God Save These American States

[Virginia Liberal]

God Save These American States.
A History of the world without George Washington

4:59pm October 9, 1781

General Washington stood with the gun crews in front of Yorktown, Virginia watching the seconds tick away at 0500 Washington himself would fire the first gun and start the Combined Franco-American bombardment of the British Army dug in at Yorktown.

Tick…Tick…Tick. Washington’s watch hit 5. Washington yanked the lanyard and BOOM the Cannon’s barrel burst killing the crew of the gun and most of Washington’s staff. Amongst the carnage was the body of General Washington broken and bleeding, he would die just thirty minutes later. The only survivors were General Henry Knox and John Park Custis, Washington’s step son. Nathaniel Greene Washington's second in command became the new commander of the Continental Army and led them to victory at Yorktown.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The First Constitutional Convention May 25- September 12, 1787.

By the spring of 1786 it was clear that both the Continental Congress and the Articles of Confederation the laws by which it governed were simply not up to the job of keeping the newly Independent Colonies now styling themselves the States united and working together for the common good. In August 1786 the states of New York and Delaware Called for a Convention to discuss possible alteration of the Articles of Confederation to fix the flaws that were already showing. The delegates would meet in Annapolis Maryland from October 2, 1786 to November 5, 1786. The results of this Annapolis Convention would be the call for a second convention to be held in the spring. All the states would send a delegation of less than two and no more than five members. This convention was to find common ground and common approval for amendments to the Articles of Confederation.

The spring convention would convene in the Pennsylvania State House on May 25, 1787; however, many of the delegates didn’t arrive till mid-July. The list of Delegates was:
New Hampshire: Nicholas Gilman and John Langdon.
Massachusetts: Elbridge Gerry, Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King, and Caleb Strong. Connecticut: Oliver Ellsworth, William Samuel Johnson, and Roger Sherman.
Rode Island would abstain from sending any.
New York: Alexander Hamilton, John Lansing Jr, and Robert Yates.
New Jersey: David Brearley, Jonathan Dayton, William Huston, William Livingston, and William Paterson.
Pennsylvania: George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Benjamin Franklin, Jared Ingersoll, and Thomas Mifflin.
Maryland: Daniel Carroll, Luther Martin, James McHenry, John Francis Mercer, and Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.
Delaware: Richard Bassett, Gunning Bedford Jr, Jacob Broom, and John Dickinson.
Virginia: James Madison, George Mason, Henry Lee III, Patrick Henry, and James McClurg.
North Carolina: William Richardson Davie, William Blunt, Alexander Martin, Richard Dobbs Spaight, and Hug Williamson.
South Carolina: Pierce Butler, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Thomas Pinckney and John Rutledge.
Georgia: Abraham Baldwin, William Few, William Houstoun, and William Pierce.

The elderly statesman Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania was appointed the President of the Convention.

The real work would start on July 19, 1787. The item of the floor that day was a proposal compiled by the Virginia delegation. This plan referred there after as the Virginia Plan.This Plan called for a more powerful central government consisting of three branches with each branch providing a check on the other two's power.

The Legislative branch would consist of a unicameral Congress in which the states had representation based upon the size of their population. The Congress would have the power to levy taxes to pay off national debts, maintain interstate commerce, and the defense of the nation. Most importantly the congress no longer needed a two thirds majority to pass all laws, a simple two vote majority would pass all bills, pass a declaration of war, or ratify a treaty ratification.

The Executive Branch led by a President who would be elected by the Congress by a two vote majority. The President would serve a single 9 year term, after which he could not serve again in the national government. The president would be the commander in chief of all armed forces of the country on land and at sea. He would have the final vote on any bill passed by the congress, if he approved and signed the bill it would become law. If he disapproved then he could line item veto the parts of the bill that he didn’t agree with and send it back down to congress, for a redraft. The President also appointed all judges to the federal courts, members of the cabinet, and ambassadors to other countries; judges would have to be approved by the congress before taking their new positions.

The Judicial Branch would be made up of one federal court for each state. These courts would rule on cases in which federal laws were in contradiction to state laws, treason and customs cases, and act as final appeals court for state court convictions.

The thing that would be the major difference between this plan and that that would follow was that under this plan federal laws acted as mere guidelines for the states to create laws that would be used to administrate and enforce the policies set by the federal government. This plan left the states with a good deal of power while creating a stable and functioning Central Government.


The next plan presented was the New York Plan created by Alexander Hamilton. The New York Plan was similar to the Virginia Plan in that it created a new central government system consisting of three branches Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

The Legislative branch was modeled on that of Rome. The Legislature called the Senate would take the place of the Congress. The new Senate would have three Senators from each state, giving all states equal say in the government. The senate would be headed by the Consul who would be chosen by the majority faction in the senate and would have a tie breaking vote if the senate became deadlocked. The Senate would create and pass all legislation in the government. Once more only a simple majority was needed to pass all legislation besides foreign policy legislation. Once a bill was passed the Senate it would be presented to the President.

The Executive Branch would be made up of the President and his cabinet. The President would be elected by the Senate with a two vote majority; he would serve a four year term but he could be reelected to office for as long as he wanted to run and could win the votes in the Senate. The President would appoint all cabinet positions, judges to federal courts and diplomatic post. All appointments were final. He could veto any legislation passed by the Senate, unless he did so it would become law of the land with his seal. The President was also the commander and chief of the armed forces on land and at sea. Lastly he could issue executive orders that would act as the law of the land without going through the Senate. These orders would expire after the end of each presidential term unless the senate passed legislation that would make it a true law.

The Judicial branch was set up much like the one in the Virginia plan with each state having a federal court that presided over the state courts. However under this plan the Federal courts reviewed all state court rulings and could overturn any ruling of a state court without an appeal case being brought before it.

Lastly the Federal government assumed almost total power over the state governments. Under this plan state governments were reduced to mere enforcement agencies to administer federal law, with little legislative power of their own state laws would pertain solely to enforcing federal law.

However neither of these plans succeeded in gaining any traction with the delegates at the convention. There was simply too much discomfort among the delegates when it came to the idea of creating a bigger more powerful central government, after all hadn’t they just finished a seven year was to get out from under such a government.

Both were quickly countered by William Paterson’s New Jersey plan. This plan would do what the convention was called to do fix the Articles of Confederation. “This body was summoned to fix the current body of laws not replace them.” Paterson said in his introduction to his plan.

Benjamin Franklin due to his age was unable to control the debate; and soon the delegates became hostile to each other and the convention overall dysfunctional. Finally in August a vote was taken out of 55 delegates 37 voted in favor of simply amending the Articles of Confederation on September 17, 1787 the New Jersey plan to the Amended Articles of Confederation was adopted. It was a major victory for the budding state nationalist delegates. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were both down heartened and Benjamin Franklin was heard to say “This is not the end, or maybe it is merely the beginning of the end. I don’t see this patch work holding everything together for very long. If only Washington had survived the war.” Even with the new amendments it was hard for many to see how the current government could function as it should. Regardless one thing was clear the government under the Articles of Confederation would continue for the near future at least.

Under the New Jersey plan the Continental Congress gained new powers in addition to the existing powers under the Articles of Confederation. these powers were

The authority to raise funds via tariffs and other measures, and to regulate interstate commerce and commerce with other nations. Cases involving these powers would still be heard by state courts unless appealed to the federal judiciary.

The authority to collect taxes from states based on the number of free inhabitants and 3/5ths of slaves in that state.
Congress elects a federal executive, consisting of multiple people, who cannot be re-elected and can be recalled by Congress when requested by the majority of executives of the states. Federal executives to be named Consul(s).

The federal judiciary is represented by a Supreme Tribunal, appointed by the federal executive, which has authority in federal impeachment cases and as the appeal of last resort in cases dealing with national matters (such as treaties).

The Articles of Confederation and treaties are the supreme law of the land. The federal executive is authorized to use force to compel non-compliant states to observe the law.

A policy of admitting of new states should be established.

A singular policy for naturalization should be established.

A citizen of one state can be prosecuted under the laws of another state in which the crime was committed

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Federal Hall in N ew York Citywhere Congress was in Session from 1788-1791

A Renewed Head Ache the Trials and Tribulations of the Continental Congress and the Amended Articles of Confederation. 1788-1791

Sometimes there is a period of time after a change in government when everything goes perfect everyone manages to get along and work together for the greater good. This did not happen for the Congress and the newly amended Articles of Confederation. The Continental Congress took its new found powers and went to work to use its new found powers, or attempt to anyways. The Congress had gained a good deal of power (anything is greater than 0 after all.) The biggest of which was an increased ability to raise funds through taxes and tariffs.

Its first act was to elect the new executive branch. Congress chose to copy Rome and name two Consuls who would carry out the executive role by a majority vote among themselves. The lucky men elected were Patrick Henry of Virginia an out spoken anti Federalist, and Alexander Hamilton of New York, to placate the Federalist faction. The selection of these men would set the tone of the Congress, and that tone was deadlock, as the two new consuls couldn't stand each other.

For the next three years Congress and its Consuls got very few things accomplished. Hamilton and Henry would spend most of their time fighting with each other over how the Government should be run. The only bad thing about their new powers was them having to agree to use them which no one seemed willing to do, over even the most simplest of issues.

The Northwest Ordinance which would allow the Government to assume control of the Northwest Territory and divide it into smaller territories that could become new states. The Northwest Ordinance was not a new piece of legislation; Congress had been trying to pass it since 1786 with little success. However, it never got the votes to pass. Henry and Hamilton who were supposed to be stopping this type of gridlock lock often let their personal deference’s get in the way. By 1791 after more than five years of trying to get Northwest Ordinance though the congress it had still yet to pass.

The Continental Bank Bill was also brought up before the Congress. The Bank would be a central lending source for all the states run by the Congress. If any one piece of legislation was the pet project of one of the two Consuls it was the Continental Bank Bill which was Hamilton’s pride and joy even above the Continental Army reformation act which he also endorsed. Since this was the case Consul Henry and his supporters in the congress made it their mission to squash it. The vote came on September 5, 1789 it failed by just 2 votes; Hamilton wanted to use the Consul vote to pass it but Henry had left for his plantation in the south side of Virginia and refused to be recalled. Without Henry’s vote there could be no Consuls override and so the Bank bill died.

It was after the bank bill's failure that Hamilton withdrew from the Congress he resigned his position as Consul and returned to New York. Hamilton would be far from retirement however, and started behind the scene work to create a new government. On October 10, 1789 John Adams of Massachusetts was chosen by the Congress to take Hamilton’s place as Consul.

The one thing it seemed that Congress was able to do during this time was pass a series of taxes that would allow them to start paying off the Revolutionary War debt. A task that would have been much easier with a Central Bank. Between 1788 and 1790 three new taxes were passed by the Congress after much debate. The first was a two cent postage tax on June 1, 1788; this was followed by the Import tax on September 18, 1789 which charged ten cent on every item imported into the states; and lastly the Whiskey Tax on March 21, 1790. The Whiskey Tax placed a five cent tax on the sale of whiskey and other spirits in within the states.

The most damning events for the Congress and the newly amended Articles of Confederation would take place in the winter and spring of 1791. On January 25,1791 Hugh Henry Brackenridge of the town of Pittsburgh, Pa. Issued the Pittsburgh Proclamation in which he called the tax on whiskey “The most vile and evil thing yet contrived by this government. Such a tax is no better than the Tea tax that started our independence movement almost twenty years past.” Within the month across the frontier of the northern states the people had broken out into open rebellion; the Whiskey Rebellion had begun.

Then in May the tensions between the states of Maryland and Virginia over who controlled the Potomac River reached a critical point. On May 15th Maryland Governor George Planter issued a decree that the Potomac was Maryland territory as the border was on the Southern bank. This decree would lead to the Potomac War breaking out. This conflict couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Congres. The northern states were rife with rebellion over the Whiskey Tax which the congress had levied. Almost immediately Maryland sent word to congress asking for assistance in the war against Virginia. Yet Congress was tied up by Virginia and her supporting states North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Rhode Island (who just enjoyed causing a headache for everyone else if possible). These states blocked congress for passing any type of aid that it might have sent to Maryland. This would lead to the expulsion of Virginia on April 20,1791 Consul Patrick Henry also resigned on this date. This would be followed by the walk out of the states that supported Virginia. The remaining Rump of the congress placed an embargo on Virginia and chose Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania to the now vacant Consul’s office, but that was all that they could do.

By this point the Whiskey rebellion was tying up every loyal man the governments of the northern states had, the rebellion was on the verge of over throwing the governments of many of the Northern states, so Maryland was left to her own devices

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Rebel forces attacking the Pennsylvania state Capital at Lancaster

Whiskey Rebellion the First Nail in the Coffin of the United States of America. January to September 1791

Brackenridge’s Pittsburg proclamation would become a rallying cry for those who distrusted even the modest reforms that had been done to the Articles of Confederation. By February 13th A small army had gathered at Pittsburg roughly 8,000 strong; similar forces were forming in all the Colonies north of Maryland. However the strongest was Breckenridge’s own force and a militia about 7,000 strong lead by David Bradford gathering in western New York State. The discontent however was though out the population and the Rebel forces of every size found if not co combatants then at least friendly neutrals. The rebellion quickly became too much for the non-existence Continental Army (no more than a few small companies) to handle. Its commander General John Neville ordered the Army to rally at New York City were the Congress was in Session.

The state governors quickly called up their militias but in some states more of the militia men were part of the rebellion than responded to the call to arms. By June just six months after the start of the rebellion The Government forces had lost just about every major engagement in the conflict. Starting with the Battle of Borrow Hill, then the battle of Pittsburg. On March 5, 1791 the Pennsylvania state capital fell after an intense battle between Brackenridge’s men and the state militia but the battle was a rebel victory none the less. In New York Bradford’s men quickly swept the state Militia aside and marched on New York city where both he national and state governments were held up. In New England states the loyal militia units were held up in forts or inside cities. There was little help to be had from the southern states as Virginia and Maryland had just finished the Potomac War and they plus all of the southern states had left the Congress.

