IBTCPOTME Novel - Chapter 118
Chapter 118
The Oregon Border Dispute (1)
The leadership of the Haitian revolutionary government decided to follow the ‘Teacher’s’ advice. They had no other choice.
Haiti contacted the Mexican Empire, which had swallowed up Dominica, and Mexico’s response was surprisingly friendly.
“A revolution! You have accomplished a remarkable feat.”
Even if it was diplomatic rhetoric, it meant they wouldn’t be hostile.
The beginning wasn’t bad.
“Teacher, could you translate for us?”
“Of course.”
Martine, who had become the interim president of the revolutionary government, cautiously explained the reason for their contact.
“Our Haitian revolutionary government does not intend to deny the debt Mexico acquired from France. But realistically, we have no way to repay that enormous amount, so we would like to make a deal.”
“Oh, I’m glad the conversation seems to be flowing in a productive direction. Could we hear more about this deal?”
The Mexican diplomat thought they might inform them that they couldn’t acknowledge the debt outright. They had staged a rather radical revolution, after all. But their proposal was surprisingly moderate, so he wanted to hear more details.
“We would like to have our debt written off in exchange for granting the Mexican Empire certain rights to Haiti, such as mining development rights and trade monopoly rights. And if Haiti ever repays all its debts, we would like to include a clause that allows us to buy back the rights we granted.”
The Teacher, who was translating, also added a word.
“It would be more beneficial for the Mexican side as well, because it would allow Haiti to develop and repay the principal, rather than remaining impoverished as it is now, unable to even pay the interest properly.”
“Hmm… It’s not a bad proposal, but wouldn’t those mining development rights, trade monopoly rights, etc. be insufficient? As you know, the total amount of debt is 250 million pesos.”
The Haitian side listed their proposals, but the Mexican side’s response was cold.
“How much do you think you can get your debt written off by with those things? If you’re going to give anything away, you should give up your diplomatic rights, then we might consider a significant reduction.”
The Teacher translated those words, and the atmosphere in the meeting room turned cold.
Martine felt a surge of anger, but he held it in and said.
“Diplomatic rights are our sovereignty. We can never sell them.”
He couldn’t even get angry at the suggestion of giving up diplomatic rights. It was Haiti that had first requested a debt write-off in exchange for giving up rights.
“… Alright. Then how about this? It’s called ‘railway construction rights’. You know what a railway is, right?”
The humiliating time continued.
“Alright. How much can you offer for that?”
It was miserable, but they had to sell as much as they could. Only then could they meaningfully repay the interest and principal while allowing the government to implement at least some development policies.
Martine felt the urge to storm out of the negotiations dozens of times, but he held back, seeing his colleagues enduring it with him.
‘If this negotiation fails, Haiti’s future is over.’
He thought of the Haitian people, who were celebrating at that very moment.
After enduring, the negotiations finally ended after about a week.
Swish-swish-
Even as he signed, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the right thing to do, but he finally signed his name on the signature line with trembling hands.
——————————
The Port-au-Prince Treaty
Preamble
This treaty is concluded between the Mexican Empire (hereinafter “Mexico”) and the Republic of Haiti (hereinafter “Haiti”). Mexico agrees to write off Haiti’s debt in order to support Haiti’s economic independence and development. In return, Haiti agrees to comply with the conditions specified below and grant certain rights to Mexico.
Articles
Article 1: Mining Development Rights
The rights to develop and operate all mines within Haiti shall belong to Mexico. The Haitian government agrees to provide all administrative and legal support necessary for Mexico’s mining development activities.
Article 2: Railway Construction Rights
Mexico shall have exclusive rights to design, construct, and operate a railway network within Haiti. The Haitian government agrees to provide all necessary support for these activities.
Article 3: Trade Monopoly and Port Opening
Mexico shall have exclusive rights in trade with Haiti, and Haiti’s major ports shall be open for duty-free import of Mexican goods. The Haitian government agrees to comply with this article.
Article 4: Extraterritoriality
Mexican citizens and companies shall not be subject to Haitian law in all their activities within Haiti and shall be tried under Mexican law. The Haitian government guarantees this condition.
Article 5: Tax and Duty Exemption
Mexican companies and Mexican citizens shall be exempt from taxes and duties on all their economic activities within Haiti. The Haitian government agrees to guarantee this exemption.
Article 6: Right to Establish Banks
Mexico shall have the exclusive right to establish and operate banks within Haiti. The Haitian government agrees to provide all necessary permits and support for these activities.
Article 7: Right to Establish Educational Institutions
Mexico shall have the right to establish and operate educational institutions within Haiti. The Haitian government agrees to provide all necessary permits and support for the establishment and operation of educational programs.
Article 8: Conditions for Debt Write-Off
Under this agreement, Mexico promises to write off 100 million pesos out of the total debt of 250 million pesos borne by Haiti. This shall be performed as consideration for the rights granted in this treaty to Mexico.
Article 9: Conditions for Debt Settlement and Termination of Treaty Provisions
If Haiti fully settles all its debts to Mexico, it shall be possible to reclaim the rights granted by this treaty. The price for reclaiming each right specified in this treaty shall be determined as 15 million pesos.
——————————
“A deal of the century has been struck.”
The treaty seemed cruel, but in fact, Mexico had been very generous. It was as if each clause was worth 14.3 million pesos, and even Martine thought there was no way Mexico could use those clauses to make that much profit.
It was a ridiculous deal that was only possible because Mexico also thought there was no way they could realistically get 250 million pesos from Haiti.
As the Mexican diplomat had put it, it was a ‘deal of the century’ that was favorable to Haiti.
