New revised timeline with shallower water similar to Reelfoot lake but deeper. Feel free to add to it or start a story.
1801 9.9 Quake Timeline
Jan 22, 1801 9.9 Quake happens leaving water from 10 to 35 feet deep
Effects are felt as far away as Boston and Albuquerque, Mexico.
Feb. 17 Jefferson elected by Congress.
Feb. 20 News of location of quake reaches Washington D.C.
Mar. 4 Jefferson sworn into office
Mar. 14 News reaches Madrid, and Paris soon afterwards.
Mar. 17 King Charles IV of Spain delays signing of Treaty of Aranjuez
until more information is received about disaster in Louisiana.
Mar. 22 Jefferson appoints Lewis and Clark to lead an expedition to map
and explore new waterway.
April
Lewis & Clark set out in 6 Ships From Philadelphia, it will take them some 4 weeks to reach New Orleans.
Spanish Ambassador meets with British Admiralty requesting Permission to send Cartography Expeditions to Survey Disaster and Map new Coastline
New Orleans despite hazards from the new Gulf of Louisiana is above sea level and can support area as a major port.
However the remains of the River is Salt Water, and the northern end is to shallow to allow major ships to pass.
Lewis and Clark stop at Lake Pontchartrain and meet with American settlers in West Florida.
Hear complaints about Sea Water from the Mississippi starting to infiltrate the Lake.
May 2
Lewis & Clark arrive in New Orleans, Meet 4 British, 2 Spanish, and 1 French Ships, on the same kind of Mapping expedition.
It is decided that the Americans will map the east Coast while the Europeans explore the West Coast.
One American Ship joins the Europeans, while one British ship Accompanies the Americans.
July
Americans and British meet at the debris clogged north end of new waterway. Cartographers meet and exchange Maps. They decide to sail down each others coast and meet in New Orleans.
August
Lewis returns (Clark dies of ill health) with report of new Arkansas Bay and massive waterfalls/Rapids at river mouths.
Cartographers meet and Decide on map names. The Golfe d' Louisiane is joined to the Baie d' Arkansas by the Straits of Ouachita.
September
Lewis returns to Washington With new maps.
King Charles IV of Spain signs of Treaty of Aranjuez except area around New Orleans is folded
into West Florida.
March 1802
Jefferson signs bill establishing US Army Corps of Engineers
1803
US Army Corps of Engineers given task of Building Forts at Mouth of Rivers along New coast, and building Canals/clearing River Mouths to allow Navigation into new Bay/Gulf.
Treaty of Amiens ends British/French War
Napoleon sends force of 3,000 Soldiers and Ships to establish Forts in Golfe Louisiane and Baie Arkansas.
The new Governor of St Louis, is dismayed to discover that 2/3 of the residents are Americans, and that 90% of Missouri Whites are Americans. The new Governor bans farther American settlement. However with only 300 soldiers he can't enforce the Ban.
However, American Papers hail the ban as a second XYZ affair, and French American relations deteriorate rapidly.
1804
Treaty of Amiens has broken down, Napoleonic wars have begun, preventing Napoleon from sending reinforcements and Settlers to Louisiana.
Several Clashes take place between Kentucky/Tennessee Militia escorting American Settlers in Missouri and French Troops.
Not wishing to have the same quasi-War that plagued Adams, Jefferson asks Congress for permission to purchase Northern Louisiana.
Jefferson sends Madison, the Secretary of State to France to negotiate.
Despite Jefferson's feelings about the Military, Congress approved a small increase in the Army, and a larger increase in the Navy/Marines.
Jefferson returns with a Treaty. France sold all land north of the 33rd Lat, from the Ouachita Straits west to the South Seas [otl Louisiana north Border].
This South Sea Wording would lead to later conflict. Scholars believe it was a deliberate act, done due to Spain having joined the British lead Coalition.
1805
Jefferson sends the Army Corp Engineers on Expeditions to explore the Missouri, Arkansas, and other Rivers on the West side of the Mississippi.
He also sends a Naval Expedition to explore the West Coast.
