Forgotten No More: An American Presidential TL

1: Artemis Ward, First Term (1789-1793)
This goes hand-in-hand with the election game of the same name going on in the Shared World forums. The premise may be considered ASB (essentially, no person that ever ran for President in OTL can become President ITTL), but I have attempted to create the TL as realistically as possible. It follows similar to various other Presidential TL's, like the Shuffling the Deck TL's. We're 4 President's in and already the Country's Government is different.

Artemas_Ward.jpg

1st. Artemas Ward (1789 - 1793) Independent/Federalist Faction
Vice-President: Richard Henry Lee
Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of War: Henry Knox
Attorney General: John Jay
Postmaster General: Ebenezer Howard​

Artemas Ward arrived in New York City on the morning of April 30th. There were no parades or marches, and besides the decent crowd that amassed to see the first President take the Oath -with some hecklers for good measure- Ward saw little fanfare. Not that he minded much; with his health a nagging issue, Ward was more than happy to focus on getting the nation settled rather than publicity. The truth was that Ward, for his capabilities and deeds, was not the uniting face almost all hoped Washington would be. It didn't help that the "Father" of the Republic had done much to openly attack Ward on a national scale during the Revolution. Masked with the aura of a controversial selection to be the First President in an election that had already gone to Congress, Ward was about to deal with setting the tone for a Country that had none, while working with a Congress that either distrusted him, disliked him, or expected him to play second fiddle from the sick bed.

He didn't, of course.

His early work as President saw Ward setting the stage for the Country. Perhaps mending relations with Washington, who attended the inauguration, if only publicly, he saw to it that Alexander Hamilton became Secretary of the Treasury. He also took advice on placing the prominent Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, as the first Secretary of State. He kept Henry Knox as Secretary of War and Ebenezer Hazard as Postmaster General. He also entrusted a new position, that of Attorney General, to the prominent John Jay of New York. For the new judiciary, Ward appointed Roger Sherman of Connecticut, William Cushing of Massachusetts, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, John Rutledge of South Carolina, and John Adams of Massachusetts. Anticipating anger in Congress at 3 New Englanders, he nominated George Wythe of Virginia for Chief Justice, ultimately getting all 6 men through.

Then he began work on running the Country. Making quick business to create a mutual respect between himself and his Vice-President, Richard Henry Lee, Ward understood the pivotal role the President of the Senate would be in creating a strong Executive alongside the Legislative. Lee, of course, was more than happy to flex his "Constitutionally" gifted powers, much to the chagrin of various members of the Senate. Now, in no way was Ward trying to overpower Congress, simply place both branches on equal footing. For the most part, the beginning of his term consisted of various cabinet meetings to discuss policy and waiting for Congress to send him bills to pen. But his work with Vice-President Lee helped create to morph the position many believed would be a place-holder into the Executive branches ear in Congress.

When Congress first opened, it was full on both sides by Pro-Delegates -those that favored the Constitution. Yet, those that made up the minority Anti-Delegate faction began arguing in favor of a Bill of Rights. When James Madison, famous for supporting and helping craft the Constitution itself, became an outspoken supporter of a Bill of Rights, the first true debates began. In this time of flimsy factionalism, slowly more and more began supporting the idea, if only to end the topic. In the Senate, the Vice-President -much to the distaste of President pro-Tempore of the Senate Philip Schuyler- veered the body in favor of a Bill of Rights, gaining an alliance with notable pro-Constitutionalist James Iredell of North Carolina. Ultimately, Madison would propose 33 Amendments and Congress would go on to pass 10 of them, of which all were ratified by the States shortly afterward. While Ward himself did not see much need for one, he supported the motion once it got steam.

The biggest controversy came when Hamilton's economic model for the Government, which was supported by merchants and bankers and by the President himself, came at odds with large portions of the Southern members of Congress, who preferred an agrarian, or at least a mixed, economic model. When Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, and Vice-President Lee, sided with the opposition, Ward threatened to remove Jefferson altogether. This created a severing of ties between the President and the Secretary that would never mend. Still, the Vice-President would be able to push through a Compromise that the President got behind. In exchange for applying support for Hamilton's model in Congress, the President would support the federal capital's location being moved to a new area closer to the South. Ward relented, and the Compromise of 1790 saw an area roughly split between Virginia and Maryland in the Potomac chosen as the new site of Government for the young nation. It would be called the District of Columbia.

Still, Ward realized that the State's needed to see each other as a "united brotherhood" and knew that as President, he would need to embody that. In efforts to fix his image across the Country and despite his health, Ward took two tours of the Nation. First he travelled North, and then South. At the same time, the President sent letters to all major members of the State Legislators and Governors with the importance of unity. In a turn of events, his arrival at Virginia was met by George Washington, who called on the nation to rally in unity behind it's President as well. The "publicity" campaign worked, though Ward's health was not grateful for his efforts. After returning from his second campaign, Ward spent some days working from bed, though he would recover from this bed-rest, he wouldn't take anymore far out trips.

For all his efforts, Ward's job as the first President was not a cakewalk. When Hamilton saw to it that a Whiskey Tax was implemented, Ward wholeheartedly got behind the endeavor. When the frontier wholeheartedly broke in defiance and protest, Ward was swift in forcing the enforcement of the law. This involved military presence to ensure the taxes were collected. While modern historian believe that this quick response thwarted what could have become the first rebellion against the Government, it was hotly attacked by those in Congress that considered it a breach of authority on his part. Slavery would also becoming a divisive issue as debates on it's legality consumed the Senate, gaining fuel from a Southerner in James Iredell, and the President's own positions against the practice.

Additionally, his divide with Jefferson caused problems as the President pursued a course of mending trade relations with Britain, which Jefferson was hotly opposed to particularly because of British support of the natives in the on-going Northwest Indian War. At the same time, growing revolutionary furor in France caught the eye of Jefferson, who pestered for American support, something Ward wholeheartedly refused on the grounds that meddling in "European affairs" would not be the course of the nation. As a result, when the slave population in the French colony of Saint-Domingue first rose in revolt, Ward refused to provide assistance, though eventually would as a way to ease debts over Revolutionary War loans. Still, his sending of diplomatic missions to various countries without Congressional approval caught the ire of some in Congress, but set the standard for the President's (and State Departments) role in foreign affairs. In dealing with natives, an Indian Department overseen by the President and State Department, dispatched various agents to make treaties and deals with the natives on the nations periphery territory.

