Chapter 208: Next Door (1)
Chapter 208: Next Door (1)
In the pockets of the newborn United States of America, barely ten years independent, there was still no Washington, D.C., the capital familiar to modern people of the twenty-first century, no New York filled with busy commuters carrying iced Americanos and brunch, and no San Francisco, where the cleverest people in the world gathered.
At most, what the United States held in its grasp were Boston and Charleston, shipping cities Britain had developed as colonial ports, and Philadelphia, where the War of Independence and the Continental Congress had been resolved.
Thus, after the War of Independence, the Americans weighed those three cities as candidates for a temporary capital, then unanimously agreed, “This simply won’t do. Let’s build a new planned city to use as the capital!” And so, as a temporary capital, they ran state affairs from New York from 1785 to 1790, and from 1790 until the planned city was completed, they used Philadelphia as the capital.
Of course, all three cities were not even worth a fingernail compared to capitals like Paris, London, or Brandenburg in Europe, but if one was being generous and willing to moisten one’s lips a little, they could at least be called the Marseille or Dover of the New World.
Only if one was being generous, of course.
“Good heavens, and this is what they call their capital? There isn’t a trace of the dignity, beauty, or elegance worthy of a city. What a complete mess.”
Naturally, to Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, who enjoyed patronizing art and music and simultaneously served as deputy of the National Assembly of Revolutionary France, Philadelphia was nothing but a backwater among backwaters.
Americans in rustic clothes, and those even more rustic British-style houses that seemed determined to advertise the fact that this place had once been a British colony.
“Ghastly. I desperately want to return to Paris.”
“Then… shall we turn the ship around?”
“Tsk. That joke goes too far, Captain.”
Though he grumbled because his post displeased him, as a man who had boarded the ship to mediate affairs between nations, Talleyrand buried his displeasure deep in his heart and brought forth responsibility and a sense of mission instead.
“Our dear friend France, welcome to the American continent! I am Thomas Jefferson, United States Secretary of State.”
“Thank you for such a warm welcome, Minister. I am Talleyrand.”
“I wonder whether Foreign Minister Charles-François Lebrun is doing well. Back when I served as the American ambassador to France, I was greatly indebted to him, so I am personally very curious about how he fares.”
“Hahaha, perhaps thanks to Secretary Jefferson’s wishes, he is even livelier than I am. More than that, this makes me envious of Minister Lebrun. He has always had wide personal connections, but to have such an excellent friend even across the Atlantic—well.”
“Hahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
One fortunate thing, perhaps, was that Talleyrand himself and Jefferson, America’s diplomat, got along rather well.
From the very first day they met, the two became the sort who could freely exchange conversation on religion, political convictions, which operas they liked, how there was a very famous German musician named Beethoven in Paris, mutual compliments, and even broader social chatter.
However—
Bang!
“Jefferson!”
“…Who is that man, Minister?”
“Tsk, a dwarf with a severe defect in character.”
“Hmph! Better that than being some overgrown beanpole so tall that blood doesn’t reach his brain, leaving him a complete fool. A pleasure to meet you. I am John Adams, Vice President of the United States.”
The short, hot-tempered Vice President, who looked sharp-natured at a glance, thrust out his hand to Talleyrand as he spoke. Since he somehow resembled the late Mirabeau, Talleyrand readily took and shook it.
“Good. Now that you’ve exchanged greetings with the guest, it’s time to get to business. Jefferson, by what authority are you entertaining a guest of the United States?”
“As Secretary of State, naturally—”
“To hell with Secretary of State. That seat belongs to Edmund Jennings Randolph, not to a lanky fool like you!”
“You’ve completely lost your mind, Adams. What kind of disturbance is this in front of such an honored guest from a foreign nation?!”
“You’re the one who should quietly step down once your term is over, beanpole. Aren’t you ashamed, clinging so miserably to that Secretary of State post even after your term has ended, before future generations?”
“A shameful beanpole is still better than a dwarf traitor!”
“…I think I’ll just leave.”
As the conversation between statesmen increasingly resembled that of street thugs and ruffians, Talleyrand quietly withdrew and fled from the room.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, he continued on toward the French Embassy in the United States to find out what in the world had happened to leave America in such a state.
“Deputy Talleyrand, it has been a while.”
“Ambassador Edmond-Charles Genêt. What in the world is going on here?”
“Haha, well. It’s quite a long story.”
The ambassador’s explanation was lengthy, but worth hearing.
The American Congress was currently split into two factions: the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party.
The Federalist Party wanted a strong centralized state, while the Democratic-Republican Party wanted a more republican state that broadly respected the autonomy of the individual states. With John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as their respective leaders, the two were waging a war without gunfire in the legislature.
“Well, in truth, it wouldn’t matter much to us whether the Americans bite and tear at each other, but if the diplomatic positions of the two sides differ, that changes things.
“The Federalist Party appears to favor a British-style parliamentary cabinet system and seems eager to repair relations with Britain, which have remained strained since the War of Independence.”
“Then what of Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party?”
“The Democratic-Republican Party supports an American-style republicanism and is more favorable toward France than toward improving relations with Britain.”
The Federalist Party wanted to reopen channels with Britain, while the Democratic-Republicans wanted to maintain close relations with France.
