Well ...... colour me pink

1814 – Mr Madison’s Bad Year

August 3rd – Washington DC
“Sir we have dispatches”. President James Madison looked up as his private secretary entered the room waving dispatches.
“Good news I hope” he replied and then winched as he saw the look on Cole’s face.
“I am afraid not Mr President, the British have managed to stop Major General Brown’s troops at a place called Lundy’s Lane. Our troops fought well, but were driven back, they are holding to Fort Erie but General Brown has asked for reinforcements”.

Madison sighed, all his generals seemed to do nothing but ask for reinforcements. To the South, Lee was beating the natives, but still asking for troops and supplies every week. To the West Governor Clark was asking for more forces to stop the British from claiming the Mississippi and now to the north his favourite general was asking for more troops. It was all very well, but he had no extra troops, nor any money to raise more. The British had all but wrecked the economy with their damned blockage and now the northern states where threatening drastic action if the war wasn’t settled soon.

Even the peace was going to be costly, the British diplomats in Ghent, where the negotiations to end the war were being held, where being particularly difficult over the freed slaves. From the reports he had it didn’t look as if the war would end any time soon. He could not even rely on the French to distract the British now that Napoleon had surrendered. One thing to have support from the Emperor of France, it was quite another to be supported by the King of Elba.

“Let’s call the Cabinet and see what Dallas can offer…. beyond another lecture about the importance of a national bank that is.”


September 1st – London
“Wilberforce is at it again I see”.
The Earl of Liverpool looked up from his desk and at his Chancellor who was waiving his copy of the Times as he came into the room. “More about the American slaves, I assume, Nicholas?” he replied as Vansittart sat opposite him.
“Yes, says we should hold out on the American treaty until they agree to allow the freed slaves to remain free. Seems he is building another coalition in the House. This could be bad for us if we are seen to agree with slavery, particularly given your opposition last time.”

Liverpool sat back in his chair and rang for his personal secretary. “Coffee for two please Ian” he said as his man arrived “and can you get me the latest reports from the Admiralty?”

“Let’s see how we can make this turn to our advantage then ……” Liverpool said as his mind started to work on the issue.


October 12th – Washington DC

President Madison looked out of his study window at the scarred capital. He could see the White House, his house damn it, the fires out, but still showing all the damage from the fire the British had set. Letting his gaze roam he looked at the Treasury building, the Capitol and the Navy yard. All burnt. That so much of the city was untouched had more to do with the discipline of the British rather than any American resistance.

His mind ranged over the last two months, the surrender of Alexandria to British forces without a shot fired, the loss of St Louis and the territory of Mississippi and the loss of the Lakes and Baltimore. Not to mention the terrible day when he had been forced to flee Washington, only for the British to eat the meal at his very dining table before firing the White House.

From the window of the Octagon House the only good news he saw was the Brick Capitol building beginning to be constructed. He had fought for the capital to remain in Washington and had won, but the victory cost. The damned Federalist’s where pushing for a settlement, particularly since the disaster at Baltimore and the loss of Brown at Fort Erie. The Brits where walking all over the north and west winning battles, but more importantly winning support from his own people.

The only victories where in the south and Jackson know it. He was the shining light and darling of the American people, at least those in the southern states. His victories over the Spanish, British and natives made him the greatest of American generals since Washington. Madison frowned again. Ah, if only his Excellency was with us now, he could unite the states as no other since. Neither Adams, nor Jefferson could have done better, he was sure, no matter what their letters said.
 
1815 – A good year for Liverpool

January 3rd – Britain, Austria and Bourbon France sign a secret defence treaty against Prussia and Russia.

Extract for dispatch of Sir Alexander Cochrane to the Lords of the Admiralty dated 8th January 1815.

“Following the early set back after the night attack on our forces by the American general Jackson our forces marched on the town of New Orleans. Jackson’s forces were unable to stop the advance and the British forces under Major General Keane entered the town on 24th December (see separate report from Keane on resistance from the civilian population and militia forces).

With the town now under our command General Pakenham was able to use the joint army and marine force under his command to turn on General Jackson and his American army. The latter was at regimental strength and had little artillery to support a full confrontation. Jackson retreated in the bad weather and it was not until today that the two armies met.