The split had been born in Congress. While Ward argued against such politicization, his own actions would help form increasing factional tendencies in Congress. The Federalist (Pro-Administration) faction emerged from those Pro-Delegates that supported Hamilton's economic model and the National Bank. The Republican (Anti-Administration) faction sat opposed, formed from a mix of pro and anti Congressmen that rejected Hamilton's model in exchange for a more mixed one that catered to both the merchants and the planters. In between was a cacophony of men that sided with either-or, but had other ideas. Some, dubbed the "Democrats" by supporters or "Mobists" by opponents, argued that the election of Ward had been a sham because he came in third in the Electoral Vote. Others, called the "Constitutionalists", argued the opposite, fighting for a more reduced role for the Presidency in favor of Congress. Ward found himself labelled a Federalist from the get-go, though he did not himself openly promote any side.

With 1792 and a new election approaching, President Artemas Ward did not seek a second term. While his health was a main concern, the President also knew that the growing factionalism within Congress would not be broken by himself. Knowing that he had done his best to create the Executive Branch as a legitimate force, with a decently strong President, a Vice-President that served as a strong force in Congress, etc., Ward made the wise decision of stepping down. Modern historians often point this out as a wise and unselfish decision that put the nation's best interests ahead of his own. While oft criticized in his own time, Ward is viewed in extremely favorable light for being the man that created the essence of the Executive branch.
 
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2: William Few, Jr., First Term (Federalist; 1793-1797)
2. William Few (F-GA).png

2. William Few, Jr. (1793 - 1797) Federalist Faction
Vice-President: Richard Henry Lee
Secretary of State: Edmund J. Randolph
Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of War: Horatio L. Gates
Attorney General: Charles Lee
Postmaster General: Ebenezer Hazard​

The waning days of President Artemas Ward saw more attention towards the President-elect than the President himself. With the President debating largely with Secretary of State Jefferson over matters overseas, he paid little mind to the minimal actions of Congress at the time. On the contrary, William Few vegan a tour of the Country, starting in Georgia to New Jersey, then Connecticut through New England, and ending with a boat ride from Boston to New York City. There, planned parades met the President-Elect who did his best to connect with every citizen in the crowds. He arrived a week before his inauguration, and two days before had an official dinner with President Ward to discuss the countries matters.

William Few took the Oath of Office right where Ward did, delivering a speech to a large crowd where he emphasized American unity amidst growing factionalism, the importance of the Federal system, the promotion of a Central Government that protected the individuals rights, and, interestingly, an America for the People. The crowd gathered oftentimes applauded the man, whose style of speaking was often a mix between that of a war time general and a casual drinking partner. It was a perfect combination that relied little of eloquent speech styles and more on personality. Few lacked little in personality.

His meeting with the President influenced Few first actions as President: the selecting of his Cabinet. He kept Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and also kept Ebenezer Hazard on as Postmaster General. He also took Ward's advice and replaced Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson with Edmund Randolph, while adding Revolutionary War Hero Horatio Gates as the Secretary of War, and Charles Lee as Attorney General. Richard Henry Lee, of course, stayed on as Vice-President.

Next, Few went on to begin his term as one of strength through unity. He, like Ward, saw the power in the Vice-Presidency. Unlike Ward, he was dealing with Lee four years into being Vice-President and particularly bitter about losing the Presidency to Few. Instead, Lee would work much to his own agenda, separate from that of the President's, as he often sided with the Republican faction in Congress that urged for more agrarian focuses in Hamilton's economic model. His actions served to ostracize some of the Federalist's against the Executive, much to the chagrin of the President.

Few was quick to make noise, then, against the Senate, when he ordered an "executive order" calling for the Senate to conduct Public Sessions. The Senate, badgered with claims of being a star chamber, complied in mid 1793, though an edge had risen. Lee's death in July of 1793 followed shortly afterwards and the proceedings for a successor became a hot topic in Congress. Sitting President pro-tempore of the Senate argued that he was to reside over the Senate in the absence of the Vice-President, and thus would be the obvious choice to replace him. Eventually, the issue was passed by the Senate and the House, then ratified by the State's in 1794, creating the first addition to the Bill of Rights: the Eleventh Amendment. It organized a clear line of succession for the President and Vice-President, with the order os succession starting with the Vice-President, then the President pro-tempore of the Senate, followed by the Speaker of the House, and the top cabinet seats thereafter. Langdon allowed a new outlet for the Executive Branch into the Senate by providing a Vice-President with Senatorial experience and one more than willing to flex his muscles as the Senate head. More importantly, Few and Langdon hit off in great manner and soon Langdon was helping the President pass a reduction to the tax on liquor through the Senate, while moving troops from the frontier, much to the displeasure of Treasury Secretary Hamilton.

On the foreign policy front, hostilities between Britain and France came to a head in 1794 and President Few proclaimed neutrality in the conflict. The Republican members of Congress were outraged, citing French assistance in during the Revolution, but the President maintained that war offered more to lose than to gain. Few also supported Jay's Treaty, which saw Britain remove it's forces from American territory out west among other things, averting escalating tensions with the former Mother Country. This was also attacked by the Republican's in the Senate, but John Langdon was just barely able to get the 2/3rds required vote out of the body to ratify the treaty. The act, seen by many Republican's as an attempt for closer relations with Britain, only further split the factions, and the Republican's organize as the first Political Party in 1794, quickly followed by the Federalist's organizing themselves under such a moniker as well. Still, the President continued to avoid war as Europe fell deeper into bloodshed against the tyrannical French Republican regime that had erupted from the bloody French Revolution. With the French claiming that the United States were bound to help, attacks on American shipping by the French began, though somewhat sparingly. While this helped to ease tensions, the work of French Ambassador Edmund Genêt, who spurred pro-French sentiment in the streets, made the divide greater. The crowning achievement of his term, however, must be Marshall's Treaty, organized by John Marshall in 1795 with the Spanish Government, pressured by war with France and the fear of a US-British alliance, that saw Spain recognize the territory considered as West Florida as being American and opening New Orleans (temporarily closed to American shipping) once more.

