Forgotten No More: An American Presidential TL

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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.

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. (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 (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 (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 (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...

 

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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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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)

 

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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.

 

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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)

 

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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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8. Philip J. Schuyler (1821 - 1825) Federalist Party
Vice-President: Humphrey Marshall
Secretary of State: Charles Adams, Charles F. Mercer
Secretary of the Treasury: Richard Rush
Secretary of the Army: Thomas Forrest
Secretary of the Navy: Richard Dale
Attorney General: Roger B. Taney, Thomas Forrest
Postmaster General: William Davidson​

Philip Jeremiah Schuyler was eager to become President. Only ever serving as a Representative before being elected to the highest office in the nation, Schuyler was no less ambitious. He also figured himself to be prepared. The truth was, Schuyler was confident in his own ability to lead. Certainly more confident in himself than his Vice-President, let alone a large portion of the Federalist electorate that still saw Schuyler as an extension of Hamilton and the party’s old ways. His Inaugural Parade leading to his official swearing in was not as large as the crowds Eustis’ brought in, nor as large as the ones Henry Lee III had seen, either. Still, Schuyler took the Oath of Office with a smile from cheek to cheek, and then proceeded in giving an inaugural address that touched on American excellence, Federalist excellence, and how he would lead the Country into both.

Off the bat, Schuyler, however, proved things would be different with him as President, though not necessarily in a good way. He failed to make it to the Capital until the day before his inauguration, missing some of the ‘traditions’ set forth by prior President’s, particularly that of meeting with the outgoing executive. His plans for the Country were simple and optimistic, yet lacked in actual planning. Vice-President Marshall was quick to take a vocal role in cabinet meetings, pointing out various issues he found with Schuyler’s plans, as a result, Marshall saw himself booted from Cabinet Meetings all together at times. His cabinet in general, composed largely off suggestion by the Federalist Committee, began to show distaste for the President.

Almost immediately, Schuyler began antagonizing Congress to see to it that his legislative agenda and economic ideas were implemented. Unfortunately for Schuyler, he had never been the biggest voice during his short time in the House and lacked true friends. While Federalist members were oftentimes sympathetic with the President’s calls for a ‘restoration of the bank’s strength’ they understood that it simply could not be ‘done this moment’ as the President wanted. Schuyler took this as defiance and ran a sizable platform derailing some of his own party members as traitors. Quickly, many were wondering exactly what selecting Schuyler as the nominee had done.

Another big dilemma for the President was his relative inaction towards the Riverine Republic at first. This angered Louisianan officials who felt the United States should help in bringing down the protestors. Still, this wasn’t particularly a bad move, as the majority of the Country remained ambivalent to involvement in the whole ordeal regardless. The July Letter, however, would become a bane in the President’s dealings when the Riverine Republic made a plea to the Government, asking for recognition in exchange for annexation. In a letter response, Schuyler promised to recognize the Republic and annex it if it managed to hold it’s position to the end of the year and gain legitimacy. The letter found it’s way into the press and the outcry was immense. Things only got worse from there, with the President attempting to shutdown those that had released the letter on grounds of traitorous activity. The Louisianan Government defeated the Riverine Republic by August of 1822 and ended ties with the United States past a formal level. When they implemented a tax on use of New Orleans, the economy took a hit.

Marshall was quick to take control of Senate Federalist’s in opposition to the President. The 1822 Mid-Terms saw Republican (and State Rights gains) while also seeing a distancing all around of Federalist’s from the President. Charles Adams resigned, as did Attorney General Roger B. Taney, over disagreements with the President. Marshall remained as Vice-President but made little to no contact with the President, instead using his role as the leader of the Senate to orchestrate a near abandonment of the legislator from the executive. The next two years were stagnant in all regards, with the President vetoing various measures Congress attempted to pass and vice-versa. One of his final attempts was the failed London Treaty, where-in new relations were defined with the British Government, including allowing British traders to roam in Huron and hold assets in prior British lands. Marshall rallied the opposition, and the treaty failed to get not even 20% of the vote in the Senate.

When the 1824 elections appeared on the horizon, Schuyler found himself abandoned by his own party and judged for his ineffectiveness. America had entered a slumping economic state, largely in part to the New Orleans tax. All facets of society judged the President for not fixing relations with Louisiana, while others argued that if diplomacy did not work, other actions might. Still, all believed Schuyler had failed the nation. The United States role as the leader of the New World also diminished as the independent nations of the America’s found their own paths and the United States became less involved. Though he declared interest in a second term, no one took it seriously.

