A Friendly Parting & A Different Constitution

Thothian

Banned
An Unfortunate Turn

George Washington was quite happy. He had led his beloved country to independence, and then retired to his own pursuits. The idea that such a great general would return to a relatively obscure life and his private interests rather than seek further power had amazed many people, not the least of them King George. His Majesty is reported to have said " Why, if he does that, he will be the greatest man who has ever lived!"

Yes, it was a good life. The Almighty had blessed him greatly. He was now with a few of his most trusted slaves (and a few white men in his pay) surveying lands he had bought years before on the western frontier. In a few weeks he would return to his beloved Martha and enjoy the pleasures of his home. There was perhaps the unpleasant matter of a few squatters he had found living on some of his land, but nothing that the courts couldn't resolve. Yes, 1784 would be a good year.

And then, crossing a small and shallow creek, George Washington stepped on a slick stone just under the water's surface, slipped, hit his head on a tree on the shoreline, and fell unconscious with a bleeding head wound.[1] His servants bound the wound and immediately turned for home. Arriving at Mt Vernon weeks later, all they could deliver to Martha Washington was the corpse of her husband, dead of blood poisoning from an infection.

And a nation mourned as the news spread by post through the newborn republic. And two men, one from Massachusetts and one from Virginia, sped along the road to their destiny.


[1] Obviously, the PoD.


This is my first attempt at a timeline. Please be gentle with the comments. Constructive posts are welcomed. Updates can be expected at least once a week, sometimes more as inspiration and free time are available.
 
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Thothian

Banned
The Doctor Speaks

It was the first week of April, 1786, in Philadelphia, and Benjamin Franklin was worried. He had begun to agitate for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation within a few weeks of hearing the news of Washington's death. The very night he had received the news, he had a dream that woke him from his sleep in a sweat. A dream showing the newborn states tearing the nation apart with bloody wars and raids. A dream that ended with British ships appearing on the horizon. "This must not be," he thought to himself.

Dr. Franklin (or President Franklin, as he was such of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) had agitated for the appointment of Thomas Pinckney as Ambassador to the Court of St. James and the recall of John Adams. Also he called for Thomas Jefferson to return and allow William Short to take the duties of the Minister to France. As respected as Franklin's voice was, all these things were done, perhaps earlier than if anyone else had called for them. And so, in the early days of April in 1786, the Constitutional Convention began.

As Franklin expected, without the unifying and calming presence of the Grand General ( as he was beginning to be called) the convention was a hothouse of bickering, insults, and accusations of all sorts. And, as expected, John Adams jumped fully into the fray arguing for a stronger federal government, while Thomas Jefferson advocated for an only slightly stronger Articles of Confederation.
Time passed, and as June began, it was obvious the arguments had become quite circular. No one was compromising at all, or surrendering on any points. And the whole time, Benjamin Franklin was calm, softly spoken (when he spoke at all), and remained worried.

" God damn it." said Franklin under his breath. " Why did you have to die, George? You and your damned adventuring in the West." Franklin sighed. " They would have listened to you. Your very presence would have made them calm, afraid of appearing intemperate in your sight. I suppose I am left with little choice." And so, Benjamin Franklin rose to his feet, softly cleared his throat, and tapped his cane, signifying that he wished to speak. At first, only those near him in the tumult acknowledged and fell silent. And then those near them, and so on until the hall was utterly silent, save for whispers of curiosity. What would The Doctor ( as many called him) say? And so Franklin spoke words he had considered, and dearly wished to the Almighty he might not have to say.

" Good Gentlemen" began Franklin. " I had hoped that our bonds of brotherhood as Americans and as fellow-comrades in the recent war would lay temperance upon these proceedings. It was my fervent wish to the Author of this world that He moderate the passions of party and faction. Alas, the Divinity has left my hopes unanswered, perhaps disgusted with our collective pettiness. I cannot begrudge Him this judgement. Indeed, I am disgusted with myself that I have not been able to calm these proceedings as, doubtless, the Grand General would have." There were murmurs and nods at this.

Franklin continued; " Thus, my proposal to this assembly. As I observe the divisions in this gathering to be chiefly between our southern and northern brethren, I suggest that there be two American nations. Brothers, neighbors, independent and sovereign in their own affairs, yet always family and bonded by a shared yearning for liberty."