Still, the economy was getting back on track, and Jay's Treaty did open avenues for trade in the Caribbean and even out towards India. The Midterms in 1794 proved decisive, earning the Republican's control of the House of Representatives with a 56-50 lead over the Federalist's. The Senate remained in Federalist hands, however, now standing at 12-20 in favor of the Federalist's. Virginia Representative Spencer Roane became the young and fiery, Constitutional minded Speaker of the House for the Republican's. Surprisingly, it was Roane who would support the President's call for a Public University in every state, leading to the University Act of 1796 that established every state to have at least one public university within it's borders. Roane, however, was opposed to the President's -or Hamilton's- calls for raising the tax on liquor once more in order to once again increase Federal funds, particularly when State's required Federal participation in the fulfilling the requirements of the University Act of 1796.

By all accounts, his Presidency was a mixed bag of sorts. Few did his best to keep an air of unity, but the factions had only deepened and formed into concrete parties. With the elections of 1796 approaching, Few -Marshall's Treaty and controversial Jay's Treaty being the highlights of his Presidency- declined to run for a second term. The Party bosses met for the first time formally in hopes of providing the Electoral College with united tickets for President and Vice-President in hopes of shoring up support. Meanwhile, French assaults were becoming rather troublesome..
 
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3: Henry Lee III, First Term (Federalist; 1797-1801/1809-1813)
3. Henry Lee III (F-VA).png

3. Henry Lee III (1797 - 1801) Federalist Party
Vice-President: John Langdon
Secretary of State: Timothy Pickering
Secretary of the Treasury: Tench Coxe
Secretary of the Army: Horatio L. Gates
Secretary of the Navy: John Barry
Attorney General: Charles Lee
Postmaster General: Joseph Habersham​

Henry Lee III didn't take the national tour Few did before his inauguration, but his arrival in New York City was met with parades larger than those that met Few. Lee was both popular and respected, an important combination that made his inauguration a spectacular affair. In fact, Lee was probably the most popular and respected President yet. He won the Federalist nomination for his national position and for his appeal to all in the Country. Backed by Federalist majorities in both houses of Congress, Lee's Presidency was set to be one of the best in American history. Like Few before him, Lee had a dinner with the now outgoing President to discuss the country's matters: particularly the on going economic panic that began towards the end of 1796, partially due to the French assaults and Berber Pirates as well.

Ultimately, it's the French assaults and pro-French rhetoric of the Republican's that lost them the House, Senate, and Presidency. Lee, with a commanding presence in power and respected by Congress, set up a Cabinet to his liking. He replaced Alexander Hamilton with economist Tench Coxe of Pennsylvania upon the advising of Few, who regarded Hamilton as rather intrusive on the other branches at this point. He also replaced Hazard with Joseph Habersham as Postmaster General and Edmund Randolph with Timothy Pickering. He kept Horatio Gates and his cousin Charles Lee at their posts, but the Department of War was split into the Departments of the Navy and the Army, of which John Barry became the first Secretary of the Navy. And of course, there was John Langdon, the Vice-President.

Almost immediately Lee sat down with Langdon and had talks with him in private. While no recordings exist of what exactly was talked, the two men formed a strong duo amongst fear by some that Langdon, bitter at being Vice-President again, would become a idle. Instead, Langdon rallied the Federalist majority in the Senate in the name of the President. Lee then began calling for naval measures against both the Barbary Pirates and the French after continued french assaults, along with more ships. Knowing that the economy needed treating, Pickering was sent to meet with British authorities to negotiate more trade measures with Britain's colonies. At the same time, he sent Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and John Marshall to France to negotiate terms with the French. There, French forces agreed to end hostilities in exchange for less American-British measures. When Marshall and Pinckney returned to the United States, Pickering also returned with his own workings with the British, who agreed to expand trade rights somewhat, with the measure that no trade be done with France. Understanding the dire situation which the French Republic found itself in, Lee sided with Pickering's proposal.

In a brilliant move, Lee called a special session of Congress and told them of both proposals and that the nation would not be bowing to French demands amidst continued French attacks. The Republicans in Congress grumbled some, but Lee effectively kept Congress in the loop while making the final decision. France's attacks continued, but with their power dwindling and the American ships fighting back, their effects shortly subsided, with the "Quasi War" coming to end with the French Republic's internal collapse in 1798. The defeat of the Barbary Pirates would also be a highlight for President Lee's term, effectively opening sea routes once more and seeing the nations economy recover. Lee's strong stances on both France and the Barbary pirates, along with his quick decisions (like creating the Department of the Navy at the start of his term) to better deal with the situation boosted American moral, prestige, and economic footing. With the collapse of France, it's former of Saint-Domingue (whose revolting slave population led by Toussaint L'Overture sided with the Republic after it abolished slavery) once again fell into turmoil. Many now began calling for a takeover of the colony, but Lee did not act on these concerns. Ultimately, along with the restored French Monarchy, the Paris Convention* also saw all entanglements between the United States and France ended.

With the economy improving, other matters engulfed the President's term. One such matter -brought up during the height of tensions- were the Alien and Naturalization Acts. The Alien Enemies act allowed the President to deport any foreigner he deemed a threat to the Country, while the Naturalization Act extended the time for citizenship from 5 years to 12. While the acts began in Congress, quick support by Vice-President Langdon saw Lee signed them into law. The Republicans called sham, claiming that electoral fraud was at play (many immigrants voted Republican) and others argued that the Executive Office was enlarging it's power. Still, even Federalist's -which maintained control of both the House and Senate after the 1798 midterms- used their majorities to silence the opposition. He was able to mend some ties with the Republican's for his support of slight economic measures that deemed some leeway in favor of those that argued for a mixed model (somewhat more focus on agrarian measures) with Southern Federalist's joining under his lead to pass them. A rift between the Federalist's formed as a result, though along small lines. The Republicans, rallying behind former Speaker Roane, took up a new cry: reform of the electorate (allow popular vote for Senators) and ending the Alien and Naturalization Acts.