 

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Less US interference in the Americas? YES!

Glad you're enjoying it so far!

Also, heres something else:

Addendum #1: The 1820's Native Wars During the Schuyler Presidency

President Philip Jeremiah Schuyler is known as one of the most inefficient President's the nation has seen. Still, in one regard, historians can agree he was somewhat effective. When Schuyler became President, a resurgence of conflict in the Northwest (Second Northwest Indian War) and East Florida (Seminole War) had already begun. As President, Schuyler was shunned by the legislative branch of the United States, but maintained control of the armed forces. He, along with careful suggestion from Army Secretary Brown, oversaw the defeat of the Seminole Tribe in northern East Florida (American forces were led by Territorial Governor John Coffee) and the St. Johns River Treaty saw the Seminole's agree to move South around Lake Apopka, in-between the St. Johns and Withlacoochee Rivers. In the Northwest, things were more severe as natives had traded with Louisianan traders in the Northern frontier and had acquired British weaponry throughout the War of American Liberation (and discreetly afterwards from loyalists). Schuyler attempted to pass an act creating a semi-autonomous Northwest District, where the natives would govern themselves distinctly, but Congress had given up on the President and paid no mind to the proposal. Still, fighting has been dying out as American forces slowly beat the native forces.

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There's also a tentative map of 1824:

*Note, this map may see further changes. Reflects succession of a Bourbon to the Italian throne during the brief Italian Succession Crisis, with France seriously involved in Italian affairs, along with the Neapolitan Civil War after the death of Valentino Amato by rivaling Valentinoist factions. Also shown is the Greek, Serbian, Egyptian and Albanian revolutions in the Ottoman Empire, various revolts in Russia, the adjusted South American borders after the New Grenada-Equatorian War, the Charcas Independence War in Peru, and Dominican Independence efforts.

 

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United States presidential election, 1824
The 1824 elections were an intense affair where both the Federalists and Republicans utilized their respective partisan publishing companies to full might. Across the country, partisan papers printed in record numbers as both sides tried to one up the other and win the respect and hearts of Americans. The elections would also highlight the growing slavery question as the State Rights Party shifted further into a Southern Party, emboldened by the ascension of the new Liberty Party that called for abolition. The charged up atmosphere, due in part to the worsening economy and questions of doubt that filled Americans after years of peace and prosperity and national feelings of good. The Liberty Party took a gamble by nominating President Schuyler and though they only managed 5% of the vote, it helped spread the name. It still holds to see what this Party will amount to in the future. The true heavy weights were the Federalists and Republicans: the former pitted the sitting Vice-President as everything that Schuyler wasn't, the latter pitted a young and inexperienced Governor with national prominence. Yet it would be the State Rights candidate of Thomas Spalding, with his calls of "invading Louisiana now and ending the Port Tax by force" that truly rallied the crazed political atmosphere. The result was no candidate receiving a majority of the electoral or popular vote, sending the election to Congress. Humphrey Marshall was two electoral votes shy of securing the nomination, while Franklin Boyd edged ahead in the popular vote.

The outgoing Republican controlled Congress swiftly elected Boyd and Key, respectively, to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency.

Humphrey Marshall (F-KY)/Louis McLane (F-DE) 116 EV, 34.9% PV
Franklin Boyd (R-WF)/Francis S. Key (R-MD) 76 EV, 38.3% PV
Thomas Spalding (SR-GA)/John A. Cocke (SR-KY) 42 EV, 21.8% PV
Philip J. Schuyler (L-NY)/John T. Carter (L-VA) 0 EV, 5% PV

 

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Did Turquoise ever give you a picture for "Franklin Boyd"? If not I'd recommend using William Claiborne, who seems to be a close analog for Boyd.

Yes, she used Peyton Randolph as her image.

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9. Franklin Boyd (1825 - 1829) Republican Party
Vice-President: Francis S. Key
Secretary of State: Edward Livingston
Secretary of the Treasury: William H. Crawford
Secretary of the Army: John Williams
Secretary of the Navy: Samuel L. Southard
Attorney General: William Wirt
Postmaster General: William T. Barry​

Franklin Boyd would be 39 years old when he was elected to the Presidency, making him the youngest person ever elected. After storming the Republican Convention on his oratory skill and rhetoric, Boyd managed to get himself elected, though only after a hung electoral college and a House vote. 1824 would be a deciding year in American politics as the Second Revolutionary Movement began. As a result, Boyd found himself facing an extremely divided Congress and he knew he had to do something about it.