The utter silence seemed to deepen. Who would be the first to speak? It was the gentleman from Virginia. " I agree completely with Dr. Franklin, and I think that we Americans will be no less strong as brother and neighbor nations, committed to the liberty of ourselves and our fellow Americans," said Thomas Jefferson.

" Absolutely!" exclaimed John Adams. " My good friend Thomas, and the eminent Dr. Franklin are correct in every way. Would that the Grand General had not fallen to the vicissitudes of Fate, but that is not the lot that is given us. Let us write two Constitutions for two peoples, both American peoples, and brother nations forever!"

The Convention rose to its feet and gave its loud approval. " Perhaps all is not lost" Benjamin Franklin thought to himself; " Now the hard labors truly begin."
 
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Thothian

Banned
A Brief Look at 2 Nations

The Federal Republic of America (established October 1, 1786)
Member states at founding: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey
Government type: Federal presidential constitutional republic
Capital: New York City
1st President: John Adams ; Vice President: Philip Schuyler

The Federal Republic of America (or FRA) was founded as exactly the sort of strong,Federalist-style government that John Adams had envisioned for the revised Articles of Confederation. This was not surprising, as Adams had been the chief author of its Constitution following Benjamin Franklin's speech at the Constitutional Convention. As a Massachusetts man, Pres. Adams also argued that it was only right that the people of the Maine region be allowed to determine their own destiny. Provisions in the FRA constitution provided for a referendum within Maine to join the FRA as part of Massachusetts or as its own state. The latter was the course chosen by Maine's people. Adams also negotiated Vermont's entry into the FRA and helped to settle the claims of New Yorkers on Vermont land. As a sweetener to the people of New York, he chose Philip Schuyler of New York as his Vice President. This was so because the FRA constitution provides that the President choose his own second.

Besides the President of the FRA (who was legally a quite strong executive elected by popular vote from the entire FRA for a single 10 year term),the other branches of the government include the legislature of the FRA, a unicameral body known simply as the Senate and composed of 2 senators from each state, as well as the Supreme Federal Court. The FRA's high court consists of the Chief Justices of each of the member states sitting as a body.



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The Commonwealth of Sovereign American States (established October 1, 1786)
Member states at founding: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland
Government type: Confederation
Capital: Dual ( the official residence of the First Citizen is in Richmond and the Confederal Assembly sits in Atlanta when it does gather)
1st First Citizen of the Commonwealth: Thomas Jefferson

The Commonwealth of Sovereign American States (or CSAS) was established on Thomas Jefferson's ideas of a stronger, but still loose, improvement of the Articles of Confederation. As First Citizen (elected by popular vote from the entire CSAS for any number of 5 year terms),the weak chief executive functions mainly as a diplomat to receive missives and ambassadors from foreign powers, as well as casting his vote to break any tie votes in the Confederal Assembly. Additionally, the First Citizen takes command of the united militias of the member states in time of war. The nominal legislature (very few laws other than than the CSAS constitution exist at an interstate level) of the CSAS is known as the Confederal Assembly and consists of the governors of the member states sitting as a body. The CSAS has no " Vice First Citizen." In the event that the office of First Citizen becomes vacant, the Confederal Assembly names someone to the office until the next election.

Notably different from the Articles of Confederation, the CSAS constitution invests in the Confederal Assembly the power to levy taxes " for such worthy ends as are necessary to the public good and the continuing security of the Commonwealth." Consisting as the Confederal Assembly does of the governors of the member states, it was judged less likely that states would balk at taxes to which their own governors had consented. Also (notably differing from the FRA) the CSAS has no "Supreme Court" of any sort. Legal matters in the commonwealth have no appeal beyond the state supreme court of the state wherein the case originated. Disputes between member states of the CSAS are settled in the Confederal Assembly.
 
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Thothian

Banned
A small prelude to the next full update ( coming tomorrow evening):

A Cautious President

John Adams, president of the Federal Republic of America, sat alone in the Executive Mansion in New York City. Abigail and the children were asleep. The President, on the other hand, could not sleep, as he was awaiting an agent whose task demanded secrecy. A task, that if done badly, might plunge the FRA and the CSAS into a war with a European power with no time to prepare.

Aaron Burr, lately of the New York State Assembly and formerly an officer in the Continental Army and now appointed FRA ambassador to the CSAS, had just turned 31 years old when he was summoned to the President's side the first time and informed he was now an ambassador. And only weeks later, at the end of March 1787, he had completed the first task given him. Now he was to give President Adams his final report before departing. The sentries posted at the front door allowed him entry, and he found the president alone in a room piled high with books, newspapers, and letters.

