"Gentlemen! Friends! It's a pleasure to return to Philadelphia for the Continental Congress," Charles said, standing at the podium with a cheerful smile, a stark contrast to the somber faces below.
"Councilor Charles! Although I already know you're about to announce good news, please don't keep us in suspense any longer; tell us quickly!" urged John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, from the stage.
"Alright, Mr. President." Charles turned and bowed to John Hancock, then continued, "Gentlemen, you may already know that a little over a month ago, Pittsburgh and its neighboring towns organized a Western Expeditionary Force to suppress the Iroquois Tribes who were preparing to attack us.
Just late last month, our Militia Commander on the front lines sent word that they not only defeated the main Iroquois army, trained and armed by the British, but also swept through all major Iroquois Tribes south of the Great Lakes, conquering the entire southern Great Lakes region!"
Charles paused, expecting cheers from the representatives.
Unfortunately, perhaps because the shift from bad news to good news was too drastic, the representatives below were all astonished by this news and forgot how to react to Charles.
Seeing their lack of cooperation, Charles had no choice but to continue:
"Haha! Our Western Expeditionary Force's controlled territory has now connected with the French Louisiana, so in the future, if we want to establish contact and receive aid from France, we might be able to do so directly through Pittsburgh to Louisiana.
Our Western Expeditionary Force is still advancing, striving to capture more of the Ohio area.
Before I departed, I ordered Major Sherman, the deputy commander of the Western Expeditionary Force, to continue south and attack Massac in Ohio, opening up the waterway from the Ohio River to the mississippi River.
At that time, we will be able to access the French-controlled New Orleans via the mississippi River, providing a safe outlet to the sea, and we will strive to liberate Ohio from the British."
In his moment of pride, he even revealed his long-term goals.
"Clap, clap, clap..." A round of applause erupted.
The councilors below might not have been particularly interested in Charles' conquest of the Iroquois Tribes, but the prospect of connecting with the French and securing a safe outlet to the sea at New Orleans filled everyone with excitement.
Benjamin Franklin, along with John Adams, drafted a preliminary treaty of alliance with foreign countries on July 18th, to be presented during future negotiations.
By September, their report had been submitted, including a set of commercial and friendship treaty texts, which later served as the basis for treaties signed with France and other nations.
Before the defeat at Long Island, the Continental Congress' focus was on discussing diplomatic alliances with France and other countries.
Now, suddenly hearing such good news naturally invigorated them.
John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, personally walked up to Charles, shook the equally excited and flushed young man's hand, and said:
"Your Excellency Charles. If we can truly obtain French aid through New Orleans, the people of all America will thank you!"
Since the outbreak of the war of Independence, the British had completely blockaded the ports of the American Colonies.
One major reason France had hesitated to provide aid was its reluctance to confront the British Navy directly.
If it were possible to contact the French directly through French ports, without the problem of breaking the British naval blockade, then the French would still be very willing to help this young nation that was causing trouble for the British.
To prevent the Continental Congress Representatives from carving up his interests, Charles, while the representatives were still in high spirits, directly raised the issue of how to handle the Ohio area.
He felt that only by acting swiftly and decisively now could he prevent these influential councilors from colluding to divide his interests.
In contrast to the news of this victory being shared by all members of the Continental Congress, the discussion on how to handle the status of Ohio was decided by a temporarily formed committee.
The members included all members of the Military and Ordnance Committee, led by John Adams; all Continental Congress Representatives from Pennsylvania, led by Benjamin Franklin; as well as John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, and Biddle Thompson, the secretary of the Congress.
When they first heard the news of the victory, everyone was very happy, but now that they were actually sitting together to discuss the status issue, some began to complain:
"Councilor Charles! You said your army is still advancing south; what about the British defenses? If they get enraged and cross the Great Lakes from Canada to attack Pittsburgh, will you be able to defend it then?
The situation in the east is already not good; this could make us face enemies on two fronts!"
"Gentlemen! It is under Councilor Charles' arrangements that merely a few thousand armed civilians achieved victory against several thousand native troops.
I believe his strategic wisdom is absolutely not inferior to any of us here.
I also believe that he will certainly have arrangements for the British army in Canada," James Wilson of the Military and Ordnance Committee immediately stepped forward to support Charles.
Several other committee members also expressed their belief in Charles' strategic vision.
Due to the defeat in the Battle of Long Island, the Military and Ordnance Committee was under immense pressure.
Now, Charles, also a member of the committee, had achieved a great victory in the west, and they naturally wanted to use Charles to re-establish the committee's authority.
"Gentlemen! There's no need to worry about the British army in Canada; their main force has already reached New York.
If the remaining troops leave Canada, our Continental army in the northern states can seize the opportunity to attack Quebec.
I think everyone present would be willing to exchange a desolate Ohio for a prosperous Quebec, but I doubt the British army commander in Canada would want to do that," Charles said with a smile.
His reply also drew a round of laughter from the others, who agreed with his assessment.
"The problem with Ohio, however, is indeed more complicated.
It originally belonged to the French, and we are now connected with the French Colony of Louisiana, so we have to consider their reaction.
Of course, I believe that as long as the Continental Congress does not sacrifice the Ohio that our soldiers won with their blood for French aid, Pittsburgh is willing to cooperate on other issues.
Additionally, I hope this land, conquered by Pittsburgh, can continue to be controlled by Pittsburgh, and that the Continental Congress can mobilize more civilians from the east to settle and develop this newly occupied territory, ensuring it does not drift away from the rule of our United States."
This was Charles' ideal outcome.