Hamilton's army on the march to the climatic battle with Brackenridge's army at Gettysburg Pa.

It was at this critical point that Alexander Hamilton reentered the picture with a force of European Mercenaries that he had recruited and paid to have brought over. His Army was composed of 8,500 infantry, 1,000 Cavalry, and 10 field guns, clad in forest green uniforms. He landed his force on June 2, 1791 in Wilmington Delaware one of the few states not infested with rebellion. From there he and his troops marched north. On June 13, 1791 they engaged the Rebels who were besieging the City of Philadelphia the battle harden Europeans quickly dispatched the mob of rebels. Once the city was clear and secured by the state militia Hamilton and his men chased Brackenridge’s army down and at a small hamlet called Gettysburg Pa Hamilton caught up with Brackenridge. After a full day’s worth of fighting Brackenridge and his men surrendered to Hamilton. With Brackenridge now in custody Hamilton and his army turned north. They continued on routing rebel units where ever they gave battle to his force; and picking up the remnants of the continental army and state militias as he went along. By the time he broke the Rebel forces besieging New York City on July 7, 1791 his army was over 12,000 strong. His march would end on September 9, 1791 when the broke the last rebel group that was entrench near the small town of Lebanon New Hampshire. The survivors fled into the area between New York and New Hampshire known as the Green Mountain Republic, which had become a preferred hide out for those who refused to surrender. On October 1, 1791 the Rebellion was officially over there were no longer any rebel units in the field. Hamilton and his men returned to New York City were they received a hero’s welcome, form the people. As Hamilton arrived at Federal Hall he and the Congress received word that the British had recognized The Great Lakes Confederacy a Native American Coalition of Tribes from the Northwest Territory, and had entered into a defensive alliance with them.

Hamilton urged the Congress to declare war on Britain but they were of the opinion that the states were too unstable a conflict with the largest Empire in the world at this point in time. It its mind unable to fight Congress chose to negotiate and dispatched Pierre Van Cortlandt of New York to York, Canada to sort out a diplomatic solution to this problem. Jay would return in February 1792 with the Treaty of York. This treaty had three major points

· The People of the States of the United States of America Recognize the Great Lakes Confederacy and in control of the Northwest Territory west of the line separating the new Erie territory from the Rest of the Northwest Territory.
· The People of the States of the United States of America agree to the British preferred border between Canada and Upper Massachusetts.
· The People of the States of the United States of America sever their Alliance with the French.

Pierre Van Cortlandt

Congress would ratify the Treaty of York on March 4, 1792 that same day Hamilton’s supporters in the New York State House passed a vote of no confidence in Governor George Clinton; two days later the senate also passed it. A new election for governor of New York would be held on Tuesday November 8, 1792. No body knew it yet but Hamilton was plotting a political revolution that would reshape the whole country; but first he just had to take New York.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Potomac War April to June 1791 The Rock that Shattered the Glass house of the Union.
The Potomac War was the result of ten years of conflict between the states of Maryland and Virginia over who had the right to fish on the Potomac River. The story starts on May 15, 1791 when the Government of Maryland sent a decree to Virginia that all fishing in the Potomac River had to be registered in Annapolis and Virginians fishing in the river must pay a fee to Maryland. The decree was thrown out by the Virginia General Assembly and Governor Henry Lee ordered the Virginia Guard and Militia to readiness. News reached Annapolis a week later; upon hearing it Governor George Planter was in shock having been told very incorrectly that Virginia was no longer interested in the fishing rights. Planter called up the Maryland Militia in response to Virginia’s doing the same. Planter was not a fool he knew that Maryland was outnumbered by Virginia more than 2 to 1. He sent word to Maryland’s representative in Congress to seek mediation though the congress. However, the Congress was currently fighting over how to pay off the nation’s debt to France from the revolution much of which remained outstanding. The embittered Congress was in no mood to help; Consul Adams sent Planter a Letter informing him “Although I feel for your situation personally; it is not possible for this government to assist you at this time.” Planter was forced to go it alone he refused Virginia’s claims that the Northern bank of the river was the Border with Maryland. On April 1, 1791 Virginia declared War on Maryland, and American history would never be the same again.

Virginia called up 61,500 men when the crisis started; of these men 25,000 were Virginia’s professional armed force called the Old Dominion Guards. The Old Dominion Guards was made up of 15,000 Infantry of which 5,000 were armed with Rifles. The rest were 9,500 Dragoons and then there was the 25 cannons that made the artillery and the supporting forces. The other 36,500 men were militia units from around the state. These were divided up into three Divisions each consisting of around 12,000 men. Each division was roughly made up of 8,000 infantry 1,500 mounted dragoons and around 4 guns in support. Old Dominion Guards was under command of Governor Henry Lee III himself, and was located near Leesburg Va on April 1st. Lee was also the Commander of the Full Army of Virginia. The First Division of Militia under command of General Adam Stephen, was mustered at Alexandria Va. The Second Division was mustered in Northampton County on the Eastern shore under the command of James Read. While the Third Division of Militia was located in Harpers Ferry.

1st Virginia Artillery Regiment
Apposed them was the 40,000 men strong Maryland Militia men lead by Major General of the Militia William Smallwood. The Maryland Militia was divided up into three Division. The Peninsular Division located at Easton Maryland consisted if 10,000 men commanded by Major General Mathew Summers. The Capital Davison located at Annapolis consisted of 25,000 men lead by General William Smallwood personally. And the Western Division 5,000 men commanded by General Mordecai Gist located at Shepard’s town.

The First Battle of the War occurred at Frederick Maryland when Lee’s Old Dominion Guards ran into a Maryland Garrison of 8,500 on April 9, 1791. The battle took most of the day but at the end the Marylanders were driven back toward Baltimore. Two days later the second battle of the war occurred at Salisbury Maryland when Read’s Second Division of Militia ran into the Summers Maryland Peninsular Division. The two forces were about equal in size and strength. The battle see-sawed back and forth for two days until finally as the sun set on the 12th the Virginians were forced to pull back. Salisbury was a victory but Maryland was fast losing the war unless she could get help she was done for and her governor George Planter knew this.

On April 15, 1791 Gist’s Western Division attacked the Virginia third Division at Harpers Ferry Va. This attack was a complete failure. Gist was out numbered two to one. His Western Division was annulated and Gist himself was captured. This was a major blow following the victory at Salisbury, then worse followed on April 20, 1791 Lee’s Guards and Stephen’s First Militia divisions linked up just west of Baltimore together they had 32,500 men. They were opposed by 20,000 Marylanders of the Capital Division entrenched around the city, at dawn on the 21st the Virginians surrounded the city and started digging in themselves the siege of Baltimore had begun. On the 30th Read’s Second division of Virginia was tying up the Maryland Peninsular division so that there were no reinforcements to be sent to Baltimore.

Maryland Militia entrenched around Baltimore
On April 20, 1791 Planter once more went to the Congress to plea for aid and support in their fight with Virginia. “My state has been ruthlessly invaded by her larger and over aggressive cousins on the Southern bank of the Potomac. Our claim to the Potomac River are just. I beg the August body to come to our aid here in our time of need. For if this Congress cannot protect the states from fighting with each other then what use is our member ship in it.” The Congress responded by censuring Virginia and expelling their representative, however even with Virginia gone Maryland could get no help Virginia’s allies kept any bill authorizing help for Maryland from passing. Finally Consuls St. Clair and Adams broke the lock and passed an embargo against Virginia. At which time North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Rhode Island all walked out of Congress. After which Adams is said to have remarked that “This thing is going to break our backs if we aren’t careful.” It was the start of a revolution.

With the Virginia block out no longer in the Congress it was believed by Governor Planter that the rump of the Congress would rush to aid them to shore up their own positions. Indeed this was what Consuls wanted but it was not to be. The Rump was instead more focused on putting down the Whiskey which was erupting though out New England. But at the same time no one could agree on what to do about that either there was a lot of arguing, and fighting between the representatives all the while the revolt spread and Consuls St. Clair and Adams were left pulling their hair out. Then on May 17, 1791 Baltimore, Maryland fell to the Virginia forces under Lee. On May 20th the Virginians held a victory parade though Baltimore followed by a Grand review of the Army by Governor/General Lee.

With Baltimore and most of their Militia now gone, and realizing that they would get no help from the Congress or any other states on their own free will. Governor Planter gave in to the reality of his position; at noon on the 27th of May Governor Planter entered into a cease fire with General Lee. Two days later on May 29, 1791 Maryland surrendered unconditionally to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Treaty of Baltimore would be signed June 1, 1791. This treaty would see Maryland cede its Eastern Shore lands to Virginia, Maryland also accepted that its southern border was the North bank of the Potomac River. However, it got worse. The Government of Maryland was dissolved, from this point onward Maryland’s Governor would be appointed by the Virginia Governor this governor would have absolute power in Maryland; and lastly Maryland would follow Virginia and leave the Congress of the United States. The New Republic of Maryland would be a protectorate of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Governor Planter would be taken to Richmond where he would be held, in a comfortable house for the next five years. Governor Lee would appoint James Read of Charlotte County Virginia as the first Military Governor of Maryland.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

Thanks glad you like it. no spoilers as to the Northern States But Rhode Island is already Independent, and Remember from the First Constitutional Convention that Hamilton has grandiose ambitions for America.

Here is North America in early 1792 The Erie Territory was created in 1791 thanks to the willingness of the Pennsylvania and New York Governments.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The New York Governors Election November 8, 1792. And the Creation of Hamilton’s Constitution

George Clinton Founder of the American Party

The people spent the next 8 months listening to the campaign speeches of the candidates and their speakers. The Race was tri fold as politics in the state had fractured into three camps. Those who favored remaining with in the Congress as it is led by Governor George Clinton who was trying stay in his office styling themselves the New York Union Party. Those who favored New York declaring independent and going her own way like the southern states had done led by Melancton Smith styling themselves the New York Independence Party. Then those who favored New York withdrawing from the current Congress so that they could become the core of a new grand Federal Republic of America lead by Alexander Hamilton they styled themselves the Federalist Party of New York.

Tuesday November 8, 1792 was a dreary rainy day for most of New York State. However the people turned out in record number to vote in this “Most important election” as one random voter put it; truer words had never been spoken, on this day the people of New York would in fact be determining the fate to the United States of America. A win for Clinton would preserve the current congress and the articles of confederation, if either Smith or Hamilton were to win many of those in the Congress felt the withdrawal of New York would break the institution. All three men awaited the results in their homes. The total vote would not be tallied till November 18th. Hamilton took 55% of the total voted, Smith took 30% of total vote a distant second and Clinton ended up an even more distant third with 15% of the total vote. Perhaps even more telling was that when the 70 member of the State Assembly declared their alignment in December 40 of the 70 declared for Hamilton; 20 of the remaining 30 declared for Smith, while only 10 declared for Clinton. In the State Senate of the 24 members 15 declared for Hamilton 6 for Smith, and 4 for Clinton. The feelings of the people of New York were clear they no longer believed in the government under the Articles of Confederation, but they didn’t feel like New York could afford to go it alone with a hostile British empire to their north in Canada and now a Native state to the west.

Alexander Hamilton winner of the New York Election of 1792

Hamilton was sworn into office on March 18, 1793. In his inaugural address he called for “It is time for our great state of New York to sever ties to that government that is no longer to protect itself much less a nation. However our great state should not try to track it’s on course alone like our southern brothers have chosen to do. It is our duty to create a new nation from the ashes of the old. As my first act as Governor of this great state is to call for the legislature draft and ratify a constitution along the lines of the plan I presented five years ago in Philadelphia at the failed Constitutional Convention. Let our great state lead the way for the future of America. I call on all the states to join us in this brave new world.” This would receive a standing ovation. A week later he would recall New York’s Congressman in Boston where the Congress was meeting, and declare New York’s with draw from the congress and the United States of America. The Short lived Republic of New York was born and Hamilton became its first and only president.

The constitutional Committee consist of member from all three factions but the Federalist held 20 of the 30 seats, and thusly a majority. The committee would take three weeks to turn Hamilton’s New York Plan into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of America. Many of the non-Federalist member of the committee were very dissatisfied having been able to only make minor changes to the Federalist ideas. This constitution created a strong national government with overreaching power into state affairs. State governments were rendered into custodians of their local governments they could only pass laws that insured the local governments would follow federal laws, and any conflicting laws were void. The courts were controlled by the federal government with only minor issues being handled by state courts. The New York Assembly and senate would pass the constitution on March 28, 1793. A referendum vote was set for October 9, 1793. In the intern Hamilton dispatched ambassadors to all the states of the United States and the Southern Republics taking with them copies of the new Constitution and urging them to join their brothers in New York.

