Chapter 289 Declaring War
April 9th, 1802.
At the capital city of the French Empire. People from all walks of life were reading a newspaper that was printed today.
The headline that dominated the front page sent shockwaves through the crowd:
[The King of Spain Charles IV Insulted the First Consul of France for being Impulsive and Unreasonable.]
The news spread like wildfire, and murmurs of disbelief and indignation rippled through the throngs of Parisians. In cafes, on street corners, on construction sites, and in factories, heated debates erupted as citizens dissected the contents of the newspaper.
"How dare that king try and disrespect our beloved leader?!" exclaimed one of the workers at a bustling construction site, his voice rising above the clatter of hammers and saws. He clenched his fists, his calloused hands betraying the passion of his words.
At a nearby café, where patrons sipped strong coffee and nibbled on croissants, a group of intellectuals engaged in a spirited discussion. A bespectacled man with a well-thumbed book in hand declared, "This is an affront to the First Consul. Their audacity of speaking such words when they were the ones who started the war."
"You are correct," a man sitting across from him nodded in agreement as he placed the coffee cup on its saucer with deliberate care. "It's a clear attempt to shift blame onto the First Consul, to paint him as impulsive when it was Spain's actions that ignited this conflict. We must not let such falsehoods stand."
"There's no doubt that an all-out war between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of France was inevitable," chimed a woman at a nearby table. "If it comes to that, I'll support it wholeheartedly,"
***
Meanwhile, within the Palace of Versailles, Napoleon was shifting his gaze between the actual letter from Charles the IV of Spain and the letter printed in the newspaper.
The original letter.
[Your Excellency,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I must admit that recent events have left me greatly perplexed, and I feel compelled to reach out to you in the spirit of diplomacy and friendship.
The invasion of Cuba, Florida, and the New Philippines by your forces has indeed raised serious concerns for Spain. Our pride is wounded, and our people are anxious about the future. I cannot help but recall our earlier discussions regarding the potential sale of Cuba, and I had hoped we could resolve our differences through peaceful means.
It is my sincere desire to avoid further bloodshed and conflict between our nations. I implore you to reconsider this aggressive action and to seek a diplomatic solution to the current crisis. Let us not allow a single unfortunate incident to define the course of our relationship.
I am willing to engage in open and honest negotiations to find a resolution that is mutually beneficial. Let us put aside our grievances and work towards a more peaceful and prosperous future for our two great nations.
With utmost respect,
Charles IV, King of Spain]
Edited Letter:
[First Consul Napoleon,
I find myself compelled to address you, although my expectations of a rational and reasonable response are quite low. Recent events have revealed your true nature as an aggressor, and I must say it suits you well. Your swift and ruthless invasion of our territories in the Caribbean and North America reflects your true character as an opportunistic warmonger.
The invasion of Cuba, Florida, and the New Philippines, while certainly a source of frustration, is overshadowed by the shame your actions have brought upon yourself and your so-called empire. It is abundantly clear that your word means nothing, as you have reneged on our previous discussions regarding the potential acquisition of Cuba. Your deceitful and treacherous behavior is a stain on your character.
I hold little faith in your capacity for reason, but I implore you to reconsider this unjust war. Your insatiable thirst for expansion and power has blinded you to the consequences of your actions. Perhaps, if you had the wisdom to see beyond your own ambitions, we could find a way to resolve this matter peacefully.
I await your response, although I hold little hope that it will be anything other than further evidence of your arrogance and disregard for diplomacy.
Charles IV, King of Spain]
Napoleon's eyes flickered with a mixture of amusement and admiration as he compared the original letter from King Charles IV of Spain to the audacious forgery printed in the newspaper. The skill of the forger employed by Lucien Bonaparte was nothing short of remarkable. The mimicry extended to the writing style, the king's signature, the choice of paper, and even the meticulously recreated royal seal that was used to authenticate the deceitful letter.
With a wry smile, Napoleon turned his attention to his brother, who was standing in front of him expectantly.
"I have done a good job right, brother?" Lucien asked.
"You've done splendidly, Lucien," Napoleon replied, acknowledging his brother's cunning efforts. "Tell me, how's the public opinion so far?"
"They are enraged, brother. Some are even calling for an all-out war," Lucien revealed.
"I see—then that means the tactic is really working."
The tactic that Napoleon used in this case was not a unique one. It was inspired by one of the greatest diplomats and statesmen of the nineteenth century, Otto von Bismarck.
Bismarck had famously employed a similar strategy to provoke France into war by editing and releasing a telegram that insulted both France and Prussia. The resulting outrage and fervor ultimately led to the Franco-Prussian War.
In this matter, Spain had attacked a French transport ship, triggering an invasion of the French Army stationed in the Caribbean to the Spanish colonies. This series of events was followed by the insulting letter that made France appear at fault, painting it as an aggressor when, in actuality, it was Spain that had initiated hostilities.
Napoleon, drawing from the lessons of history, understood the power of public perception in shaping international affairs. With Lucien's help, he effectively manipulated the situation to turn public sentiment in favor of France and against Spain. Now, it was time to take advantage of it while the fervor was high.
"I will declare war on Spain in the afternoon," Napoleon said as he rose to his feet and walked over to the window. "It's going to be our manifest destiny,"
***
Six o'clock in the evening, at the Halls of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles. The hall was filled with military officers, generals, and politicians, all of them looking toward their leader, Napoleon.
"Everyone, as you have heard from the news, the Kingdom of Spain fired on a French merchant ship that was peacefully sailing towards the Bahamas, killing French sailors. They also sent letters that painted us as the aggressor. Do you think we can tolerate such insults to our nation and our honor?" Napoleon's voice rang through the grand hall, commanding the attention of all present.
A resounding "No!" echoed from the assembly.
Napoleon continued, "I have always sought peace and diplomacy, but there are times when we must defend our honor and protect our interests. The actions of Spain leave us with no choice."
With a flourish, Napoleon produced the official declaration of war. It was a meticulously crafted document, laying out the reasons for the conflict, emphasizing France's commitment to justice, and framing the war as a defensive measure against Spanish aggression.
"As for this moment, the state of war between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of France now exists. It is a war that we will win!"
This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om