Before working on the actual government, though, Boyd made his way to the District of Columbia to partake in the pre-inauguration festivities that his predecessor had blown over. Perhaps as a result, the usual parades and activities were lesser in scope, but Boyd still attracted large crowds who saw him as an American Hero. Boyd wanted to make his term legitimate amidst many critics who believed he was too young and inexperienced to run the country, and it was in search of this legitimacy that he approached the Presidential Palace the day before his inauguration. Outgoing President Schuyler had not attended the traditional “Last Talk” of President Lee before him, and he hadn’t invited Boyd to one now as he was set to end his term, either. Boyd, however, was determined to meet with Schuyler. The result was anything but what Boyd hoped it would be, with Schuyler demanding Boyd leave and when Boyd refused, sent for his forceful removal, with Boyd getting into a scuffle with the guards. Papers across the country covered the ordeal to much fanfare across the Country.

Boyd moved on from the encounter and the next day he was inaugurated in front of a sizable crowd of supporters, many which had travelled from other parts of the Country. It wasn’t the largest crowd assembled for an inauguration, but it was the one with the farthest reaches, drawing in citizens from the Western states. Boyd’s inauguration speech that day laid out the core of what his term would be about: the American people and the expansion of their Golden Liberty. He openly talked about his vision of an expanded America, where the people of Louisiana and Quebec join the United States and prosperity reigns. His oratory is exciting and makes the almost fanatic crowd very pleased. Unfortunately for Boyd, the crowd in front of him that day weren’t in charge of Congress.

Boyd began his presidency with a conviction on fixing the economic hardships of the Country. Almost immediately Secretary of State Livingston was sent to New Orleans to work things out with the Louisianan government. Boyd sent Livingston with clear demands: an end to the Port Tax and an encouragement on joining the United States. While in New Orleans, Livingston did all he could to muster out a compromise and tactfully made little actual communication on a union before securing a resolution to the Port Tax issue. After assuring that Schuyler did not represent the American people or the goals of it’s Government, Livingston was able to see the Port Tax ended with both countries declaring the Mississippi River a demilitarized zone (soldiers and weapons ban) except for around New Orleans. This would be known as the Livingston Treaty in the US. As Livingston guessed, however, the Louisianan government was fiercely nationalistic and didn’t entertain any talks of union. Talks of banning northern Louisianan’s from trading and selling weaponry to natives also fell on deaf ears.

Boyd also tackled the odd Congress that had assembled by urging Congressional Republicans and Federalists to work together in moderation rather than in conjunction with the more radical State Rights or Liberty members of the legislature. Stunningly, it worked, particularly after Boyd gave the first live State of the Union address to Congress in 1826. With the economy stabilizing once more, the Coalition was able to see basic Government functions throughout, though both parties continued to attack each other in anticipation of the midterms. Recently elected Representative Roger B. Taney became the face of the State Rights party and, alongside other former Federalists, rebranded the Party on ideals he believed were “backed by the Constitution.” The result was the new Constitution Party that believed slavery was constitutionally protected and that the Government should focus on protecting it where it stands and allowing states to choose to have it. He is an opponent to doing things outside of through the Government itself however, and believes the protections can be achieved. On the other hand, the Liberty Party also upped their anti-slavery rhetoric, while adopting an array of Republican and Federalist planks. Boyd would use the influence of the executive branch to publish various pamphlets across the Country branding the Republicans as the Party of liberty and democratic expansion in an attempt to take back Congress and see actual Republican policies passed.

Unfortunately for the President the Republicans only gained 3 seats in the Midterms. The next two years of President’s Boyd’s term would have to continue on as his first two in terms of the legislative, with Republicans and Federalists working together enough to make sure the economy was running and that’s about it. Fights would break out between Liberty and Constitutional Congressmen, with Representative Lewis Tappan (L-NY) being severely beaten by Representative George Belt (C-SC) on one occasion. The atmosphere across the country was also changing, with cultural “wars” forming between Northern and Southern intellectuals and citizens. The Charleston Revolt in 1828 saw the entire city of Charleston overrun in a successful slave revolt that cut the city off for a day before the slaves mounted ships and left for Haiti. When Haiti refused to turn over the escaped slaves Constitutional congressmen agitated the President for war with Haiti. As the elections approached in 1828, these issues weighed heavily on the President’s mind and on the minds of those wishing to unseat him. One thing Boyd could claim, however, was the rise of the economy.