The Painting of Lewis Leading the Expedition down the Columbia to meet the Naval Party on the Beach, is in every schoolbook, and is a enduring symbol of American Manifest Destiny.
1806
New Territory is split into the Louisiana, and Missouri Territories.
US sends Delegation to Madrid with offer to buy Florida.
Upset with the US having Bought Louisiana, King Charles refuses, despite most of his Generals arguing for the Sale.
1807 Spain sends 3000 soldiers to Florida, Quadrupling it's forces there
1809
Americans in West Florida revolt from Spain and set up The Republic of "The State of Florida". The Republic sends a Delegation to Washington asking for Annexation.
[This is 2 years earlier that OTL. Due to the problems crossing the Golfe & Biae, more Southern Americans, have moved to Florida instead.]
While Madison deliberates over Protecting Americans vs. Pissing off Spain's ally, Great Britain; The matter is taken out of his Hands.
General Jackson leading a mixed Force of Kentucky/Tennessee Militia had been invited by Georgia to help with attacks by the Creek Indians.
Hearing of Americans being attacked by Spanish, Jackson leads his Militia troops across the Border, and takes Mobile.
He then heads west to New Orleans and the history books.
1811
Treaty of Lisbon, ends the Florida Wars.
For the Sum of eight million Dollars, six of which is American assumption of Spanish Debt, the US receives The Florida's, Spanish Louisiana, and Tejas.
1812
The State of West Florida is admitted to the Union. The capital of the State is moved to New Orleans.
1812 The steamboat New Orleans first in western waters arrives in its namesake city.
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1813 France with marginal Caddo approval invites S.E. Indian tribes into area north of 33rd parallel to engage trade and act as a buffer to their colony of Rouge d'Louisiane and the U.S.A..
1814 Choctaw pass through Ft. Miro on the way to their new home
northeast of the Caddo nation.
1814 The steamboat Enterprise visits Alexandria (France)
1815 Chickasaw and Creek relocate to area east to Little Rock and south of Kansas border.
1817 Ft. Smith Kansas established as stopping point on paths west.
Little Rock remains a small village from absence of trade because of new Falls of the Arkansas.
1817 Cherokee tribal elders discuss relocating but can't agree because of lack of resources available in the Caddo nation.
1817 Tribal raids develop between Osage along norther border of the Caddo nation and the
Rouge River.
1818 Choctaw begin tribal alliance with Caddo and form government. Elders bring a return to Mississippean society hoping to rebuild their tribes with new alliances.
1818 Creek and Choctaw move northwards to Little Rock to take advantage of the Arkansas river.
1819 Chickasaw and Creek are invited to discuss alliance and end of feuds over resources.
Aug. 5 1819 Elders agree on terms, and alliance enlarges to four tribes with common defense pact.
Sept. 1819 The Quatre alliance of tribes discuss trade agreement with French for 500 new model Charleville muskets, ball, and powder.
1819 Debris choked Baie d'Arkansas has completely subsided along coasts and abundant fish are apparent from shorelines.
January 1820 Elders annex Little Rock and Quatre tribe live alongside remnant traders and settlers. (Settlers move north to Kansas by summer of 1820.)
Sept. 1820 Crates of Charleville muskets arrive in the Quatre nation and are dispersed to forts within the tribes. French show elders the proper usage of the musket.
Oct. 1820 Throughout the Fall the most proficient tribal members visit villages to train warriors with the Charlevile.
Mar. 1821 Caddo indian child finds large gold nugget by tributary of the Rouge R. and tribal elders send party to explore surrounding area.
April 1821 Quatre explorers return with news of large amounts of gold and a new shiny mineral (diamond) found NE of the Rouge R.
April 15, 1821 French trader sees examples of diamonds and exchanges with Quatre for supplies.
May 2, 1821 French Trader visits jeweler in Alexandria and gets pouch of silver in exchange. Word spreads that diamonds have been found in Quatre nation.
May 6, 1821 Elders discuss usage of gold as coinage being familiar with colonial coinage for many years.
