Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

Chapter 378 020 The latest results of the Russian American Company's expedition

Unlike the "Neva" and "Nadezhda" which are currently exploring the world, the letters sent back by the Russian American Company from various bases in North America usually have to pass through the post and base system across Siberia to return to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Or they can take another route through New Spain, but the current conditions do not allow the Russian American Company to do so, after all, Spain is an ally of France.

As for the roads in other directions in North America, it is also necessary to consider that there are still a large number of tribal alliances on the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains of the North American continent. Normally, no one takes this route.

Therefore, it is not easy to send letters and parcels to St. Petersburg from Fort Ross in the North American territory.

Duke Enghien's reclamation in Fort Ross was still going smoothly. The French he brought with him had adapted to life there and established a trading post.

Many of the French here are royalists, or do not agree with Napoleon's ideas. In addition, the massacre that almost broke out in Saint-Domingue has indeed made many French people determined to stay in a place like Rossburg.

Although it is a bit remote, Spain and Russia only do not allow each other's warships to dock at their bases, and life must continue.

In this environment, Rossburg, a colony, has maintained an unexpected peace with the Spaniards when 90% of the residents are French.

The Duke's own letter is also a report on the current situation of the Russian colony in North America. After all, he now has Alexander's official appointment to manage the vast territory as a friend.

As for the actual situation, Alexander did not receive the first letter from Rossburg until 1806.

Given that most of the main board members of the Russian-American Company are in Irkutsk, here in St. Petersburg, No. 72 Moika River Embankment is an office and theme store, and the people Alexander summoned are mainly his confidants.

However, Count Stroganov went to the Mariupol Hussar Regiment and was not in St. Petersburg at the moment. Czartoryski returned to Vilnius. The secret committee was going to hold a meeting, but the people were not all present.

So he replaced another group of people, including Foreign Minister Badberg, Grand Duke Constantine and Speransky.

However, Constantine also brought Nicholas, so General Lanzdorf also came.

As for Peter Volkonsky and Solovyov, these two people used to play the role of two generals in the "Secret Committee" meetings as long as they were both there. Now they are finally sitting here.

"Then, let's start this committee meeting. Speransky, you should take notes."

Although Speransky's rank is not low, he is the only one who has the ability to take minutes among the people present, and his position is more or less a secretary.

"Your Majesty, can I start then?"

"Of course, Andrei Yakovlevich, after all, it is your duty to make a presentation."

After all, Badberg is still one of Alexander's teachers, and using this title is also a sign of respect.

"Okay, Your Majesty, regarding the North American territories of the Russian Empire, the negotiations with the surrounding tribes in the summer of 1805 went very smoothly. Duke Enghien has had sufficient exchanges with nearby tribes, including the seven tribes of the Chinook people. One of them is a young Suquamish chief named 'Seattle', who showed us a friendlier attitude than the chiefs of other tribes."

When he said this, Alexander suddenly asked Solovyov: "Soloviev, you have been to Mexico City, and you should have learned about the situation on the west coast of North America."

"But it's just some superficial understanding, Your Majesty. After all, I haven't been there. I just learned about it through Spanish colonial officials and the information collected in the past."

"That's also an expert, Solovyov."

If this can be considered an expert, Alexander is just flattering his knowledge level, but Solovyov can't say that he took advantage of the Tsar's good temper to climb the pole. This is what a courtier should learn.

After all, he was no longer a Guards officer who could gain a foothold by leading troops or being brave, but an adjutant without a specific position in the palace.

There was no way, because his position as an aide-de-camp had been hanging for a long time. It would only take a few minutes for Alexander to take him back.

Now he could only pass the time in various strange tasks, and teaching Nikolai and Mikhail was the most important part of it.

But Alexander obviously always liked to talk to him about some knowledge that was less popular in St. Petersburg.

"The Russian American Company is undoubtedly more familiar with the Aleuts, but in the Puget Sound claimed by the British, the tribal peoples in this area are still rarely seen by Europeans. As for the specific tribes, I don't know their situation."

But when the name "Seattle" came out, it was directly an important city in the northwest of the United States, such as the headquarters of a "super hard" company, and he had to play a movie in his mind.

But when Alexander heard this, his face was not good again.

Think about Kutuzov in Austerlitz, it might be like this.

"Okay, Your Majesty. What I also want to say is that when dealing with the indigenous people around Puget Sound, you must also pay attention to the local tribes. In fact, they can still be distinguished in terms of their positions. These include elders, war chiefs, and shamans. The division of labor between tribes and witch doctors is very clear, and it can be regarded as the basic structure of a primitive medieval territory. The chief of the tribe must be elected by the elders, while the shaman and witch doctor must be tested by the seniors.”

Alexander was very satisfied after listening to Solovyov's explanation of the political structure of the local tribe, which was like pouring beans. After all, he had never thought of a specific method for the governance of the North American territory.

However, compared to the extermination of various tribes in Siberia, Russia's rule in North America is much more relaxed. Except for some unfriendly tribes who often have small-scale conflicts with Russian colonists, in most cases, they are still trading with each other. This was also an important part of the fur trade.

"Now that you have said so much, Solovyov, what can you do?"

"Actually, just like in Kazakhstan, these tribes can be granted the status of Russian citizens, but there are differences. After all, the distance there is long, and the territory of the local people must be fully respected. Our governor is mainly in the settlements. As for These tribal people outside have entered the stage of slavery and can be said to be members of civilized society, not as primitive and barbaric as the British say.”

