Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 272 Rich Americans in Baltimore
Jerome Bonaparte was indeed chatting with someone in Martinique when he heard some rumor. He left the fleet and came to Baltimore under an assumed name.

As for this approach, the original intention was actually very simple. He wanted to return to France.

Previously, when Britain and France were still at peace, he caused trouble and hit a British patrol ship, which was an unintentional mistake. But this time, he just wanted to stir up some trouble for himself and then find an excuse to return to Paris.

In comparison, Jerome is even more troublesome than Paulina. Paulina is a woman, and all she wants is to live a happy life. The scandal she created only embarrassed her family.

The greatest positive contribution Jerome made in his life was that he passed on the family bloodline through the sons he had with his two wives. In particular, his marriages after returning to Europe ensured that the Napoleonic family would always have Bonapartist pretenders, although there was a problem at the same time, which was that France was a republic and the throne they were fighting for no longer existed.

In addition, Jerome, who had devoted his life to setting traps for his second brother, played a proactive role only once in his life, when he learned about the movements of the British and Prussian armies through a waiter in a restaurant on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, especially in the Battle of Ligny on June 1815, 6, when the Prussian army was not completely defeated and could return to the main battlefield at any time.
Perhaps it was because he was unreliable throughout his life and had betrayed Napoleon many times, so this suggestion was not adopted.

In addition, there were always traitors in the French army at this stage, which eventually led to complete failure.

But none of this is happening now, and Jerome is enjoying his happy newlywed life with his American wife.

When it comes to the specialty of the Southern United States, they always fantasize that other people in the same industry are doing the same thing as them.

However, in 1804, the people here were still simple and honest, without as many twists and turns as in the 21st century. By the way, they also believed that other countries growing cotton, just like they did in the past, was "forced labor."

It is true that Solovyov was a Russian, but when an American suggested that he buy a loyal black person as a slave, he resisted in his heart.

"The black slaves bought by our emperor were raised as his own sons. Moreover, Admiral Hannibal has made many contributions to our country. They cannot be compared with these things in the United States!"

"Man, what's wrong with you? When we talk about many issues, I think you can understand that we Americans yearn for freedom."

"Does it include the freedom of black slaves?"

The large-scale retaliation action in Haiti was purely due to Dessalines' lack of education. His military advisor had been struck by lightning when he was a child, which was somewhat abnormal.

This person is easy to get along with, and if you give him enough money, he will stand on your side and speak for you.

After the black slaves in the United States gained their freedom, some of them lived a good life in the North, but in the South, the slavery system would continue to exist for a long time. Even after it was abolished, there was still racial discrimination, and then there was chaos.

It's not a good idea after all. If he really buys someone, he must restore his freedom.

Of course, this is somewhat outrageous for old Dixie in the American South.

However, from any perspective, Solovyov could not appreciate the United States, just like he hated serfdom.

Maybe the fastest way to fix the bug is for a black slave who has saved some money to run to Russia, buy the serfs and become their master, and then release all the serfs. This way the problem can be solved quickly.

“But you should go see it, too.”

"It's like Delos. You Americans are really lacking in culture. When I was in Paris, I heard that your American president actually published a paper proving that a fossil was an ancient crocodile? I think he should understand the anatomical structure of the fossil, or maybe something else. Anyway, the French are so happy."

"Then Delos Island is a slave market, I do know that."

"Well, I can't refuse your invitation, so I have to go and take a look. But if all black people are free, perhaps the work efficiency can be higher. This is just my personal opinion."

After all, when Count Stroganov and his son were preparing to improve the treatment of serfs, he also agreed with this approach.

As for these black guys, they were standing on the stage, and one could indeed feel that many of them were tall and strong.

The cost of these slave traders was that they didn't even let all the black people die on the road. The plantations in the American South and the Caribbean could be sold, and that was a profitable business.

As for how many people were fed to the fish along the way, the slave traders would not care. They were not even as good as the slave traders in Rome.
Speaking of this industrial chain, when he was in Port-au-Prince, the Governor of Haiti, Mr. Dessalines, also talked about how he learned military experience.

This is the experience learned from two slave women from Dahomey. In fact, it is modern Benin, not ancient Benin. The black tribes in that place are somewhat overly warlike.

Throughout the West African coast, in many places, until the 19th century, there was still a large-scale trafficking of blacks in the southern United States, Caribbean plantations, and the Portuguese colony of Brazil.
As for what you see in the slave market, it is probably a wooden display stand with half-naked black people on it. After all, these "goods" still need to be inspected.

Solovyov was equally opposed to serfdom and slavery, which not only led to low production efficiency but also hindered social development.

Don’t consider the issues of ownership of the means of production and ideology for now; such systems should be thrown into the trash.

As for the street across from the slave market, it was the cotton merchants' yard, where the fruits of the plantations in the southern United States were piled up.

Anyone with some progressive consciousness should think about what they see here.

"Sir, you are wearing a green uniform. Where are you from?"

"I came here from Russia."

Apparently, Solovyov's clothes still aroused the curiosity of others.

There is a well-dressed gentleman here greeting him. If it had happened a few years ago, there might have been more misunderstandings.

After all, he looks so delicate and he is a man, which always gives people an unscientific feeling.

Solovyov does not have a beard, so his appearance can easily be misunderstood.

In particular, he had never cut off his braid, which could easily cause misunderstanding. This problem could only be corrected after he returned to St. Petersburg.