The Federal Constitution 1793 (Later changed to the Constitution of 93)

Article I Executive branch
The Power of the Executive branch shall be vested in the President. The President shall be elected by a clear Majority of the Senate Elected by the People of the states. The President shall have the designated powers as follows
· The President shall sever a four year term and may serve three consecutive times before having to leave office for at least one election cycle.
· The President shall have the Final Vote on any Bill passed by the Senate, and his Signature shall turn said bill into the law of the land.
· The President may Issue a Proclamation that will act as a law of the land for as long as he is in office however it is voided upon his exit from office unless approved by a majority vote of the Senate before the President’s term is up.
· The President shall have the power of Veto over any bill passed by the Senate. This shall take two forms A complete veto: The President shall be able to completely kill the full aspect of any bill brought before him. Or A Line Item veto: The President shall be able to strike out any clause of any bill brought before him and send it back to the senate for approval or revisal before signing it, into law.
· The President shall be the Commander and Chief of the Republic’s Military. Only the President can call for war, and deploy the Republic’s Armed forces. Only the President can ask the Senate of America to Declare war on another Nation. The President may deploy the Armed forces of the Republic for 730 days before obtaining a declaration of war from the Senate.
· Form a Cabinet: The President shall form a cabinet of advisors to assist him in the running of the Republic. The offices of the Cabinet of the President shall be:

• Secretary of State: Oversee all diplomatic offices both at home and abroad. Also oversees relations between the federal government and state governments
• Secretary of War: who will oversee the defense of the Republic. He will head be the civilian head of both the Army and Navy Departments.
• The Secretary of the Treasury: The head of the Bank of America in charge of regulating the economy and currency of the Republic.
• The Consul of the Senate: Represents the senate and the people of he states on the Cabinet. He shall also be next in line if the president dies while in office.

Article II
The Legislature shall be made up of a single house to be called the Senate. Each state of the Republic shall have 3 Senators; these Senators shall be elected on the 1st Tuesday of October of every third year.
• Following the Original election on October 2, 1792 the Senators shall be divided into three classes these classes will alternate election years.
•The leader of the Senate shall be called the Consul. The Consul shall be elected by the Senators; he will have the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The Consul must be a seated member of the Senate.
•The Senate shall Elect the President from a person who is not a seated member of the Senate
•The Senate shall create and pass bills before the President signs them into laws.
• The Senate shall have the approval over any judge appointed by the President.
•The Senate will have the final approval on any request for a Declaration of War by the President.
• The Senate shall pass a budget every year by the end of June or the President my enact an emergency budget, for 365 day or until the Senate passes a budge.

Article 3
The Judicial system shall be entrusted in the Federal Courts of the Republic. Each state shall have five federal Districts with one judge in each district. The Ruling of a Federal Court over turns any ruling of a state court. In the event on an appeal of a federal case a grand tribunal shall be formed of all five Federal District Judges to review the appeal. Federal judges shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Once they take the bench they serve for life or until they chose to retire.

Article IV
The Military of The Federal Republic shall always be subservient to the lawfully elected civilian government of the Republic. The Military size shall be established by the president and funded by the senate. The Military shall consist of an Army and a Navy and such other branches as may be needed. The Federal Army is sole military of the Republic. The Army shall consist of unites raised in each state these units will be stationed in their home state on the normal basis however they can be redeployed on an as needed basis, they are federal units not state.

Article V
There shall never be a Religion establish by the government for the nation. The rights of the people to have religious freedom shall not be infringed upon.

Article VI
The people’s right to the freedom of speech shall never be infringed upon by the government

Article VII
The people’s right to bear arms shall not be impinged upon by the government.

Article VIII
Every Citizen shall be guaranteed the right to participle in the government by voting in Federal, State, and local elections the senate shall establish fair guidelines on the requirements for voter eligibility

 

[Virginia Liberal]

]The Rise of the Federal Republic of America,

October 9, 1793 saw the people of New York vote to ratify the new Constitution with 85% of the total vote in favor of it. Alexander Hamilton president of the Republic of New York would sign the ratification document on October 25, 1793. The Constitution would take effect on January 1, 1794 when the Republic of New York would become the first state of the new Federal Republic of America. At that point it was to be the only state. But that was to be short lived. On November 5, 1793 the state of Delaware voted to leave the Congress of the United States of America; ratify the New York Constitution, and adopt a new state constitution in line with the new national one. They would join the Federal Republic of America on February 28, 1794 so that they would have the extra time to draft a new state constitution. They would be followed on November 21, 1793 by the Pennsylvania who voted to with draw from the Congress of the United States of American; ratify the New York Constitution. They set there joining date for June 1, 1794, they felt that this date would allow them the time needed to adjust their state constitution to fit within the confines of the new Federal Republic of America. Both of these states cited obvious reasons to join Hamilton’s new Government. Delaware is a small state that had a long border with the Commonwealth of Virginia and its Protectorate of Maryland, add to that it bordered the Atlantic ocean and was always fearful of the return of the British, whose actions recently seem to moving toward annexing its former colonies. For Pennsylvania it was the Continental Congress inability to do anything as one by one its states slowly fell apart and it lost territory to the Native Americans in the west and the British in the north. Delaware and Pennsylvania would be followed by the Erie Territory which summitted and petition for state hood in the Federal Republic of America on January 2, 1794. New Jersey would leave the Congress on Feb 1, 1794 ratifying the New York Constitution on February 18, 1794 with an entry date of July 4, 1794. With his new nation growing surprising faster that even he expected Hamilton felt confident in setting the first senate election for the fall of 1794.

Leading into October two main parties appeared. Hamilton’s Federalist Party had spread its roots into the other states in order to encourage them to leave the United States and join the new Republic. They now ran candidates in every state on a simple platform supporting Hamilton’s ideas of a strong central government to for peace, and stability, and equality. George Clinton’s old American Party and Smith’s Republican Party reworked their party platforms into a new party called the American Democracy Party. They built their platform on the protection of the average person form the central government; “Freedom and protection from tyranny for the American citizens” vowing to allow no president of the Republic become equal to the King of England. Their platform also found fertile ground in the states of the new Republic. Since the Senate was to establish the national voting requirement and it had not been elected the states simply used the voting requirements they had been using. The Results of the First election saw the Federalist take 2 of New York’s three seats, 1 of New Jersey’s three seats, 2 of Delaware’s three seats, and 1 of Pennsylvania’s three seats, and all 3 of Erie’s seats. For a total of 9 of the 15 seats in the Senate. The American Democracy Party took 1 of New York’s three seats, 1 of New Jersey’s three seats, 1 of Delaware’s three seats, and 1 of Pennsylvania’s three seats. For at total of 4 of the 15 seats in the Senate. The two remaining seats one from Pennsylvania and one from New Jersey went to the Anti Masonic Party. Normally the new senate would be sworn in in March but as there was no current Senate it was decided by the governors of the five states to allow the senate to be sworn in on December 1, 1794, Federalist Richard Bassett of Delaware was named Consul. On December third they voted to allow the Consul to act as President until they elected a president on March 11, 1795.

With the Federal government at least partly established the next major issue would be who would be elected president in March. Governor Hamilton was the first to announce that he would seek to be the Federalist Party’s candidate, however he was to be challenged by Governor Joshua Clayton of Delaware. Across the Isle George Clinton former governor put in his name to be the Candidate on the American Democracy Party ticket, however he was challenged by Morgan Lewis a New York state senator, and New Jersey Attorney General Joseph Bloomfield. After a month of internal debates the Parties finalized. The Federalist would nominate Alexander Hamilton, Clayton agreed to fall in line in exchange for a cabinet seat. On the other side George Clinton put up a stubborn fight especially once he learned that Hamilton would be running for the federalist. However he was tainted by being the Governor of New York during the whiskey rebellion, and could not shake that. In the end the American Democracy Party chose New Jersey’s Joseph Bloomfield. With the contestants set all that was left was to wait for march. The election being in the Senate it was a very civil affair in deed all of the drama was in the party nomination process. On March 11, 1795 Consul Bassett called the Senate to order and placed the only item on the day’s agenda up for debate. Each candidate then got 30 minutes to deliver a speech promoting themselves and why they should be elected. After both candidates had spoken the senate recessed for an hour for lunch, after which there was a roll call vote where each senator verbally stated the name of the candidate that he wanted to vote for, and Consul Bassett tallied the vote. The final count was Hamilton 9 votes out of 15; Bloomfield 6 votes out of 15. Hamilton had a three vote majority and thus won the election. A week later on March 18 Federal Hall in New York City was covered in red what and blue bunting while the newly approved flag of the Republic a Red Blue and White Tricolor with a Quartered Canton with a Bald Eagle in the center and Five gold stars one for each state. Alexander Hamilton was sworn in as the First President of the Federal Republic of America by the Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston. In his inaugural address Hamilton declared

“ I am glad to be the president of the new Federal Republic of America. I believe that this is the type of government that our fallen hero George Washington would have wanted to see emerge from our revolution. A strong government that can protect its citizens and the states in which they reside. A government not held hostage to the whims of the States but one that can chart a course of strength, not one where England and the rest of Europe can take from us what they please. I call upon those states not part of the great Federal Republic to forsake the United States of America and the Articles of Confederation a hollow shell of a nation that cannot protect its own territory and the citizens who reside in that territory; and join our new Republic. I also call on our southern brothers; join us come into the Federal Republic of America, do not try to go your own way and allow the Europeans to pick you off one by one. I thank you and good evening.” An with that he disappeared back into the New York City Hall.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

North America 1793-1794

Think I got those Islands corrected

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The South: Riot, War, and the Finding of Common Ground.

While the Northern states faced trial and tribulation in the early 1790’s the south was not left untouched. The fall out during the Potomac War had led the southern states to break away from the United States Congress. That said this did not mean that they were going to fall in behind Virginia. All the southern states had their own minds when it came to what they thought the future should be.

In Virginia of course the nationalist believed that it was their destiny to become the dominant state of the South at least and most likely the dominate state in middle states too. That part of the dream was crushed by the creation of the Federal Republic of America in the winter of 1794, it also awoke fears that Hamilton’s new republic would swooped though Maryland and across the Potomac or the Ohio. These fears would deepen after the Ohio incursion by the Great Lakes confederacy in the fall of 1794.
Fort Washington in addition to being the largest fortress in the Kentucky Region and the nearby town of Washington was the largest, in the area. Fort Washington was first constructed in 1784 in order to secure Virginia control of the juncture of the Ohio and Mississippi. The action had immediately cause conflict with the local Chickasaw Indians however by the time of the Potomac War the area was pacified.

Fort Washington in 1794

However by the fall of 1794 the Native Americans now had a recognized nation state on the north bank of the Ohio River, many in the Kentucky region of Virginia felt an attack was imminent as soon as they learned of the Treaty of York. This lead to the local militia steeping up its drills from one week a month to every other weekend; and Richmond sending a Regiment 1500 men strong of the Old Dominion guards with 6 field artillery pieces for support to reinforce the Fort Washington garrison of 1000 men and 24 field guns; these reinforcements were due to arrive on October 9, 1794. However on September 28, 1794 a band of Warriors about 2600 strong from the great lakes confederacy crossed the Ohio with the intention of seizing the fort. The battle would begin a dawn on September 30, 1794 The Natives attacked from the east with the morning sun at their backs. The forts look out barely noticed them until they were 200 yards away from the forts walls and he fired off a shot that sounded the alarm. The Garrison was able to hang on for an entire day despite being out numbered. This allowed militia unites to come to the aid of Fort Washington. The attack was repelled as dusk fell most of the natives that survived the battle were captured. They would be returned to the British at Fort George III at the juncture of the Ohio and the Mississippi (OTL Cairo Il), with a message to respect Virginia’s territory. This battle would cause many Virginians to view the Great Lakes Confederacy as a pawn of Britain’s ambition to reclaim her old Colonies. This would play out in Virginia’s election that November as The Henry Lee III and the Virginia First Party would lose the presidency and the House of Delegates to James Madison and the Commonwealth Party. He along with South Carolinian Charles C. Pinckney would begin work on the creation of a union of the southern republic that would offer an alternative to Hamilton’s Federal Republic of America.
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British Fort George III located on the southern border of Great Lakes Confederacy

North Carolina had followed Virginia in leaving the United States and the Congress but it was less certain of its own destiny. In June 1792 part of North Carolina’s western section tried to break away from the new republic. It took the North Carolina Militia three months to crush the rebellion, and Ironically North Carolina decided that something needed to be done since this was the second such rebellion with in ten years(the first one was in 1784 which was also crushed). So on October 10, 1794 the North Carolina Legislature voted to create a second lower house to be known as the Tennessee Assembly after the river that dominated most of western North Carolina. This Assembly would convene in the city of Kingston and would sometimes be called the Kingston Assembly. North Carolina always at odds with their richer cousins to their south refused a South Carolinian offer to form a Carolina Confederacy in the spring of 1794 which would lead many North Carolinians to believe that South Carolina had its hands in the Second Franklin Rebellion. This would lead to the creation of the Albemarle Defense Pack with Virginia and Maryland on August 7, 1794. This pack guaranteed that all member would come to the aid of each other in times of war or uncontrolled rebellion. South Carolina was the richest of the southern republics only Virginia came close to matching South Carolina’s economy. South Carolina also had the largest port in the south at Charleston. However they were on of the smallest republics above only Georgia (in population only) and Rhode Island (in every respect). South Carolina felt it was to align with its northern cousins in order to protect itself; they suggested that they united into a Carolina Confederacy. However North Carolinians distrusted South Carolina, this brought on by a border dispute that was as old as the two states themselves. Regardless on March 7, 1794 Charles C. Pinckney did go to Raleigh NC to deliver the Charter for the Carolina Confederation; he got an icy reception and left a month later empty handed.

South Carolina would then turn to a plan to get Virginia to join them in the creation of a union of the southern republics that could counter Hamilton’s Federal Republic of America or any country in Europe. To this end Charles C. Pinckney was sent to Richmond to meet with President James Madison who had authored the Virginia Plan back in 1787 in the hopes that though him they could advance their agenda. Madison was intrigued and asks his friend Thomas Jefferson who is currently acting as the President of his new University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va, to host a small conference on the subject of uniting the Southern Republics into a single nation. would then turn to a plan to get Virginia to join them in the creation of a union of the southern republics that could counter Hamilton’s Federal Republic of America or any country in Europe. To this end Charles C. Pinckney was sent to Richmond to meet with President James Madison who had authored the Virginia Plan back in 1787 in the hopes that though him they could advance their agenda. Madison was intrigued and asks his friend Thomas Jefferson who is currently acting as the President of his new University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va, to host a small conference on the subject of uniting the Southern Republics into a single nation.