As the elections of 1800 approached, Lee remained a popular man. His efforts were seen as both commanding and smart. During his tenure, America had not bowed to the demands of France and fought them off, along with the Barbary Pirates. More importantly, the economy picked up once more. Many believed Henry Lee III would break with the tradition set by Ward and Few and run for a second term, while others thought he wouldn't. In truth, Lee debated greatly wether to postulate for a second term, particularly after Vice-President Langdon began open talks with party leaders about becoming the nominee. Langdon revealed that the President had promised to support his nomination after his term. For a while, this seemed the course, until Henry Lee III declared he would seek a second term just a month before the Meeting of American Federalist's** that would decide the nominee. Langdon would be outraged and began a smear campaign calling Lee "King Henry". Meanwhile, the Republican's debated who would be their nominee. Ultimately, Lee would gain the support of Party leaders and be renominated, losing to Clinton and further empowering the one term tradition.

* - A Convention that reestablishes the French Kingdom.
** - A meeting, held in Alexander Hamilton's home, of the most important Federalist members, to decide their nominee. This is in contrast to the large Republican Convention that invites hundreds of party members and openly votes for their nominees.
 
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4: George Clinton, First Term (Republican; 1801-1805)
4. George Clinton (R-NY).png

4. George Clinton (1801 - 1805) Republican Party
Vice-President: Spencer Roane
Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of the Treasury: Albert Gallatin
Secretary of the Army: John Armstrong, Jr.
Secretary of the Navy: John Barry
Attorney General: James Madison
Postmaster General: Gideon Granger​

George Clinton became the first President to be inaugurated in the new federal capital called the District of Columbia. His inauguration also marked the first peaceful shift in power in United States history between one faction and another. Still, it was not a complete switch in governance as the legislative branch remained wholly in the hands of the Federalist Party. Still, Clinton bought with him 23 consecutive years of Executive experience as the Governor of New York. He also brought with him very concise opinions on governing that were not at all in line with many of the Federalist's that resided in D.C.

Getting on in age and in health, Clinton's inauguration was no grand event, nor was his Presidency one either. His inaugural speech was the shortest inaugural speech yet, given to a Senate that did not care much for it. He also resorted to writing in the yearly State of the Union Address, which both President's Few and Lee had given in person. A bitter President Lee remarked that the meeting between himself and Clinton prior to the inauguration -a tradition now- was "quick and short of substantial."

Still, Clinton really did hope to usher in Republican ideals. His cabinet -notoriously called the New York-Virginia Gang- was filled with prominent men, if from only two State's. From Vice-President Roane, to Secretary of State Jefferson, many of the personalities on the Cabinet were central to the Party's power. While this provided Clinton with a strong government to work around, it also provided many strong opinions in Cabinet meetings. Whenever there were disagreements, Jefferson, Madison, and even Roane, at times, found themselves showing little restraint in debate with the President.

Domestically, Clinton began by working with Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin on a new economic model for the Country. When he presented much lowered tariffs and a reduction to the National Bank, however, Congress squarely refused to follow his measures. Not even all Republican's in Congress agreed, many being placated during the Lee Administration for his moving towards more mixed economic measures. With a Federalist majority, little could be done for Clinton, who hoped to champion more agrarian measures. Instead, Clinton focused on something more akin to the Party during the 1800 elections: the electoral reform of the Senate. Here the President also was met with opposition. The biggest problem was that the biggest support for the measure was in the House, and it's leading advocate was now presiding over the Senate. There, Vice-President Roane found it hard to be the legislative strong arm for the executive that other Vice-President's were, regardless of his popularity and ability to work with both sides, largely due to the great opposition to the reform measures by sitting Senators.

In terms of foreign policy, Clinton distrusted the British and the French, fearing that the Paris Convention would only hold Europe for the time being. With a belief that War was inevitable, Clinton found success in having various measures passed through Congress that saw military reforms, ship construction, etc. His policies, commandeered by Jefferson, also saw any building relationship with Britain halted and strained considerably from the Lee, Few, and Ward years. Britain did not expand nor even renew it's trading guarantees with the United States in 1803, severely limiting legal trade between British Colonies and the country. Clinton pointed this as evidence that the British were not to be trusted, though secretly damned Jefferson for a particular event prior to the talks where he openly insulted the British dignitaries.

All in all, Clinton's term saw little of note. His dreams of more agrarian economic measures, the repeal of the Alien and Naturalization Acts and the electoral reform of the Senate were all rebuffed by the Federalist Congress throughout his term. His -or perhaps Jefferson's- foreign policy endeavors saw more loss than gain, with the economy taking a dip as a result. Still, he saw some success in providing more room for the military, and the continued trade with the British colonies -even if illegally- along with renewed trade access throughout Europe, saw that he wasn't viewed particularly unfavorably. As 1804 approached, Clinton made clear he had not intention on seeking a second term, and would retire from politics after his term came to an end in 1805.
 
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5: Charles Lee, First Term (Federalist; 1805-1809)
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5. Charles Lee (1805 - 1809) Federalist Party
Vice-President: Theodore Sedgwick
Secretary of State: John Marshall
Secretary of the Treasury: Abraham Ten Broek
Secretary of the Army: Samuel Dexter
Secretary of the Navy: George Hancock
Attorney General: Jared Ingersoll
Postmaster General: James Seagrove​

Charles Lee was not as verbose as his cousin, Henry Lee III, though he was, perhaps, a smarter, more tactical man politically, though his posts have been the Attorney General's office and a lone, not completed, Senate term. Of course, it wasn't completed because he was elected President. Many had doubts that Lee would pull through as an effective executive, particularly after the shake-ups that sent the election to Congress, but there was an exception: Lee himself.