 

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1828 United States Presidential Election

This year more than ever there is a heightened tone over the election. As radicalism spreads throughout the north and south, the old establishment must find a middle ground or endorse some radical ideas, lest they be replaced. Issues like the Charleston Rebellion, the Haitian Response, and Slavery itself are polarizing the nation deeply.

The Republican Party was in a messy situation. They had control of the Executive the last four years, but lacked control of Congress leading to little progress. With Boyd deciding not to run, a real debate began on how to move forward. Many, at first, fell behind the 'Establishment' Candidate, Edward Livingston, the Secretary of State. Yet, the Livingston Treaty had been somewhat polarizing in itself, and he wasn't exactly a fresh face. The rising voice of both the radical north and south materialized as Augustine Clark, an abolitionist, and Thomas Hart Benton, a Southerner calling for expansion. Ultimately, the Livingston made a decision, and Edward Livingston secured the nomination on the 19th Ballot. Thomas Hart Benton was chosen as the Vice-Presidential candidate, and the sizable Clark supporters stormed out. Livingston is standing on ideals of continuing the people's control of Government by finally passing through Senate electoral reform. Livingston is also, as part of his deal with Benton, supporting expansion into Louisiana. Some call this hypocritical considering the Livingston Treaties.

The Federalist Party is also in a dilemma, witnessing the worst stretch in the parties history without control of at least the legislative or executive. Meeting in New York City, the national leaders invited presented their public vote, which saw Governor Edmund Jennings Lee with a sizable plurality, with a majority split between the rest of the candidates. As a result, the top three candidates were presented to the Selection Committee, and on a vote of 11-5-4 (Lee, Taney, Sergeant), Edmund Jennings Lee was selected as the Federalist candidate. Being the third Lee to be nominated, the Republicans are referring to the ticket as "the Lee Monarchy!" and signs of nepotism or corruption. Lee himself stands as a middle-ground candidate in these times for being a Southerner, who believes slavery is wrong, who also believes that the participants of the Charleston Rebellion must be apprehended from Haiti. In this way, he is able to appeal to a large array of Federalist voters. His plans involve implementing John Sergeant's American System, along with the creation of Sergeant's proposed Department of Development to renew progress in the country. He has been paired with Representative Peter Buell Porter of New York.

The Constitution Party was settled rather quickly, though not in the way anyone expected. The in-Convention campaign of Representative Mercer, who was truly just hoping to get his plan for an American Colonization Society accepted, stirred the delegates. For many, the fears of the Charleston Rebellion plagued them. The American Colonization initiative would be the perfect way of ridding the Country of free blacks who could inspire further rebellions. Taney decided to not look worse by going down in a long defeat and instead ended the entire thing by the Fourth Ballot by endorsing Mercer. In this way, Taney retained his position as party head and kept control of the party, by giving the impression that he did truly endorse Mercer and not care for the nomination. His deal with Mercer involved cabinet influence, and Taney was instrumental in selecting Federalist/Constitution Governor Charles Polk, Jr. of Delaware, who accepted the parties nomination. Mercer and the party stands on an active freedmen colonization project, an aggressive stance to the Charleston Rebellion and Haiti's defiance, a recognition of the right to slavery, and an expansion into Louisiana by any means necessary.

The Liberty Party made big waves in the 1824 Congressional elections, though didn't seem to make further progress in the 1826 Mid-Terms. Still, they're hoping to garner larger amounts of votes this election. The Party met and elected Augustine Clark, an abolitionist Republican whose sizable faction stormed out of the Republican Convention. Clark brings a Republican Swing to the Party, and they have also adopted calls for Senate electoral reform. Clark is standing on implementing a plan for abolition now in order to ensure an end to slavery. Clark has been paired with Representative Lewis Tappan of New York, a remarkably young ticket.

Ultimately, the election saw the national collapse of the Constitution Party in it's first national election. With the Republican brand being attacked for breaking its stances of neutrality and peace with Louisiana in favor of expansionism, it was ultimately Lee who would win the election in spectacular fashion. Vermont went for Liberty candidate Augustine Clark, a significant gain for the young party.