Georgia would find itself in major trouble in the winter of 1792. Spain had disputed the southern border of Georgia or the Northern border of Florida since the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Following Georgia leaving the United States and the Congress in 1791 Spain started making plans to take what they felt belonged to them, between the spring of 1791 and the fall of 1792 Spain shipped 35,000 men to West Florida in addition to Governor Arturo O’Neil of West Florida’s own 5,000 men. Governor O’Neil sent President Edward Telfair a letter demanding the land up to the 32 degree 28 minutes north between the Chattahoochee and Mississippi rivers. With Virginia and North Carolina dealing with the Natives of the Great Lakes Confederacy and rebellions Georgia could find little help however both promised to send what aid they could if Spain attacked Georgia, as did South Carolina. However in the end President Telfair chose not to fight, with such a large adversary and signed the Treaty of Pensacola which had a slightly lower border with west Florida but still gave up a good portion of Western Georgia. This would lead to his losing his bid for reelection in November 1793 to Thomas Blair who ran on a platform to regain Georgian territory no matter what the cost. Who would send his good friend Robert McKinna to the Monticello Convention in early 1795 with orders that if joining a new union would advance the cause of regaining Georgia’s lost lands then it was to be perused at all cost.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

For The common good: The Birth of the Commonwealth of American States.
South Carolina would then turn to a plan to get Virginia to join them in the creation of a union of the southern republics that could counter Hamilton’s Federal Republic of America or any country in Europe. To this end Charles C. Pinckney was sent to Richmond to meet with President James Madison who had authored the Virginia Plan back in 1787 in the hopes that though him they could advance their agenda. Madison was intrigued and asks his friend Thomas Jefferson who is currently acting as the President of his new University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va, to host a small conference on the subject of uniting the Southern Republics into a single nation.

The conference would be held on January 28, 1795 in Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello in Charlottesville Va. Thomas Jefferson was the host and he and Edmond Randolph would represent Virginia and Maryland, Hugh Williamson of North Carolina and Charles C. and Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina and Robert McKinna of Georgia. Over the next three weeks these men would set about preparing a constitution that would bind the Southern Republics together. From the start this country would be as different as night and day from the Federal 1787. Republic of America in the North the bones of this new constitution was James Madison’s Virginia Plan which set up the frame work of the new Federal Government. On to those bones they would add the ideals that would set them apart from Hamilton and his “federal monstrosity” as Jefferson referred to the Federal Republic of America’s Government. The Monticello plan as it was first known as created a central government that unified the states who ratified the constitution. That federal government would oversee commerce both between the states and with foreign nations. Was responsible for the defense of the nation, to that end all the separate military were merged into a single chain of command structure and all answerable to the chief executive of the Federal Government. However to distance themselves from Hamilton’s system the states retain basic control of their military as long as they answered to the federal government, and maintained the standards set the Federal army. The government would pass laws however unlike in the Federal Republic of America were federal laws were themselves the law of the land; these laws would be the absolute laws to the states who would then be required to pass legitimization that enforced the federal laws. The states would be subject to a Federal Judicial system what would oversee state laws to ensure they were in compliance with federal laws. The meeting ended on Feb 25, 1795 after almost a month at Monticello.

The Commonwealth Charter of 1795
Article 1
All laws passed by the Government of the Commonwealth of American States shall apply to the states that are members of the Commonwealth. It is up to the governments of said states to pass laws that enforce the laws of the Commonwealth of American States on the citizens of the states.

Article 2
The Government of the Commonwealth of American States shall make no law that infringes on the states or their citizens most basic rights. The right to free speech, freedom to choose and practice the religion of their choice, and the right to keep and bear arms.

Article 3
Legislature power of the Commonwealth government shall be vested in the Commonwealth Congress. This congress shall consist of two houses the upper house shall be called the Commonwealth Council which shall have one seat per each state in the commonwealth. The upper house shall have a review and edit ability no law can be passed by the upper house, but it does ratify treaties. The bulk of the power rest in the lower house called the House of Delegates.
Commonwealth Council
• The Upper house of the Congress has one Councilman for each state. Who is appointed by the State Governor
• Councilmen serve a 10 year term and may be reappointed.
• The Commonwealth Council has review and line item veto over any law passed by the House of Delegates. If an item Is vetoed the House has the option to adjust the law or let it pass without the vetoed claws.
• The Commonwealth Council must ratify all treaties signed by the Foreign office.
House of Delegate
• Seats set by the population of each state. The house shall have no less that one delegate for every 40,000 citizens of each state. In addition to three-fifth's of the each states population of slaves, and other peoples. Each state shall have at least one member and the house shall have no more than 500 and no less that 50 members at any point in time.
• All Laws start in the house and must be passed by a clear two vote majority in order to become law.
• The house is led by the Speaker of the House who is chose by the Majority party or Coalition in the house.
-In the event the Chancellor dies in office the Speaker of the House become the Acting Chancellor
• The house elects the Chancellor with the same two vote majority.
• Votes of Declaration of War take a clear 2/3 majority to pass.
• The house shall be elected by the vote of the people on the 1st Wednesday of November. And shall serve a 3 year term.
• The House of Delegates shall pass ensure that the Government of the Commonwealth of American States has an approved budget for each new year, to be passed and signed by the Chancellor no later than the 21st day of June.
• The House of Delegates shall have the power to levy taxes upon the states of the Commonwealth of American States to fund the government of the Commonwealth of American States in Accordance with Article 5 of this constitution.


Article 4
The Executive Power of the Government of the Commonwealth of American States Shall be vested in the Chancellor. He shall have the powers as follows.
• Elected by the House of Delegates for a single 9 year term
• The Chancellor sets the foreign policy for the Commonwealth of American States
• The Chancellor appoints judges to the Commonwealth courts.
• The Chancellor is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of American States.
• The Chancellor of the Commonwealth of American States is the Head of the Commonwealth Congress and has the final veto over all bills passed by the congress. No bill can become a law without his signature.
• The Chancellor is the only one who can ask the House of Delegates for a Declaration of War on a foreign country.

Article 5
Judicial Power of in the Government of the Commonwealth of American States shall be vested in the Commonwealth Courts. These courts shall be governed by the following guide lines.
• Commonwealth courts
• Are appointed by the Chancellor.
• The Appointed judges are then approved by the House of Delegates.
• Each state has one Commonwealth court assigned to it.
• Commonwealth Courts oversee all laws passed by the Government of the Commonwealth of American States is in violation of the Commonwealth Charter
• Commonwealth Courts also ensure that the State laws are in compliance with the laws of the Government of the Commonwealth of American States. Commonwealth Courts ensure that all states have laws that enforce the laws of the Government of the Commonwealth of American states.
• Justices are appointed for life.

Article 6
The Government of the Commonwealth of American states shall have the power collect taxes from the states of the Commonwealth in order to fund the Government, establish a trust for the national defense of the Commonwealth and the states that form it, and facilitate trade routes between those states and trade routes with foreign powers. To This end the Government of the Commonwealth of American states shall though the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth Congress issue taxes upon the States that make up the Commonwealth. These Duties shall be collected in the form of a percentage of the income of each States revenue from taxes, tolls and other such bounties as the states feel they need to issue. This percentage shall be a universal tax of the state’s income all states will be taxed equally.

Article 7
The Armed forces of the states shall swear allegiance to the Government of the Commonwealth of American States and to up hold the Constitution which governs it. The States shall continue to maintain their own Armies but will these armies will be part of the Army of the Commonwealth of American States. They will have their officers trained in an academy(ies) that is approved by the Commanding General of the Army of the Commonwealth of American states, his staff and the Secretary of War. The Navies shall be merged into a single national force however each state shall maintain a small naval force for coastal patrols, and defense.

Article 8
The Capital of the Commonwealth of American States shall exist in a territory that does not belong to any of the states. In this way no one state can claim favoritism, over any other states. A Permanent District shall be set by the Congress in its first session until that district is set and the needed buildings constructed or found a provisional district shall be set up at Williamsburg Virginia and extend 30 miles around the city from the town center in all directions.

They would return home with drafts of their constitution now called the Charter of the Commonwealth of American States or the Commonwealth Charter for short to their governments. Who would review them and vote on ratification and the creation of the new Commonwealth of American States. The first republic that got to see this new Constitution was Virginia which had heard rumors about the meeting at Monticello since it started. Copies were distributed around the old dominion almost immediately. The Virginia House of Delegates would vote to adopt the Constitution and join the Commonwealth of America States on July 7, 1795, this was far from a sure thing as even though President Madison and his Commonwealth Party (named for the Commonwealth of Virginia) favored the Constitution and the C.A.S. The Virginia First Party still held a Large Minority in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate was tied, between the two. However the fact that Virginia’s size would men that she would control the most seats in the new Commonwealth house of Delegates and should be able to throw her weight around; along with the realization that if the other Southern republics were to survive Virginia would have to form defensive alliances with them or watch Spain or Britain or the Federal Republic of America slowly annex them. With this mind set they ratified the Commonwealth charter and became the second republic to ratify it. Maryland would follow Virginia and Ratify on July 9, 1795, ending the Protectorate of Maryland as Madison agreed to end the Military Governor ship of Maryland if they ratified.

If Virginia was the second then who was the first? The answer is Georgia. The now shrunken Republic received its copy of the Commonwealth Charter on March 7, 1795 and ratified it on April 1, 1795. This did little to convince the Carolina’s the ratify the Commonwealth Charter. However once Virginia signed on and ratified both Carolina’s followed soon after wards. North Carolina would ratify the Commonwealth Charter on July 19, 1795 and South Carolina ratified the Commonwealth Charter on August 1, 1795 even if it was rushed they decided to hold the election for the new Commonwealth House of Delegates on the third Thursday in November, of that year.

The House of Delegates was set to have 51 members based on the census taken back in 1790. Virginia got 23 seats, North Carolina got 11 seats, Maryland got 8 seats, South Carolina got 7 seats, and Georgia got 2 seats. All of which were up for grabs since it was the first election. There were many different factions vying for them too. For starters each new state has its own Nationalist party and Pro Commonwealth, Party. Then there was the Anti Masonic Party and the Masonic Party which were first actual nationwide parties in the new country, as well as a host of local parties. On November 19, 1795 the elections when off without any complications, even with the short campaign season. Results were
· Virginia 23 seats
(Pro Commonwealth) Old Dominion Commonwealth Party 11 seats
(Nationalist) Virginia First Party 10 seats
Masonic Party 2 seats
· North Carolina 11 seats
Carolina Commonwealth Party 8 seats
North Carolina Nationalist Party 2 seats
Anti-Masonic Party 1 seat
· Maryland 8 Seats
Free Maryland Party (Nationalist) 6 seats
Maryland Commonwealth Party 1 seats
Anti-Masonic Party 1 seat
· South Carolina 7 seats
Carolina Commonwealth Party 4 seats
Palmetto Party (Nationalist) 3 seats
· Georgia 2 seats
Georgia Commonwealth Party 1 seats
Manifest Destiny Party 1 seat

Totals: Pro Commonwealth Parties 25 seats, Nationalist Parties 21 seats, Masonic Party 2 seats, Anti Masonic Party 2 seats, Manifest Destiny Party 1 seat.

The results meant that the Pro Commonwealth Parties held a slight majority but not the 28 votes needed to elect the Chancellor in the election in March, it would come down to the minor parties to swing the vote Pro Commonwealth, or Pro Nationalist.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The United States of New England

The Continental Congress now stripped of its largest most powerful states retreated into New England making the Boston, Massachusetts and the Massachusetts State House Capital of the Nation. Consul St. Clair chose to remain with the Congress even as his home state relocating his family to New Hampshire. He and Adams now new that the center was broken and if something wasn’t done fast then more states would leave the Congress and the United States.

However now that they had been reduced to one tenth of their former size they find that they can finally get stuff done. The fall session of 1793 sees the Continental Congress pass its most wide ranging policies since the Revolutionary war. On October 10th they pass the Militia regulation act, which sets a standard training guides for all state militia, and establishes the first test for any officer above Colonel. The law also empowers the Continental Army to oversee the training of militia units. This was followed by the October Tariff act which placed a 5% tax on all goods entering the country, from Europe and the other American Republics. The Continental Congress would have a silver lining in this storm of succession as Rhode Island chose to reunite with the Congress on March 7, 1794 and The Green Mountain Republic applied for state hood in the Congress on June 15, 1794 and became the state of Vermont on July 5, 1794. This would give the Congress and the United States a firm hold on the New England Region.

In the Spring of 1795 as the Commonwealth of American States took shape in the South Adams and St. Clair presented the Monetary act of 1795 to the Congress. This act would solidify the printing of money and the regulation of the currency with the federal government, the bill would also create the Bank of the United States which would oversee these processes. It would pass the congress on May 7, 1795. That day Congress would also pass the National Road Act which would have federal funds pay for a Highway to run from Connecticut to Upper Massachusetts, with a branch road up to Vermont. These would be followed up by the simple majority amendment to the Articles of Confederation which stated that Congress needed only a simple majority to pass non critical bills, however major bills such as Budgets, Treaties, and Declaration of War would still need the 2/3 majority. And finally just before they adjourned for the summer break on June 21, 1795 Congress voted to rename the country The United States of New England. As congress dismissed and Adams and St. Clair were left to govern the country while they were out of session it appeared that finally after all the turmoil the Congress had finally come out of darkness and emerged a functioning government and nation, if only a regional one.