He had been present during the Federalist leadership meeting in Hamilton's home and had supported Sedgwick as his Vice-President from the get-go. The two had developed a friendship during Lee's Senate tenure and more importantly, Sedgwick was popular in the Senate as it's President pro-tempore. The rest of his cabinet consisted of men he trusted or understood would provide something to his administration. John Marshall, who had worked out the Marshall Treaty that saw Spain cede West Florida to the United States, was made Secretary of State with a clear focus in expanding trade with Britain while not enticing involvement in foreign rivalries. On the insistence of Hamilton, Lee chose former Speaker of the House Abraham Ten Broek as the Treasury Minister. He placed Samuel Dexter and George Hancock at the heads of the Army and Navy Departments, respectively, and made Jared Ingersoll Attorney General. For Postmaster, Lee appointed James Seagrove.

The first big news of the term was the breakout of the Spring Revolution in Spain. The French Revolution had inspired a myriad group of revolutionaries across the continent of Europe spawning a revolutionary literary movement that romanticized the bloody death the Monarch Coalition brought on the French Republic and it's subsequent Paris Convention. With Spain in dire straights, The Second Marshall Treaty is signed, where-in the United States acquires East Florida for a sum. Republican's in Congress oppose the motion on grounds of overreaching from the executive but to no avail.

The next major success for Lee comes at the legislative end when, spurned by Treasury Minister Abraham Ten Broek, he proposes funds be allocated for the expansion of road systems and canal systems. Various measures are taken, with the highlight being a proposed Erie Canal that New York legislators have been calling for, along with a "National Road" from the Capital west into Kentucky. Republicans start firing against this, though some Western establishment Republican's aren't particularly against it.

Like in Europe, a rise in revolutionary inspired writing occurs. The tone is different in America, taking a more patriotic, Republican appeal, but the movements sweeps across the Country. The result is the Republican taking of the House in the 1808 Mid-Terms, and tying the Federalist's in the Senate. This would be a hamper for the President, and when the House proposed an early termination to the Alien and Naturalization Acts, Lee urged Sedgwick to cast the tie breaking vote in favor of ending the Acts in hopes of breaking ground with Republican's. Instead, Republican attacks were only stronger as the new Republican's elected in '08 represented the revolutionary movement. Hamiltonian Federalist's and the Senate Federalist's in particular, felt betrayed by Lee and Sedgwick's moves. When the House proposed an electoral reform movement for the Senate, Sedgwick broke the tie in the Senate against it, regaining some support.

Meanwhile, funds for the National Road, Erie Canal, and other prospects met a wall amidst Republican House attacks. Coupled by the expenditure spent on East Florida, the Country saw itself hit a recession towards the end of Lee's term. With Republican's emboldened by a rising group of French ex-patriots (thanks to the end of the Alien and Naturalization Acts) and the revolutionary movement sweeping the streets calling for Patriotism and Republicanism, the Federalist's find themselves in shaky waters after Charles Lee's Presidency.

And in the Spanish city of New Orleans, where thousands upon thousands of French Revolutionaries escaped to after the fall of the Republic, the Spanish flag is replaced by a new flag...
 
6: Henry Lee III, Second Term (Federalist; 1797-1801/1809-1813)
3. Henry Lee III (F-VA).png

6. Henry Lee III (1809 - 1812) Federalist Party
Vice-President: James Hillhouse
Secretary of State: John Marshall
Secretary of the Treasury: Tench Coxe
Secretary of the Army: Samuel Dexter
Secretary of the Navy: George Hancock
Attorney General: Thomas Newton, Jr.
Postmaster General: James Seagrove​

The sixth election since the adoption of the Constitution saw one great first: the reelection of a President. The “One Term Rule” set by Artemas Ward when he chose not to run for re-election, respected by Few when he did as much and then ‘proven’ by Henry Lee III when he lost his re-election attempt in 1800, had finally broken. Interestingly enough, however, it was not broken by Charles Lee, the sitting President, but by his brother, Henry Lee III himself, who Federalist bosses gave the nomination to on a daring move that proved effective. The sitting President was grumbled by what occurred but chose not to challenge his brother, knowing a three-way split would not be appealing. Henry took the nomination, after concurring with the sitting President, and then took the election from James Garrard, though rather closely, on a platform of returning to the good times of his term.

Republican papers all across the nation decried “King Henry” and the “Lee Dynasty", but Federalist papers had mastered the art of national defaming. It was also hard to attack Henry when his was considered the last prosperous term. Things had changed since he was last President, however. For one, he would reside in the District of Columbia now rather than New York City. After a long parade down the central street, Lee took his second oath of office on the steps of the Capitol Building, brother at his side. The formalities were not the only things that had changed from his first term, the politics were different as well, foreign and domestic. 8 years of sluggish economic growth and recession largely due to fluctuating party control in the legislature and the executive, had left the nation on edge. Revolutionaries across the Mississippi declared the Republic of Louisiana and worries spread about the fate of the port at New Orleans. Britain had taken the mantle as protector of the old guard in Europe as it crumbled in the America’s.

When of Henry’s first hopes as President was an open dialogue with Britain in hopes of easing back any tensions that had formulated over the years. Those hopes were dashed when Banastre Tarleton became Prime Minister. Infamous in the United States for the Waxhaw Massacre and famous in Britain for that very reason, the Tarleton Government had little to no interest in bettering relations with the United States further than they were now. In the Summer of 1809, Britain intervened in Spain and sent a threat to the United States Government on intervening in the on-going revolutions in Spanish America, which had now spread to most of it’s colonies. Henry swore it off as a showing of force, the British doing little to get involved in Spain’s revolting colonies.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Louisiana had declared an intention of friendship with the United States and after solidifying their hold over the region (with revolutionaries spreading into Tejas) by taking St. Louis, they kept Spanish rates for American shipping at New Orleans. Even though the Patriotism Movement continued swelling after the first year of his term, President Lee took this in good stride and decided to focus on the Country. Relations with the restored Kingdom of France were stabilized and American merchants spread across the world. In particular, trade with the ‘rebelling’ colonies also spiked, unrestricted by Spanish shipping. When Portugal broke in Republican revolt in March of 1810, trade with Brazil (where the monarchy went into exile) also sparked. The cotton-gin had also seen a spike in plantation production -at the expense of the still-born abolition movement- in the Southern States of Georgia, South Carolina, and the Territories of Yazoo and West Florida. As cotton was produce, so too it was shipped north to be handled and shipped, sparking an economic upturn across the East Coast.

