The State of Nova Scotia

DuQuense · May 25, 2008

EDIT: also, I just remembered this, the French are not too happy at the Americans right now. The Treaty of Paris, between Britain and the US was signed without consulting the French. As in OTL, the only thing that kept the French from becoming pushy about this was Ben Franklin's soothing words. However, once they learn that Quebec is going to America and not France, we may see a little hostile action later on.

This would have big effects in the Quasi war with the french in 1798.

In 1745 the Colonist took Fort Lousisburg by attack from the Land behind the Fort.
The Boston Merchant that Financed and lead the Expedition was the First Native Born American to be knighted by the King.
[Knighted as Baron of Boston]
Then in 1748 In the treaty of Aix Chappele Britain gave it back, To the Horror of the Colonists.

In 1749 The British established the Town of Halifax to keep a eye on the French.
Most of the original Colonists rapidly left for better areas farther south, leaving the town purely as a port, of about 2,000 people.

General Montcalm Retook Lousisburg in 1759 as part of his Quebec campaign, and the fort was destroyed.
The British then built a fort to take it's place a Halifax.
By 1775 the fort and town had a population of 7,000 persons, Mostly Military and Support people.

So for a POD you could have the British not give it back.
Course this removes one of the earliest causes of Dissatisfaction the Colony's had.
Or you could have it not be destroyed in 1759, The Main Military strong point would then be farther north on Cape Breton Island.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cape_breton_island.png

A Alternate POD for a different Nova Scotia -- A Discovery of the Gold Fields in the Maine/New Brunswick area.
This would draw a lot of Settlers to the Area, with General Arnold then having more reason to secure the area, before attacking Quebec,

Lyly · May 25, 2008

Well, according to a chart in a reference book I'm using, a big chunk of British forces were moved to Boston between 1772 and 1776 (11 Battalions were stationed there), leaving Halifax itself guarded with 2-3 companies, equivalent to that of Quebec or Ft. Niagra. This of course, still means that the Citadel will be untakable, nut at the same time may mean that the British forces in Boston could be more spread out by the time the fighting gets deep.

Anyhoo, I'll post the updated TL later today... remember, I enjoy comments, suggestions, and nitpicks, so feel free to post them

Lyly · May 25, 2008

Okay, updated dialouge and TL:

"...

It appeared that Canada would be the next point of contention in the war. French forces landed in Nova Scotia in July 14. Surrounding Halifax by land and blockading her by sea, a siege was prepared against the city. When British reinforcements arrived from New York and Canada however, these forces were repelled. Afterward, French and American forces reformed in order to launch an invasion of Quebec. The mainland of Nova Scotia, unprotected by British forces in Halifax, was under Patriot control by that October. With the French moving into Quebec from the East, and the Americans from the South, the British were caught fighting against two fronts, in addition, growing local support for the Revolution made things rough for the British in every aspect."

1778

...
July 10 – France declares war on Britain

August 16 – Franco-American forces are repelled at the Battle of Scott Manor, an eager attempt to undermine British naval superiority in Halifax, Nova Scotia

September 14 – Benjamin Franklin is appointed to be the ambassador to the French.
...

Lyly · May 28, 2008

Baby Steps
1783 - 1789

With the Treaty of Paris signed, America was at peace, however the challenges were not yet over. Prospects were high for Americans. Most expected an economic boom after the war, and many went into debt in preparation for this new prosperity. Rather than a boom however, the economy of the new nation utterly collapsed. Southern farmers, who had prospered during the war, could no longer find a market for their goods. Merchandise produced in America suddenly had no market abroad as Britain, Spain and France all adopted policies disallowing goods not carried in their ships to be imported. Simultaneously, British goods flooded American markets.

To deal with these problems, each state individually negotiated with Britain and enacted it's own policies, leading to further problems. This caused the Continental Credit Notes, printed during the war, to become worthless. To further escalate the problems incurred by this depression, the holes in the Articles of Confederation began to shine through. Congress, the only federal level body of government, failed to provide a solid base of government for the nation. It had no authority to finance itself or enforce it's resolutions.

After only a few years of independence, Americans realized that something had to be done about the Articles. A meeting was called for in Philadelphia, 1787, to suggest amendments to the Articles of Confederation. However, soon after the first meeting, the delegates began fleshing out a wholly new document.

