I Became The Crown Prince Of The Mexican Empire - Chapter 118



Only Noblemtl

Oregon Border Dispute (1)

The leaders of the Haitian revolutionary government decided to follow the advice of the ‘Teacher’ because they saw no other way.

Haiti approached the Mexican Empire, which had taken over Dominica, and Mexico’s response was surprisingly friendly.

“Revolution! You have accomplished something truly amazing.”

Even if it is a diplomatic investigation, doesn’t it mean that they will not be hostile in any way?

It won’t be a bad start.

“Teacher, can you help me interpret?”

“Of course.”

Martin, who became the provisional president of the revolutionary government, explained the reason for his cautious approach.

“Our revolutionary government in Haiti has no intention of denying the debt that Mexico has assumed from France. But realistically, there is no way to repay such a huge sum, so we are willing to make a deal.”

“Oh, I’m glad the conversation is moving in a productive direction. Can I hear about that deal?”

The Mexican diplomat thought they might just tell him that they couldn’t accept the debt. They were quite radical revolutionaries. But their proposal was surprisingly moderate, so he wanted to hear the details.

“In exchange for handing over certain rights to Haiti, such as mining rights and trade monopolies, to the Mexican Empire, we would like to have our debts forgiven. We would also like to have a clause that allows Haiti to buy back the rights it has handed over if it pays off all its debts.”

The teacher who was interpreting also added a word.

“It would be more beneficial for Mexico to help Haiti develop a little so that it can repay the principal, rather than leaving it in its current poor state where it cannot even pay the interest.”

“Hmm… It’s not a bad proposal, but isn’t it insufficient for the mining rights and trade monopoly rights you just mentioned? As you know, the total amount of debt is 250 million pesos.”

The Haitian side listed all the things they had in mind, but the Mexican side’s response was cold.

“How much of the debt do you think you can get forgiven with those things? If you’re going to hand it over, wouldn’t it be better to hand over diplomatic rights to give us a bigger reward?”

As the teacher interpreted those words, the atmosphere in the conference room became tense.

Martin felt a little upset for a moment, but held it back and said.

“The right to foreign affairs is our sovereignty. It can never be sold.”

They couldn’t even get angry at being asked to hand over diplomatic rights. It was Haiti that first asked for debt forgiveness in exchange for handing over rights.

“···Okay. Then how about this? It’s called a ‘railway construction right.’ Do you know what a railway is?”

Such a humiliating time continued.

“Okay. How much would you rate that?”

It was miserable, but we had to sell at least one more so that the government could implement at least a minimal development policy while still paying back the interest and principal in a meaningful way.

Martin felt the urge to storm out dozens of times during the negotiations, but he held back as he watched his colleagues patiently endure.

‘If these negotiations fail, Haiti’s future is over.’

He thought of the Haitian people, who were in a festive mood even at this moment.

As a result of such patience, negotiations that lasted about a week were concluded.

Swish swish-

Until the moment I signed, I couldn’t stop wondering if this was right, but in the end, I signed the form with trembling hands.

——————————

Treaty of Port-au-Prince

specialty

This Treaty is concluded between the Mexican Empire (hereinafter referred to as “Mexico”) and the Republic of Haiti (hereinafter referred to as “Haiti”). Mexico provides Haiti with debt relief in order to support Haiti’s economic independence and development. In return, Haiti agrees to grant Mexico certain rights, subject to the conditions set forth below.

clauses

Article 1 Mining Development Rights

The rights to develop and operate all mines in Haiti 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 has exclusive rights to design, build, and operate the railway network in Haiti. The Haitian government will provide all necessary support for these activities.

Article 3 Trade Monopoly and Port Openness

Mexico shall have exclusive rights to trade with Haiti, and Haiti’s major ports shall be open to the importation of Mexican goods duty-free. The Haitian government shall comply with this provision.

Article 4 Extraterritoriality

Mexican nationals and Mexican companies are exempt from Haitian law in all their activities in Haiti and are adjudicated under Mexican law. The Haitian government guarantees this condition.

Article 5 Exemption from taxes and duties

Mexican companies and Mexican nationals are exempt from taxes and duties on all economic activities in Haiti. The Haitian government is committed to guaranteeing this exemption.

Article 6 Right to establish a bank

Mexico has the exclusive right to establish and operate banks in Haiti. The Haitian government will provide all necessary permits and support for such activities.

Article 7 Right to establish educational institutions

Mexico has the right to establish and operate educational institutions in Haiti. The Haitian government will provide all necessary permits and support for the establishment and operation of educational programs.

Article 8: Conditions for debt forgiveness

Under this agreement, Mexico undertakes to forgive Haiti 100 million pesos out of its total debt of 250 million pesos, in exchange for the rights granted to Mexico under this agreement.

Article 9: Conditions for Settlement of Debts and Termination of Treaty Provisions

If Haiti fully pays all its debts to Mexico, it will be possible to recover the rights granted by this treaty. The recovery price for each right stipulated in this treaty is set at 15 million pesos.

——————————

“The deal of the century has been struck.”

The treaty seemed vicious, but it was actually a great favor on Mexico’s part. Each clause was worth 14.3 million pesos, and Martin thought it was impossible for Mexico to extract that much benefit from it.

It was an absurd deal that was possible because Mexico also thought there was no realistic way to receive 250 million pesos from Haiti.

It was, as a Mexican diplomat put it, a “deal of the century” that was favorable to Haiti.

“···Thank you. Thank you.”