Because when the Russian army was doing the Prussian thing, Solovyov didn't like wearing a wig on his head. It would be more comfortable to wear his own hair.

"Your Russian army is still learning from the British, Mr. Carton. I'm not targeting you. You are also an American citizen now."

And that Mr. Carton was indeed British, and his father-in-law was also British, but now they are both Americans.

"It doesn't matter, Mr. Patterson, you just haven't gotten used to this identity yet." After these British guys became Americans, they still like to make jokes and sometimes say something quite mean.

Of course, you have to be very good friends to say something in a sarcastic way, but it won’t lead to a fight.

"Yes, but my daughter Elizabeth did not follow my advice and married a Frenchman. It was ridiculous. That Frenchman could not speak French as well as my daughter."

"That's a lot of information, Mr. Patterson. Mikhail Solovyov, Lieutenant Colonel of the Imperial Guards."

"You are so young, but you are already a lieutenant colonel. You must have a title, right?"

"It's just a baron. And among our Russian nobility, as long as they are legitimate sons, the title is shared by everyone, as if it were divided equally."

"There is no such thing in Western Europe. It may be because Russia is too far away. What are you doing here?"

"We were docked in Baltimore, preparing to return to Europe. We needed to find a port to replenish supplies, and also to see what a country that has been independent for less than 20 years looks like."

"Ah, then you've come to the right man, Mike."

Mikhail is often called Michael in English, so it seems there is nothing wrong with calling him Mike.

"If you remove one leg from the "M" in Mike, I think the British will like the textiles made with this brand, after all, it is easy to win."

Solovyov always found it tiring to speak with an American accent, and it was easier to talk to these Americans who had actually gained independence not long ago.

"That sounds like a good idea. What about the trademark?"

Solovyov drew a hook, he was pure bad taste.

"This is too brief, but it's also easy to remember. Do you want to come to my house for a cup of coffee? This is a specialty of the New World, or hot cocoa, or tea."

"As long as it's not British tea, I think it's still good, such as Ceylon black tea."

Mr. Patterson still invited Solovyov to his home. Mr. Carton was his neighbor, and their children were about to become in-laws.

But his eldest daughter Elizabeth married a Frenchman, which did give him a headache.

However, Solovyov had not yet figured out the situation of this Frenchman. He only met him at Mr. Patterson's house.

Speaking of Miss Elizabeth Patterson, her husband's last name is still unknown. She is a healthy and lively beauty, but no matter how carefully she dresses up, she still can't change her Southern girl's basic character.

Of course, she is not a redneck girl, but no matter how she dresses up, she still looks a bit rustic.

Mr. Patterson's house was quite impressive. After all, he was a well-known businessman in Baltimore, which meant that he lived a relatively decent life.

Moreover, he is the second richest man in Maryland. The richest person is Mr. Cotton's father-in-law, Charles Carroll, a representative from Maryland who initiated the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

This gentleman has a large estate in the country, but he will be coming to Baltimore recently to visit his daughter and her family.

As for the constant noise in the neighbor's house, he was somewhat helpless. After all, the relationship between the two families was pretty good, and if nothing unexpected happened, his granddaughter would marry Robert, the eldest son of the Patterson family.

His sons have always made this wealthy businessman proud. They are all very motivated and can move towards the goals set by their father under strict requirements. The old father also has a strong desire for control, which is the exact opposite of Solovyov's father, Baron Sergei.

When Solovyov was still the same little Misha, he didn't want to do business and joined the army, although he couldn't refuse to be a courier for his father. It was not until he was recommended to be an adjutant of the Grenadiers Regiment that his development direction became free.

Mr. Patterson obviously hoped that his eldest son would inherit the family business, and his second son could join the army or engage in a promising industry in the future, but he tended to neglect his daughter.

Elizabeth Patterson was not satisfied with being a housewife in Baltimore, so she chose to marry a Frenchman.

"I'm curious, Mr. Patterson, what kind of husband your daughter chose? When I was chatting with an officer on the Enterprise, I mentioned the French warship that was idle in Baltimore."

"It's the captain of that ship, I think his last name is Albert."

"No, that chin, and those facial features. How could a Frenchman be named Albert? And the way you say that seems to imply that you know who he is. It's annoying, but you have to accept it."

"Yes, he confessed it after we were married at Christmas."

After Jerome succeeded in getting the girl, he made public his identity. After all, he was the younger brother of the First Consul of France. Although this identity and status had various problems,
If a joke of elopement came to light, the only one who would be embarrassed would be Mr. Patterson himself, because he was unable to control his rebellious daughter.

After all, he himself has a lover and an illegitimate daughter. Neglecting his daughter's education will only bring laughter.

As for Jerome himself, when he came here, he also knew that there were often all kinds of visitors to his father-in-law's house.

But the one who came back this time was a Russian with green eyes.

In fact, there is often a salon in Mr. Patterson's home, but what is discussed here is always what is happening on the ground in the United States, which is definitely different from the unstable politics that everyone is keen to discuss in Paris.

And Mr. Carroll will also come today.

The composition of this place is indeed quite complicated.

The five kind-hearted people, Americans, British, French and Russians, are almost all here, and they are going to have a tea party and dinner together, so it is really worth seeing them.

Especially Mr. Carroll, who did have a high status. Although he could not hold public office directly because he was a Catholic, he had served as a member of the Maryland State Senator for a long time, and in his early years he was a member of the Maryland State Senate.

(End of this chapter)