The Coup of 1813

During the War of 1812, the New England States and New York, which had already suffered a great deal under the previous adminstration of President Thomas Jefferson due to his Embargo Act, found themselves suffering again as war with Britain once again savaged their overseas trade. In OTL, there was all sorts of disloyal activity in the region during the war...States refusing to send their militia to help stop invasions of neighboring States, States allowing their citizens to sell supplies to British armies which were fighting American armies, even a proto-secession convention. Most, if not all of this, was actively organized by the Federalist Party, and this, in the postwar period, was a major factor in the collapse of said party.

But let's say the Federalists are a bit more organized and ambitious, and a bit more disloyal. They secretly negotiate with the British for support in mounting a coup against the government of President James Madison. The British supply arms and, in June 1815, the Royal Navy escorts a Federalist expedition which lands on the Maryland coast, depositing the Federalist strike force. The force moves rapidly, and before the government can react, is in Washington, where most of Congress and President Madison are captured and imprisoned. Vice President Elbridge Gerry anda minority of Congress manage to escape across the Potomac into Virginia. They flee to Richmond, and set up a temporary capital there.

Meanwhile, in Washington, a Federalist Rump Congress impeaches President Madison, and declares the President Pro-Tempore and the Speaker of the House (the next in line to the succession according to the 1792 Succession Act) to have vacated their seats. A Provisional Government, headed by Rufus King of New York, is declared, with a new election to be held "once a peace treaty with Great Britain has been signed, and domestic peace restored within the United States."

Of course, the United States Regular Army is completely embroiled against Great Britain at this time. It is likely the legitimate government under Gerry can call upon volunteers from the western and southern states which supported the war, and the Provisional Government under King can call on volunteers and militia from the northeastern states. So a civil war is likely.

So, how does it come out? Will the Gerry Administration try to cut a deal with the British? Will the British commit much in the way of forces to help the Provisionals, or will they take a more passive stance, simply keeping up pressure on the northern front so Gerry can't recall much of the regular army to help out in suppressing the rebellion?
 
Wouldn't there be a major risk that the States would "rebel" against the coupists? They at the very least had high amounts of autonomy, and the Federalist's actions would be both rightfully seen as a threat to State's Rights and seen as treachery to the United States (probably not technically treason, but I am speculating on how they would interpret the events).
 
Ya, I'm rather afraid that this is ASB. Federalists declaring independence from the US in New England (??and Maryland??) Maybe. Trying to take over the US government? I really don't think so.

Besides, your comment about Federalists organizing aid to the Brits is not, AFAIK, supportable. Certainly, individuals in (especially) New England and New York sold the Brits lots of supplies, and continued trade. But that was surely greed triumphing, more than preference for the UK vs US.

Note, too, that MOST militia refused to leave the country. (Yes, you're talking about them going to neighboring states - but most of New England's militia weren't NEEDED in neighboring states.)
 
I don't think this is a Coup, It is not a Coup d'état [sudden takeover from within], and I am not sure whether it meets the definition of a Coup de main. [sudden takeover by force]

I think what you have is the Opening Battle of the 1812 Civil War.
 
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