Martin thanked the Mexican diplomat for his great help.

“I will support Haiti’s future.”

With those words, the diplomat left the National Palace.

***

James Polk was not so thoughtless as to call for war without thinking.

“Does this look okay?”

“Yes! I think it’ll be a huge hit. If you’re an American, you can’t help but be tempted.”

I first checked the reaction from my supporters.

Their response was enthusiastic, and James Falk gained confidence.

Fork, who had gone out into the street, shouted confidently.

“Oregon is ours! Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”

The slogan that struck a chord with the American people instantly elevated James Polk’s position to that of his rival, Martin Van Buren.

It’s great to think that Viewen was a former president. But as a former president, he had many weaknesses.

“If the coward Buren runs for president, the Democratic Party will be crushed! He has stood by and watched Mexico swallow up the Caribbean! Meanwhile, the Whigs have made it clear by concluding a military alliance with Colombia that they will not tolerate any further Mexican expansion!”

It was like praising the Whig Party and disparaging Buren, a fellow Democrat, but this was not a presidential election but a primary to choose a candidate for the presidency. His opponent now was not the Whig candidate but Martin Van Buren, the Democratic Party’s solid number one option.

“The history of America is a history of growth. Since we achieved independence, America has grown endlessly, and that is our pride. That is why someone who puts the brakes on America’s growth can never become president. But can the coward Buren really make America grow?”

Now, if the United States wants to expand its territory, it has no choice but to take from Britain in the north and Mexico in the south. Neither country is easy, but if you have to choose between the two, Mexico is obviously easier than Britain.

‘But Mexico has no justification.’

The border between Mexico and the United States was established in the Adams-Onís Treaty (Transcontinental Treaty) between Spain and the United States in 1819 and was considered to remain intact after Mexican independence.

Since independence, the two countries have not violated each other’s borders and have exercised firm control over their respective territories, so causing a border dispute is simply far-fetched.

On the other hand, Oregon, which was a border dispute area with Britain, was different. It was only vaguely agreed to be jointly ruled, and no firm border was established.

“There are many Americans living in Oregon! Unlike England, where there are only a few thousand people in that vast area, tens of thousands of Americans have already settled in Oregon and have put down roots in the land. How can England possibly want to have this area? Oregon is already our land, and we must protect it!”

It was not a lie. After slavery was abolished in Mexico, immigration to Texas became less popular among Americans.

Instead, many began to migrate further west, eventually settling in Oregon.

The United States began to exert real control over Oregon, British influence was weak, and the Native Americans were becoming more of a threat.

“Oregon is America’s! Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”

As James Polk finished his speech and gave his final slogan, the supporters began to chant.

“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!”

***

January 1844.

“Those crazy guys···”

When a crazy guy came along demanding that all of Oregon be handed over, the British government simply ignored him, saying that there were crazy guys out there.

“That guy is definitely going to become the Democratic Party’s number one option?”

“Yes, the convention is in May, but the mood seems to have completely shifted to James Polk’s side. In fact, there is news that he has switched from a primary campaign to a presidential campaign.”

“The Yankees are going too far with their arrogance.”

Robert Peel, the Prime Minister of the British Empire who commands the world, felt offended but it was an ambiguous matter to punish immediately.

He wasn’t even president, he was just a presidential candidate. He didn’t even formally ask for anything. And most importantly, although it was a blow to his pride, going to war with the United States would be a huge burden for Britain.

As we saw in the War of 1812, America was no match for Britain. All of their major ports were blockaded and their capital, Washington, was burned.

Does that mean that the United States can easily crush them at any time? No. In fact, didn’t the war itself end in a draw without a clear winner?

“If there really is a war, how much damage do you think Britain will suffer?”

Victory is a given. The reason the last war ended in a draw was because the Napoleonic Wars were in progress in Europe. Naturally, they had no choice but to pay more attention to that. If they fought one-on-one, there was not even a 1% chance that Britain would lose.

“The damage to the Navy will be considerable, but the bigger problem is… Ahem.”

The Admiralty Secretary coughed as he looked at the War Office Secretary sitting next to him. It was a matter of two separate departments, so he couldn’t speak carelessly, so he just passed it over.

“···We cannot guarantee that we will be able to overwhelm the United States without conscripting a large army.”

The United States, despite having its major ports blocked and its capital burned, did not lose its resistance but instead showed increasingly stronger resistance. It is impossible to win a war easily with only the navy without shedding blood in the army.

“Phew···.”

I had a hope, but it was as expected.

This means that Britain must be prepared to suffer a huge loss in order to achieve complete victory.

‘If we blockade the ports with the navy and go into a very protracted war…’

That weight class will last as long as it is, but won’t it eventually reach its limit? However, Prime Minister Robert Peel dismissed that thought that had briefly occurred to him.

The British Empire is the one that rules the world. There are many places where a fleet is needed, but wasting a huge number of fleets in the United States for several years? That alone is a huge loss. It would be better to use that time in other countries where it is much easier.

“Since he is not the president, let’s think about how to solve this problem step by step.”

“yes.”

The results of the US presidential election won’t be out until December. That’s almost a year. There’s no need to decide today.

Knock knock-

The Prime Minister, who was about to take a break after dismissing the officials he had called in for a meeting, was annoyed when he heard a knock on the door, but he sighed and let them in.

“What’s going on?”

“A letter has arrived from the Mexican Ambassador, asking you to consider Mexico’s proposal.”

“A suggestion?”

Prime Minister Robert Peel opened the letter.