Flag of the United States of New England

 

[Virginia Liberal]

France’s Troubles: Royal Revolution, and Noble Rebellion

Flag of the King of France

King Louis XVI of France 1786

Following The Treaty of Paris in 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War saw Britain defeated; but it was a hollow victory for the French who gained little but the joy of seeing the British defeated. Their Navy had been destroyed during the course of the war and between their own war expenses and having to bank role the Americans France was on the verge of bankruptcy. King Louis XVI had spent the first part of this reign trying to reform the French state into a more modern government however he found his Nobles and the Clergy. These same people had forced Louis to have three Ministers of Finance resign over the decade of his reign. The newest person to take on the job was Charles Alexandre, Vicomte de Calonne. Calonne would do his best to revive the French Econamy he would reintroduce the gold coinage, introduced the Cash discount system, and created a economical Reform policy that could fix the French economy. This plan centered on five points 1) Cut Government Spending, 2) Create a revival of free trade methods, 3) Authorize the sale of Church property, 4) Equalization of salt and tobacco taxes, 5) Establish a universal land value tax.

Charles Alexandre, Vicomte de Calonn Finance Minister 1787-1802


King Louis XVI was much impressed by Caloone’s plans however he was forced to see them shatter on the rocks of the Aristocratic Privilege of the nobles and the Church. This Frustration would lead to one of the most unique revolutions in history. Louis was not ready to see his country dissolve into anarchy and bankrupys because of his nobles and the clergy’s pig headiness. He and Calonne, and several of the nobles who had served in the Army in America, the Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (Rochambeau), Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, comte d'Estain(d’Estain), Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau(Mirabeau), they would meet at the home of the most popular man to come out of the American Revolutionary War Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette(Lafayette) on February 25,1787. This meeting would see Lafayette, and the rest outline what they saw as the only way to save the Kingdom, this was for the King to create a Constitution that would create a fair government for all the estates. There was grumbling in the streets about how the clergy and the nobility were riding the working people into the ground. This circle of nobles would become known as the Liberal Nobles and later the Loyal Nobles. The Constitution that they would present to the King on April 8, 1787 was the most complete constitution that existed in Europe at that date. It divvied the Government in the Three Branches as was done in many of the American States in the United States of America. Executive, Legislative, and judicial, it also garmented the basic Rights of the people of France. Louis XVI never quick to rush into things almost backed out but Lafayette and Connelle were able to talk him into it, by showing him how the power of the King would be kept intact as the chief executive (in fact he would be gaining power over his Nobility). Louis signed the Constitution at 2:00pm on April 8, 1787 to keep the Nobles from being able to block it the Loyal Nobles printed off copies that would be distributed around the Country making sure that the kings signature and seal were clearly shown. With the Constitution Louis XVI also adpoted a new Flag for the nation; a blue field with a white cross and the Flur-de-Lie in the quarters. The current Royal flag would continue to be the Kings banner. When Louis XVI presented it to the nobles they refused to accept anything that infringed on their status. Many were shocked the next morning when the streets of Paris were lined with this new Constitution complete with the Kings Signature and Seal.

The Flag of the Kingdom of France 1787-present

Under the Constitution of 1787 the power of the Government was split between the King and the Parliament. The Parliament was the Legislature and had two houses, and was based on the British Model. The Upper house the House of Peers would seat the Nobility and the Clergy whose 300 seats were appointed by the king from the Titled Nobility and the High Clergy. The lower house the National Assembly would be made up of 400 seats; these seats were elected by third Estate. The Constitution condensed France’s Provinces from the 39 feudal Provinces to 20 modern Provinces which were further divided into 83 electoral districts. Each Province had its own Provincial government with its own capital city. This was done in order to break the power of the Nobility to create a unified French culture, and a modern nation. Most importantly each seat had a vote, and a Majority vote was needed in order to pass legislation. The King held the power of the Executive, and Commander in Chief of the Military and alone held the power to declare war. The Courts were the third and final branch and were divided up between Royal Courts and Electoral Courts. There were four Royal Courts that covered the Kingdom. These Courts were appointed by the King and could be recalled by him as he saw fit. They would be used to prosecute crimes against the Crown and the Nation, as well as acting as a Court of appeals for the Electoral Courts after their levels had been exhausted. The Electoral Courts were appointed by the Provincial Governments. Each District had its own Electoral Court, on top of that was the Provincial Court which acts as a court of appeals for the District Courts. Elections for the National Assembly are set for November 15,1787, on that day the Kings says he will issue summons to the 250 Nobles and clergy that will make up the House of Nobles. Louis went on to state his intention to move the royal family back to Paris once the new Parliament was in session.

Louis Stanislas the Count of Providence the leader of the Nobles Rebellion

To the Nobility however this new Constitution was seen as a direct threat to their status, and they plotted to stop it. On July 20, 1787 a forces of 12,000 nobles gathered at Orleans, where they called for the common men to support their Lords and muster to stop the Kings Constitution, among these nobles was the kings younger brother Louis Stanislas de Bourbon whom these nobles intended to place on the Throne of France after his older brother Louis XVI was captured. However, they found that they had few rally to their cause, gathering only a few hundred conservative commoners. Regardless they press on to Paris they were after all the flowers of the best element of French society. Meanwhile the King was at first shaken when he learned of this brother’s treason however Lafayette and the others steadied him and encouraged him to call out the army that the people would support him and is plans for a new France. Steadied Louis did just that and by the evening he had 36,000 men most veterans of the American Revolutionary war encamped at Pairs. It was after dawn on the 21st of July when the Noble Army arrived outside of Pairs however they were met by Lafayette with a Royal army of 36,000 men supported by artillery. Lafayette met with Louis Stanislas and the other leaders of the Rebellion under a flag of truce. The Kings terms were simple The Nobles were to pledge to accept and abide by the new Constitution, and the upcoming degree by the king with would end the privileges of the First and Second Estates; or face trial as traitors to the Kingdom of France. When the terms were read aloud about half of the nobles mostly the younger ones rode over and joined the Kings Forces. The remaining rebelling Nobles including Louis Stanislas Turned and tried to flee. They would be chased down by the Loyalist forces and captured at the town of Verdun two days later. These would stand tried convicted and executed for treason on August 1, 1787, by killing his own brother for treason the King once and for all that he meant to make his reforms stick. That same day he issued he Edict of Verdun. This royal decree forever ended the feudal system in France, he stripped the Nobility of their privileges and powers, however as long as they remained loyal to the Constitution the King and France they would be allowed to retain their titles and personal lands. Those houses that had taken part in the Noble Rebellion would have 2/3 of their property seized by the crown to be sold for the treasury of the Kingdom. His brother’s line would be removed from the Royal Secession.

Jean Joseph Mounier Leader of the Constitutional Royalist Party First Prime Minister of The Kingdom of France

The November 15th Elections would see four main factions dominate the National Assembly. The Pro Constitutional Monarchy, the Constitutional Royalist Party took 190 seats, the anti-monarch/pro republic, Republican Party took 105 seats; and The Catholic Conservative Party took 67 seats. The remaining 38 seats were divided up between the Protestant pro monarch Huguenot Royalist Party 14 seats, the Protestant anti monarchy Christian Republican Party took 8 seats, the absolutist Divine Right Party 8 seats, the Basque separatist party the Patriot's Union Party took 5 seats, and the Corsican Nationalist Party took the islands 3 seats. The Constitutional Royalist Party had the most seats but was short of the 201 seats need to make a majority and form a government so the leader of the Party Jean Joseph Mounier formed a Coalition with the other Royalist Parties creating the Unified Royalist Government and being elected the first Prime Minister of the National Assembly. The 250 seats of the House of Peers are assigned by the king. Louis appoints 125 members of the clergy of these 25 are protestant. The remaining 125 seats are giving to members of the nobility. Most of these nobles are young liberal nobles like Lafayette however 25 of the seats are given to conservative nobles of the old school those that survived the Nobles.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Presidency of Alexander Hamilton 1794-1798

Filling the Cabinet

By the first week of April Hamilton was settled into the new President’s office in Federal Hall in New York City. He had just finalized his appointments to fill out his cabinet; currently he only had the Consul Richard Bassett of Delaware. For Secretary of State he appointed Federalist John Jay from New York. For his Secretary of War Hamilton appointed Richard Stockton a rising politician in New Jersey’s Federalist Party. The next most important cabinet seat in Hamilton’s mind was the Secretary of the Treasury to his seat he would appoint David Rittenhouse a mathematician from Philadelphia Pa.

Creating the Federal Bank of America and setting the budget
Hamilton’s first term would be defined by four major political issues. The first of these four major pieces of legislation was the assumption of the state debt occurred before embellishment of the new federal republic. To rectify this Hamilton long with Secretary Rittenhouse would present to Consul Bassett the Assumption Act. Under this act the federal government would assume all unpaid war debt from the revolutionary war and debt states had run up while under the Articles of Confederation. This would all the new government to establish a federal line of credit. With little surprise the Senate would pass this act on April 15, 1794 by a vote of 15 to 0. The Federal Bank Act was the next piece of Legislation Hamilton would send to the senate. This Act would create a charter for a central bank for the government the Federal Bank of America. This bank would be solely responsible for the coining and regulation of the national currency, and guaranteed source of funding for the Government of the Republic. The Bank bill would be introduced to the Senate on April 14, 1794 by Consul Bassett. It would be debated in the senate for three days with the vote being held on April 18th. The Vote would be 11 yes to 4 no; the bank would be started with the sale of 10 million shares of the bank of which the Senate agreed to buy 1.5 million shares after however to do this the Treasury would have to borrow the money from the bank which would be repaid over 10 years. The remaining 8.5 million shares would be put on the public exchange for open sale. Hamilton would sign it into law on April 24, 1794.

The second Issue was the four-year federal budget program that Hamilton and Rittenhouse would present to Bassett on May 15, 1794. This budget would cover the four years of his term as president. In it Hamilton set aside another 2 million for the government to purchase a larger percentage of the Federal Bank of America. This would further help establish both the Federal Bank and the Federal Republic of America’s line of credit. To raise revenue Hamilton proposed to keep the 10% tax upon whiskey and other sprits, added to this was a Land Value Tax of 2.5% of the total value of all the land a person owned; finally, there would be a 13.5% Tariff on all finished goods brought into the Federal Republic of America to promote and protect the development of national industry. The funds collected by the Treasury department would be used to repay federal debt, and fund future internal improvement and defense needs. Bassett expressed concerns over the budget when Hamilton showed presented it to the Consul on May 1st in the President’s office at Federal Hall. Bassett was concerned that even the federalist majority would resist this budget, he tried to persuade Hamilton to drop the tariff down some and lose the Land value tax all together but Hamilton was insistent.

So on Monday May 17, 1794 the budget was brought before the Senate by Consul Bassett. It triggered fierce debate that would last for over a month but and would end up in the Senate choosing to create its own budget instead of the president’s. The Senate Budget would allocate another 500,000 dollars to invest in the Federal Bank. The revenue part of the Senate budget would keep the 10% tax on the sale of whiskey and other sprits just like Hamilton’s, however they left the Land Value tax out; and dropped the tariff down to 9.5%. Passed this budget by a vote of 11 to 5, on June 12, 1794. The next day Hamilton would veto the budget send it back to the Senate stating that without more revenue he would not sign it. He offered a compromise of a 2% land value tax and a 11.5% tariff. The Senate would revote the budget with the Presidents changes to the revenue on June 18th. The compromise budget would be approved by the Senate by a Vote of 10 to 6. Hamilton would sign the budget on June 20, 1794, bring to a conclusion the first big legislation battle of his Presidency. With the Budget passed the Senate would adjourn for the summer.

Seeing to the defense of the Republic
The Federal Army Act would be Hamilton’s second major milestone after the Federal Bank bill. The Constitution called for a federal army to be made up of men from every state. On August 8, 1794, Consul Bassett brought the Army Act before the Senate. In it Hamilton called for the creation of a paid professional army, of 25,000 men enlisted men with 750 officers with a three dragoon regiments of 1,500 men each and 30 field guns. Each of the five states that made up the republic would be required to recruit 5,000 infantry and 900 cavalry recruits. The vote would be approved by a vote of 8 to 7 the closest vote in the history of the young republic. The Senate granted funding be made available for the Army. A strong Federal Army was one of Hamilton’s main goals as the President of the Republic. He had bankrupted himself just three years earlier in 1791, raising his mercenary army to pacify the whiskey rebellion. A force he had paid for in the form of 5 acers of land in Erie Territory and western New York, all totaled he had bought 50,500 acers of land. He had had to take out massive bank loans in order to buy this land investment. Luckily the state of New York had reimbursed him half of the debt once the rebellion was over and he was governor.

He appointed Anthony Wayne of Pennsylvania a veteran of the Revolutionary War Commanding General of the Federal Army with the rank of Lieutenant General. Hamilton and Wayne now set out to create an army more reminiscent of ancient Rome than modern Europe. The Army’s rank was structured as follows. General of the Federal Army uses gold stars, Lieutenant General Three silver stars, Major General two silver stars, Brigadier General 1 silver star, Colonel gold eagle on Silver epaulets, Lieutenant Colonel Silver oak leaf on gold epaulets, Major Gold oak leaf on silver epaulets, Captain two silver bars on gold epaulets, first lieutenant gold epaulets, second lieutenant sliver epaulets. Noncommissioned officers would be represented by a series of chevrons Corporal one chevron, Sargent two chevrons and so on. The Federal Army would be divided up into five legions each commanded by a Major General, and consisted of 5000 men, and one battery of field guns. Each legion was divided in to two Sub legions of 2,500 men each lead by a Brigadier General. The Sub legions where in turn divided into 5 Cohorts of 500 men lead by a Colonel. Each Cohort was then divided into 5 Centuries of 100 men lead by a Captain; finally, Centuries were divided up into sections of 25 men lead by a First Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant. The uniforms of the Federal republic were to be stone gray tunic and coats and red trousers with gray pin stripes. Infantry were to have green trim on their uniforms, Cavalry Yellow trim, Dragoons Brown trim Artillery red trim, Engineers were to have white trim, and Marines were to have a dark blue trim (although part of the Navy they wear Army uniform patterns and colors).

