The Spanish Empire

[TLS]

The Spanish Empire



Summary: Spain, having been convinced to join the American Revolutionary War by their French allies, emerged from the recent conflict with a stronger presence on the North American continent. Spain already gained Louisiana at the aftermath of the Seven Years' War and has recovered both West and East Florida, which it lost in that same war. The Floridas are not particularly valuable lands in and of themselves, but they do provide Spain with complete control over the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and facilitate trading routes with Europe. Louisiana is a more valuable prize, but still a relative colonial backwater; the largely francophone population of lower Louisiana carries on much as it always has, while Spanish settlers strike north into Upper Louisiana. Each of these colonies exist in a sort of benign neglect from the central Spanish administration in Havana, which is the nominal point of oversight for these colonies. While Spain did help sponsor American independence, they have no great love for the squabbling Continentals. Spain's control over the mouth of the Mississippi severely constrains any potential American trade utilization of that river (due to Spain's strict internal trade controls) and the dispute with Georgia over the mutual border exacerbate cultural tensions.

Colonies of Spain

Louisiana



Politics
Official Title: The Colony of Louisiana
Conventional: Louisiana
Political System: Colony
Capital: New Orleans
Possessions: The Louisiana Territory (considered settled below roughly the modern day northern border of Louisiana, frontier above)

Economy:
Population: 40,000 (40% Free White, 10% Free Colored, 50% Slave; 50% Creole, 40% Francophone, 10% Hispanophone)
Frontier Population: 3,000 (60% Free White, 20% Free Colored, 20% Slave; 50% Hispanophone, 30% Creole, 20% Francophone)
Port: New Orleans
Income: 1

Military
Regular Army:
-3 Infantry Companies
-1 Cavalry Company
Militia:
-9 Militia Infantry Companies
-3 Militia Cavalry Companies

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East Florida


Politics
Official Title: The Colony of East Florida
Conventional: East Florida
Political System: Colony
Capital: St. Augustine
Possessions: Florida East of the Suwanee River

Economy:
Population: 2,000 (80% Free Whites, 10% Free Coloreds, 10% Slaves; 50% Hispanophone, 50% Anglophone)
Frontier Population: 3,000 (60% Free Whites, 20% Free Coloreds, 10% Slaves; 70% Anglophone, 30% Hispanophone)
Income: .1

Military

Militia:
-1 Militia Infantry Company

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West Florida


Politics
Official Title: The Colony of West Florida
Conventional: West Florida
Political System: Colony
Capital: Pensacola
Possessions: Florida West of the Suwanee River, Mississippi and Alabama Panhandles, Louisiana East of the Mississippi, Central Mississippi and Alabama (Disputed with Georgia)

Economy:
Population: 2,000 (80% Free Whites, 5% Free Coloreds, 15% Slaves; 80% Anglophone, 20% Hispanophone)
Frontier Population: 3,000 (60% Free Whites, 10% Free Coloreds, 30% Slaves; 90% Anglophone, 10% Hispanophone)
Income: .1

Military
Militia:
-1 Militia Infantry Company

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Cuba


Politics
Official Title: The Captaincy-General of Cuba
Conventional: Cuba
Political System: Colony
Capital: Havana
Possessions: Cuba

Economy:
Population: 200,000 (40% Free White, 10% Free Colored, 50% Slave; 100% Hispanophone)
Port: Havana
Income: 2

Military
Regular Army:
-8 Infantry Companies
-2 Cavalry Companies
Militia:
-34 Militia Infantry Companies
-6 Militia Cavalry Companies

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Santo Domingo


Politics
Official Title: The Captaincy-General of Santo Domingo
Conventional: Santo Domingo
Political System: Colony
Capital: Santo Domingo
Possessions: the Dominican Republic

Economy:
Population: 100,000 (35% Free White, 20% Free Colored, 45% Slave; 100% Hispanophone)
Port: Santo Domingo
Income: 1

Military
Regular Army:
-4 Infantry Companies
-1 Cavalry Company
Militia:
-20 Militia Infantry Companies
-2 Militia Cavalry Companies

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Puerto Rico


Politics
Official Title: The Captaincy-General of Puerto Rico
Conventional: Puerto Rico, San Juan
Political System: Colony
Capital: San Juan
Possessions: Puerto Rico

Economy:
Population: 60,000 (85% Free White, 5% Free Colored, 10% Slave; 100% Hispanophone)
Port: San Juan


Military
Regular Army:
-4 Infantry Companies
-1 Cavalry Company
Militia:
-20 Militia Infantry Companies
-1 Militia Cavalry Companies

Spanish Military Forces in North America & the Caribbean


Regular Army

Louisiana Garrison
-2 Forts (New Orleans, New Madrid)
-1 Infantry Regiment (New Orleans)
-1 Infantry Company (New Madrid)
-1 Cavalry Company (New Orleans)

East Florida Garrison
-1 Fort (St. Augustine)
-1 Infantry Company (St. Augustine)

West Florida Garrison
-3 Forts (Pensacola, Mobile, Natchez)
-1 Infantry Company (Mobile)

Cuba Garrison
-2 Forts (Havana, Santiago)
-2 Infantry Regiments (Havana, Santiago)
-2 Cavalry Companies (Havana, Santiago)