The Philadelphia Convention, May 1787

Soon after the first meeting of the convention, there were clearly two sides of the floor. Termed Nationalists, many delegates (Led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton) wished to strengthen the federal government and make the United States a union. Others, Confederalists (led by Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams), only wished to strengthen then federal government to a degree that mutually benefited the states.

The Virginia Plan of government, devised by James Madison, differed from the Articles of Confederation in that it rejected state sovereignty in favor of a national republic. This drew immediate opposition from the Confederalist faction, which represented those opposed to a national government, as well as most delegates from smaller states, such as Delaware and Nova Scotia. In opposition, the Confederation Plan was put forward by Samuel Adams. This plan proposed that the Articles of Confederation remain in place, but with strengthened Federal authority, such as that to levy taxes and control commerce.

With neither plan acceptable to either faction, the following weeks provided for only bitter debate. Finally, in early June, the Connecticut delegation offered a compromise. The Connecticut Plan appealed to both sides by introducing separate federal legislatures, one representing the States and the other representing the people of the nation as a whole. It maintained state sovereignty, but provided for a central government that, through agreement of both legislatures, could overrule state provisions. Debate continued, and several delegates walked out of the convention in protest of a federal government, but the Connecticut Plan, modified and amended, became the basic for what did become the Constitution.

Andrew Hudson · May 28, 2008

Fairly plausible there was an influx of Virginia planters in 1760

The great immigration of 'New England Planters' to Nova Scotia in 1760, created a majority of Yankee citizens at the time of the American Revolution in 1776. Only the British naval base in Halifax prevented America's 14th English Colony from signing at the Declaration of Independence, which would have ended British rule in North America.
The famous Paul Revere took his degree in Freemasonry near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia around 1772. George Washington's greatest regret was not being able to support the Nova Scotia Revolutionaries in 1776.

However 32000 loyalist refugees settled in Nova Scotia including around 3000 black loyalists and there was a population exchange between Boston and Halifax of Loyalists and Patriots. The loyalists would have had to have gone further North to Upper Canada. The loss of a naval base at Halifax would have weakened Britain's hand in tyhe War of 1812 and there would have been a lot more loyalists resisting any invasion in 1812

DuQuense · May 28, 2008

as well as most delegates from smaller states, such as Delaware and Nova Scotia.

Depending on where Connecticut and Nova Scotia draw the line in Maine, NS is one of the largest states in the Union

Analytical Engine · May 28, 2008

DuQuense said:
Depending on where Connecticut and Nova Scotia draw the line in Maine, NS is one of the largest states in the Union

Connecticut?

I think you mean Massachusetts...

Nicomacheus · May 28, 2008

Hmm, interesting tack.

1) Just to clarify, Quebec joins the colonists in revolting and joins the US in Congress Assembled? If so, does Quebec send delegates to the Philadelphia convention? Judging from the TL, I assume yes to both questions.

2) I presume that TJ isn't the ambassador to France in 1787 because the colonists have appointed a Quebecois to that post. Is John Adams still the ambassador to the Court of St. James? I presume so, thus explaining his abscence at Philadelphia.

3) If British North America has been reduced to Labrador and the watershed of Hudson's Bay, where do the Loyalists go? In a sperate thread, Zyzyva suggested they go to Oregon Territory, which could be cool. Alternatively, the disperse throughout British holdings. Then again if there's not a conveinent place to go (Oregon requires a long trek or British shipping), they may be forced to stay in the US. This means that on top of the economic turmoil after the Revolution, you have a genuine bit of civil war.

4) If TJ and Samuel Adams are at TTL's Constitutional Convention, they will not allow the Constitution to go to the people without a Bill of Rights. Indeed, while they might allow something like the Congressional veto of state laws (an initial proposal of Madison), but most likely they will seek to limit that power. They might therefore resort to including some kind of incorporation of limited parts of the Bill of Rights against the states: for example, this lanuage proposed by Madison as part of the 1st Amendment: No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.

5) The case for a Bill of Rights and further guarantees is only increased if Quebec is party to the Constitution. Indeed, the issue of common vs civil law may be quite pronounced. If you decide that the 100,000 or so OTL UE Loyalists stay in the USA, then I'd imagine the disorder caused by their prescence is an issue at the convention. John Dickinson might be a nice advocate on their behalf.

