Washington.
In the light gray President’s Mansion, Jefferson gestured for his assistant to distribute the army report to the Cabinet officials, his expression serious: "Still the same Bonaparte. General Wilkinson says he is likely to launch a surprise attack on the East again."
Secretary of State James Madison quickly browsed the documents and continued: "Fortunately, the situation in Florida is very smooth, which allows us to focus on dealing with the French."
Presidential military adviser Meriwether Lewis nodded: "In fact, General Hampton has already led 3,000 soldiers to the West for reinforcements."
Jefferson still frowned: "Although the French Army only has over 10,000 men, their speed is very fast. We must ensure that they are blocked on the West side of the Appalachian Mountains."
This long, narrow mountain range in the central United States can be considered the nation’s "wealth divide," with most of the fine states on the East side.
Lewis looked at him and said: "Mr. President, I suggest that we could mobilize some of the state militias from Georgia and South Carolina to assist General Hampton in defending the Cumberland Pass."
The so-called state militias are mainly responsible for coastal patrols and suppressing riots, equivalent to high-level police—at this time, police numbers are very scarce in the United States, and slightly larger cases require the militia for handling.
And these two states mentioned by the military adviser have larger populations and are both close to the Appalachian Mountains, thus offering nearby reinforcements.
Jefferson nodded: "Approximately how many troops can be mobilized?"
"I calculated, 1,200 should not impact local security."
"Please draft a mobilization order and submit it to Congress as soon as possible." Jefferson then turned to Madison and instructed, "Prepare yourself for a trip to New Orleans soon.
"The Spaniards have already abandoned Florida, and the French should soon realize that this war is unnecessary to continue."
He thought for a moment and added: "If they refuse to cease hostilities out of pride, you can offer them some compensation. Hmm... try not to exceed 200,000 US Dollars."
According to the intelligence sent back by American spies in Florida, the Spanish Army had withdrawn from Florida two months ago, leaving Saint Augustine fully defended by the "Black Seminoles"—an alliance formed by escaped slaves and the Indian Seminoles.
Given the fierce attacks on New Granada by the Portuguese and British armies, the Spaniards probably moved all their North American troops to South America, completely abandoning the almost unprofitable Florida.
Therefore, the American high-level officials unanimously believed that France and Spain were only posturing to engage in a full-scale showdown with the United States for the empire’s dignity.
Madison hesitated for a moment and said to Jefferson: "Mr. President, our army has a clear numerical advantage and can wait until we gain some initiative on the battlefield before negotiating with the French.
"We can even leverage military victory to adjust the contents of the Pittsburgh Treaty rather than paying them 200,000 US Dollars.
"At the same time, we can avoid Hamilton and others slandering you for not being tough...
Hamilton is currently the opposition leader, constantly attacking the current government for being weak, demanding Madison continue the westward policy and confront the Louisiana authorities head-on.
Of course, if he were president, he would likely have "considered multiple aspects."
The Finance Minister Gallatin quickly coughed and said: "Mr. Madison, maybe you should pay attention to government debt. If the war doesn’t end within six months, the finances will be in danger of collapse..."
Madison’s voice was as hard as a rock: "The dividends of winning the war are the best way to solve financial problems."
"But what if we can’t quickly defeat the French?"
"Our troops outnumber the French by 2.5 times, and our mobilization capability far exceeds theirs!"
Jefferson raised his hand to interrupt their argument and said to Madison: "Now is not the best time to engage in large-scale warfare.
"We have already achieved our initial goal—gaining all of Florida.
"There are nearly 500 miles of fertile land there, along with an outlet directly to the Gulf of Mexico, which will soon drive the national economy into a high-speed growth period.
"Then we should consider whether to cross the Mississippi River."
Gallatin immediately added: "Moreover, attacking Baton Rouge from Biloxi Bay is much easier than from the North."
Biloxi Bay is the westernmost town in Florida, and due to long-term trade, it has constructed a road suitable for carriage travel to New Orleans.
The Creek Tribe had previously launched a "surprise attack" on New Orleans using this road.
Seeing the President had made a decision, Madison did not insist further and bowed: "Yes, Mr. President, I will set off tomorrow."
...
Town of Mobile, northwest of Pensacola City, the capital of West Florida.
In a fairly spacious farmhouse, Jourdan was enjoying his coffee in the sunlight streaming through the window, when his attendant brought a high-nosed middle-aged man inside.
The middle-aged man simply nodded as a greeting and then laid a newspaper on Jourdan’s table: "General, have you read these?"
Jourdan stood to return the gesture and then glanced at the newspaper. It was from the highly influential "Dawn Newspaper" in the United States.
He smiled and said: "Governor sir, this appears to be in English?"
"Ah, yes, the American’s newspaper." Governor White decided to read directly: "’General Hampton has successfully controlled Florida... The Spanish Governor has evidently fled. Meanwhile, Major Johnston is currently capturing escape slaves throughout Florida... The slave-hunting teams organized by South Carolina will head to Tallahassee before the month’s end to assist Major Johnston...’"
Jourdan signaled his servant to bring coffee and then looked at White: "Oh, it seems the Americans are quite confident. This is exactly what I expected."
White pushed away his coffee cup, anxiously saying: "I received definite news that Hampton’s Army has rushed to the Western line for reinforcement."
Jourdan nodded: "Not surprising. After all, the battle here is already over."
White’s voice grew louder: "But if Hampton reaches Huntsville, it will create a pincer situation against General Bonaparte! He has only 7,000 soldiers there."
"6,500 men," Jourdan corrected.
"Should you not immediately execute the plan to pin down Hampton’s forces..."
Jourdan waved his hand: "No, let’s wait a while longer. The situation is developing in the direction we need."
"But what if General Bonaparte... fails to triumph."
White could not help but worry, as once the French main force in Louisiana is defeated, Florida will truly be occupied by the Americans.
Indeed, the Franco-Spanish troops have not genuinely withdrawn from Florida but have secretly gathered near this small town.
Jourdan placed the coffee cup back beside him, smiling: "The Regent’s orders are for General Bonaparte to face as many enemies as possible."
"But what if..."
"Rest assured, His Highness said that General Bonaparte will definitely defeat the American Army."