" Ah, good evening Aaron," said the president. "Ready to depart are you?"

" Yes, Mr President. The preparations have all been made, as you ordered. I depart within the hour on the carriage driven by 2 of your sentries sworn to secrecy" said Burr.

"Good,good. I was initially skeptical when Thomas proposed we begin to work out a plan for our .... rival beyond the Mississippi, and south of Georgia. Upon reflecting, I cannot gainsay his reasoning. John Bull has been cowed by our recent victory, as long as we stay our hand from Canada. So perhaps this is the time to clear the way to the future" the president said.

" I agree with the First Citizen's reasoning, Mr. President. And from what I know of his chosen ambassador, we will be able to work out a broad outline of our future intentions with success" Burr said.

" Yes, from what I know of Pickens, I would say you are right" said the president.

A sentry leaned into the room. " The carriage has arrived, Mr. President. My men are out of uniform and dressed as common travelers as you ordered."

"Good, captain. Tell them the ambassador will join them shortly" said the president.

" Right away, Mr. President" said the captain, and he left the room.

" Well, Aaron, I see you have dressed yourself as some common ruffian as well. The only thing that would complete your ruse is one of Dr. Franklin's coonskin caps" said Adams with a chuckle.

" Indeed, Mr. President. It has been sometime since I have worn such rags. But secrecy is essential as you said, and perhaps the good Doctor has made such caps too famous," said Burr with a smile.

" Well, off with you Aaron. And God be with you" said the president.

" God be with our republic, Mr. President. Tyrants who rule in the name of Church and King will come to fear us" said Burr as he departed.

As Adams heard the carriage roll away, the president thought to himself "Burr is still heady with victory, even now, years after the war. Laying low the pride of a great empire can have that result. Thomas, I trust in your intellect, but God help this entire continent if you are wrong."
 
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Thothian

Banned
Republics, Empires, and a Distant Sun Rising

The meeting between Ambassador Aaron Burr of the FRA and Ambassador Andrew Pickens of the CSAS that occurred in an out-of-the-way inn in rural Maryland in the first week of April 1787 would be remembered for being perhaps as essential to the sort of land North America became as the event of the first Native Americans to cross the Bering Land Bridge, or the founding of Jamestown. The secret treaty worked out over two days and nights by the two men (and ratified in secret sessions of both the FRA Senate and the CSAS Confederal Assembly) set forth the following principles of all future relations and cooperation between the two American nations.

1) It shall be the immediate priority of both our nations to expel all foreign influence, power, and landholding from that area east of the Mississippi River and south of the Great Lakes. The territory of Spanish Florida shall be organized as a state in the CSAS at the earliest opportunity.

2) It shall be an immediate priority of both our nations to gain full control of the Mississippi River, sole rights of navigation upon it, and control of the port of New Orleans.

3) It shall be the earnest aim of both our nations to gain all lands west of the Mississippi River, east of the Rocky Mountains or "Montagnes de Roche" (so named by Jacques Legarduer de Saint-Pierre in 1752), south of the 49th parallel, and north/northeast of the Pecos River, and equitably divide said lands between our nations.

4) It shall be our eventual goal that both our nations shall have an unbroken corridor of access to the Pacific Ocean.

5) We swear as an absolute principal that no foreign power shall henceforth be suffered to increase its influence further than it already exists within the continent of North America, and we affirm our earnest desire to reduce such influence as already exists therein.

A great deal more was written in the treaty detailing specifics on numerous issues beyond the broad principles outlined here.[1]

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Meanwhile, across the Pacific Ocean, a new Shogun was taking his office as the military ruler of Japan, or he would have had not the Emperor Kokaku listened to rumors at court of the Shogun's dissolute nature and sexual degeneracy. After hearing these rumors and paying assassins to eliminate the wretch known as Tokugawa Ienari, Emperor Kokaku quietly gathered supporters among the Shinto priesthood and sympathetic nobles of Japan, and explained his vision for Japan's future.

Said the Emperor: " It is my will that the Shogunate be abolished and that the authority of the Chrysanthemum Throne be unquestioned as the leader of the people in all matters, be they military, spiritual, or otherwise. It is with the Mandate of Heaven that the proper way of the Kami will be reborn in our land. I as the descendant of the greatest of the Kami will be the bridge between Heaven and Earth, and the common people will with their labors build and maintain our prosperity. Moreover, our brave Samurai will spread our ways by the sword."