May 10, 1821 French Governor sends party to Quatre nation to examine size of the diamond lode
and forbids unauthorized French citizens from entering Indian lands until further notice.
June 1821 Elders discuss purchase of sailboats from French or U.S. sources to catch abundant fish in the Baie d'Arkansas.
June 18, 1821 A small party of Quatre tribes travel to Vicksburg, W.F. via wherry to determine interest in diamonds amongst the U.S. people.
Mid July 1821 French party gets permission to explore Caddo lands with two Choctaw Indian guides (Elders forbid taking of any resources from their lands).
July 22, 1821 primitive Caddo Quatre coin is produced in ring form upgrading wampum shell currency.
August 1821 First use of Caddo tribes coinage and trade goods to purchase used boats totaling 1 smack, 6 dories, and 6 bateau craft for use on the Baie d'Arkansas. French, and U.S. crew are hired as hands on the vessels until able sailors are produced within the Quatre nation.
Aug 12, 1821 Choctaw Indian guides tell elders about diamonds and how quiet the French became when finding so many in a small area.
Aug 16, 1821 French return to Ft. Miro with stolen evidence of sizeable amount of diamonds within the topsoil of the Quatre nation.
Aug. 18, 1821 Quatre elders send small party to Ft. Smith, Kansas to see what they can trade for a few diamonds.
Aug 24, 1821 New colonial governor of Rouge d'Louisiane arrives in Alexandria and decides to relocate capital from Ft. Miro.
Aug. 30, 1821 Quatre trading party arrives at Ft. Smith and after much haggling trades a dozen Kentucky rifles and one Hawken's rifle for the diamonds.
Aug 31, 1821 New commander Col. Arbuckle of Ft. Smith is made aware of diamond trade by the local traders for rifles. Alarmed at the trade and not being familiar with the Quatre nation he dispatches patrol to shadow trading party until they cross the Kansas border.
Sept. 1821 Col. Arbuckle sends dispatch to Washington with info on Quatre resources.
Sept 1, 1821 Captain of French expedition meets with the colonial governor in Alexandria to show newly stolen diamonds from Quatre nation.
Sept 5, 1821 Quatre party hunt down a bison with the new rifles and are amazed at the range compared to the Charleville.
Sept 8, 1821 French Governor dispatches Captain and royal courier to Paris on first available ship to query the court of Louis XVIII on next step with Quatre nation.
Sept 12, 1821 Captain and courier board ship on route to Versailles via Guadeloupe and the history books.
Sept. 14, 1821 Quatre party demonstrates the new rifles to the elders
and further purchases are approved when targets are hit at 150 yds.
Sept. 15, 1821 While in transit to Guadeloupe, French ship is sunk in a Hurricane that goes on to ravage Pensacola, and West Florida.
Oct. 4, 1821 First large catches of fish are brought in and salted by Quatre nation with hired assistance for later trade with Europe.
Oct. 20, 1821 French governor gets word that dispatched party never reached Guadeloupe.
Oct. 21, 1821 Lacking examples of diamonds for the Crown, the French governor attempts to send another exploring party into the Quatre nation.
Oct. 31, 1821 French party is shadowed by Quatre patrol heading towards diamond site.
Nov. 1, 1821 French party is surrounded by Quatre patrol and brought to nations capitol to explain themselves. Elders tell party to leave Quatre nation after a short debate (Minus their supplies).
Nov. 10 1821 French explorers return with explanation for the governor and face angry episode that gets them thrown in the Alexandria brig.
Nov. 12, 1821 With winter approaching in the North Atlantic the French governor decides to forgo sending a Royal courier and sends negotiating party to Quatre capitol to discuss diamonds.
Nov. 13, 1821 Two rented smacks arrive at village by the Ouachita river and salted fish are loaded for transport to New Orleans and Europe along with Quatre representatives.
Nov. 16, 1821 Explorer party released from brig by governor. They discuss dealing with Quatre nation separately with traders that ply the Baie d'Arkansas as partners.
Nov. 17, 1821 Smacks arrive at New Orleans and price for fish is decided with hired crews help.
