However, Spain was not an ally of France, and its strength was not comparable to Britain's, but it was also not a country that the newly established United States could afford to provoke. / W W w . Q B 5 . c o M / So the Continental Congress immediately summoned Jefferson and arranged for them to make contact.
However, the result of the contact was that Jefferson, with a grim face, reported the content of the contact to the Continental Congress. He said that the Spanish government was preparing to delineate the border with the United States, and many towns previously administered by Americans would be incorporated into Spanish Colonies.
Jefferson, of course, did not agree, only procrastinating by saying that he needed to consult the Continental Congress.
But the next day, the Spanish Ambassador and Ambassadors from several other countries, along with Ambassador Girard, the French Ambassador to the United States, proposed recommendations to the Continental Congress regarding the current situation.
First, it urged the Continental Congress to send a peace mission to Europe so that multilateral peace negotiations could begin as soon as a favorable opportunity arose; second, it suggested that the Continental Congress accept Spain's proposal for the border issue between Spain's American Colonies and the United States; finally, it proposed signing trade and navigation conventions with other countries.
The border was a stumbling block in American-Spanish diplomacy. Spain's refusal to ally with the United States to this day, apart from fearing the independence of its American Colonies, was due to its failure to achieve its desired outcome on the border issue. Spain proposed that the American-Spanish border in America be defined by the mississippi River as the western boundary of the United States and the 31st parallel north as its southern boundary. This was similar to the original Florida colony, except for several small towns that had been occupied by the British army during the war between Britain and Spain more than a decade ago and had been administered by the Georgia colony. They had always supported independence and had become a member of the United States. Now, however, they were to be ceded to Spain, which was, of course, unacceptable.
But Ambassador Girard appearing with the Spanish Ambassador indicated France's position. This made the Continental Congress feel that France was favoring Spain among its two allies. And the envoys from the other countries were, needless to say, openly supporting Spain.
If it were the United States of history, which had suffered heavy losses after a long war of Independence, it might have reluctantly accepted. But the United States at this time, under the influence of Charles, had forged a strong army through war. While it might still be inferior to these traditional great powers at sea and had no influence on Europe, in America, it was definitely qualified to challenge the interests of any single European power.
Jefferson asked the main leaders of the Continental Congress for their opinions on the reply.
Hancock hesitated, saying, "It's best to consult the opinions of the European powers, in accordance with international practice."
"I firmly object! Any country or individual who wishes to carve out any piece of land from the independent, free United States can only do so through a war of iron and blood! We must never sacrifice our people for the friendship of a country." Adams, a Federalist, made his position very clear.
"Let's put this matter aside for now!" Charles also shook his head. "Anyway, we are not yet allies with Spain. When negotiating with Britain, we can completely avoid participating with them. As long as the main contradiction with Britain is resolved, we will be free to act. With enough strength to speak, I believe Spain will not turn hostile and fight our newly victorious Continental army for a few small towns."
This could also be considered a way to preserve the Continental army! Only when surrounded by powerful enemies is it necessary to maintain a standing army. Charles muttered to himself.
"However, the Spanish Ambassador and the envoys from other countries have explicitly stated that only by signing a border treaty with them are they willing to participate in negotiations with Britain alongside us. At that time, the major European powers would jointly pressure Britain, ensuring the interests of our United States during the negotiations," Jefferson stated Spain's conditions for exchange.
"Oh?"
At this, at least Hancock was moved, but Adams and Charles remained unmoved.
"Mr. Ambassador Girard, the French Ambassador, decided to side with them because he wanted to draw Spain into the negotiations with Britain, didn't he?" Hancock said, understanding the situation.
He had only thought of France, but his words made others think of more things.
"Hmph! As long as other European powers participate, the main players in the negotiations with Britain will be Europeal countries led by France. And our United States, which so hard-won a victory, will become a younger brother under their guardianship. So, Spain and the people of other countries putting pressure on us is actually for the purpose of participating in the negotiations with Britain, right? Aren't we just handing them benefits for free?" Adams' understanding of these countries' intentions became clearer.
"Haha! I heard that Spain has a sport called bullfighting, where a bull is lured by a red cloth to willingly offer itself to the bullfighter to be killed. They are now bullfighting us in the same way!" Charles laughed.
"We cannot fight a war for nothing, and then also seize benefits for other countries. Indeed! I do not agree to accept Spain's demands." Hancock immediately stated his position clearly.
"Of course, we cannot agree! Now they want to divide our rightful gains and sacrifice some of our own rights and interests." Adams also disdainfully objected.
The independent and autonomous consciousness of a newly established nation is much stronger than that of a normal country. Thinking that their rights and interests might be represented by others, Hancock and Adams naturally immediately expressed their opposition to a border treaty with Spain. Even if Spain wanted to participate in the negotiations with Britain, it must do so as an independent entity. The United States would absolutely not stand with it. If other countries insisted on forcing the United States to agree, then even its ally, France, would have to be abandoned.
Although Hancock and Adams did not explicitly say so, Charles understood the implied meaning in their words: if necessary, they could make peace with Britain alone. However, since the United States was still a newly established nation, abandoning its original diplomatic alliance immediately after independence would undoubtedly have a very negative impact on the country's long-term development. Now, they could only wait to see France's actions, to see if the United States could find a legitimate reason to abandon it.
Charles nodded involuntarily. Hancock and Adams' political acumen was becoming increasingly sharp. He himself had only realized the reason for the Spanish's eagerness to negotiate after Hancock's reminder.
"Indeed! If it were a post-war negotiation between evenly matched opponents, we would need other countries to support us in securing our interests. But now, Britain has lost the battle and is eager to extricate itself. It is on the relatively weaker side, making it the perfect opportunity to leverage our position. If the Spanish and other countries want to participate and share the spoils, the prerequisite is that they pay a considerable price as an entry ticket to the negotiations! Thomas, you don't need to rush at all; just drag it out slowly, and they will definitely make concessions on their own." Charles said with a chuckle.