The Emperor continued: " I envision for our armies a massing of peasant men who will use the gunpowder weapons that many of the barbarian empires now employ widely. They will do so only to balance out the unseemly power such weapons give. When battle is joined face to face, our peerless Samurai will step forth to sheathe their katanas in the blood of the barbarians."

Again, the Emperor continued: " Gazing around the lands near Japan, I see the following as our natural and rightful frontiers: In the south, the islands of Iwo Jima and Yonaguni. In the east, the Great Ocean as far as our ships can range. In the West, the lands of Korea and Manchuria. Also there, we shall seek an accord with the Mongol people, respecting their history as fearless warriors and seeking them as natural allies against the Chinese enemy. Also, the barbarians calling themselves Russian will be driven back across the northern lands as far as our armies can hound them. This will be the Empire of Japan."

The astounded gathering was silent for a moment, and then an elderly priest rose and shouted " Ten Thousand Years!" The rest of the gathering rose in unison and began the chant. And Emperor Kokaku contemplated the future.

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[1] Basically, a mix of OTL's Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine.
 
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Thothian

Banned
Just dropping by to let anyone following this know another update is coming Tuesday morning. Dad's pretty sick right now, and I'm commuting a lot to help Mom with errands. It may seem trivial to think of this website right now for me, but we all have to have our creative and entertaining outlets in hard times to avoid burnout. Thank you to anyone who's reading.

EDIT: Just woke up this morning (Monday, March 6) to a message from Mom that Dad passed away in the night, so updates delayed a few days. Thanks all for reading.
 
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Thothian

Banned
A brief look elsewhere before returning to our main story

Louis & Callonne, the Liberators


Louis XVI would never forget the most important day in his life and, indeed, in the history of France since the conversion of Clovis. Reading newspapers from the new American nations (a few months behind of course, ships were so damned slow), he had just read about the death of Lafayette's friend, the general Washington, when he received a report of terrible harvests caused by far less rain than usual, along with a wheat blight. Within weeks, the price of many foodstuffs had soared to the heavens, and the king began to hear reports of food riots among the common people and murders of landowners in more remote areas. Late one night in 1785 at Versailles, Louis and his finance minister Charles Alexandre de Callone conversed and read by candlelight as they grappled with what to do.

Said His Majesty: " By Our Savior's blood, Charles! I am at a loss. The Parliament of Paris, or even this idea you have of a hand-picked Assembly of Notables will never accept the five points of your plan! They are so blind to people's suffering that they will deny it until they find their homes burned and their heads rolling on the ground! And I will be seen as useless, and stonehearted! The people will curse me along with them!" [1]

De Callone spoke: " Perhaps, Majesty, that would have been true until the drought, and the blight.[2] Now, conditions are more favorable for our ends," said de Callone with a slight smile.

Louis exclaimed: " Are you mad? The damned drought and the withering disease are driving the people into a frothing rage! What in hell do you mean?"

De Callone explained: " Majesty, it is simply this. You wish to be seen by the people as trying to reason with the aristocracy? You wish to put your kingdom in a more favorable financial position? You wish to grow the power of your kingship?" Louis nodded at all this. De Callone continued:" Then become their champion. The riots and murders already have many of the 'notables' quite frightened. Imagine; newspapers, handbills, paid speakers in the street protected by your guards, all with one message."

De Callone continued: " The King is your loving father, the father of all Frenchmen. A few of his children, in the Church and among the 'nobility' , have abused their positions, positions meant to give them power to lead and guide people, not feed from them like useless laggards while children starve. Churchmen who do this profane the message of Our Savior, who loved the poor. 'Nobles' who do this do not yet realize that they are outnumbered, and that masses of starving men will wish to die on their feet, fighting for their families rather than die as dogs, unmanned and witless from hunger. Join your king, who loves all of France! Join him in demanding justice! As the Romans said, FIAT JUSTITIA RUAT COELUM! Let justice be done, though the heavens should fall!"

For a time, Louis XVI was silent. Then His Majesty spoke: " You would have me play Caesar to the populares?" De Callone nodded in agreement. Said the king: " Charles, you are mad! HA! And also a genius! I agree with your plan."

And with that, France started down a road that would not end until the modern day.