For the training of future officers for the Federal Army the National Military Academy was established in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. The Academy would accept boys as young as eight years old and as old as twenty-five years old and educate them in History, Mathematics, Engineering, Classical and Modern Military tactics, English, French, and Literature, until they had completed the University level of education. To gain admission applicants had to be sponsored by a member of the Civilian government at state or federal level, be a serving officer of the rank of Colonel or above, or a civilian who had achieve a past military fame. For enlisted men a training center was created in Trenton New Jersey the sight of the first major American victory in the Revolutionary War called Camp Washington. As this was to be a professional army it meant that it would need regular pay to incise men to enlist so the wage for an enlisted man was 3.50 dollars, Non-commissioned officers would receive 4.75 dollars, and officers would receive 10 dollars a day. The army would fill out over the next four years. By the third year of Hamilton’s term it was finally at full strength. Its officers were mostly those who had serve in the Revolutionary war who had felt the need to return to service for one reason or another; or immigrants from Europe. The enlisted men were of the same mix. Yet the FRA had the strength to defend its borders.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

While Hamilton’s focus on the Army caused him to pay only lip service to the naval service. He appointed former Continental Navy captain John Barry admiral of the fleet on September 1, 1794. At that time the newly minted Federal Navy Consisted of two 20 gun sloops of war one in New York Harbor, the other in Philadelphia; fifteen18 gun brigs, four of these located in New York Harbor, three in Philadelphia, three in Wilmington, Delaware; three on Lake Erie and two on Lake Ontario. As well as several schooners armed with swivel guns.

On July 7, 1795 The Senate would pass the Federal Naval Expansion Act which Hamilton had sent down, At the close of the Fall session in 1794. This Act would sponsor the purchase of four 36-38 gun frigates and three 20-24gun sloops from abroad as well as the construction of eight 24 gun sloops of war and three 40 gun frigates in domestic yards. For all of this the senate would allocate 160,000 dollars for each sloop of war, and 320,000 dollars for each frigate. For a total of 3,960,000 dollars, which would be financed via loans from the Federal Bank. The combination of buying foreign built ships and building ships in the republic would allow for both the assembling a fleet quickly and the development of the Republics own shipbuilding abilities. By the end of Hamilton’s first term in March of 1798 the Federal Navy would possess three 36 gun frigates, one 38-gun frigate, and three 20 gun sloops brought from of Dutch construction on top of the ships that it had at the start of the Republic. The as well as the domestic built ships that would be completed within two more years.

The Erie Canal and the Federal Highway

In June of 1797 President Hamilton met with Consul Bassett and Governor Arron Burr of New York. The Meeting was at the request of Governor Burr recently a Company based in New York City had asked the state government for a charter to build a Canal though the Mohawk valley to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson river. Governor Burr was ready to approve the canal however this was something he thought the Federal Government would be interested in supporting this venture. Hamilton was interested but Bassett was concerned about the cost such of such a project as he was currently trying to get his Federal Highway Bill though the senate the October elections in 1796 had seen the Federalist Majority slip form Majority of 9 out of 15 seats in the senate to 7 out of 15 seats and the American Democracy Party gain two seats for a total of 6 out of 15 seats. This meant that bills that had been easily passed the past three years were now challenging, to get though the Senate. But Bassett and Hamilton promised to support any measure brought before the Senate concerning the Erie Canal Company.

The Federal Highway Bill would create two roads that would be maintained by the Federal government, these roads would be graded as much as possible and paved with stone or plank to allow for the movement of men and supplies across the country in any weather. The roads would be open to civilian use as well as long as they paid the toll that would be charged. The tolls would be used to maintain the roads. These roads would run from New York City West to New Dublin (Cleveland) and then to Toledo in the state of Erie. A second would run from Philadelphia to New Cork (Cincinnati). While a Third would run from Philadelphia north to Albany. It would take five votes but finally Consul Bassett would get the Senate to pass the bill on July 17, 1797 by a vote of 8 to 7; Hamilton would sign it into law on August 1, 1797.



While Hamilton’s first term was the Federal Republic of America start putting it house in order. These first four years of the Republic’s life would also see it make its first waves in the greater world. Hamilton sought to maintain good relations with the other two American Republics; The Commonwealth of American States and the United States of New England. However, Hamilton’s Government refused to accept an ambassador from the Great Lakes Confederacy and relations with the British Empire were distant at best. Hamilton would seek to restore relations with the Kingdom of France which had become distrustful of the Northern American States after the Treaty of York broke the Alliance between the Then United States and France. Secretary of State John Jay worked hard for the next four years to repair this relationship and on September 4, 1797 Ambassador Governor Morris returned to New York City with a Treat of Friendship and prosperity between the Federal Republic of America and the Kingdom of France. This treaty was not a military alliance it merely stated that the Federal Republic of America would respect French possessions and interest in the Western Hemisphere and the Kingdom of France would protect the merchant ships flying the flag of the Federal Republic of America from pirates as if no ship of the Federal Navy was in the area. That same month the Kingdom of Spain would erupt into a bloody revolution, by the start of October the Kingdom of Spain no longer existed except in the form of a Government in Exile in Paris in the form of 9-year-old Infante Carlos, Count of Molina and Don José Álvarez de Toledo Osorio y Gonzaga the Duke of Abla and his wife Doña María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva-Álvarez de Toledo y Silva the Duchess of Alba who rescued the young prince form the peasant mob and whisked him off to his cousin Louis XVI’s Court in Paris. Where the Kingdome of Spain was now existed the Seven Iberian Republics of Castile, The Republic of Galicia, the Republic of Aragon, the Republic of Catalonia, The Republic of Valencia, The Republic of Navarre, and the Republic of Granada. The Federal Republic of America would recognize each of these new Republics in December of 1797.

On March 14, 1799 the Hamilton would run for reelection as the sole Federalist Candidate. Apposed to him would be the American Democracy Party Governor of New York Arron Burr and George Clinton a Senator and Ex-governor of New York. The Senate was still split 7 Federalist seats, 6 American Democracy Party seats, and two Anti Masonic Party Seats. The fact that there were two candidates from the American Democracy Party allowed Hamilton to win with 8 votes for him while Burr came in second with 5 votes and Clinton came in third with 2 votes.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Iberian Revolution Part 1

Precursor the Colombian Revolution

June 1794 would turn into one of those critical months in European history. Spain had been in decline for the better part of a century. This was the month when things peaked Sebastian Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez de Espinoza and The ex-American patriot turned international revolutionary Samuel Adams declared the Republic of Columbia independent form the Span, and raised an army and with other revolutionaries formed a government in Borgata, and sent a Declaration of Columbian Independence to Spain on July 29, 1794. In Madrid King Carlos IV rejected the Declaration of Independence out of hand and ordered troops raised to suppress this rebellion he also sent word to New Spain and Peru to raise armies to aid the royal troops. By October 25, 1794 75,000 Royal troops arrived from Spain an additional 5,000 arrived from New Spain and 2,500 from Peru. Against this force Miranda had a rebel army of just 45,000 men however his knowledge of the local terrain and his use of hit and run attacks drug the war out for over two years and managed to inflict twice the casualties on the Spanish and Loyalist forces then his men suffered so by the Summer of 1796 Spain and her loyalist had lost 20,000 men to combat and another 10, 000 to disease. The loss of life plus the amount of money that the Crown was throwing into fighting the rebellion was causing increasing hardships on the Spanish people. The increasing hardship was heaped upon the Peasants and working poor, middle class of Spanish society with the Nobility suffering very little. All they needed was a spark to blow the Iberian Powder Keg. That spark would come in the form of a priest and his death.

The outcry from the people of Spain would lead a sermon by a small town priest in central Spain. Father Antonio Juan Francisco would start preaching that god favored the poor. His most famous sermon would be delivered on July 24, 1796. He Titled it:

“Liberation of the Oppressed."
“We focuse on Isaiah. And the Lord said to the Profit Isaiah "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden; like a spring whose waters never fail. — Isaiah 58:6-11. The Message of God is clear the oppression of the of the poor and week for the benefit of the rich and powerful is against the will of god. Indeed, it is God’s will that the poor rise up and empower themselves. The King and the Nobles say that God has granted them the right to rule! I ask you were does the bible say that? In fact, does not God tells the Israelites multiple times that they don’t need a King, it was the cry of the Israelites that lead God to Crown Saul King. I say that we revert our society away from the corrupt nobility and return the power to the common man advised by the church. "

Father Francisco’s message would spread around Spain like wild fire. By September it had reached every corner either as a printed copy or by word of mouth. This was not well liked by the King who had Father Francisco taken into custody. However, the Royal guards were carless in their arrest and word soon spread that the people’s priest was in a royal dungeon. Rumors soon erupted that the Priest was to be executed for crimes against the crown and the church. These two things would lead to a mass revolt that started on September 21,1796. The people organized themselves into militia’s and over threw the royal governments in towns and cities across Spain. The Revolt would turn into revolution on October first when General Juan Jaquan Coronado and Father Cristobel Gonzaga leaders of the 30,000 strong Holy Peasants Army of Castilian Declared the Republic of Castile Independent of the Kingdom of Spring General Coronado. The Army elected Father Cristobel Gonzaga the first President of the Republic, he would set up a government in the city of Burgos. The Republic of Castile is followed over the span of October by five other republics. The Republic of Galicia in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula is the second republic officially established on October tenth in Santiago de Compostela by the Commander of the Peasants Army of Galicia General Hernando Coates, who proclaims himself President General. In the South of Iberia, the Arch Bishop of Geranada Juan Manuel Moscoso y Peralta died suddenly while eating his poorage at breakfast on October 13, 1796, That same day Father Manuel Orradegga recognized the new Republic of Grenada and its leader General Alfonzo de Cattadelga, as the only true government of the former lands of the Kingdom of Granada, plus all lands that the Grenadian Army held. The last faction to formally break from Spain and declare independence was Catalonia. On November 1, 1796 the bishop of Barcelona Pedro Díaz Valdés along with the leaders of the five Catalonian Militias Declared the Catalonian Confederacy independent of the crown of Spain. The Militia Generals elected Phillip de Barcelona President of the Confederacy. Phillip was a little known shoe maker before the revolution however he rose to power in the City of Barcelona by forming the Civil Guard to keep order in the city, and by the time the Confederacy was declared he was the best know civilian leader of the entire revolution.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Commonwealth of American States The first decade 1796-1806 Part 1

On March 1,1796 in the old Colonial House of Delegates Building in Williamsburg Virginia the provisional capital of the CAS; the Frist Congress of the Commonwealth of American States was sworn in by The head justice of the Virginia Supreme court Thomas Lee son of Richard Henry Lee, a cousin of the famed General Henry “Light horse” Lee IV. Justice Lee had won a straw poll held by the highest ranking judges of all five states. Once the 51 Delegates and five Councilmen. Not a whole lot was done business wise besides behind the scenes work on trying to swing votes for the upcoming chancellor election on March 11, 1796. The Election was between four leading candidates the Commonwealth Party had both Edmond Randolph of Virginia, and Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina, Thomas Jefferson considered running but withdrew at the last minute. The Nationalist would collets around Benjamin Ogle of Maryland, George Mason V of Virginia, and Alexander Martin of North Carolina.

March 11th dawned dreary with grey skies and rain as the Delegates convened Speaker of the House James Madison of the Commonwealth Coalition called the session to order. The much like their now estranged brothers in the Federal Republic of America the election of the first Chancellor of the Commonwealth of American States was a very civil affair. At 8 o’clock in the morning Speaker Madison gave each candidate got one hour to speak and then an additional 15 minutes to answer any question put forward to him by the Delegates of the house. To determine who would go first all five candidates drew straws, and it just so happened that Alexander Martin drew the short straw so he would go first followed by Thomas Pinckney, then Benjamin Ogle, followed by Edmond Randolph, and George Mason V who drew the longest straw would go last. At 12:50 George Mason V answered the last question and Madison adjourned the House for lunch. At 2 pm Madison called the house back into session and took a role call, once all were accounted present Madison called a Vote for the Chancellor. Alexander Martin received 12 votes out of 51, Thomas Pinckney received 14 out of 51 votes, Benjamin Ogle received 5 votes out of 51, Edmond Randolph would receive 15 out of 51 votes and George Mason V would receive 5 out of 51 votes. Speaker of the House Madison decided that the top three Alexander Martin, Thomas Pinckney, and Edmond Randolph would go on to the second vote, and he thanked George Mason V and Benjamin Ogle for their time and invited them to stay for the rest of the votes. Both men shook his hand and took returned to their seats. However, before the second vote could be called Edmond Randolph after much discussion with rest of the pro commonwealth delegates announced he would with draw in favor of Mr. Thomas Pinckney. So at 3 pm Madison called the second vote, for chancellor between Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina for the Commonwealth Coalition and Alexander Martin for the State National Alliance. The vote was 27 out of 51 for Thomas Pinckney and 24 out of 51 for Alexander Martin with a three vote majority Thomas Pinckney was elected the First Chancellor of the Commonwealth of American States; Abraham Baldwin recently appointed judge of the High Court of Georgia would administer the oath of office to Thomas Pinckney 30 minutes later at 3:45 pm. This would mark the biggest and greatest difference between the Commonwealth and the Federal Republic. In stark contrast to the Grandiose inauguration of Hamilton, Pinckney’s was simple and done in the House of Delegates Chamber. Pinckney did give a short acceptance speech in which he noted “I shall act as a wise and attentive shepherd for the flock of states now bound together in this Commonwealth. I shall make ever endeavor that all are treated fairly and equally, but this is not the Congress which we all left years ago, this government shall function and carry out its assigned task under the Commonwealth Charter that all the states of this Commonwealth signed and ratified. Working together we shall all achieve greatness.” As Pinckney finished his speech guards in the blue and red uniforms of the Commonwealth of Virginia march out and unfurled a new flag that had been chosen as the flag of the new nation. This flag had five stripes alternating Red White and Blue representing the spirit of the old United States of America, and the Revolution of 1776; in the Canton it had a Red St. George’s Cross with five silver stars representing the States of the Commonwealth.