The result was more and more infringement on native lands, culminating in an unauthorized treaty between a dubious Creek leader and Representatives from Georgia and Yazoo that saw large swaths of land opened to settlement in exchange for monetary funds and a plantation for said ‘chief’. The entire thing was a fraud resulting in the armed attack by Creeks and the Creek American War. Former President William Few and Georgia Senator James Jackson openly opposed Governor James Jones motives in the entire ordeal, resulting in his impeachment by the Georgia legislature. President Lee would organize a contingent to end the conflict. The Creeks, inspired by their own ‘revolutionary hero’ Menawa, refused to hear American overtures. After 8 months of fighting, the Creek bands were defeated, and ultimately lost much of the land unlawfully sold off anyways. Menawa did not die, however, and continued to lead a ‘revolutionary revival’ amongst the tribe after the peace.

With the economy revitalized, all seemed well as 1812 rolled around. Then British forces assaulted New Orleans, took the port, and closed it. Almost immediately, Louisianan officials, many of which were American, asked for help from the United States leaving Lee in a sticky situation. He vowed non-involvement, but with the port closed and threatening to hurt American interests, something had to be done. The decision was made for him when British ships began harassing American merchant vessels in the Caribbean that were conducting trade with rebelling colonies. On June 17th, 1811, much to the chagrin of various New England Federalist’s who feared a land war so close to home or worse, continued attacks on shipping, Lee called a special session of Congress and declared American support in the Louisianan Liberation of New Orleans. Almost immediately afterwards troops stationed in West Florida and Yazoo crossed into Louisiana and met with their own troops. Led by Jacob Brown and Zebulon Pike, the Siege of New Orleans began that Fall. In the Great Lakes, James Hull prepared to defend American positions with the small but stable Lake Erie Fleet at his side. War had come to the country and the enemy was once again Britain.
 
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Here is a list of opponents for these elections:

17889/89: Artemis Ward (Ind./Fed.-MA)/Richard Henry Lee (Ind.-VA)
-an assortment of candidates [1]
1792: William Few (Fed.-GA)/Richard Henry Lee (Ind.-VA)
-an assortment of candidates [2]
1796: Henry Lee III (Fed.-VA)/John Langdon (Fed.-NH)
- Spencer Roane (Rep.-VA)/George Clinton (Rep.-NY)
1800: George Clinton (Rep.-NY)/Spencer Roane (Rep.-VA)
- Henry Lee III (Fed.-VA)/Theodore Sedgwick (Fed.-MA)
1804: Charles Lee (Fed.-VA)/Theodore Sedgwick (Fed.-MA) [3]
- Charles Pinckney (Rep.-SC)/Nicholas Gilman, Jr. (Rep.-NH)
1808: Henry Lee III (Fed.-VA)/James Hillhouse (Fed.-CT)
- James Garrard (Rep.-KY)/Thomas Sumter (Rep.-SC)

[1] List of Candidates:
  • Richard Henry Lee
  • Artemas Ward
  • Patrick Henry
  • Samuel Adams
  • Elbridge Gerry
  • Roger Sherman
  • William Few
  • George Mason
  • Thomas Mifflin
  • Henry Knox
  • Anthony Wayne

The election went to the House, with the top five candidates being Fed, Lee, Ward, Knox and Sherman. Ward was selected by the House over Few, who had more electoral votes.

[2] List of Candidates:
  • Richard Henry Lee
  • Philip Schuyler
  • William Short
  • William Few
  • Samuel Adams
  • James Iredell
  • George Clinton

[3] While the second election went easily enough even with multiple candidates, and the second election was handled in a way that clearly saw more votes Lee for rather than Langdon, the fourth election was close, and with some misvotes here and there, it went back to the House. Charles Lee would ultimately be elected and shortly afterward the 12th Amendment would be passed finally designating separate votes for President/Vice-President as tickets so the problem would not occur again.
 
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United States Presidential Election of 1812
United States Presidential Election, 1812

In Great Britain, news was just arriving of the incoming American siege of New Orleans and Prime Minister Tarleton's Government is united in it's opposition to the United States' advancements. In the United States, however, the Country would fall divided come the 1812 general election for President between known leader Henry Lee III (F), seeking a third term, and opposing Republican Governor William Eustis, both running on a pro-war stance. The elections, however, would be split due to the splintering of the Quid faction from the Republicans and the Peace faction from the Federalists. The result, a four way battle where both splinter groups gained electoral votes alongside the main parties, sending the election to Congress for the third time in the Country's history.

Like the factions, Congress was also split. Conventional wisdom would tell you that Lee would have become the obvious choice for President, considering the Federalist majority in Congress. The inclusion of James Hillhouse, however, as the third prospect for President, would hinder any easy selection of Lee. The Republicans were also facing dilemmas with Quid members of Congress refusing to vote, abstaining. All of New England went for Hillhouse on the first go around, with the West largely abstaining (Tennessee went for Eustis) and the rest being a toss-up. Hillhouse successfully helped create an anti-King Henry campaign in Congress that only served to divide the party more. Eustis supporters met with Hillhouse supporters, and urged them to vote for Eustis in the House, giving the Governor the majority, on grounds that he would be better than 'King Henry' being from New England. In the Senate, support was exchanged for Peace Federalist Rufus King, providing a dual-ticket of Republican Governor William Eustis for President and Peace Federaist Rufus King for Vice-President. The entire thing was decried from the Federalist establishment and the Quid Republican's as a corrupt bargain.

William Eustis (Whig Republican-Massachusetts)/Rufus King (Peace Federalist-New York)
 
In your list you may you want to change George Clinton (Rep. VA) to NY instead as he was a NYer and, as a NY myself, I know he probably would have considered it a bit of an insult to be called a Southerner! :D
 
7: William Eustis, First Term (Republican; 1813-1821)
7. William Eustis (R-MA).png

7. William Eustis (1813 - 1817) Republican Party
Vice-President: Rufus King
Secretary of State: James Monroe
Secretary of the Treasury: Isaiah L. Green
Secretary of the Army: John Armstrong, Jr.
Secretary of the Navy: Jacob Crowninshield
Attorney General: Caesar A. Rodney
Postmaster General: Barnabas Bidwell​

William Eustis was never the driving force of the Party, nor was he considered a transformative figure, but he was more than competent for executive maneuvering, having been Governor of Massachusetts since 1809 and leading the Republican Revival within the state during the current Revolutionary Movement. Prior to that, Eustis served as a Representative from 1802 onwards, a firm believer in the moderate origins of the Party portrayed by early members of the Party. In the House, his dedication to the ideals of Roane and Madison amidst the rise of Western Quid factionalism helped him greatly in his selection as the Republican nominee. He was likable and capable, if not memorable.