Edmund J. Lee (F-VA)/Peter B. Porter (F-NY) 188 EV; 55.5% PV
Edward Livingston (R-NY)/Thomas H. Benton (R-TN) 29 EV; 34.3
Charles F. Mercer (C-VA)/Charles Polk, Jr. (C-DE) 11 EV; 4.1% PV
Augustine Clark (L-VT)/Lewis Tappan (L-NY) 8 EV; 6.1% PV

 

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10. Edmund Jennings Lee (1829) Federalist Party
Vice-President: Peter B. Porter
Secretary of State: Richard Rush
Secretary of the Treasury: James Biddle
Secretary of the Army: John Coffee
Secretary of the Navy: Samuel L. Southard
Attorney General: George Tibbits
Postmaster General: Simon N. Dexter
Department of Development: William Hendricks​

The third Lee to become president did so in remarkable fashion. As a matter of fact, Edmund Jennings Lee became the first person elected President with a majority of the popular vote since 1808, 20 years prior. That was his brother, former President Henry Lee III who came out with a strong performance for a second term, replacing yet another brother, former President Charles Lee. The Lee brothers, with the election of Edmund, are without a doubt the most influential political dynasty by 1828. What this meant for President Lee was that he had big shoes to fill. Unlike his Federalist predecessor, Lee arrived in Washington D.C. with grace and attended all “traditions” including meeting with outgoing President Boyd. After which, Lee was quick to make an appearance in front of Congress, giving his inaugural address to those there.

Lee was quick on various fronts. Almost immediately, the Constitution Party saw itself splinter at the seams as the former State Right members and even those former Federalists, aligned themselves with the Republicans in Congress. As a result, Lee began conducting meetings with Vice-President Porter, Speaker of the House Sergeant, President pro-tempore of the Senate Charles Adams, and Liberty Senate leader Rufus King. His aim was to create a strong coalition between the Liberty Party and Federalist Party in order to bring in the sizable Liberty members into the fold. Of course, Rufus King demanded that any such coalition required Federalist support of a large-scale abolition plan. Vice-President Porter, whose wife was of the prominent slave-holding Breckenridge family, opposed the ideas outright on grounds that it would alienate support from those Constitutionals that were former Federalist’s. Lee, a Southerner, countered that true Federalist’s had not abandoned the Party, to which Porter reminded that Senator King had done the same. The meetings would continue routinely for weeks seemingly going no where, until Lee was able to push a plan: the Federalist Party would announce a similar abolition plan to the one Louisiana orchestrated, with a period of 15 years starting in 1830 and ending in 1845, by which all states must abolish their slaves, enforced through Constitutional amendment.

Grumblings aside, Lee convinced party heads from the Liberty side and the Federalist side, and by July, the Liberty Party had largely folded into the Federalist Party while Federalist leaders were calling for this new abolition plan (the merger also allowed the creation of the Department of Development to pass Congress). The result was the almost universal entryism of the Constitution members into the Republican Party, the departure of many remaining Southern Federalists, and the push towards pro-slavery on the Republican side. Commentators believed Lee had done more to further partisanship within the Country and opponents cited that Lee gave no care for the Charleston Revolt. Yet Lee was also working on fixing that situation. When Haiti continued to refuse to turn over participants in the rebellion, Lee dispatched a regiment that seized Port-aux-Prince and forced the Haitian government to turn over the five leaders of the ordeal to be tried in American courts.

Among the charges against the five men were treason and the courts ruling would shake a nation splitting at the seams. Unfortuneatly for President Lee, in December 9th of his first year as President, a man by the name of Robert Baker would make his way outside the Presidential Palace unnoticed and shoot President Lee twice, missing on his first shot, but striking him in the head on his second. The President would die a few hours later and Baker would go on to say he did it “for my Country, to stop the likes of the Lee family, who wish to trample on liberty and rip the fabric of this nation to shreds.”

Vice-President Peter Buell Porter would be sworn in later than evening as the Eleventh President of the United States.