“… Thank you. I’m grateful.”
Martine expressed his gratitude to the Mexican diplomat for his great help.
“I will cheer for Haiti’s future.”
With those words, the diplomat left the National Palace.
***
James Polk wasn’t someone who would recklessly call for war.
“What do you think about this?”
“Yes! It’s going to be a huge hit! No American can resist it.”
He had first checked the reactions of his supporters.
Their response was enthusiastic, and James Polk gained confidence.
Polk went out into the streets and boldly proclaimed.
“Oregon is ours! Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”
With that slogan that resonated with the hearts of Americans, James Polk’s standing shot up to the very edge of his rival, Martin Van Buren.
Considering that Buren was a former president, it was a remarkable achievement. But as a former president, he also had many weaknesses.
“If the cowardly Buren runs for president, the Democratic Party will be defeated! He just watched as Mexico swallowed up the Caribbean! On the other hand, the Whig Party has clearly stated its intention to no longer tolerate Mexico’s expansion by forming a military alliance with Colombia!”
It was as if he was criticizing Buren, a fellow Democrat, and praising the Whig Party, but right now, it wasn’t a presidential election, it was a primary election to choose who would run for president. His opponent right now wasn’t a candidate from the Whig Party, but Martin Van Buren, the clear number one option for the Democratic Party.
“American history is a history of growth. After achieving independence, our America has grown endlessly, and that is our pride. Therefore, anyone who puts the brakes on America’s growth can never be president. But can the cowardly Buren really grow America?”
Now, if America wants to expand its territory, it has no choice but to take it from England to the north and Mexico to the south. Neither is an easy country, but if you had to choose one, Mexico is definitely easier than England.
‘But there’s no justification on the Mexican side.’
The border between Mexico and the United States was settled in the Adams-Onís Treaty (Transcontinental Treaty) signed between Spain and the United States in 1819, and it was considered to be recognized after Mexico’s independence.
Since independence, both countries have not violated each other’s borders and have exercised firm control over their respective territories, so starting a border dispute would simply be a pretext.
On the other hand, Oregon, the area of border dispute with England, is different. It was only vaguely agreed upon to be jointly governed, and no firm border was established.
“Many Americans live in Oregon! Unlike England, which has only a few thousand people in that vast area, tens of thousands of Americans have already settled in Oregon and put down roots. Does it make sense for England to take this area? Oregon is already American land, so we must defend it!”
It wasn’t a lie. After slavery was abolished in Mexico, immigration to Texas became less popular among Americans.
Instead, many began to migrate further west, and many began to settle in Oregon, which was at the end of that journey.
The United States began to exert real control over Oregon, and the British influence was weak. It was almost as if the indigenous people were a greater threat.
“Oregon is ours! Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”
After finishing his speech, James Polk shouted the slogan one last time, and his supporters began to chant.
“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”
***
January 1844.
“Those crazy bastards…”
The British government had dismissed the insane idea of demanding all of Oregon when it first came up, thinking that crazy people were just a fact of life.
“That guy is going to become the number one option for the Democrats?”
“Yes, the convention is in May, but the mood seems to have completely shifted towards James Polk. In fact, I heard that he has shifted from running a primary campaign to a presidential campaign.”
“The Yankees’ arrogance is out of control.”
Robert Peel, Prime Minister of the British Empire, which ruled the world, felt indignant, but it was a tricky issue to retaliate against immediately.
He wasn’t president yet, he was just a presidential candidate. And he hadn’t formally demanded anything. And most importantly, although it was a blow to his pride, a real war with America would be quite a burden for England as well.
As the 1812 War had shown, America wasn’t a match for England. All their major ports were blockaded, and their capital, Washington, had been burned, hadn’t it?
But did that mean America was an easy target to be trampled on at any time? No, it didn’t. In fact, the war itself had ended in a stalemate, with no clear winner.
“If we really go to war, how much damage would it inflict on our England?”
Victory is a given. The reason the last war ended in a stalemate was because the Napoleonic Wars were going on in Europe. Naturally, they had to focus on that. If they fought one-on-one, there is no chance of England losing, even 1%.
“The navy would suffer considerable losses, but the bigger problem is… Ahem.”
The First Lord of the Admiralty coughed, glancing at the Secretary of War next to him. It was a matter for a separate department, so he couldn’t talk about it freely, so he just glossed over it.
“… We can’t guarantee that we can overwhelm America without conscripting a large army.”
Even though America’s major ports were blockaded and its capital burned, they didn’t lose their fighting spirit, but instead, they showed increasingly strong resistance. They couldn’t win the war easily with just the navy, without bloodshed from the army.
“Whew…”
I had a feeling, but it was as I expected.
It meant that England would have to be prepared for a huge bloodletting for a complete victory.
‘If we just blockade the ports with the navy and go for a long war…’
They would hold out for a long time, given their size, but eventually, they would reach their limit. But Prime Minister Robert Peel dismissed that thought as soon as it came to him.
The British Empire, which manages the world. There are plenty of places where they need a fleet, so they would waste a huge number of ships on America for years? That alone would be a huge loss. It would be better to use them on other countries, which would be much easier, during that time.
“He’s not president yet, so let’s think about solutions carefully.”
“Yes.”
The results of the American presidential election won’t be known until December. That’s almost a year. There’s no need to decide anything today.
Knock knock-
The Prime Minister, who was about to send the officials he had summoned for the meeting and take a break, was annoyed by the knock, but he sighed and let them in.
“What is it?”
“A letter arrived from the ambassador to Mexico. It says to review Mexico’s proposal.”
“A proposal?”
Prime Minister Robert Peel opened the letter.