But he would be memorable.

Eustis was just the second Republican elected President -though historians argue wether or not President Few was a true Federalist- and the first in over a decade. His Republican predecessor, President George Clinton, had a lukewarm term that amounted to little in terms of securing party control of national direction. In many ways, it fueled the embryonic Quid movement. Now Eustis was the chosen faith of the Whig Republicans, ready to do what needed to be done, even with a Federalist Congress. Before he could do any of that, however, Eustis had to deal with a War. His meeting with outgoing President Henry Lee III was brief, with on-going operations explained and a hasty, but grand exit for the sole man to run the nation twice. In many ways, Eustis respect President Lee III, whose government had overseen good times for the nation, but Eustis was ready to begin a new era.

With a cabinet studded by big names and united under common virtue, Eustis began the process of winning the War against Britain. Though many in his home-state and the New England region as a whole were opposed to the idea of a war with Britain, Eustis quickly dispelled those rumors. He was helped in large part by the patriotic revival that had spread across the nation, enabling a decently large and fast recruitment of troops at all fronts, including securing the New England waters. The Merchant Ships had done their best in the Caribbean against the British naval ships, thanks in large part to Eustis' campaigning in the House to allow them to be armed. Now, they were joined by the American Navy in their fight against the British. Still, even with all the ships built over the last three decades by various acts, fighting off the strongest naval power on Earth would be no small task.

There was one area, however, where American ships did have the upper hand: the Great Lakes. Though Clinton once derailed the entire "waste", Federalist policy had allowed for the creation of a Great Lakes fleet, enough to aid against British incursions on Detroit and other lake cities. More importantly, enough to set the upper hand on the continent right from the start. American troops led by William Henry Harrison and William Hull, pushed North from the West, while a second flank led by Henry Dearborn struck a campaign into Quebec. Dearborn, who had served in the Quebec Campaign during the Revolution, found successes amplified when his troops were joined by Quebecois french-men in a swift, yet effective, 1813 offensive. In April 27, the Battle of York was decidedly won by the United States, led by Zebulon Pike.

These early successes provided a fuel for the President, who worked with Secretary of State James Monroe in the creation of the Golden Liberty policy. The ideals of Golden Liberty was the masterpiece of the President, who morphed moderate Whig Republican ideals with the ideals of Liberty and the Revolutionary Movement. Eustis presented himself to Congress various times and published snippets all throughout the nation calling for senate electoral reform, universal male suffrage and a promotion of republicanism and liberty, both at home and abroad. His economic positions were strong in their favor of creating an open route for the United States to trade with the America's in their entirety. A series of pamphlets, called the Papers on Liberty, were strategic in garnering public support. Paper #6, said to have been truly penned by Secretary of State Monroe, and commonly referred to as the Mutual Protection Paper, specifically stated America's role as defender of Liberty in the America's. Eustis used the popularity and support to provide troops for the war and pass various initiatives, such as war taxes, to fund it.

Still, there were various issues and things were not purely clear skies. The first attempt at a siege into New Orleans, which began under Henry Lee, had failed, with Major General Andrew Jackson dying in the attempt. British troops advanced slightly outside the city, securing the area, with British ships increased in the area severely hurting operations. In the East, British troops continued harass the Capital and Eastern cities, taking extensive efforts by the American navy to protect the coastal cities. Then things changed as 1814 rolled around. The Irish Revolution broke out in full scale and an extended economy led to the 1814 Riots in Great Britain that sent the country spiraling. With British troops fighting in Spain, Portugal, throughout the America's, and now against the United States itself, a collapsing economy caused panic. In it's panic, 'Mad King' George III and Prime Minister Tarleton became ever more oppressive in fear of the "possible revolutionaries." The New Years Day Massacre in London was the last draw and the isles erupted in a small, but harmful revolt.

This was the crux for American interests. With attentions split back to the homeland, the Northern Campaigns pulled ahead in securing Canada alongside Quebecois nationals, meanwhile in the South, American troops worked in conjunction with Louisianan troops in beating back British forces, with Franklin Boyd becoming a national sensation after his daring moves in the Second Siege of New Orleans, leading a flank motion that caught the British by surprise and pushing them out of the city for good. He became a national sensation almost immediately. Tarleton was ousted from the Government and the new British government severely limited the King even further, radicalized and led by a generation raised through war times. Forces withdrew from Iberia, where Portugal and Spain both fell to Republican forces. The Spanish Monarchy fled to La Plata (the only loyal colony left) while the Portuguese Monarchy escaped to Brazil. All sides came to the table in early 1815 and the independence of various states, including Louisiana and Quebec, were guaranteed, alongside with the annexation of Upper Canada and the Maritimes to the United States being agreed on. The Monarchy in Argentina was permitted so long as it recognized the independence of it's territories. Republican Spain received the non-rebellious Caribbean islands, though some in the United States felt they should gain independence as well.

It was a sweeping and massive victory not just for the Country, but for Eustis and the Whigs. The 1814 Midterms, as a result, saw the Whig faction of the Party taking control of Congress through a large plurality. The Quids officially separated from the Party, taking a large base away and refining themselves as a separate Party. Meanwhile, Federalist's shuffled amidst such popularity behind Eustis's handling of the War. Eustis used the next two years to asses the new territories and pass universal male suffrage, amidst Federalist attacks. Federalist's called for annexation of Louisiana to create "a united American republic", a movement especially pushed by Southern Federalist's amidst a growth of the North, but measures were not sought by Eustis, nor the Louisianan's. By the end of his term, the war had been won rather swiftly and daringly and Eustis had reinvented the party. He was renominated without hesitation by the Republican Convention of 1816 as the Federalist and the newborn State Rights Party (the Quids) sought their own nominees against the Republican's.