6) With the need to create a Bill of Rights, time will be of the essence for the Philadelphia convention. OTL George Mason asked the Convention to consider adding such a proposal, but only did so in early September as the Convention was preparing to adjourn. TTL TJ and Sam Adams will have introduced that concern earlier, but doing so may lengthen the time it takes for the Convention to meet. This may mean that certain other aspects of the document are lacking. Tons of room to butterfly the rest.

7) There are huge butterflies if TJ assumes an earlier political stance by his presence at the convention. For one, he may become the first VP rather than John Adams. Combine this with an earlier meeting of Alexander Hamilton and Jefferson may start intriguing to prevent the latter's advancement earlier. This is doubly complicated if Madison and Hamilton maintain a cordial realtion through the ratification (and if TJ joins them).

Lyly · May 28, 2008

DuQuense said:
Depending on where Connecticut and Nova Scotia draw the line in Maine, NS is one of the largest states in the Union

Your right, Nova Scotia and Quebec are enormous. However, this is not what is meant by "smaller" states. It refers, as in OTL, to population size. Nova Scotia had a population of around 120,000 (similar to that of Delaware) at the time, and Quebec consisted of about 70,000 French settlers (I'd give it a total population of more around 90,000 by the end of the revolution)

Nicomacheus said:
Hmm, interesting tack.

1) Just to clarify, Quebec joins the colonists in revolting and joins the US in Congress Assembled? If so, does Quebec send delegates to the Philadelphia convention? Judging from the TL, I assume yes to both questions.

2) I presume that TJ isn't the ambassador to France in 1787 because the colonists have appointed a Quebecois to that post. Is John Adams still the ambassador to the Court of St. James? I presume so, thus explaining his abscence at Philadelphia.

3) If British North America has been reduced to Labrador and the watershed of Hudson's Bay, where do the Loyalists go? In a sperate thread, Zyzyva suggested they go to Oregon Territory, which could be cool. Alternatively, the disperse throughout British holdings. Then again if there's not a conveinent place to go (Oregon requires a long trek or British shipping), they may be forced to stay in the US. This means that on top of the economic turmoil after the Revolution, you have a genuine bit of civil war.

4) If TJ and Samuel Adams are at TTL's Constitutional Convention, they will not allow the Constitution to go to the people without a Bill of Rights. Indeed, while they might allow something like the Congressional veto of state laws (an initial proposal of Madison), but most likely they will seek to limit that power. They might therefore resort to including some kind of incorporation of limited parts of the Bill of Rights against the states: for example, this lanuage proposed by Madison as part of the 1st Amendment: No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.

5) The case for a Bill of Rights and further guarantees is only increased if Quebec is party to the Constitution. Indeed, the issue of common vs civil law may be quite pronounced. If you decide that the 100,000 or so OTL UE Loyalists stay in the USA, then I'd imagine the disorder caused by their prescence is an issue at the convention. John Dickinson might be a nice advocate on their behalf.

6) With the need to create a Bill of Rights, time will be of the essence for the Philadelphia convention. OTL George Mason asked the Convention to consider adding such a proposal, but only did so in early September as the Convention was preparing to adjourn. TTL TJ and Sam Adams will have introduced that concern earlier, but doing so may lengthen the time it takes for the Convention to meet. This may mean that certain other aspects of the document are lacking. Tons of room to butterfly the rest.

7) There are huge butterflies if TJ assumes an earlier political stance by his presence at the convention. For one, he may become the first VP rather than John Adams. Combine this with an earlier meeting of Alexander Hamilton and Jefferson may start intriguing to prevent the latter's advancement earlier. This is doubly complicated if Madison and Hamilton maintain a cordial realtion through the ratification (and if TJ joins them).

1) Quebec is incorporated into the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War. No representatives were sent to Philadelphia from Quebec however, due both to the distance and a lack of any real want for reform.

2) You are correct, Jefferson is not the ambassador to France. I've not thought about who would be, a Quebecois on the post would sound good. John Adams is however, still the ambassador to Britain.

3) Hehe, you are correct on all counts. As many could spread throughout British North America, but a significant population remains in America. And, your ruining the story, but yes, they cause problems later on.