National Flag

Unit Battle Flag and Naval Ensign

As Thomas Pinckney settled in to the old Governors Palace in Williamsburg now called the Chancellors Palace, and the House of Delegates settled into their chambers in the old General Assembly building all seemed to be ready to get to the work of running their new country. Pinckney was quick to realize that he needed a group of advisers to assist him in the executive branch so he created a Cabinet as it was alluded in Article 7 in which a Secretary of War was referenced. So to fill this seat he appointed Henry Lee IV of Virginia. He would then create the Foreign Secretary’s office to oversee the relations between the Commonwealth and the other nations of the world He would appoint Thomas Jefferson who had been the American Ambassador to France to this seat. For now, he would settle with just these two cabinet seats but he reserved the right to higher more advisers as needed. As after consulting with Secretary of War Lee he offers the command of the Commonwealth Army to William Augustine Washington a daring cavalry officer from South Carolina with rank of General of the Commonwealth Army he accepts; however, he later complains that the job is nothing but paperwork and dealing with bickering State Commanders. The Navy which is a much more active posting is offered to a accepted by Samuel Nicholson from Maryland.


The newly minted Fleet Admiral commanded a small fleet patched together from all the states. He has 3 frigates ranging between 34 to 38 guns These are the Commonwealth War Ship (CWS) Cardinal 38 guns and the CWS George Washington 36 guns formally of the Virginian Navy, the CWS Palmetto 34 guns formally of the South Carolinian Navy. There were 7 Sloops ranging from 26-20 guns, these are the CWS Hoplite, CWS Chesapeake, CWS Dogwood all with 22 guns formerly of Virginian Navy; The CWS Tar heel 26 guns formerly of the North Carolinian Navy; the CWS Charleston, CWS Gamecock both have 20 guns and are formerly of the South Carolinian Navy; and lastly the CWS Bulldog with 22 guns the former flagship of the Georgian Navy. In addition to these there were 12 Brigs each carrying between 12-16 guns and two dozen schooners with swivel guns these schooners were retained by the state Coast Guard Flotilla’s.


Nicholson divided the fleet up into three squadrons the Northern Squadron was based at Norfolk Virginia Consisted of one frigate the CWS Palmetto, the sloops CWS Bulldog, Gamecock, and Dogwood along with 4 Brigs the CWS Warrior, Mastiff, Rockfish, and Sledge. The Carolina Squadron based at Charleston consisting of the sloop Tar Heel, and four brigs CWS Alligator, Albatross, Roanoke, and Squall. The Southern Squadron based at Savannah consisted of the frigates CWS George Washington, and Cardinal; the sloops CWS Hoplite, Chesapeake, Charleston,; as well as 4 brigs the CWS Robin, Falcon, Eagle, and Enterprise.


It would be June of 1796 before the House of Delegates passed their first major piece of legislation This was a three year budget, with apportions for the Commonwealth Army and Navy. This budget would set the state dues owed to the Commonwealth at 10% of the total state income, for each year. The funds that were collected would be deposited into a accounts registered to the commonwealth treasury department (which didn’t exist before this budget). The biggest items of the budget were the repayment of the left over debt that some of the state governments still owed. This was followed by the Naval provision which allocated “such funds as are needed” to construct 5 ships of the line of 74 guns each which would be named for the five states of the Commonwealth; in addition to these 5 ships of the line 10 frigates were also ordered 2 for each member state these frigates would be divided up into classes the first class would carry 48 guns four of these were ordered. The second class would carry 38 guns three of these were ordered, the third and final class would carry 30 guns the remaining three of the ten frigates would be of this type. This fleet would ensure that the Commonwealth would be able to defend her shores from European powers or at least make them think twice. Money was also allocated for the creation of national armories for the Commonwealth Army each state would have an institution of Military industry by the of Pinckney’s term as chancellor. Virginia would receive a National arsenal for the production of small arms long arms, artillery Danville VA in 1798. A Powder works would be constructed in Augusta Georgia the same year. The National Naval Arsenal would be constructed in Charleston South Carolina in 1800 and The Commonwealth officer’s academy would be founded in Goldsboro North Carolina on July 4, 1797, and the Commonwealth Naval Officers College would be founded in Annapolis Maryland on the same day.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Southern War Part 1 August - October 1797

As the Iberian Revolution destroyed the Spanish Empire at its core the Spanish colonies would respond in kind. New Granada now Known as the United States of Columbia would sign the Treaty of Seville on June 21, 1797. This treaty would see peace between Columbia and the Iberian Republics. Columbia would continue to fight the Viceroy of New Spain and the Viceroy of Peru however. With This going on A motion was brought before the Commonwealth house of Delegates that the Commonwealth use this upheaval in the Spanish Domains to regain the territory that Georgia lost before the Commonwealth was formed. The Georgian’s were joined by a group of delegates who believed that this was also the perfect time to take New Orleans and the mouth of the Mississippi River away from the Spanish. However, it only the Chancellor could ask for a declaration of war and Chancellor Pinckney was not ready to do that, The Commonwealth was less than two years old and he feared that any offensive war would lead to its collapse. Pinckney made it clear that he would not ask the Congress for a declaration of war unless the Commonwealth was clearly attacked. Yet events would play into the hands of the hawk delegates of the Commonwealth Congress.

In the summer of 1797 the Creek Chief Red Eagle would receive a prophetic dream. In this dream Hisagita-imisi (the Preserver of Breath) the supreme one of the old gods spoke to. Hisagita-imisi told Red Eagle that unless the people could drive the white men from the ancestral home and return to the old ways the great waters would return and sallow up the people once more. Red Eagle spread word of his vision by August he had amassed a following over 1,500 warriors and he would launch an attack on the Georgian settlement of Mordecai’s Trading post on the Alabama River. The small settlement of about 250 families is easily over run by Red Eagle’s warriors, he kills all the defenders of the settlement about 40 men in the attack the women he took as slaves and they were taken back to his village in Spanish West Florida. Over the next month Red Eagle raid, pillage and burn the frontier of Georgia. This would lead to Chancellor Pinckney would send Foreign Secretary Jefferson to Pensacola in an effort to have the Spanish stop these raids by these Indians who were legally at least his subjects. At the same time Pinckney instructed Sectary of War Lee and Commonwealth General W.A. Washington to start planning for a war with at least Spanish Florida, and Louisiana. In the meantime, he would Call up 2,000 infantry, 500 Cavalry and 1 battery of Artillery from the states of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to reinforce the Georgians in defending the frontier. This would also put an advance force of 8,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry and four batteries in western Georgia in the event of war, Colonel Andrew Jackson of North Carolina was Promoted to Brigadier General and given command of this force. To be known as the 1st Commonwealth Brigade.

As the military began to assemble in the town of Washington on the Chattahoochee Thomas Jefferson would sail from Norfolk Virginia to St. Augustine the capital of East Florida, there he was greeted by the acting governor Colonel Bartolomé Félix Morales y Ramírez had become governor when Enrique White fell ill and died in March of 1797 year. Bartolome greeted Jefferson in the Governor’s Mansion, there Jefferson presents him with a letter written by both Pinckney and himself, if East Florida willingly breaks ties with Spain and petitions to joint the Commonwealth and they will become a state equal to all any other provided they draft a constitution that meats the Commonwealth Charter. Bartolome ask for 24 hours to consider the offer. Bartolome spent the night conferring with his commanders and priest on the offer and the current state of the political situation in Spain; finally he decided shortly after 5 in the morning. Bartolome received Jefferson promptly at noon on August 24, 1797, as Governor of the Colony of East Florida appointed by his royal Majesty King Charles IV of Spain my he rest in peace, given the current situation in Spain and the unlikely hood of a royal restoration in the near future he would accept the offer of the Commonwealth of American States and petition to join the Commonwealth. Jefferson would send a coded message back to Pinckney in Williamsburg with the news on August 25, 1797 as he boarded the CWS Dogwood and set sail for Pensacola the second stop on his voyage. He would arrive in Pensacola seven days later on September 1, 1797. He would receive a cold welcome from Governor Juan Vicente Folch the Governor of West Florida Folch would refuse to deal with the Americans who “Spawned the current plague of Republicanism that was destroying his homeland.” So after two days the CWS Dogwood and Jefferson would leave Pensacola headed for his last destination New Orleans. Sadly they would never arrive. A day after leaving Port at Pensacola the Dogwood was over taken by two Spanish Frigates the Mustang carrying 38 guns and the Emerald Dragon with 40 guns. Either alone out gunned the 22 gun Dogwood two to one with both ships together the ensuing battle was slaughter, the Battle would thirty minuets at the end of it the Dogwood was lost with all hands on board including Jefferson. There were survivors however and they made their way to shore and to Georgian territory.

Spanish Governors Palace Pensacola, West Florida

The attack on the Dogwood was not the only force that Folch had set in motion the same day that Jefferson left Pensacola on the Dogwood A West Floridian army of 16,000 men with 10 light artillery guns of his own design, he also sent world to Red Eagle that if he assisted in the defeat of the Americans then all the native lands of Georgia and the Carolinas and Virginia were his for the taking. Luckily for the Commonwealth on September 3, 1797 the 1st Commonwealth Brigade was at full strength with 10,000 infantry, 2,500 Cavalry and 25 field guns. Plus, an additional 2,500 Georgian Infantry and 1,000 Cavalry that were in the frontier area along the Alabama River. Brigadier General Andrew Jackson’s scouts informed him that the Spanish had marched out of Pensacola and crossed the border with Georgia. Jackson dispatched a runner to contact the government in Savannah and the Commonwealth Government in Williamsburg. He then ordered his command south to intercept the Spanish force.

The Chase of the CWS Dogwood

The two armies would meet at the small settlement knows as Buttsville. Jackson arrived first and moved south of town positioning his force on a ridge line that over looked a broad creek plain about a quarter mile wide. When General Juan Carlos de Pasquill and the Spanish force arrived the next morning they found Jackson waiting for them. Pasquill was no coward nor were his men. By 10 am on September 8, 1797 Pasquill had his army formed up for battle he had the advantage in infantry and cavalry but Jackson had more and bigger field guns. The battle would begin at 11am when both sides artillery opened up soon after Pasquill ordered his infantry to advance with the bayonet after just 15 minutes of bombardment. Once the Spanish began the advance Jackson ordered ever other gun to stop firing and load grapeshot. His Infantry was split between rifle units and musket units the Virginian units had the best of both worlds with bayonet equipped rifles. The American Rifles proved deadly by the time the Spanish closed to within range of their muskets they were a ragged formation the Spanish fired a volley and advanced with the bayonet. They were met by a full volley from the Commonwealth line at 15 yards which staggered the line. Then at 5 yards the cannons opened up with the Grapeshot and the Spanish line vanished suffering 75% causalities the ranks broke and ran Jackson ordered the cavalry commanded by Henry Lee IV to attack and finish off the Spanish.

Henry Lee IV's Cavalry charge at Buttsville.

Less than 1500 men would retreat from Buttsville Jackson would move south with most of his army however he send Lee to the west with 1,500 infantry, and 1,000 cavalry to deal with Red Eagle. Jackson would arrived at Pensacola on September 26, 1797 and find the city undefendedGovernor Juan Vicente Folch had left with his remaining troops for New Orleans with the Morning Tide. Two days a squadron of four commonwealth warships arrived at Pensacola to find the flag of the Commonwealth flying above the fortifications. They carried a Declaration of War Called forth by Chancellor Thomas Pinckney on September 18th following reports on the sinking of the CWS Dogwood and approved by the Commonwealth House of Delegates by a vote of 42 in favor to 9 against. Commodore Thomas Greifswald informed General Jackson that the rest of the Fleet would be escorting transports both Naval and impressed Civilian merchants carrying Commonwealth General W.A. Washington and a force of 55,000 infantry with 1,500 Cavalry in two weeks’ time, bound for New Orleans. Brigadier General Jackson and the 1st Commonwealth Brigade were to secure and occupy West Florida and be ready to advance east should East Florida break the treaty they had signed with Secretary Jefferson, and to hunt down and destroy Red Eagle’s war band and any native village that supports them.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Battle of the Mounds

On September 30, 1797 after close to a month of chasing Red Eagle’s war band the men of Henry Lee IV’s command learned that the Indians had made camp at the sight of some ancient earth works along the Black Warrior River. Lee ordered the column’s pace increased inorder to catch up to the Indians. This extra speed was not needed. On September 14, 1797 Red Eagle had had a vision once more this time the sprits told him that it was at the site of the old ones along the stream of the Black Warrior that this would be determined, so Red Eagle would turn his 1500 warriors west and strike out for the mounds.

Creek War Chief Red Eagle

On October 5, 1797 Lee’s force arrives at the Mounds to find Red Eagle’s war band waiting for them amongst the ancient earthworks. At 10 am Lee deploys his two light field guns and his Infantry in front of the Indian positions; while his cavalry. The guns start bombarding the Indians fifteen minutes later. However, with just two guns their affects are limited. So Lee ordered the infantry to advance on the center mound the largest and had the most Indians on it. The battle was fierce the Red Eagle’s Warriors were armed with Spanish Muskets complete with bayonets, Red Eagle’s men fought fiercely but the training of the Lee’s men would carry the day, and by Noon Red Eagle was Surrendered with over half of his men dead or wounded Lee suffered 500 killed and 450 wounded. Lee’s men would march Red Eagle and his warriors back to the town of Washington Ga where they would be held in competitivity until they Red Eagle would tried for crimes against the state of Georgia.Twenty four hours later his guards would find him hanging by a rope in the house he had been quartered in, with a note that stated that he would die free and never be a slave, to the Americans.