Santo Domingo Garrison
-1 Fort (Santo Domingo)
-1 Infantry Regiments (Santo Domingo)
-1 Cavalry Companies (Santo Domingo)

Puerto Rico Garrison
-1 Fort (San Juan)
-1 Infantry Company (San Juan)

Navy:

North America Station (New Orleans)
-3 FF1s (Infanta, Monarca, Diligente)
-4 PatRons (2 New Orleans, 1 Pensacola, 1 St. Augustine)

Caribbean Station (New Orleans)
-2 BB2s (San Joaquín, San Juan Bautista)
-3 FF1s (Santa Perpetua, Santa María de la Cabeza, Santa María Magdalena, [i]Esmeralda, [/i][i][i]Santa Clara[/i])[/i]
-8 PatRons (4 Havana, 2 Santo Domingo, 2 Puerto Rico)

[Lefty]

Mr. Thomas Jefferson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Virginia, announces his intention to take a general tour of Europe. He intends to meet with representatives of the Crowns of Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Dutch Republic.

In Madrid, Mr. Jefferson writes of his intention call on Señor Diego de Gardoqui to thank him for his contributions to American Independence. Mr. Jefferson also plans to initiate negotiations regarding Virginian navigation rights on the Mississippi and trade in New Orleans. Lastly, he wishes to offer his respects and thanks to King Charles of Spain for his nation's support of American Independence.

[TLS]

Mr. Thomas Jefferson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Virginia, announces his intention to take a general tour of Europe. He intends to meet with representatives of the Crowns of Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as the Dutch Republic.

In Madrid, Mr. Jefferson writes of his intention call on Señor Diego de Gardoqui to thank him for his contributions to American Independence. Mr. Jefferson also plans to initiate negotiations regarding Virginian navigation rights on the Mississippi and trade in New Orleans. Lastly, he wishes to offer his respects and thanks to King Charles of Spain for his nation's support of American Independence.

Sr. Hefferson is given every indication that he will receive a warm welcome in Madrid by his former brothers in arms, but once the pleasantries of rejoicing in the victory over Britain are over the conversation turns decidedly more icy. Spain has no intention of transcending the boundaries set between the states of America and the Spanish crown, and all of the land east of the Mississippi north of Natchez is certainly not subject to Spain's writ. However, what self-respecting kingdom would grant a foreign power access to its rivers and ports, to sell their goods hither and yon? This would be the ruin of the economy of Louisiana, and, indeed, Spain's American possessions. The Spanish thus firmly insist that trading rights down the Mississippi are entirely out of the question--Virginia should try asking Britain for access down the St. Lawrence, or Egypt access down the Nile, or France down the Loire.

[Lefty]

Mr. Jefferson notes that Spanish control over New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta is indeed paramount. During dinners with dignitaries, Mr. Jefferson presents his research on future trade along the Ohio River and the possible value that trade with the Virginia settlers could bring, at least until the Louisiana Territory is more settled with Spanish subjects. Goods such as tobacco, cotton, furs, and lumber could be sold at New Orleans for a discounted price and then be available to the vast Spanish Empire for use in manufacturing. Perhaps even a small factory in New Orleans or further north could be established that would limit the exposure of the Virginian traders, and provide Spain the control is desires.

In between negotiations, Mr. Jefferson engages in lively and respectful debates on all matters of topics including theology, philosophy, history, the natural sciences, and, most importantly, wine. He humbly displays some of his finest vintage from Mount Vernon, but is careful to praise the Spanish vintage, and offers to exchange notes on cultivation and production.

[TLS]

Mr. Jefferson notes that Spanish control over New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta is indeed paramount. During dinners with dignitaries, Mr. Jefferson presents his research on future trade along the Ohio River and the possible value that trade with the Virginia settlers could bring, at least until the Louisiana Territory is more settled with Spanish subjects. Goods such as tobacco, cotton, furs, and lumber could be sold at New Orleans for a discounted price and then be available to the vast Spanish Empire for use in manufacturing. Perhaps even a small factory in New Orleans or further north could be established that would limit the exposure of the Virginian traders, and provide Spain the control is desires.

In between negotiations, Mr. Jefferson engages in lively and respectful debates on all matters of topics including theology, philosophy, history, the natural sciences, and, most importantly, wine. He humbly displays some of his finest vintage from Mount Vernon, but is careful to praise the Spanish vintage, and offers to exchange notes on cultivation and production.

Señor Hefferson is graciously thanked for his contribution to Spain's intellectual milieu. However, his continued entreaties for access to the Mississippi begin to grate on his Spanish hosts, and his broaching of decidedly Enlightened (and thus, un-Spanish) ideas, even in respectful contexts, starts to trickle into the ears of the Inquisition. In order to avoid a scene, the Spanish court intercedes with the French ambassador--relying on the familial ties between the two Bourbon branches--and, serendipitously, the French ambassador passes along an earnest and eager invitation to present his credentials to the court in Versailles, not simply as a former comrade in arms but as a personal guest of the ambassador.

[Lefty]

Mr. Jefferson thanks his gracious Spanish hosts for their legendary hospitality, and departs for Versailles and better wine.

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