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[1] From some of my reading, Louis XVI recognized the need for reform to alleviate suffering, and went into a deep depression after de Callone's plan was rejected.

[2] Butterflies from Washington's death months earlier; maybe there was a bug he didn't step on that he would have OTL, etc etc. Chaos theory plus months later: drought and a blight in France.

Thanks everyone who may be reading. My plans have been delayed a bit by the previously mentioned events.
 
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Thothian

Banned
The Spanish-American War, Part 1


From April 1787 onward, the governments of the FRA and CSAS prepared to support their obligations under the secret treaty concluded in that year and month. It was acknowledged that this certainly meant war with Spain, and so for a time both American nations had been planting agents in Florida, Cuba, and Mexico. Those in Florida (mainly agents of the CSAS) would have the task of disrupting Spanish communications in Florida as well as the capture and/or assassination of Spanish governmental and military officials in that territory. Those in Cuba (also mainly of the CSAS) were to encourage revolt with the outbreak of war, with the purpose of drawing away Spanish strength from Florida.

Those agents in Mexico (equally of the FRA and CSAS) were sent with a somewhat different purpose: to foment a popular revolt against Spain and establish a Mexican republic. To this end, the American agents secreted caches of arms in many locations near Mexican cities. With extreme caution, contact was made with such residents of Mexico (of whatever social station, but mainly among the common people) as seemed most sympathetic to independence. Closely held plans were made for the capture (and if necessary, assassination) of prominent Spanish officials.

Simultaneous to all of this, numerous newspapers were prodded (and paid) to engage in what would (in another TL) be called "yellow journalism." For several years, American newspapers decried the Spanish Empire in the Americas as a relic of medievalist oppression. The papers spoke of a free Cuba, a state of Florida in the CSAS, and an independent Mexican republic as a valued neighbor to the American nations. It was no accident that many of these papers found their way to the territories in question, especially to Mexico.

Finally, two columns of troops (one each from both of the American nations) began the long journey west to the Mississippi River. Intending to seize St Louis (FRA troops) and Fort San Fernando de las Barrancas (CSAS troops; OTL site of the future Memphis, Tenn). From these positions their orders were to establish cannon posts that would allow them to shell any river traffic that the Americans chose.

The day finally came on the 11th of March 1793 when the treaty between the FRA and CSAS was published for all to see. At the same time, CSAS militias moved across the Georgia/Florida border, FRA and CSAS ships ( as well as privateers bearing Letters of Marque) began attacking Spanish shipping all across the Caribbean, and rioting by pro-independence forces began in Cuba and Mexico. These were encouraged and aided by the American agents who had been in place for some time. Demands were sent to the Spanish governors of all these territories to surrender their forces and vacate the territories in question at once, or face war, defeat, and violent expulsion of all Spanish authority in North America. They of course refused, and dispatched their fastest ships to Spain to request reinforcements. Also, the British ambassadors to both of the American nations sent dispatches back to London (requesting instructions) and to Canada, informing the British forces there of the situation.

The first month of the war saw the Florida territory almost entirely conquered by CSAS troops, with only a few coastal towns remaining in Spanish hands. These towns' situation was fast becoming untenable, as a great deal of trade was cut off by the American navies and their many allied privateers. As well, rampant piracy was aflame throughout the Caribbean, criminals as always taking advantage of the many opportunities afforded by war. In Cuba, the conditions could only be described as chaos. Riots, arson, murder of the wealthy landowning class, and a general collapse into anarchy was the order of the day. Conditions in Mexico were somewhat better, as militias (organized by the many more American agents present there than elsewhere) acted quickly to seize control of areas outside of the main cities, seeking to draw Spanish troops into the countryside to be picked off by guerrilla tactics.

A ship then arrived in the port of Brest, in France. Messengers swiftly found their way to Charles de Callone, who then sent for a man beloved by all Americans. "Yes", thought de Callone "Lafayette will be most pleased at the task the king has for him. And France will know victory, in the old world and the new."


EDIT
Upon reflection, I simply do not currently have the time in my day-to-day life to do any more than participate in threads on this forum, or perhaps post WI threads and AHCs. It pains me to drop this TL, but I refuse to pollute this forum with half-baked crap threads rushed out because I feel an obligation to keep going. That being said, if someone who has been reading this wishes to take up this idea (either continuing this thread or starting a new one), you have my blessing.
 
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