Our troops behaved themselves in an exemplary fashion against a strong defence by the Americans, but after four hours of intense fighting the American line was broken and the remaining American troops forced to flee the field. They left behind their baggage train and artillery as well as their injured. As per your instructions the latter where treated well and British army doctors have been operating on them.

At this time I have assumed the duties of Governor of New Orleans and commander of the British forces in the Mississippi region of the Americas. I have contacted the Spanish of West Florida and have signed a peace agreement with them. I have also contacted the natives of the region and am conducting negotiations with the various tribes, as per your instruction of May 12th 1814.”

January 16th – Boston
“Let it be known that the Blockade of the United States has been lifted for American shipping sailing from New York and Boston harbours, with the following exception:. Ships sailing for the southern United States will be stopped by the blockading ships that have sealed the southern ports. Any ships that wish to trade with Great Britain or any European country will be free to do so. The harbour master will collect fees and dues as normal, but this money will be held in trust rather than given to the Government which promoted an unjust war.

February 25th – London
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool looked at the letter before him. President Madison had written to him personally to try to end the disastrous war. Madison knew that with the loss of the West and the North his country was in trouble. Rumour had also reached Liverpool of a secession movement in New England following a meeting of leaders from the Northern states at Hartford in Connecticut.

He was glad now that he had instructed the negotiators in Ghent to stall over the slavery issue, as it now meant that Britain was in a much stronger position. He would please his King, no matter how mad, by retaking some of the Americas. This could solve two problems at the same time, as many of the soldiers and sailors that had fought for the British were now being stood down, and drunkenness and unemployment amongst these was high.

Yes, he would send a diplomat to the USA to negotiate a treaty that would help Britain recover from the French war.

February 26th – Napoleon escapes from Elba and begins to move towards Paris

March 18th – Ceylon becomes a British colony after the deposition of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha.

March 20th – Napoleon arrives in Paris, the beginning of the 100 Days.

March 25th – Washington DC
Exert from the Treaty of Washington, ending the war between USA and Great Britain.

“The boundaries of the United States of America have been set at the Appellation Mountains to the West, to the South by East Florida and to the North by pre-war boundaries between His Britannic Majesties land of Canada and the United States of America.”

Between the west of the Appellation Mountain and the Mississippi river shall be the lands for the native people of the Americas, this shall include the lands of Western Florida but not the cities of St Louis and New Orleans which shall be held by His Britannic Majesty.

In recognition of the loss of lands to the west of the Mississippi Great Britain shall pay a sum of £2 million to the USA”.

President Madison looked round the room having read out the main points of the Treaty. Alexander Dallas was the only person in the Cabinet who would meet his gaze. The Secretary of the Treasury said quietly “Two million, that’s less than we paid twelve years ago. But it will allow us to recover economically, particularly if we can re-open our ports to trade.”

Madison nodded slowly. He knew that this meant the end of the West and the retreat of the US back to the original 13 colonies. He would sign the treaty and then resign ahead of the election next year. Daniel Thompkins would just have to see out the last of the time as President.

March 30th – After an all-night session the Treaty of Washington is passed by both Houses. The following day it is signed by the Prince Regent. Prince George makes a special visit to his father in Winsor to tell him of the news.

April 5th - Mount Tambora in the Dutch East Indies blows its top explosively during an eruption, killing upwards of 92,000.

June 9th – Final Act of the Congress of Vienna signed.

June 18th – Battle of Waterloo Napoleon defeated.

August 19th – London
“The nation, grateful for the proud service of it armed forces in defending the country against the French in the late war announces the following:

Each soldier and sailor who has bourn arms in defence of the country is entitled to 10 acres of land in the new colony of Queen Charlotte’s Land. Every soldier or sailor with a warrant from the King will be entitled to 15 acres of land. Every commissioned officer will be entitled to 100 acres of land.

In addition any rating or warranted soldier or sailor will be able to claim an extra 2 acres if they are a family man.

To claim your rewards make yourself known to the Lord Lieutenant of your county or the Lord Mayor of London.

The Earl of Liverpool looked at the poster which was going up in every town, village and city in the land. This solved so many problems he thought. The excess troops and sailors would stay loyal to the King due to his generosity, the ships to transport the families to the new colony where retired navy vessels and once they arrived they would buy lots of British products to conquer the land. All he would need to do is find a suitable leader for the colony and he knew just the man.