The Republic of Louisiana

On October 14, 1797 the Commonwealth fleet arrived off the coast of the Mississippi Delta where they were met by men on a twelve gun ship named the Mississippi Queen. From this ship a man introduced himself as Michel Louis Toutant Beauregard First Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Louisiana, he informed General W. A. Washington that the Kingdom of New Spain had collapsed following news that both King Carlos IV had died while trying to escape Madrid and the Iberian Peninsular. He also informed The American General that the Republic of Louisiana had declared it self independent of any form of the old Spanish Empire. Beauregard welcomed the Commonwealth of American States to City of New Orleans in peace, and hoped that their two countries could become close friends.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

The Iberian Revolution Continued: Birth of the Union of Iberian Christian Republics.



Fight of the King

In Madrid King Charles IV of Spain was taken aback by the events that had unfolded in his country. However, by October 2, 1796 had managed to gather a Royalist Army of 45,500 men to defend the Capital City of Madrid. This force was commanded by General Gregorio García de la Cuesta a conservative royalist who was ready to hang each and every traitor. A second smaller royalist force was gathering in Andorra under the command of the Infante Antonio Pascual the younger brother of King Charles IV, however this force was just over 25,000 men strong. By October 8th the Capital had been surrounded by the Rebel Holy Peasants Army of Castilian 30,000 men strong and the Grenadian Army of Christ 27,500 men strong however the two rebel armies worked together only grudgingly. This allowed the King a Chance to escape with his family or so Charles believed. On October 30, 1796 he and General Cuesta reviewed the Royal Army. “You men have proven your selves loyal to a fault to your king and our government. I have the utmost trust in you my most loyal men. Tomorrow we shall begin our long march we will break out of Madrid and march North to the men commanded by my Brother the Infante Antonio in Andorra from there we will gather other loyal forces to us and begin to the Second Reconquista.” Charles IV’s Address to the troops of the Royal Army of Madrid the day before would become known as Battle of Kingfall. At dawn on October 31st the Royalist broke out of the Defenses of Madrid and began marching north along with the Army was King and the Royal Family. The Royalist were making good time on the march while the Grenadian Army sacked the city and the Castilians prepared to follow after the Royal Army. However at 5pm this changed when the Royal scouts ran into a Division of the Catalonian Army, Although the Catalonians were outnumbered the had good defensive ground on a rocky hill that dominated the road. The Royalist would spend the remainder of the day light attempting to clear the road northeast however this was unable to be accomplished and in the morning they awoke to find themselves surrounded once more however this time they were in a creak bottom at the base of a step rocky hill which was occupied by rebels. The King and General Garcia decided to attack to the south were the Castilian and Catalonian forces joined the ring around the royalist force. General Garcia decided he would lead the attack himself. The attack would begin at 10 am, and would meet with early success as the Royalist broke out of the ring surrounding their camp. This success was short lived however because after just a mile of marching they ran into a body of Catalonian troops at cross roads village. Once more the Catalonians prove to be an immobile rock in the royalist escape. By the 5pm the battle was all but over, the King and General Garcia were both dead leading desperate attacks to break out of the trap. Young Infante Ferdinand now Ferdinand VII and Infante Charles would flee escape the trap with a small band of guards after darkness fell, theirs was far from the only such group to escape the royalist camp that night. At dawn the remaining royalist army would surrender all 28,000 of them. The battle had cost them about 2,000 killed and another 1500 wounded but that still didn’t account for the missing 13,500 soldiers who had run off during the night. The Republican Commanders were disheartened by this and even more so by the face that the young King Ferdinand VII and his brother had also escaped. Yet still the largest of the Royalist forces had been defeated and Madrid was in Republican hands and the King was dead. His body would be paraded though the streets of Madrid. The Village where the king had died with the royalist army would renamed ciudad Caída del Rey.

On November 21, 1796 the young King and Infante Charles would arrive in Andorra much to the surprise of their uncle. However, they now had an Amy less than 30,000 strong. They will hold the official Carination of Ferdinand VII on December 24, 1796 in the Saint Esteve Church in Andorra la Vella the capital city of the Principality of Andorra. With Infante Antonio Pascual the young king’s uncle acting as Regent until he came of Age. The Regent and the young king set out sending emissaries to all the countries of Europe asking for aid and support in Retaking their homeland.


Birth of the Union of Iberian Christian Republics

The Flag of the Union of Iberian Christian Republics


As the New year of 1797 began a conference was called in Madrid this conference would be the first meeting of the leaders of the Iberian Republics. At the same time in Paris another meeting is called by Louis XVI this meeting will see representatives of France, Great Britain, Austria and the Holy Roman Empire, the Papal States, the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Portugal over what to do with the continuing Iberian Crisis most concerned was the Kingdom of Portugal.

The Congress of Madrid was held on March 24, 1797 at the same time the Conclave of Madrid was held simultaneously. These two meetings of the Religious and political leaders of the Iberia Republics would produce a standard doctrine for the political movement that had brought about what was now being called the Iberian Revolution, it would also see the establishment of the Holy Church of the Works of Christ (HCWC) This church would be loyal to the pope in Rome as long as he accepted the fundamental doctrines of Franciscanism as a legitimate doctrine of the Church; if the Pope refused this then the Bishop of Toledo would become the head of the Church. The Bishop of Toledo would from here on out be elected by the Council of Priest, which would be made up by the 65 members of the clergy the 15 bishops of the Church and then 50 priest 10 form each republic which will be elected by the citizens of the Republics. While church and political officially defined Franciscanism. Franciscanism (noun): A system of Representative Government in which theologian leadership establishes a universal equality for all the citizens based upon the teachings of Christ that the meek are the blessed of god and have his favor. To ensure this all land and industry is owned by the church state. The bounty of the land and the products and proceeds of the church owned industries are collected by the church state and after the ten percent of each is taken by the government the remaining is divided evenly amongst the citizens of the nation. to ensure the equality of the lord and humbleness of the lord. All citizens get to vote in the election of representatives to the Assembly of Christ which shall act as the voice of the people in the government. The Congress of Madrid also creates a new Union of the Republics to replace the old Kingdom of Spain. This new Union Government would be called the Union of Iberian Christian Republics. This Union would bind the Five Republics together with a common currency, and Foreign policy and mutual defense. The Union would be led by the Head of the Holy Church of the Works of Christ This confederation becomes known as the Union of Iberian Christian Republics the Bishop of Toledo and Primer of Iberia who would be elected by the Iberian Assembly. The Iberian Assembly would be made up of two houses, the Council of Priest of the Holy Church of the Works of Christ forms the Upper house with the power of review of any alliance, Trade deal, or tariff the lower house might pass, as well as a vote on any Declaration of War, or Treaty approved by the lower house. The Lower house would be known as the Christian’s Assembly. This house would have 40 seats eight from each republic. The only requirements to run for this house are one be a member of the Franciscanist Party of their Republic, and be at least 25 years of age. Elections were set to be held in the Fall, of for the elected seats until then the Bishops will run the Union. The Union Government would be based in Madrid which it was decided would be an independent city administered by the Union as a whole, not by any member republic. The First act that the Newly formed Union of Iberian Christian Republic would do was to dispatch ambassadors to the nations of the world, these men would seek to gain recognition for the Union.

Flag of the Holy Church of the Works of Christ.

Meanwhile in Paris France

The French Sponsored Conference on the Spanish Crisis kicks off King Louis XVI was the host and leader of the Conference. Hugues-Bernard Maret the Foreign Minister would represent the Kingdom of France. William Wyndham Grenville, 1st Baron Grenville the Foreign Secertary would represent the British Empire. Johann Amadeus Franz de Paula Thugut the Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire represented both the Austrian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Crown Prince João Braganza of Portugal represents his kingdom the last monarchy on the Iberian Peninsula. Francis Duke of Calabria represented the Kingdom of Naples, King Frederick Wilhelm II of Prussia represented his kingdom, and lastly Cardinal Ignazio Busca Secretary of State of the Holy See represented both the Papal States and the Holy Catholic Church.

The Conference began on May 1, 1797 with King Louis XVI addressing the assembled. “Gentlemen I welcome you to Paris and hope that between those of us gathered here and the nations whom they represent can come to a unified plan on what actions should be taken regarding the over throw of our cousin Charles King of Spain and the over throw of the Kingdom of Spain.”

Over the course of the nest month the delegates would discuss the events of the Iberian Crisis and what if anything was to be done about the current state of affairs. Portugal was the country that was pressing the hardest for military intervention to restore Ferdinand VII currently hold up in Andorra with what was left of the Loyalist forces, led by his uncle. This stance was one of perceived self-defense on the part of the Portuguese’s Monarchy who were concerned that they were the next target, and indeed a the Franciscanist movement in side of Portugal was indeed on the rise. Added to this call to arms by Portugal was the announcement by Cardinal Busca that Pope Pius VI had excommunicated those people in the Kingdom of Spain who were beholden to the false doctrine of Franciscanism, and rejected their proposal to “Divided the Holy Catholic church”, further the pope declared that if the Heretics in Spain tried to spread their Heresy then the Church and the Papal States would do everything in its power to protect catholic nations. This view was seconded by Naples. Yet the other two catholic nations France and Austria hesitated. The French Parliament was opposed to armed intervention unless the rebels either attempted to subvert the lawful authority of the Kingdom of France, or attacked the Principality of Andorra whom France was obliged to defend. Austria was also hesitant to declare for intervention because of the growing discord with the Protestant states inside the Holy Roman Empire, and the Hungarians ever constant bickering. While the Protestant nations saw no reason to object any of this it was after all an internal Spanish affair, until such time as it hurt British interest that is. Grenville did however announce that Britain would honor the alliance she had always had with the Kingdom of Portugal. Finally A compromise plan was proposed by King Louis XVI. This plan would recognize the Union of Iberian Christian Republics as the legal successor to the Kingdom of Spain with the strongest suggestion that they re brand their new nation the Union of SPANISH Christian Republics, thus easing the minds of the Portuguese. Also they would recognize the Pyrenees Kingdom whose boundaries would include the Principality of Andorra and extend along the Southern side of the Pyrenees to the Northeastern coast of Spain all of which was held by Royalist partisans anyways. This Kingdom would act as both a buffer state between Spain and the rest of Europe and provide a haven for those Spanish who did not wish to live under the new order. The new Union government would forfeit all claims to the Kingdom of Spain’s colonial empire outside of the Canary Islands and other islands off the coast of Africa. All the other colonies of Spain would be divided between Britain, France and Naples. However, many of the colonies would declare independence before any territory could officially change hands. Lastly the Union would agree not to attempt to subdue by force any attempt of a republic to return to the crown of Spain should it ever arise. Satisfied with this arrangement the Convention was ended and a draft was dispatched to Madrid, on June 20, 1797.

The Union government received the document in early July and decided to wait till after the fall elections when there would be a full government. That Government would be elected on October 18, 1797 it was by default a Franciscanist dominated Government, however there were differences of the 40 seats in the Christian’s Assembly 15 were held by Extremist Franciscanist, 20 where held by Moderate Franciscanist, and 5 were held by the self-proclaimed Conservative Franciscanist. The Domination of the Moderate faction would see Phillip de Barcelona being elected the First Primer of the Union of Iberian Christian Republics. He would join the Bishop Toledo, Atanasio Puyal y Poveda in the Executive Branch of the new union government. This moderate government would after some debate ratify the Treaty of Paris on November 5, 1797.

Map of the Union of Iberian Christian Republics in Europe.

This ratification would see Baleares Islands a place where Franciscanism never caught on vote to become part of the Kingdom of Naples Ruled by the brother of King Charles IV. The people of the Baleares viewed the new Pyrenees Kingdom as a land that was destined to either be forced back into the rest of the Iberian Fold or become a puppet of the French. It should be noted that they viewed Portugal’s monarchy as dead men walking as well. When word was dispatched to the America’s about the ratification of the Treaty of Paris A proclamation was also sent the leaders of the United States of Grand Columbia stating that the UICR held no claim to the territory of the United States of Grand Columbia, and considered hostilities to be ended. Word also when out to the other viceroys of the old Spanish empire asking them to either adopt Franciscanism and join the Union as equal members or the would be considered independent by the Union government.

The Spanish colonies would be split over this when world reached them around Christmas of 1797. In Florida East Florida would use this a justification for their decision to apply for state hood in the Commonwealth of American States, of course West Florida was Annexed into the State of Georgia earlier in the fall of 1797. Louisiana would use the Treaty of Paris to justify its break with New Spain and the selling of Northern Louisiana to the British 7.5 million pounds. On January 1, 1798 the Empire of Mexico would declare its Independence and take all of New Spain’s Territory on the North American Continent. That Same Day Cuba and Spanish Hispaniola and all other former Spanish holdings in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico formed the The Kingdom of Hispaniola y Cuba. Lastly Peru would declare its self the Kingdom of Peru on January 7, 1798. Then before they could decide which way to go the on January 21, 1798 A French fleet sailed into the River Plata officially annexing the Viceroy of the Rio Plata into the French Colonial Empire as New Aquitaine. On February 7, 1798 the last piece of the old empire gives its answer the Philippians together with Wake Island, and Guam from the Christian Republic of Pacifica, adopting the a Franciscanist constitution and applying for member ship in the Union. The Addition of the Christian Republic of Pacifica would expand the UICR out of the Iberian Peninsula so Iberia would be a global player after all, as well as opening up Asia and the rest of the Far East to the Teaching of Franciscanism and the Holy Church of the Works of Christ.

Flag of the Christian Republic of Pacifica