 

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11. Peter Buell Porter (1829-1833) Federalist Party
Vice-President: Charles Adams
Secretary of State: Richard Rush
Secretary of the Treasury: James Biddle
Secretary of the Army: Zebulon Pike
Secretary of the Navy: Samuel L. Southard
Attorney General: George Tibbits
Postmaster General: Simon N. Dexter
Department of Development: William Hendricks​

Vice-Presidency Debate

When Vice-President Richard Henry Lee died in office questions rose over how exactly he would be replaced. At the time, the Vice-President was the second place candidate in the previous Presidential election, something that would not change until the twelfth amendment. As a result, President pro-tempore of the Senate John Langdon made the successful argument that resulted in the eleventh amendment: in the case that the President or Vice-President is unable to perform his functions, a line of succession existed with the President pro-tempore in line to replace the Vice-President. When Edmund Jennings Lee was assassinated, Peter Buell Porter wanted Development Secretary William Hendricks to be his Vice-President. While Hendricks was an abolitionist and even a former Republican, Porter believed he was an asset for his popularity as a Westerner. The Party line backed President pro-tempore Charles Adams, who was stating that, since the Vice-President could not perform his duties, the eleventh amendment must be followed. Porter made a counter argument that the twelfth amendment changed the nature of the relationship between President and Vice-President and that, besides, it was late President Lee who could not perform his functions as President and so the eleventh amendment was in application for his succession alone. Congressional Federalist’s were not happy with the idea and denied Hendricks from entering the Senate. Rumors spread that Porter would take it to court but he finally consented and the executive department recognized Charles Adams as Vice-President.

Slavery

This was only the beginning of President Porter's long three years in office. Almost immediately after taking office, the Supreme Court found the five mean charged with orchestrating the Charleston Revolt as guilty on many counts, including murder and treason. The Marshall court also, however, declared that a slave to be charged with treason acknowledges a sort of citizenship and throws slavery into question. The South was in an uproar while the Federalist's in Congress called for abolition. All five men were hung for their crimes.

Mid-Term Majority

The efforts of Lee to united the Liberty Party and the Federalist Party ushered an end to the First Party Interlude and oversaw the beginning of the Second Party System in the United States. With the Federalist's accepting abolition, the Constitution Party almost unanimously united with the Republicans, leaving both parties on top of the political scene once more. The 1830 mid-terms resulted in large Federalist returns, giving the majority in both House of Congress. As a result, Porter oversaw various Federalist positions passed through Congress, first of which was a bill returning power to the National Bank, along with a new Tariff to promote industry throughout the Country. The economy had begun to boom as relations with Great Britain eased but tariffs were hurting the South, as Britain was somewhat unnerved by the rising cost of cotton. Still, the nation was hitting a boom period and the Federalist Party was implementing Sergeant's American System in full.

The Department of Development began implementing a large scale set of expansion, particularly in regards to expanding railway across the Country. The Baltimore and Ohio railway line, constructed from 1826-1829, was to be emulated throughout the Country, with the First Interstate Line starting set to connect the Northern East Coast to the South.

Porter used his party's position to push forward an idea proposed by former War Secretary John Williams: a separate territory for the natives of the Country. Porter proposed the notion citing continued native attacks on American settlements in the Northwest, Southern wants of control over native lands, and calls for splitting the state of Yazoo into East and West Yazoo to even out Slave and Free States. Vice-President Adams and Federalist hardliners were against the President's redistricting proposal on grounds that it broke previous treaties with native tribes and that it sided on the side of slavery, but Porter believed it would go a long way in preventing a split. The Territory and Statehood Act would be passed by an odd coalition that saw Southerners and some Northerners working together in Congress, though in separate instances. The Act saw the creation of the states of East Yazoo and West Yazoo, a reduced Huron Territory and the creation of the Indian Territory in the far Northwest of the Country. The territory extends into the disputed lands in the Northwest between Louisiana and Mexico.

The Territory and Statehood Act was almost immediately challenged by many as unconstitutional as it broke various previous federal treaties with natives. The result was the Supreme Court taking up the case as 1832 rolled around. Porter, however, went ahead and moved along with the first phase of the movement of natives, forcing relocation of those in the states of Washington and Indiana.

This wasn't enough to stop sectionalism and in 1832 the South Carolina legislature declared the Tariffs of 1830 as null and void. Porter responded by sending in troops to enforce federal law.