He was now able to hold off with the unpopular Corn Laws, as much of the surplus corn could be shipped to the new colony as seed for the new crops, as well as allowing the first settlers to feed themselves.

August 30th – London
“The Viscount Palmerston”. The court looked round as Henry Temple bowed his way to the Prince Regent. George offered his hand and allowed the young lord to rise. “My Earl of Liverpool has informed you that you are willing to take the American challenge. You have the thanks of a grateful nation.”
Palmerston bowed but said nothing as the Prince continued. “As our personal representative in the colony you will need a more substantive rank, we are minded to create you 1st Duke of New …. Blast what are we calling the place now?” “New Brighton, your highness”. “Yes…yes of course so 1st Duke of New Brighton, the personal representative of both King and Parliament in the colony.”

The audience over the newly minted Duke moved quickly from the palace to Downing Street to meet again with Liverpool. Here many strategies where discussed on possible repercussions of the war. But when the Duke of New Brighton left the First Lord he knew that Liverpool would back him to the hilt if he was successful, but failure would be greeted with intolerance and recall.

October 1st – Portsmouth
The first of the settler ships, with 300 settlers and their families including the new Duke leave for New Brighton.
 
Do you have a single PoD?


Because while I agree the British could have done far better than OTL in the war, to do so with only 1 PoD seems to require it being earlier than 1814. You so far have:
  • the Army of the Niagra falling back from Ft. Erie (was Brown not wounded at Lundy's Lane?)
  • Ross's brigade taking Baltimore (was he not killed?)
  • Keane advancing on New Orleans (was he more aggressive for some reason)
  • The British advancing at all from Canada southwestward to the Mississippi (I admit I am unfamiliar wth OTL in this regard, but considering that it apparently didn't work in OTL there must be a PoD here as well)
  • And different political intrigues in Britain (does the Duke of Wellington, of all people, not advocate Status Ante Bellum for some reason?)
Any one of these may make a good PoD, but I confess I cannot see how to get all of them with a single PoD, particularly if everything up until 1814 remains the same.
 
Do you have a single PoD?


The POD is really a catch all - what would happen if the British performed as expected, rather than the shambles it turned out to be.

The British had the numbers and experience to defeat the Americans in nearly every battle. Thats nothing against the US forces, it's just the British should have had better communications, better equipement and leadership that knew how to fight in battle - the Americans didn't.

With the exception of the Mississippi battles the British managed to underperform at every oppertunity. Hesitation and failing to take the initative lead to the loss of nearly every battle against American regulars, who's officers did show all the qualities that the British didn't.

Along a similar line is the stalling of the Treaty of Ghent - the British should never have agreed to returning the slaves (and to their partial credit didn't, but did pay a bounty for each slave to their owner). Given the power the anti-slavary movement had in Britian the negotiations should have stalled over this point alone.
 


“The boundaries of the United States of America have been set at the Appellation Mountains to the West, to the South by East Florida and to the North by pre-war boundaries between His Britannic Majesties land of Canada and the United States of America.”

Between the west of the Appellation Mountain and the Mississippi river shall be the lands for the native people of the Americas, this shall include the lands of Western Florida but not the cities of St Louis and New Orleans which shall be held by His Britannic Majesty.

In recognition of the loss of lands to the west of the Mississippi Great Britain shall pay a sum of £2 million to the USA”.
ASB, I'm afraid.

Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio are all states and significantly settled at this point. Also reasonably settled was the area around Vincennes in southern Indiana and "the American Bottom" on the Illinois side of the Mississippi from the Ohio north reaching towards St. Louis.

Britain simply didn't care much for the natives, especially in the South, and a "Versailles" like treaty like this would involve massive ethnic cleansing that Parliament would never stand for. (i.e. Parliament wouldn't stand the COST involved.)

Can much of OTL's Alabama and Mississippi be made into a temporary "Indian country"? maybe, but the US WILL start settling it, and Britain won't do much to stop them.

Can Britain set aside OTL's Indiana and Illinois and Michigan for an Indian Protectorate? possibly. But, again, it's hard to see them holding fast. Trade with the US is worth FAR more than any native protectorate would do.

Check out my TL, and "Crown and Tomahawk" and "British Imperialism of the 19th Century".
 
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