had boarded.
A mixed-race man emerged from the cabin and spread his arms wide toward Bookman.
"My hero, you should not die in Saint-Domingue!"
Bookman, who didn't understand English, had the words translated by one of his men.
Smiling, Bookman stepped forward and embraced the "British merchant." "Thank you for your help. May the ancestors bless you."
The merchant smiled back. "I work for the Duke of Leeds. There are many weapons on this ship—I can give them all to you."
"Truly? You have my deepest thanks!"
The "merchant" gestured toward the north. "Saint-Domingue has too many enemies right now. I suggest you find a new base of operations."
Bookman, though somewhat educated, hesitated. "You mean the Bahamas?"
"No, no," the merchant replied. "That place is too small for your ambitions. Head further north—America. There are vast cotton plantations there, with millions of enslaved blacks. Free them, and you'll quickly build an army of tens of thousands."
Bookman thought for a moment before clapping the merchant on the shoulder. "You're right. That's where I'm destined to go."
Just then, one of Bookman's officers approached and whispered in his ear.
Bookman's eyes lit up. "Over 1,000 muskets?"
Turning back to the merchant, he grinned. "Are those for me?"
He had already decided that if the merchant said no, he'd kill everyone on board after reaching America and use the weapons to arm his forces.
The merchant grinned in return. "If you want them, take them. Ammunition is in the next hold.
"But I have one request—when you achieve greatness, don't forget the support the Duke of Leeds gave you."
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