Indeed, all political negotiations ultimately rely on the strength behind them. The so-called name of justice only requires issuing a few announcements and publicizing them in newspapers.
Finally, it was Jefferson who made the decision on how to respond to Spain's issue.
"I think it's best to drag it out, as Charles suggested. In fact, I've already realized that the Spanish Ambassador, knowing about our victory in the southern theater, is very eager to sign a border treaty quickly. If we wait until our northern campaign is also victorious, they will certainly be even more eager. However, we don't need their help in diplomatic negotiations to demand any favors from Britain, so we are not in a hurry. I believe that when the British negotiating envoy arrives, the Spanish Ambassador should make concessions on his own."
Hancock, Adams, and others had no other opinions. They only unanimously demanded that Jefferson not sacrifice any sovereignty or interests of the United States in negotiations with Spain and other countries in exchange for Spanish support.
For the sake of secrecy, Charles, Jefferson, Adams, and others had not yet fully submitted this matter for discussion to the Continental Congress. Instead, it was proposed by the faction leaders, and Jefferson was directly granted full negotiating authority without discussion.
—
Negotiations with the Spanish Ambassador quickly resumed, but Jefferson, authorized by the Continental Congress, was in no hurry and slowly dragged out the pace of the negotiations.
As a renowned lawyer, Jefferson was not only excellent with the pen but also very skilled with his words. The Spanish Ambassador, a professional diplomat, met his match in Jefferson, the great lawyer. The two presented facts, argued logically, and delved into ancient texts, legal documents, and historical records to debate the sovereignty of a few small towns.
Finally, Jefferson, with a grand gesture, also pulled in Ambassador Girard, the French Ambassador, and included the issue of Russia in the negotiation agenda. Without the knowledge of Britain, the owner, they directly discussed how this region should be divided and how the border should be set when negotiating with Britain, making the negotiation process even slower.
While they were still negotiating, the French Navy fleet, which had sailed north to New York, patrolled off the coasts of New York and Boston. After delivering a shipment of military supplies from New York to post-war Boston, it returned to Philadelphia.
Seeing the still intact hulls of the ships, Charles knew that the French Navy must not have engaged the British Navy fleet.
However, looking at the massive fleet, Charles also felt that the British Navy would not likely come out for a decisive battle.
Because the current fleet was no longer just the French Navy's six capital ships and thirty auxiliary warships; the United States Navy's newly built, still very fragile, and not very combat-ready three capital ships and twelve cruisers had also been incorporated into the French Navy fleet. While the combined combat power of the two navies might have increased only marginally, their apparent scale and powerful presence were enough to make the British Navy fleet, with only five capital ships, retreat three steps.
Upon receiving the news of the fleet's return, Charles excitedly immediately proposed to the Continental Congress and Girard to hold a naval review at the mouth of the Delaware River to boost the confidence of the people of Philadelphia and rekindle their original pioneering spirit.
Such a glorious event was naturally accepted by both sides.
The next day, more than fifty newly refurbished large warships sailed in succession at the mouth of the Delaware River. When passing the viewing stand at the river mouth, they would fire salutes.
The banks of the river were already crowded with people from Philadelphia.
Seeing the massive warships sail by, some flying the French flag, others the flag of the United States. Upon seeing the French flag, the people of Philadelphia shouted, "Long live France!" Upon seeing the American flag, they shouted, "Long live the United States!"
Shouts, cheers, and cannon fire intertwined over the mouth of the Delaware River.
This naval review not only restored the confidence of the people of Philadelphia in maritime trade but also prominently displayed the spirit of the Franco-American Alliance. The envoys from Spain, Prussia, and other countries who attended the review all had their own thoughts.
Charles did not have time to understand the thoughts of those Ambassadors. Instead, seizing the opportunity presented by the naval review to demonstrate the alliance between the two countries, he proposed to Count de Grasse, the commander of the French Navy fleet, hoping that the Navy, while searching for the British fleet, would also protect merchant ships traveling between Europe and America. Because with the return of the Navy fleet, many daring merchant ships had already set sail again for Europe, preparing to make a fortune by taking advantage of the first wave of goods.
"Your Excellency! Such a task of clearing the seas is inherently the duty of the Navy. Please rest assured, I guarantee on a soldier's honor that we will certainly protect your country's merchant ships!" Count Grasse readily agreed.
Charles immediately reciprocated with abundant praise, while not forgetting to subtly remind him:
"In fact, once maritime trade resumes, Britain's blockade will be considered a failure. That British fleet might even be forced to come out and engage our Navy in a decisive battle because of this. I just don't know what the combat effectiveness of our United States fleet is like now?"
Count Grasse heard Charles' judgment that it might draw out the British fleet for a decisive battle and nodded in agreement. After a slight pause, he immediately answered Charles' question.
"Although your country's Navy has only just been established, it does have a large number of active personnel from our Navy, plus its main force consists of retired naval officers and soldiers from various countries, so it had about 30% combat power from the start. After these days of patrolling with our fleet, I think its combat power should have significantly improved. As long as it can withstand the test of a few tough battles, it should be able to achieve 70% of the combat power of a French Navy warship," Count Grasse said seriously.
Although 70% combat power might not sound like much, in reality, this was the highest evaluation Count Grasse was willing to give. Although the French Navy's strength was not as great as the British Navy's, in Count Grasse's mind, with its excellent warships and advanced artillery, the combat power of a single warship was undoubtedly the highest in France. Britain's traditional advantage as a maritime power was only more evident when it operated large fleets.