1850 American Gold Tycoon

The black issue has stuck in Liang Yao's throat.

Returning to Tingtao Garden, he immediately sent a telegram to Governor Robinson, Mayor Strauss of San Francisco, and Mayor Sutter of Sacramento to come to Tingtao Garden for a meeting.

"Thank God, you raised $5 million in borrowings for the state government on Wall Street this time. With your $5 million, I think California can get through this year very easily."

Strauss said very happily, his joy was beyond words.

With this US$5 million, the California government will be able to cover this year's fiscal deficit, and perhaps still have some surplus.

"This is not what we want to discuss today." Liang Yao looked very gloomy.

Liang Yao's gloomy expression made Strauss shudder. He had served Liang Yao for so long and had never seen such an expression on Liang Yao's face.

It seems that what Liang Yao is going to discuss today is very serious.

Strauss really couldn't understand what could make Liang Yao so angry.

Robinson and Sartre were also puzzled.

"During my absence, how many escaped slaves from the southern slave states entered California? How did they enter California?" Liang Yao went straight to the point and asked everyone, his cold eyes scanning everyone present. people.

It turned out to be this, and everyone suddenly realized.

"Every free state has a precedent of accepting black escaped slaves. As a free state, especially a free state with rapid economic development, California should set an example in this matter." Robinson answered the question.

Robinson's answer made Liang Yao even more annoyed. He knocked on the table and suddenly raised his voice.

"Answer my question directly! Robinson! Do you know what consequences will be brought to us by accepting these black people? Why don't you say hello to me in advance before accepting these black people?"

Liang Yao was angry not only because these California dignitaries took it upon themselves to accept black fugitive slaves, but they also rashly accepted black fugitive slaves without saying hello to them in advance. This was what Liang Yao couldn't accept even more.

This Robinson, it seems, has been in office for a long time and has drifted away.

Do you really think that it was under his wise leadership as governor that California achieved rapid economic development?

It's time to give Robinson a crack.

Liang Yao unceremoniously reprimanded Luo Fangqing in front of Strauss and Sartre.

In other states, it would be unthinkable for a lieutenant governor to reprimand a governor.

But it's different in California. California can live without Robinson, but it can't live without Liang Yao.

Both Strauss and Sartre understood this. Robinson was not a very poor governor, but compared with Liang Yao, Robinson's ability and influence paled in comparison.

Take this $5 million loan as an example. Liang Yao could borrow $5 million from Wall Street, but Robinson could not borrow $5 million.

Facing Liang Yao's reprimand, Robinson did not talk back.

With Liang Yao's current influence in California, it only takes one sentence to remove him from power.

Although Robinson was holding his breath, he still chose to be patient.

He is the first person to serve in California, and he wants to spend this term completely and honorably. This is his future political capital, and he does not want to give up this valuable political capital.

"I think they accepted these escaped slaves pitifully. As for the current number of black people in California, there are 650 registered people. There are also some sporadic escaped slaves who are not included in the statistics."

After Liang Yao finished reprimanding him, Robinson answered truthfully.

"Confused! If you accept black slaves, your mother's heart will be satisfied. Those black slaves will also worship you as a god, and you will also receive praise from other free states. But have you ever thought about this? What have you brought to California? Robinson, you are too selfish." Liang Yao said sadly.

"We can absolutely maintain good relations with both free states and slave states, and stand alone in the abolition of slavery!"

At this sensitive time, accepting black slaves is a political issue. If you accept these black slaves, you must make your position clear to both the North and the South. There is no room for maneuver.

After accepting these black slaves, you have to give them an identity, right?

If these black slaves are still slaves when they arrive in California, the free states will definitely not want to see you, thinking that California is no different from the slave states.

Not only do the free states not want to see you, but the slave states will also hold a grudge against California. After all, these black slaves escaped from the slave states and are the property of the Dixie slave owners. This is no different from directly robbing their money. .

Giving these black slaves the status of freemen will win the favor of the free states, but the slave states will hate you even more.

At present, the black escaped slaves are a hot potato for California, and stupid Robinson has taken over this hot potato.

"Sir, how do you plan to deal with this problem?" Strauss asked Liang Yao for his opinion.

Now that something has happened, the top priority is to find a way to solve this problem.

Sartre had a relatively straightforward temperament, and he didn't pay much attention to accepting black escaped slaves. However, after Liang Yao said this, he also realized the seriousness of this matter.

The slave states were also important trading partners of California. The cotton and cotton yarn in the cotton textile mills came from the slave states, the sugar cane in the sugar cane factories came from the southern states, and even the tobacco industry in the cigarette factories came from the southern states.

If Mr. Dixie in the slave state gets angry and cuts off trade with California, these industries will surely be affected.

There are at least hundreds of thousands of people employed in California who make a living from these industries and related industries.

If you include California’s products exported to slave states, such as steam engines, tools, cotton clothes, fabrics, steel and other products, the losses will only be greater.

It is really not worth it to offend the slave states for some escaped black slaves.

"Do the slave states know that we accept escaped black slaves?" Liang Yao asked.

"I know," Strauss replied.

"What was their reaction?" Liang Yao continued to ask.

"Reactions vary. Some slave states didn't take it seriously, but some slave states reacted more strongly. For example, Texas, because most of the escaped slaves in California came from Texas. The state of Texas is asking us to return this property that belongs to them," Strauss replied.

"In my name and in the name of Governor Robinson, I am calling the states. California follows the spirit of the Constitution of the United States and recognizes the superiority of freedom. At the same time, California also recognizes the legality of slavery and respects the different customs and habits of each state." Liang Yao thought for a moment. said.

Liang Yao then asked Hu Jinchen to go to the telegraph room to apologize to Governor Bell of Texas in his own name, and said that all escaped slaves from California and Texas would be repatriated to Texas at California's own expense. .

After doing this, Liang Yao called to Pinkerton: "Pinkerton, the time has come for you to show your business capabilities."

"Listen to the boss's instructions." Pinkerton said eagerly.

"Issuing a notice to all parts of California asking all black people to register their identities at the San Francisco police station. After these people arrive at the police station, they will be detained first." Liang Yao thought for a while and said.

"As for the remaining fish that slipped through the net, take them all to the police station. No one is missing. I don't want to see black people on the streets across California in a month. Do you understand?"

"Understood, I know what to do," Pinkerton replied.

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