To: Duc Axel von Fersen, Minister of State
From: LtC Renald leBlanc, XO 4th Arq.
Duc Fersen,
I would be delighted to serve His Majesty in any capacity His trusted ministers
desire. I am at your command in this issue.
As for your proposal that we issue Letters of Marque to the pirates of Tortuga, it
could be successful, if only in a limited way. Privateers would do well to stop the
flow of gold from the Americas to Spain, but it would do nothing to add to our own
coffers. Destruction is a lesser preference to capture on the seas just like it is on
land.
Perhaps there is a way to obtain at least some ships in a shorter period of time.
Given the number of small maritime nations [especially in the Mediterranean], it is
likely one or more of them are currently in need of gold. Would it be possible to
purchase a few ships from one or more of those nations? A small squadron would not be
enough to fight the Spanish fleet, but for the commerce raiding we are discussing, we
would not need that kind of force.
I am, as always,
Your servant
Renald leBlanc
> To: LtC Renald leBlanc
From: Duc Axel von Fersen,
LtC leBlanc,
it is exactly these kind of initiatives we need! Would you be willing to assist in
planning such an operation?
The question of increasing our naval strength is not an easy question however. To
build new warships takes several years and consumes a lot of resources. I earlier
expressed an idea that we might try to grant privateering licenses to some so called
pirates in the americas. Do you have any thoughts about this idea?
Duc Axel von Fersen
Ministe of State
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2001 7:06 PM
Subject: Banana: Preparations for war
>
> To: Duc Axel von Fersen, Minister of State
> and Marquis Oeufs Brouilles, Minister of Finance and the Marine
>
> Greetings,
>
> Word in the mess is that our objectives for the coming year will be at the expense
>of the Spainards. If this is so, I hope you will allow a mere Lt. Colonel to make
>note of an unusual opportunity France might be able to take advantage of in the
>coming campaign.
>
> As you know, much of Spain's power comes from the wealth of her colonies in the
>Americas in particular the gold convoys from Mexico which arrive every Fall. If we
>were able to intercept one of those convoys, it would severly hamper the Spanish in
>their war effort as well as provide an advantage to the coffers of France.
>
> With Duc Senior's appointment to the Governorship of Dominica we have a unique
>opportunity to attack and hopefully intercept those gold shipments. One can only
>assume that a man such as Duc Senior can easily organize the colony so that elements
>of the Fleet can use it as a base of operations against the Spanish [as a side
>offensive, with some reinforcements, Duc Senior could probably also take Spain's
>Haitian colony]. Dominica is very close to the Spanish trade routes, and could
>provide great advantage in any Carribbean conflict.
>
> To my untrained eye, in order to act against Spain in the Americas, France will need
>to reorganize the Navy somewhat. In particular, we would need to attack the stigma
>that most gentlemen feel about serving in the King's Fleet. I must admit that I am
>uncertain about how that can be done, but I know that doing it is well worth the
>effort. A strong fleet opens many opportunities against both the English and the
>Spanish should the Government decide to exploit them.
>
> Again, I thank you both for your patience in reading this far. I hope that this
>letter has provided some insight on how the coming campaign develops.
>
> In Service to the King
> LtC Renald leBlanc
> Executive Officer, 4th Arq
>
