Rise of the 1630s South America

Chapter 1124 Major General Harrison ([-])

"Sir Harrison, have you gained anything?" Mr. Charles, who was talking loudly, turned around after hearing the movement, and asked his servant to give Major General Harrison a cup of coffee: "The coffee grown by the people on the east coast in Xinhua Island, The taste is not bad, you can try it, well, the price is much cheaper than those teas in London pharmacies, generally speaking, it is a good drink."

Major General Harrison nodded, and then turned his attention to the two businessmen sitting across from him—he knew these two, and they were colonial businessmen who had been engaged in trade with the East all year round: John Hill and George Hampton.They have expanded the cotton and tobacco plantations in Virginia through the wealth they accumulated through trade with the East. They are no longer ordinary small businessmen, as can be seen from the fact that they can sit opposite Mr. Charles and talk.

However, Major General Harrison and these businessmen have always had nothing to say. In the eyes of a Republican officer like him, these people are all profiteers who have stolen national property.For example, he knew that many of the goods imported by these two people from the East Coast were not shipped to London to pay customs duties as required, and then shipped to the North American colonies for sale-these people sometimes (of course not all times) "simplified" the itinerary , shipped some goods from the east coast directly to the remote coast of New England or Virginia, and then slowly digested them secretly. Isn’t this naked smuggling?At present, the maritime court in North America is collecting evidence and intends to prosecute these two profiteers, but this is not humane.

The two "profiteers" were a little apprehensive about the arrival of Major General Harrison. After all, this man's reputation was really that bad, not to mention middle-level businessmen like them, but which of the big businessmen in the parliament had never been led by the major general. The republican soldiers were kicked out?Impressive!

"There is nothing to gain." Major General Harrison sat on a chair expressionlessly, sighed, and said, "Now is not the time to talk about this matter. I will explain it to you later. So, you talk about it now." Where is it? Something about South Africa? Any questions?"

"Yes, about the issue of South Africa. Mr. Charles believes that the existence of the South African colony is more critical, because it can allow our merchant ships to rest or avoid wind and waves when they pass by here. This is very important to the East India trade with increasing trade volume. Important. You must know that we are already starting to restore the business hall in Banten. In the future, we will import more and more pepper, cloves, and nutmeg, which will bring continuous profits to England." John Hill He said in a flattering tone, "Sir Harrison, England needs South Africa and the East India trade. A large proportion of the wealth of the United Provinces comes from the East India trade. England must not let the Dutchman monopolize this trade."

Harrison just nodded slightly when he heard the words, but didn't say anything.The East India trade is certainly beneficial to the country, but I am afraid that the group of businessmen and congressmen who are called "profiteers" and "brothel owners" by the Lord Protector are the ones who benefit the most. Thinking of the poor republican soldiers fighting the Dutch at sea, regardless of life and death, The rich are making a fortune in the rear. How can Major General Harrison balance it?Even though his family background is not bad, but sitting on the side of the republican soldiers, he doesn't like these profiteers one hundred times - the protector of the country is doing his best for the country, and the profiteers are not even willing to pay for the military. How can you do this!

"The Lord Protector should send more veterans of the New Model Army to South Africa—at least 2000 people—and invest more than 20 pounds in construction and immigration every year. This money can be raised domestically. I believe many Businessmen will be happy. In this way, our strength in South Africa will be able to catch up with the Dutch in a few years. Although there is still some gap with the power of the people on the east coast, it is no longer in a precarious state." George Harp Dun also spoke at the right time.

"The East India Company was at one time looked upon with distaste, because some of its imports were thought by many to be a hindrance to the consumption of our own manufactures in Manchester; But without any regard to the operations of the East India Company which multiplied the bullion back to England. The East India trade was vital as it affected other trades, we traded silks and calicos for Dutch goods ; we buy linen from Silesia, Saxony, and Bohemia at favorable prices in Germany with East India goods; ——Since we have shipped a lot of East India silk (imported from Persia and Southeast Asia, the British now collectively refer to the trade of Persia, Ceylon, India, and Indonesia as the East India trade), in previous years it was necessary to spend a lot of money from France, Italy ( The prices of silk imported by these two countries have been reduced by more than 30% immediately." Mr. Charles obviously agreed with increasing investment in East India trade, and he continued: "Thanks to the Dutch, the spices in recent years The price is well maintained at a high level (the Dutch even cut down a lot of lilac trees in order to maintain the price), which gives us enough profit margins, then we can use a considerable part of the money to expand South Africa The operation of the colony, which is good for the future."

"Our colonies—if we take care to protect them from foreign invasion and attack—will, as their population increase, consume more domestic manufactures than our present hands can produce. They also produce European Indispensable but unproduced commodities of all sorts, so that, with our diligent management, they will sooner or later become an inexhaustible storehouse of wealth for the mother country. As in New England and Virginia, so will South Africa." Charles. Mr. is worthy of being a staunch trader and colonialist, and he is particularly enthusiastic about developing overseas trade and colonization: "Our love for the sea-of course the Dutch also do it-enables us to transport all kinds of goods from one country to another. country, our ports are safer and more comfortable for this purpose than Holland's. Our colonial trade, if fully developed, would require more capital than we now possess, and consume more commodities than The amount we can manufacture and provide at a reasonable price, now has more than 70 long-term settlers (referring to whites) in North American colonies, providing direct and indirect benefits of more than [-] pounds to the native land every year. If we take the South African colony well If it is operated, it will surely provide a lot of income for the local people in the future. At least, the [-] pounds invested in the early stage every year can be slowly earned back."

"Yes, it would be great if South Africa could develop into a powerful territory like New England." Speaking of this, John Hill was a little excited: "Your Excellency Robert Sedgwick led his army to occupy it more than two years ago. Acadia of the French, now we have an unprecedentedly vast territory in North America. Cotton, tobacco, dyes, grains, timber and other commodities have been imported into the country in large quantities, which has greatly boosted the domestic economy. It is that certain provisions of the "Navigation Act" are too It's tough, it's holding back trade activity, which is a bit of a shame."

The three of them talked more and more, and George Hampton mentioned that the British navy was planning a big move, and later said that they were going to build a Spanish treasure fleet (although it was extremely difficult, because it was impossible to grasp The whereabouts of the treasure fleet), and then said that after consolidating the island of Jamaica, they were going to point the finger at San Juan or Hispaniola. Spain's stagnation is deep, and it is no longer a concern. Perhaps only the Dutch can stop the great England.

Mr. Charles chatted with Hill and others for a while before sending them away, then he walked back, looked at Major General Harrison, and said with a wry smile: "They are too optimistic, but at least this is a positive emotion, Don't you? Then, Sir Harrison, you have just returned from Blanco and have you brought me bad news?"

"It's not good news." Major General Harrison's expression became a little lively at this time, and he only heard him say: "Blanco refused to help us deploy people. But this is not the most important thing. According to the analysis of some gossip on the east coast, this pagan country is likely to intervene in the war between England and Spain, but they don’t know to what extent they will intervene and how determined their government is. Your Excellency the Duke must be in great need of more accurate information, because otherwise it is impossible to make correct decisions."

"This is a new situation, sir." Mr. Charles immediately paid attention to it. "If the people on the east coast intervene in the war, how far will they go? Fight the English navy? Help the Spaniards retake Jamaica Island? Or simply capture it?" Our colony in South Africa?"

"It's unlikely. People on the east coast shouldn't go to war with us in a short time. They're not stupid, because we can easily cut off their trade routes in Europe, causing them to lose at least 75 pounds of wealth every year." Harry Rear Admiral Sen categorically ruled out this possibility, and then said: "But they may help the Spaniards defend San Juan, Cuba or Hispaniola. Once this happens, then our squadron in Jamaica may be very difficult." It's hard to do anything, so it's better to transfer back to the Mediterranean area and blockade Spain with Lord Black's main fleet. Although the specific sailing date of the Spanish treasure fleet is unknown, the general route is still clear. We can go to Cadiz or Canary Waiting near the archipelago depends on luck, maybe it’s God’s favor. As for the real threat of people on the east coast, I think we must pay attention to it, but we should not take the initiative to provoke, but should try our best to avoid the deterioration of relations with the east coast. The outbreak of war - of course we can be tougher on the surface, the civilian government of the people on the east coast seems to be weaker, they may behave erratically because they are reluctant to let the European market collapse, then we will have a breathing space, as long as Spain succumbs, We'll be free to..."

Although he was not very fond of businessmen who talked about colonial trade, Major General Harrison was still very good at judging the situation when England was facing a dangerous situation, and his suggestion unsurprisingly made Mr. Charles fall into deep thought.

(End of this chapter)