Mexican-Louisiana War

In 1832 the United States of Mexico declared war on the Republic of Louisiana in order to take back Louisianan Tejas. Even though the Mexican government were the aggressors, many in the United States were pushing for American siding with Louisiana. Over the years, a growing friendship had emerged between the Louisianan's and the Spanish republicans and Spanish troops were working with conjunction with Louisianan troops in their counter invasion of Mexico. (Mexico's initial invasion was an utter failure and collapsed on them) With Louisiana's amazing victories over the Mexican's, agitation continued within the Country for intervention, citing Spanish involvement as a break of the Mutual Protection Paper (Libert #6) that highlighted America's role as a defender against European incursion. In Louisiana, American-led protests over abolition along with disputes over the claimed lands have left the Louisianan government wary and rumors spread that troops are ready at the border.

President Porter isn't particularly liked by the party but hopes to gain the nomination and run for a second term. Meanwhile the Republicans are ready to take back the Executive.

 

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Treaty of Mexico City

The election of Prieur, largely a result of the confusion over Benton's election in the United States, came as somewhat of a shock. Prieur sought peace with the crumbling Mexico as swiftly as possible. Ultimately, Louisianan claims were recognized, Mexican Tejas was annexed, and the Native Free State (Estado Libre Nativo, État Libre Natif) was recognized. The Spanish Revolutionaries in Northern Mexico swelled in the aftermath, as did the Southern Reactionaries. In California, the Republic of California (Republica de California) is declared as well. The Northern rebels are supported, secretly, by the Spanish Republic.

 

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DISCLAIMER: No official portrait exists of President Hendricks, who believed there to be no time to sit for a portrait throughout his Presidency.

12. William Hendricks (1833-1837) Federalist Party
Vice-President: Charles Adams
Secretary of State: Louis McLane
Secretary of the Treasury: James Biddle
Secretary of the Army: Zebulon Pike
Secretary of the Navy: Uriah P. Levy
Attorney General: Theodore Frelinghuysen
Postmaster General: Christopher Harrison
Department of Development: Newton Cannon​

The Winner, That Lost

The election of William Hendricks was one of controversy. Until December, the national news was that Thomas Hart Benton was the President elect of the United States. Then the Territory and Statehood Act was declared unconstitutional and revoked, the electoral votes of East and West Yazoo recounted, and the election sent to Congress. The emergency session of Congress, controlled on both ends by Federalists, quickly called the election for Hendricks and Adams, and just as quickly Republicans called foul. Yet the national consensus had come at odds with supporting the radicalizing former Constitutionals within the Republican Party and while Senator Benton did well against Hendricks, the new President-elect would find comfort in his Party’s control of Congress.

Tensions In Central America

The tension to jump into the Mexican-Louisianan War was offset rather quickly into Hendricks term when Louisiana and Mexico found peace. All of Mexican Tejas and Louisiana’s claims were annexed by Louisiana, Mexico signed a 20-Year Peace Agreement and the Mexican government agreed to pay a sum to the Spanish Republic. While this left Mexico in a huge Civil War, it ended what Hendricks saw as a reason to intervene militarily. The British Government sent troops into their colonies and put down the rebellion but agreed to not move troops into Yucatan. Hendricks used this as a sign that diplomacy and patience can avert war, but with British upping it’s presence in the area, President Hendricks also oversaw expansions to the American Navy and added funds to the Army. The Federalists Congress passed the President’s plans as the Navy and Army Bills of 1834.

Mexico remained a hotbed, however, and by fall of 1834 the same government that had signed the peace treaty had collapsed internally. Then, over the winter, the Liberals led by Vicente Guerrero were able to take control of the situation by exterminating or allying with other groups. A new Constitution was drafted and the Second Republic of Mexico arose. The new Constitution granted rights to all citizens regardless of race and saw considerable economic reforms set to help subsistence farmers, Mestizos and Natives, over the large land owners. The bloody civil war had ravaged and changed the countryside and Guerrero, who was elected President, saw the Valentinoist inspired Constitution put into place.

Tensions At Home

Hendricks sought to address the national strife that had ridden over the nation. With a majority in Congress, Hendricks knew that he could get initiatives through. The issue, however, was what initiatives to pursue. Federalists were split between those in the mold of Porter and Hendricks, who were overseeing a moderate Federalism with a focus on the American System, and the Radical Federalists who wanted abolition now. Hendricks was once one of those Radicals, a member of the Liberty Party during his time in Indiana Government. But Western Libertarians were different from these Eastern Radicals, and more importantly, Hendricks knew that a radical plan would “lay us on a bed of blood.” So, interestingly enough, Hendricks supported a new Congressional initiative to once more create East and West Yazoo, a small gesture that Republicans in Congress and some Federalists got behind. The Yazoo Separation Act was passed in 1834, to the dismay of the Radical Federalists.