"Charles, are you trying to establish the state of Ohio?" Benjamin Franklin asked directly.
He took such a situation very seriously and had asked a similar question when he first met Charles.
"No! No! I don't have such a plan; I just think we should develop it more," Charles quickly clarified.
He added internally: In the process of development, let Pittsburgh become the largest city in the west.
"That's good then!" Benjamin Franklin nodded. "Actually, as long as you don't intend to establish the state of Ohio immediately, I don't think the French in Louisiana will take any action.
For now, you continue to manage it; develop it as much as possible, but you must achieve effective control.
The French's true attitude can only be concluded after discussions with officials in mainland France; it's still too early to discuss it now."
Benjamin Franklin was seasoned and prudent, and Charles was very convinced by his opinion.
He immediately nodded, indicating his understanding.
"Ohio should still be unstable now; the French, British, and natives all outnumber the people of our United States.
If we rashly allow it to become a state and join our United States, it might indeed provoke resentment among the local residents and make the French colonial governor of Louisiana uneasy," John Adams said with a serious expression.
He had very conflicted feelings about Charles' victory.
From the perspective of considering the nation, he was, of course, happy about Charles' victory.
From his own perspective, Charles' Western Expeditionary Force had gone so smoothly, and in future military strategic arrangements, his influence would definitely surpass his own.
John Adams would naturally feel a little uncomfortable.
"So, if we migrate a large number of people to Ohio, that won't work either, right?
Because if we directly relocate to inhabited villages and towns, it's very likely to cause conflicts with the locals, and new colonial settlements are not that easy to develop," Biddle Thompson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, also had a significant voice.
"That shouldn't be a problem; we can start by developing the south shore of the Great Lakes.
The native tribal camps left there are largely intact, providing a direct basis for developing colonial settlements.
There are also several towns in Ohio with a considerable number of United States citizens that should be able to accommodate a group of immigrants.
In fact, the east is about to be engulfed in war, and appropriately relocating some civilians to the west is also in line with our nation's long-term development," Charles insisted.
Immigration was essential; even if it caused local conflicts, he would insist on it.
After all, conflicts could be resolved, but without population, there was no development.
Since Benjamin Franklin agreed to let him manage it, this land would certainly be managed by him, and everything developed there would be his.
Regarding this large new territory, the representatives of the Continental Congress would naturally have tried to secure their own interests, but now that news of defeat on the eastern front had just arrived, these representatives feared that a military defeat would affect their own safety.
They had no mind to snatch benefits from Charles, the victor; they were too busy trying to curry favor with him.
"So, what are everyone's thoughts? Should this land be controlled by our Councilor Charles?" John Hancock finally asked the representatives present for their opinions.
He saw it very clearly: although Charles said it would be controlled by Pittsburgh, in reality, it would still be controlled by him, the highest leader of Pittsburgh, so he directly referred to him.
"Such a vast area, Councilor Charles, can you guarantee effective control?" John Adams pressed, speaking as a major leader.
The entire Ohio River basin was almost half the size of the current thirteen states.
Although Charles could not conquer it all this time, the land he controlled would definitely be larger than any current state.
John Adams felt both unwilling and uneasy that such a vast territory would be managed by Charles, a young man still wet behind the ears.
"Yes, Your Excellency! I guarantee it!" Charles bowed to John Adams.
Regarding the discussion of Ohio's governance, the Continental Congress ultimately agreed to Charles' proposal.
Just at this time, news of the defeat in the Battle of Long Island had begun to spread in Philadelphia.
John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, quickly seized this news of victory as a lifeline and immediately announced it to the residents of Philadelphia to calm the public's anxiety somewhat.
And at the general meeting held the next day, he suggested that the Continental Congress bestow upon Charles the honorary title of "Conqueror of the Iroquois."
"Gentlemen! In this time of crisis for the entire United States, I am delighted to hear good news.
Our young and brave Councilor Charles-Lee led the militia of Pittsburgh and twenty-seven other towns to defeat the combined forces of the natives and the British, conquering the Ohio area.
Let us cheer for his victory! Our Conqueror of the Iroquois!"
"Clap, clap, clap..." Enthusiastic applause erupted in the Continental Congress.
Charles, however, was startled by John Hancock's sudden decision.
Bestowing titles on victors was a common practice in Europe and America at the time, but the title of "Conqueror" was generally only awarded to the highest executive.
For the conquest of the Iroquois, he was only the highest decision-maker; the actual execution was entirely handled by Antoine and Major Sherman, and he had not participated at all.
If he were to falsely claim the title of "Conqueror of the Iroquois" now, his reputation would be ruined when history was revealed.
He could only humbly bow and thank the Continental Congress Representatives while stating:
"Gentlemen, although I decided on the action against the Iroquois, the actual executors of this battle were Mr. Antoine, the Militia Commander of Pittsburgh, and Major Sherman of the Continental army.
I dare not falsely claim such a title of Conqueror."
Naturally, these important figures were unwilling to bestow the title of Conqueror upon obscure individuals.
So, John Hancock insisted:
"Your Excellency, there's no need to be modest; in fact, we all know.
Your personal presence in Pittsburgh to oversee the expedition and strategize the battle essentially makes you the highest executor of the war.
You are well-deserving of this title of 'Conqueror of the Iroquois.'
If the two gentlemen you mentioned, Antoine and Sherman, can conquer a major city in Ohio, we will certainly bestow upon them the title of Conqueror as well."
Ultimately, after a vote by the assembly, Charles was still awarded the title of "Conqueror of the Iroquois."