Now he understood. No wonder they were fighting so viciously over Talleyrand’s visit.
“Adams, who is both Vice President and leader of the Federalist Party, has sent John Jay, the former Chief Justice, to Britain to conclude a treaty.”
“…And the contents of that treaty?”
“We don’t know. He is still in Britain. We will have to wait about four months before learning the terms.”
So the pro-British faction had already started moving. Things did not seem to be developing very favorably.
America was, after all, only an appendage territory of France. It was not France’s homeland the way the land was for the Americans.
Naturally, if relations between the two turned hostile, America would have the advantage over France, which would have to transport troops from the mainland. Of course, if full-scale war broke out and the Grand Army came from the homeland, a country like America could be subdued as easily as twisting the arm of a newborn baby, but by that point the losses would be greater than the gains.
“Ambassador Genêt, what do you think should be done?”
“In my judgment… should we not at least issue a diplomatic warning first? Something along the lines of expressing concern over the strain in the alliance between France and the United States. If we do that, we might be able to pressure the Federalist Party into changing course.”
The United States of America and France were allies. Under the Franco-American Treaty of Alliance and Commerce, had not France sent great numbers of troops to aid the United States during the War of Independence? Even the current commander of the National Guard, Commander Lafayette, had won fame in that very war.
“I do not think that is a very good move.”
“Yes? Why not?”
“Would that not make it appear as though France were interfering in America’s internal affairs?”
“Well, it would only be a diplomatic protest, would it not?”
“The common sense of diplomats is often a kind of common sense ordinary people cannot understand. Would Americans—who were once tormented as subjects of a British colony—really accept a diplomatic protest from France at face value?”
“Hmm.”
With Ambassador Genêt’s silence as his backdrop, Talleyrand continued.
“What matters is public opinion. Public opinion. Both France and the United States follow the will of the people, do they not?”
“And by public opinion, you mean?”
“Trying to change the hearts of the Federalist Party is like chasing a ship that has already sailed. The more pressure we apply, the more they will likely stir anti-French sentiment for their own benefit.”
“Hmm. Then what about supporting the Democratic-Republican Party?”
“That would be unmistakable interference in domestic affairs.”
“If not pressuring the Federalists, and not supporting the Democratic-Republicans, then how exactly do you intend to win over the public that supports both parties?”
Talleyrand shrugged.
“That is something you will see in due time.”
Early August, 1794.
Philadelphia, temporary capital of the United States.
“I’m sorry, but my health is poor…”
“Some doctor said it was yellow fever. Ugh, my head again.”
“Cough, cough.”
After that, Talleyrand began refusing meetings.
“Deputy Talleyrand! Why are you avoiding conversation like this?!”
“Because I am unwell, naturally—”
“Then why is it that a man in such poor health still plays poker with those Federalist bastards?! Why is it that you refuse to speak with our Democratic-Republican Party?!”
To be precise, he was refusing meetings with the Democratic-Republicans.
Naturally, from the Democratic-Republican perspective, it was enough to drive them mad. Why in the world was he associating with those pro-British traitorous bastards? And a Frenchman at that, one who ought to cough up blood at the very mention of Britain?
“Secretary Jefferson, what are we supposed to do now?”
“If the French start sleeping with those traitorous bastards, we’re finished! Finished!”
“We’re doomed! This place will be ruled by the Federalist bastards now!”
Meanwhile, from the Federalist perspective, what they had was a situation that seemed like good news, and yet not quite good news, and yet somehow strange.
“Why is a Frenchman trying to open close channels with our side?”
“That’s exactly it. Wouldn’t it make more sense for him to stick with the Democratic-Republicans?”
“…The situation is strange. From now on, let’s keep our distance from this man Talleyrand whenever possible.”
And yet—
“Well now, Congressman! Where are you off to?”
“V-Vice Minister Talleyrand?”
“Shouldn’t we play a round again today? Hahaha! I absolutely won’t go easy on you this time.”
“I’m sorry, but I have important business today—”
“What are you saying? I already know your schedule. Come now, let’s go!”
Even so, Talleyrand continued to pester them steadily.
“Damn it, what exactly does that man want?”
“I-I haven’t the faintest idea.”
After several weeks passed like that, Talleyrand secretly sent a call of affection toward the Federalists.
“…Vice Minister Talleyrand has sent word that he wishes to meet the lawful Secretary of State of the United States.”
“The lawful Secretary of State? Then of course! Doesn’t that mean he intends to bypass that fellow Jefferson?”
“That certainly seems to be the meaning… Very well. We should meet him.”
An opportunity to kill a political enemy who defended France—not with their own sword, but by borrowing the sword of France itself. The Federalists began moving swiftly.
And then—
“Haha, greetings! Representing the Federalist Party, I have come to build a good relationship with Vice Minister Talleyrand—”
“Honestly, are you people fucking kidding me?”
“…Pardon?”
“Have I not made it clear enough?”
“I-I’m not sure what you mean…”
“Haah. You know, that large thing, the shiny thing.”
“L-large, shiny thing?”
“Gold! I’m asking for a bribe!”
At the sight of a diplomat openly demanding a bribe, the United States was thrown into chaos.