Quatre still receive 15% lower price than normal rate. Trade party returns with items requested by tribal nation wearing new sets of European clothing.
Nov. 21, 1821 Quatre party buys Kentucky rifles and rum with gold coinage from U.S. traders along the Baie d'Arkansas.
Nov. 23, 1821 French party departs for discussions with elders in Quatre nation.
Dec. 6, 1821 Raids by Osage return within Quatre borders.
Dec. 8, 1821 French party returns with trade agreement to present to the King. (Pact includes France as sole trade partner for diamonds) Naval technology is promised in return along with trade goods. Gold coinage is set to float with the Franc.
Quatre party is invited to Versailles.
Dec. 1821 Explorer party board trading ship to visit Quatre villages along the Baie d'Arkansas.
Dec. 1821 Call to arms in Quatre nation to end raids by Osage. Several villages are attacked by Quatre warriors and overwhelmed by rifle fire. Scalps and slaves are taken home.
Jan. 1822 Col. Arbuckle and U.S. mission visit Quatre capitol to discuss diamond trade. Delegation is alarmed to learn that France has already
signed an exclusive treaty.
Jan. 1822 Explorer party at Little Rock hits brick wall as eastern villages no nothing of diamonds.
Jan. 28, 1822 Indian elder visits the court and discusses trade agreement with King Louis XVIII and Villèle. The Prime Minister suggests a protectorate status to counter any U.S. involvement.
Indian mission is shown examples of French military power including cavalry and artillery.
Feb. 2, 1822 U.S. ambassador to France Gallatin is notified of the new proposal for the protectorate status of the Quatre Nation.
Feb. 1822 Osage and their allies plan action against western Quatre villages.
Mar. 1822 Monroe addresses congress and sets framework for an American system separate from Europe and extending welcome to new Latin American nations.
Mar. 1822 Steamboat trade along the Ouachita brings increasing wealth to Quatre Nation.
Mar. 1822 Indian elders agree on a protectorate with the French. They imagine a day when they control the Baie d' Arkansas.
Late March, 1822 U.S. spy in Alexandria finds out protectorate status has been approved and sends message to Washington via New Orleans.
Apr. 1822 Disputes arise with the Governor when French missionaries are refused entry in Quatre villages.
Late Apr. 1822 About 150 Osage along with numerous Kiowa, and Comanche attack the NW fort and village of the Quatre. About 40 of the Osage group are killed in the defense by Quatre warriors before being overwhelmed. Village citizens are massacred and some taken as slaves; muskets and supplies are stolen.
April 20, 1822 President Monroe is alerted to the new Quatre nation status.
Late that day John Quincy Adams pens what would become the Monroe doctrine.
April 25, 1822 President Monroe addresses congress telling them of threat to the U.S. with new French intervention.
Early May 1822 Elders send raiding parties into Osage country. Prisoners are tortured to death in the Quatre capitol plaza.
May 1822 Two French frigates arrive at new home port of Alexandria
with the third authorized regiment of French Troupes de Marine.
(111th Inf. Reg.) and two six pounder cannons (Canon de 6 système An XI)
May 1822 First platoon of French troops and associates arrives in Quatre capitol in three month rotation duty. Skulls of Osage are proudly displayed in capitol square.
June 1822 French frigate attacked in waters off New Orleans by USS Congress.
Ship limps back to Alexandria with casualties.
June 1822 French governor authorizes Ft. Miro to bombard any U.S. military craft along Straits of Ouachita. General order for militia is raised and one compagnie with a 6 pounder is sent north to Quatre capitol with instructions.
June 1822 U.S. steamboat New Orleans is attacked and captured by French frigate at mouth of the Ouachita straits on return trip from Memphis.
Late June, 1822 Elders receive message from French governor telling them of attack by U.S.
Quatre warrior force moves north to Ft. Smith with the 1st compagnie of French Marines.
July 15-27, 1822 Quatre/French forces quickly occupy area south of the Arkansas river.
July 18 1822 Early morning, Quatre/French force cross Arkansas river at Ivey's Ford.