America's 1816.png
 
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I'm liking this TL! Keep it up! :D

I'm rooting for Peru-Bolivia (stay together!), Louisiana, and Mexico, in that order, to prosper/do better than OTL.
 
List of Governors

Connecticut - Chauncey Goodrich (F)
Delaware - James A. Bayard (F)
Georgia - Benjamin Hawkins (R)
Kentucky - Isaac Shelby (SR/R)
Maryland - Robert Wright (R)
Massachusetts - Harrison G. Otis (F)
New Hampshire - William Plumer (R)
New Jersey - Aaron Ogden (F)
New York - Killian K. Van Rensselaer (F)
North Carolina - Nathaniel Macon (SR)
Ohio - William Clark (SR)
Pennsylvania - Frederick Muhlenberg (R)
Rhode Island - James Fenner (R)
South Carolina - Thomas Pinckney (F)
Tennessee - Joseph Anderson (SR)
Vermont - Jonas Galusha (R)
Virginia - Edward Henry (R)

List of Territorial Governors

Indiana - Gabriel Slaughter
East Florida - John Coffee
Huron - Zebulon Pike
Maritime - Henry Dearborn
Michigan - William Hull
Washington - Nathaniel Pope
West Florida - Fulwar Skipwith
Yazoo - Meriwether Lewis
 
United States Presidential Election of 1816
United States Presidential election, 1816

The 1816 Presidential Election was interesting for a multitude of factors. When the Otis Letters were published in Boston, exposing the long spread whisper that he had planned measures of secession before the war went good. More importantly, he had been a compromise candidate selected by the Committee after there was too much gridlock between Brown supporters and supporters of the two Marshall's. The result was a large amount of Federalist voters choosing not to vote, or voting for one of the other parties instead. While these remained the minority, those that did vote for a different party largely voted Republican in New England and the East, and State Rights in the West, a result of Madison's calls for Federal internal projects. On the Republican corner, a small amount were angered by the large bloc that rushed Eustis to re-election, having been strict one-term supporters, and protest voted for State Rights, bolstering their position in the South. Still, while the State Rights Party obtained a large amount of the vote, they were concentrated rather than spread out, and the Republican's won the Electoral College, with a slim plurality of the popular vote.* (For those States that had them).

William Eustis became the first President to ever be elected to a consecutive term.

William Eustis (Republican - Massachusetts)/John Armstrong, Jr. (Republican - New York)

1816 Electoral Map.png
 
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7: William Eustis, Second Term (Republican; 1813-1821)
7. William Eustis (R-MA).png

7. William Eustis (1817 - 1821) Republican Party, 2nd term
Vice-President: John Armstrong, Jr.
Secretary of State: James Monroe
Secretary of the Treasury: Isaiah L. Green
Secretary of the Army: William H. Harrison
Secretary of the Navy: Jacob Crowninshield
Attorney General: Caesar A. Rodney
Postmaster General: Barnabas Bidwell​

William Eustis had led the nation through it's second major war with Britain and won that War emphatically. In stark contrast to the only other Republican to hold the office -George Clinton- Eustis became extremely popular. He redefined the party along it's traditional views and new, expanded views. He was called many things and garnered respect amongst most. Come 1816, the Republican Convention swiftly handed him the nomination after acquiring 51% of the votes on the First Ballot. It was presumed that he would easily win reelection. While it was closer than expected, with Senator Madison and the State Right's Party capitalizing on name recognition and 'one term curse' belief, Madison pulled off the victory and became the first President elected to consecutive terms.

While Eustis' first term was known for the War of American Liberation, his second would be quiet on the side of warfare. Instead, Eustis focused heavily on securing the new position garnered by the United States and the freed American countries. The economy skyrocketed as trade between the various American nations expanded and the Country entered a Golden period of peace and prosperity.

Domestically, Eustis worked to push support of some national works projects within his own party and John Armstrong became one of the most vocal Vice-President's in a while. When the President began pushing hard enough, he found support amongst enough Republicans and Federalist's (and even some State Rights) to pass the National Road Act of 1817, moving large amounts of funding towards expanding the national road systems across the West. A second bill, the National Works Act of 1818, saw funding shift to various canal projects as well, with the establishment of industries. These two acts were a severe blow to the State Rights Party's Western core. The draw back would be a reduction in military spending, which many Federalist's fumed against. In the 1818 Mid-Terms the Republican's gained a majority in both the Senate and the House, while the State Right's Party lost steam.

Under this new Republican Congress the President was hoping to pass one of the earliest tenets of the Party: electoral reform in the Senate. With some State Right support, the House passed a motion for an amendment that required Senators to be elected by the citizens rather than by the state legislators. John Armstrong spurred a strong Republican movement to have it passed in the Senate, but failed to reach the 2/3rds needed amidst strong Federalist opposition. Federalist's derailed the notion as "making changes to critical portions of the Constitution." Eustis would be unable to see Senate reform pass under his Presidency.

Another highlight of his Presidency was the re-chartering of the National Bank in early 1820, after various Republican's and State Rights Congressmen openly questioned it's need. Still, Eustis supported a rechartering, though with more limitations to funding and strength of the Bank, as a focus of the economical structure of the nation. As the Republican Convention neared, Eustis was wracked with a resurgence of the Indian Wars, with the Seminole War erupting in East Florida and a resurgence of battle in the Northwest. Then, in the Summer of 1820, various American's that had crossed into Louisiana near the border with Kentucky, and attempted a coup of the local Government, declaring a Valentine Riverine Republic. The Louisianan Government was incensed, particularly when the upstart group of American's began calling for recognition and annexation by the United States, with State Right's and Southern Federalist's in support. William Eustis pledged no involvement in the groups actions and promised the Louisiana Government full co-operation in their prosecution.

With this, the Republican's met to select a new nominee, Eustis' declaring he would not seek a third term. The diminished State Rights Party would hold their nomination in Charleston, South Carolina with breathes of fire and the Federalist's were seeking to redeem themselves after 8 years out of power.
 
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