Quote:
Originally Posted by xerxes
Lots of alt. history ideas are founded on something far-fetched just because it would a fun setting for stories or games. GURPS Alternate Earths and GURPS Alternate Earths 2 have timelines that are kind questionable as to feasibility.
But, perhaps my set up is not so outlandish, after all. Anaraxes points out that France and the USA aren't allies. Let's suppose the Brits really want to "stick it" to the USA. Maybe a good way to do that would be to dump Bonaparte in Louisiana hoping that he will try to form a kingdom for himself and thus "spoil" the Americans' recent purchase. The folks there who had until recently been part of France might have more affinity for him that those English-speaking swine from the East coast.
So, suspend your disbelief for a moment. I'll repeat my questions. How would the local American officials react to the situation upon first learning of the arrival? How would the U.S. Prez react to news of arrival?
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There's improbable, and then there's implausible. The only two independent countries in the area are the USA and Haiti. While dropping Napoleon off at Port-au-Prince to see how he fares against the former slaves who rebelled against
his governor probably has some appeal, it doesn't seem likely. The British, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese don't want Napoleon in their colonies. Setting Napoleon loose in South America might prove equivalent to Simon Bolivar getting an early start.
To make this plausible, Napoleon suggests that he has wearied of both the military life and the political life and would be willing to settle down to life as a prosperous merchant, say a plantation owner on the island of Guadeloupe, dealing in sugar and spices. The allies consider this a cheap bargain and agree.
Napoleon and his family are being transported aboard the HMS Epervier which is taken near Cape Canaveral on 29 June, 1814* by the USS Peacock. The Peacock takes the Epervier to New Orleans to be sold as a prize. The captain of the Peacock has also claimed as part of the prize, the monies that were to set Napoleon up in business.
Local officials are in a state of consternation over having Napoleon in New Orleans. They don't think he qualifies as a US prisoner of war, though he was found aboard an enemy vessel. They are aware that the UK is sending reinforcements to both the army and navy forces on the northern front, since Napoleon's defeat. They fear that having taken Napoleon from his British transport may be perceived as a prelude to America siding with the French Empire. It's bad enough dealing with the U.K. If Russia, Austria, Spain, Portugal, and the various German and Italian states start sending assistance to the UK, well... Then there's the fact that Napoleon is getting on very well with both his naval captors and visitors from the U.S. Army. There's a strong undercurrent that suggests the members of the US Army would like to see the likes of "Granny" Dearborn and Winslow Scott removed from leadership in favour of Napoleon. They don't like to think what Napoleon might do if he got among the wild American Indians and tried unifying them.
By the time Madison is informed about his new guest, Washington has been sacked. Rumours that Madison fled in terror at the British approach while Dolly was busy rescuing national treasures are already making the rounds. Rumours are circulating back to Madison that a cabal of American politicians plan to impeach him for cowardice and then place Napoleon in the Presidency, supposing they have to amend the constitution to do so.
The latest wild rumour is that Madison has sent out a detachment of American sharpshooters to eliminate Napoleon and thereby abort the conspiracy.
*In OTL, the Peacock did take the Epervier there but on April 29, 1814.