"So, should it be considered civilized or semi-civilized?"

Solovyov thought about Alexander's question for a while and answered it: "I think they should be regarded as members of civilized society, and these chiefs, elders and important tribal members can also be included in our In the ranking list, it can even be regarded as a registered noble."

"Why do you do this?"

"Because the Spanish also recognized the status of the Marquis of Montezuma, and accordingly, on the Inca side, some Inca people had noble status."

And in the 21st century, the descendants of the Cortes family and the descendants of Montezuma fell apart. Instead, the Marquis of Montezuma, whose hometown was in Tenochtitlan, became a Spanish noble, and the descendants of the conquerors became Mexican.

"Then we can do the same. But Andrei Yakovlevich, please continue reading the rest."

Badberg read the continuation of Duke Enghien's report. It was also mentioned here that because of Duke Enghien's special status, it can be said that no matter which tribe he went to, the chiefs and elders would organize warm hospitality. In addition to barter trade, acquisitions, etc. In addition to furs, tobacco and game, Duke Engian and his entourage also received a "warm reception" from the girls of the tribe.

For the romantic French, although this is a bit primitive, it is still a paradise. That is to say, the Duke of Enghien of the Condé family is still relatively young. He already has a mother-in-law in several tribes. It may not be possible for others. Withstand it.

When he read this, Constantine regretted calling his third brother over. However, Duke Enghien's statement was very euphemistic. Even if Nikolay's French could score 4 points, he might not be able to use more complicated words. Understand.

But Alexander was happy to let Badberg continue. He believed that Nicholas was ten years old and was almost old enough to be interested in girls.

After all, a few days ago, 7-year-old Alexander Pushkin made Louisa very happy with his beautiful words. It can be said to be a big news about the enrollment of Tsarskoye Selo Preparatory School.

Or at home, Uncle Alexey has often played with General Bo's nieces since he was this age.

At this time, Badberg also read out Duke Enghien's suggestion.

"It looks like it's consistent with what we imagined. But how many tribes will there be in the area?"

"In addition to Puget Sound, there are at least 25 tribes that have established contact with the Roseburg territory around our territory of Roseburg. We still have an advantage in these places. The tribal chiefs also know that those British gave The benefits they can currently provide are 'acquisitions' at the trading post, but the things they give are not as affordable as ours."

Yes, the Russians do business and like to do things regardless of the cost. They use muskets and sabers to exchange Indians for various commodities, especially precious furs and some local medicinal materials.

If these medicinal materials and furs can be sold in bulk in Guangzhou, even if the prices are reduced by Chinese businessmen, they can still make a lot of money. It can be said that there is a lot of money.

As for medicinal materials, the locals call American ginseng Garent-oguen, which means "similar to human beings." It can be said that it is a consensus in North America and East Asia among the simple world views.

After hearing this, Alexander also felt that it was interesting. If the west coast of North America could be mastered, even if it could not go deep into the inland, the goods provided here could already make Russian and American companies make a lot of money.

"If our colony is so good, why has it been losing money year after year after the company was established? When the four companies were operating the Aleutians, they were always profitable."

"I can explain this problem, Your Majesty."

Badberg also did some preparations before the meeting. He knew the problems of Russian and American companies.

"Six years ago, when the late emperor was still alive, the Diplomatic Academy and the Naval Committee received petitions from the Aleuts, stating that our Russian-American Company overdrew the labor of the Aleuts and used the farmers who immigrated to the local area as serfs."

When Alexander heard this, his face turned bad again, but Badberg knew that the emperor's attitude this time was also different.

"In our homeland, the territory is already vast enough, and the serfdom system still needs to be abolished. It is somewhat difficult to understand that the board of directors of the Russian-American Company did this on land without the foundation of serfdom. Of course, some local tribes have just entered the slave society, but this is not a reason for them to exploit the labor force."

"That's right, Your Majesty, a more relaxed management method should be implemented in the North American territory. In addition, the naval officers we stationed there, as Your Majesty's representatives there, have no long-term planning plans."

Unlike in Siberia, Russia's business here is even worse. Merchants are fishing in ponds, and soldiers only want to make a profit, rather than operating stably in the local area.

It is no wonder that the Aleuts are relatively obedient. In the process of the Russian American Company developing new bases, they have been providing dozens to hundreds of manpower as helpers, but they still complain.

According to the statement of Duke Enghien, it is believed that a governor who is directly responsible to Petersburg should be set up to manage the huge territory, and more promising plans should be made to make these places rich in resources rich, manage Puget Sound and Fort Ross well, and also support the Aleutian territory.

Originally, Alexander did not pay much attention to the North American territory, but after finding the reason for the loss of the Russian American Company, he was also distressed. After all, this is all his money, and it is not worth it if it is lost.

As for the transportation to Guangzhou, it will have to wait until the global expedition team returns to Petersburg before it can be determined.

If Alexander knew that the failure of the Golovkin mission led to serious losses in trade with the Qing Dynasty, his face might be even uglier.

Although there was also the factor that the Qing government believed that opening a port in Guangzhou to Russia would affect Kyakhta's trade, but Golovkin delayed many things because of a kneeling incident.

This even made Alexander somewhat dissatisfied with Prince Sarkotyev. If he just looked like Humphrey, it would be fine. Now he has to face another problem. If he really took a "gardening leave", he would be far away from the core of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sometimes, a reliable father-in-law is also crucial. Even if he lives a boring and luxurious aristocratic life at home all day, he should not cause trouble in front of the emperor.