Vice-President Adams began to voice the opinions of the radical faction more often at cabinet meetings and it seemed that, notoriously for Federalists, the Vice-President would undermine the President if abolition wasn’t worked in some way. Hendricks sought meetings with Federalist and Republican leaders in Congress over a period of months throughout 1835. The Midterms saw the Federalist continue to control Congress and Constitutional Republicans replaced by a growing numbers of younger, more yeoman members in the South as the plantation control continues to fight with the rural whites. The 1836 Compromise is born, stating that slavery would be illegal in the United States as of 1870, but that the Federal Government could pass no law furthering the end of slavery in any State. The Compromise also made it illegal to harbor fugitive slaves even in Northern Free States, while also promising freedom to any slave who is taken to live in the North by their master. Finally, the Office on African-American Affairs (OAAA) would be created, under the Department of Development, to oversee the integration of freed blacks into American society where possible (workers are needed for the departments vast internal projects), overseeing the possibility of a freedmen colony in Africa, and overseeing a Federal Program similar to that in Virginia where-in slave-owners are compensated for freeing slaves.

Plantation Elite and Abolitionists alike caused a riot but the legislation passed.

Amidst all of this, calls for reform of the situation with natives became loud thanks to the young and upstart Senator, James Acker (F-VA). His proposals call for the creation of a representative body for certain native tribes, akin to a Native Congress, where-in said tribes can send a common Representative, akin to a semi-autonomous, non-contiguous territory. While it has gained traction, the proposal remains in the air behind the other initiatives.

Fixing Relations With America

While tensions fell considerably with the end of the Mexican-Louisianan War, the nations were still on edge. Across the hemisphere, the nations that had found independence together had been thrown into various wars against each other. With this in mind, the State Department under Louis McLane was instructed to reach out with the various national leaders of the independent American nations since the beginning of his term. The culmination was the Conference of the Americas, a joint effort by the United States, Louisiana, and the various other American nations to hold a joint meeting and fix relations. It was held in New Orleans and is considered key to the reestablishment of peaceful, trans-American relations. The Conference oversaw the end of the Rio de la Plata Rebellion in the Spanish Kingdom by overseeing the reorganization of the country in the Spanish Union on the Rio de la Plata (SURP), with the monarchy overseeing the administration of the loyalist South and the resident of the Rio de la Plata region gaining autonomy and their own President. The Republic of Uruguay was also unanimously recognized. The biggest success for Hendricks, who personally attended alongside Secretary of State Louis McLane and John Q. Adams, as part of the American legation, was the ending of the Cartagena Crisis that was threatening to throw New Grenada and Colombia into their second war. Instead, both countries kept portions of their claims in the disputed area and the rest became the Republic of Cartagena, with it’s capital in Cartagenta (obviously…). This placed the United States firmly in the position of arbiter of the Americas once more and garnered Hendricks much respect.

Of course, Hendricks also took the time in New Orleans to seek out another objective. He did, after all, wish to normalize relations with Louisiana and by agreeing to have the Conference of the Americas in New Orleans, Hendricks went a long way in garnering the respect of Louisiana’s Prieur. It is while visiting New Orleans that Hendricks orchestrated one of the many things he would go on to be known for: the Louisiana Purchase. Hendricks knew from the on-set that he wished to stymie some of the Manifest Destiny craze by purchasing Northern Louisiana, but knew he couldn’t approach the Prieur government with the proposal under typical circumstances. Instead he waited until the Conference of the Americas, where he met with the Louisianan head of state in private and came back home with a treaty for the Senate to ratify. For a fair sum, the United States would purchase the Northernmost Territory of Louisiana and the territories annexed from Mexico (exempting Tejas). The treaty also highlighted an extension of Mississippi demilitarization for 50 years and established an alliance between the United States and Louisiana (a term Prieur demanded). The hardest bit to swallow was the last term of the treaty set by Prieur: the United States would actively work to stop continued American settlement in Louisiana lands. Once again Southerners jolted and the treaty nearly failed to pass the Senate, but alas, it did.

With an economy that continued to work, the radicals in the party hushed, and the nation doubled in size, Hendricks wished to seek a second term.

 

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Map of the world as of 1837: