xymnovel Chapter 154 Deputy Governor
Chapter 154 Deputy Governor
Chapter 154 Deputy Governor
Two days later.
In the large conference room of the Black Rock Valley Sanatorium library, forty-six former PUIC shareholders gathered, listening absentmindedly as David Jones explained the London Textile Company's stock swap and buyback plan.
This task was originally supposed to be handled by John Adams, Chen Wenbin's chief secretary, but two days ago the Adams brothers publicly announced on The New England Voice that they were resigning from all their positions in the company, so it fell to David Jones.
As for Chen Wenbin himself, he no longer needs to go on stage to introduce the project's prospects to investors—his own name is the strongest endorsement!
To be honest, most of the people here were actually there for Governor Chen. They already knew the terms of the stock swap and buyback. They came here just to build a relationship with Governor Chen and make connections.
For example, Aaron Lopez, a rum smuggler and slave trader sitting in the third row, completely ignored what David Jones was saying on stage. Instead, he whispered a complaint to Nicholas Brown, who was sitting to his right: "—Mr. Brown, do you know why Robin pushed for the anti-slavery bill in the Rhodes Island council? It's cost me a lot!"
Nicholas Brown had no liking for this Jewish slave trader and directly mocked him, "Come on! Aaron, your slaves have no market in New England. What are you losing?"
Have you read Robin's article, "On the Inevitable Bankruptcy and Moral Consequences of the Slave Economy"?
We all agreed that he was right; using slaves was not only economically unprofitable, but would also have serious social consequences in the future.
Now the legislatures of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine are preparing to follow our example and introduce legislation banning the importation and domestication of slaves —
Aaron Lopez knew these things better than Nicholas Brown, and he immediately said, "What I really want to know is, in the cotton plantations of West Florida and the Mississippi Territory, is Robin really not prepared to use African slaves?"
This was a very unwise decision! The Irish simply couldn't stand the southern climate and malaria; only the black men were the most suitable plantation workers!
"Then you go and talk to Robin yourself!"
Nicholas Brown shrugged impatiently. "Don't forget, Robin is a miracle worker. If he says there's a way to cure malaria, then there must be a way—"
Just then, David Jones finished explaining the terms and details of the stock swap and premium buyback, and began answering questions from the audience.
Seeing this, Nicholas immediately raised his hand and ignored Aaron Lopez next to him. The latter shook his head indifferently, looking at the empty seat in the middle of the first row to his right, feeling really unwilling.
He had known about the Southern Development Corporation's plans to establish large-scale cotton plantations in Florida and Mississippi for six months, thanks to a letter personally written to him by Chen Wenbin.
However, in his letter, Lord Chen did not intend for him to transport slaves from Africa, but instead hoped that he would transport immigrants from Ireland to North America—transporting Irish people was not as profitable as transporting African slaves.
So he didn't agree. Now that he sees that Lord Chen really isn't going to use African slaves, he feels like he's missed out on tens of thousands of pounds and is asking around about the situation.
Could Governor Chen really have found a miracle cure for malaria that is not found in cinchona bark?
The reason why Mr. Chen, whom he was thinking about, was absent from the meeting was that he was in a small reception room next door, entertaining a British lieutenant colonel with Governor Stephen Hopkins.
This man, in his thirties, with a slightly balding head and a ruddy complexion, was clearly a British Army lieutenant colonel who had been on the move for many years. His name was John Campbell.
He served under the current and first Governor General of Quebec, Brigadier General James Murray, during the Seven Years' War. Originally the Inspector General of Indian Affairs in the Quebec colony, he is now the Lieutenant Governor of the western territories of Mississippi and Ohio, appointed by King George III of Great Britain, making him Governor Chan's deputy.
Such a person was certainly worthy of Chen Wenbin setting aside all his work and personally receiving Governor Hopkins.
However, the deputy governor was quite respectful and friendly towards Chen Wenbin, but the news he brought was not good.
He actually told Governor Chen that someone else had already secured jurisdiction over all Indian affairs in the Great Lakes!
"—So, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, Sir William Johnson is now solely in charge of Indian affairs and the fur trade in the Great Lakes region?"
Chen Wenbin sat on the sofa, listened to the report, and frowned before asking, "So, which areas do we actually have jurisdiction over?"
John Campbell smiled wryly and said, "That depends on the outcome of your discussion with Sir Jason."
You and he are both barons of Britain, and can have an equal dialogue—to be honest, it was because of the jurisdictional conflict with Sir Johnson that Governor Murray recommended you to London to serve as your deputy governor.
Therefore, I am willing to fully support your claim to jurisdiction over Indian affairs in the Western Territories!
Hearing his blunt statement and cowardice, Chen Wenbin felt somewhat troubled.
He hadn't expected that the struggle would be so complex in such a vast and sparsely populated place as the western part of North America.
John Campbell clearly belonged to the military faction of Quebec Governor James Murray, and William Jensen, the Director of Northern Indian Affairs in British North America, was also a faction. There were likely also London fur traders and the Hudson Bay Company involved behind the scenes—indeed, nowhere is a paradise, and where there are people and interests, there is struggle.
Of course, Chen Wenbin is not afraid of struggle now. It's just a matter of who is stronger, has a more powerful background, and has more money.
He is good at all these things. The only thing he needs to be careful about is not to reveal his intention to rebel in advance. This will test his management skills and his ability to weave a network of interests.
The best way for a new official to make his first move is to test the mettle of Sir William Jansen.
After thinking it through, he looked at the middle-aged man opposite him and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Campbell! I am the Governor of the Western Territory appointed by the King, and of course I have jurisdiction over the affairs of the Western Territory. Where does Governor William Jensen work? Quebec City? Montreal? Or Detroit?"
We can go and talk to him!
John Campbell shook his head with a disdainful expression and said, "—Sir, Sir Jason actually lives in the Mohawk Valley of New York. He married an Indian woman, and through this, he has won over the Mohawks and the Iroquois alliance, so he must stay there for a long time."
Meanwhile, the Native American affairs of the Great Lakes were actually entirely handled by his deputy, Christian Krause, in Quebec.
"Is he in New York?"
Chen Wenbin's expression was strange. Good heavens, he can even remotely control things! That's truly eye-opening!
Governor Hopkins, seeing his expression, smiled and explained, "Robin, Sir Jason is probably over fifty years old, so it's normal that he doesn't like staying in the cold Great Lakes region."
The Mohawk Valley is located about a hundred miles from Lake Ontario. It is not only the heart of the Iroquois Confederation but also a vital passage to the Great Lakes. There is nothing wrong with Sir Jensen having his office there.
"So that's how it is."
Chen Wenbin nodded noncommittally, then looked at John Campbell opposite him, "—Lieutenant Colonel, you've spent a long time in the West and Quebec, you should be quite familiar with the Native Americans. What kind of policy do you think we should adopt towards them?"
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