AHC- Americans in the House of Lords

althisfan

Banned
So in OTL Lord Fairfax of Cameron was the only resident peer in colonial America around the time of the US Revolution. What if sometime between before the Intolerable Acts, we see Britain be foresightful (to coin a word) and decide to get some more American peers from some of the more aristocratic American families. Perhaps the Van Rensselaers as feudal patroons of immense landownings (1,200 sq miles) and wealth would be accepted as nobility. Maybe Lord Sterling is finally recognized by the House of Lords. That's three, maybe we could get more. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson even? Ben Franklin for his scientific notoriety and fame. Maybe a Penn? Sure, maybe they wouldn't (or couldn't) find one peer for each colony, but just having a handful... could it make a difference in the "taxation without representation"? Would these peers be powerful enough to make a difference in Parliament, possibly even getting representation for Americans in the Commons? The idea that the British would be scared of eventual American population overtaking the home islands is moot- British seats in Commons weren't based on population, I doubt that Parliament would consider at that time that it ever would be.
 
Even more likely if you include grants of American titles to individuals in the UK, maybe along with land grants on the frontier.
 
The American titles would specifically have to be created within the English peerage to sit within the English House of Lords, ditto the Irish and Scottish equivalent.
And creating Colonial Peers outside the 3/2 Parliaments would only spur the idea of separate Colonial Parliaments themselves.
 
I'm thinking those with aristocratic lineage would be considered. Of course land and wealth as well, plus the right 'air' about them. Ben Franklins or Daniel Morgans need not apply.
 

althisfan

Banned
The American titles would specifically have to be created within the English peerage to sit within the English House of Lords, ditto the Irish and Scottish equivalent.
And creating Colonial Peers outside the 3/2 Parliaments would only spur the idea of separate Colonial Parliaments themselves.
What about those already who are peers but choose to live in America? Such as Lord Fairfax
 
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