4,5,6,) I did'nt go into details on how the Philadelphia Convention went down, but it's safe to assume most of your points. I've not forgotten about the Bill of Rights, it's coming. Also, if you look at the Constitution that was resulted, there are many areas which are not fleshed out and many holes that will cause problems later on... don't worry, I've thought about the future of this document.

7) No Vice President in this Constitution. In the meantime, I'm still deciding Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and Arnold's futures in particular.

Zyzzyva · May 28, 2008

LylyCSM2 said:
1) Quebec is incorporated into the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War. No representatives were sent to Philadelphia from Quebec however, due both to the distance and a lack of any real want for reform.

You're right, they had no desire for reform; but in 1783 they were effectively a feudal state, with a law code based on that of the Romans. They speak French and they're all catholic. The US is going to have a hell of a time if they try to assimilate Quebec, in any sense*; the Brits got by with only a little trouble because they didn't try to change anything.

Either way, the dynamics'll be... interesting. And the US will finally have a third party!

*ie, make the Quebecois little yankes, or even just make Quebec a functioning part of the united states.

Lyly · May 28, 2008

Zyzzyva said:
You're right, they had no desire for reform; but in 1783 they were effectively a feudal state, with a law code based on that of the Romans. They speak French and they're all catholic. The US is going to have a hell of a time if they try to assimilate Quebec, in any sense; the Brits got by with only a little trouble because they didn't try to change anything.

Either way, the dynamics'll be... interesting. And the US will finally have a third party!

Mhm, I don't want to reveal too much of my plans, but let's just say that a very interesting equation results, something along the lines of:
Quebec+Loyalist Population+France+Britain+Government Inefficiency=Big Problems

Faeelin · May 28, 2008

Hold up. What, exactly, will cause Quebec to dislike America? They still have their state church. They sitill have their language. What am I missing?

hzn5pk · May 28, 2008

Some more thoughts

1.) Before Quebec and Nova Scotia become states, what are the fates of Vermont and Maine? What if they became states prior to NS and Que?

Why would NY and NH give up their claims on Vermont and Mass encouragethe Cont Congress to make Maine a state? The reason for NY and NH for giving up their claims on Vermont would be that they come to the very basic realisation that just like they do not want to be interfered with by the British, the people in Vermont do not want to be interfered with by them. The reason for Mne becoming a state is that Mass sees it as more political clout in a new nation (adding another state of similar minded representitives to the assembly) as well as the same reason as Vermont, the people of Maine convince the Mass assembly that they want to be seperated.

I can see this happening in 1775 for Vermont after Ticonderooga and later for Maine, before the Nova Scotia campaign in this timeline. This would encourage more participation from Patriots in both areas. By making Maine a state sooner, it would encourage more Patriots in Nova Scotia to act as well. It could also lead to Virginia recognising Kentucky as a state sooner for the same reasons that Mass gave up Mne which may add more support to patriot western campaigns against the British which would only strengthen the position in Quebec against both British and Indians.

2.) What to do with the loyalists - What if Congress does a similar thing as the British? That is offer any loyalist who has been displaced by a land scheming Patriot free land in lower Canada (Ottawa Peninsula). This area was opened up by the British to loyalist settlement after the ARW why not have the Cont. Congress do it the same? What if Quebec could be made a trade, this land for some land of former Acadia. Set this up initially as a territory until it can become a state. This land is dar enough inland to limit the loyalists with contact to Britain and it would further buffer against the Indians.

One might also argue that the number of loyalists would be less because in this timeline it seems as though the patriot cause is more successful meaning less loyalists and more fence sitters waiting it out.

3.) Halifax and Nova Scotia - After the Brits evacuate Boston in 1776, Halifax is made even stronger. But if the Pats capture Que and own the Saint Lawrence, would not Halifax beome another NY, another Charleston and Savannah for the Brits. They would have the city and the coast, but the Pats would have the interior of NS (Acadia).

Nicomacheus · May 29, 2008

LylyCSM2 said:
1) Quebec is incorporated into the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War. No representatives were sent to Philadelphia from Quebec however, due both to the distance and a lack of any real want for reform.

2) You are correct, Jefferson is not the ambassador to France. I've not thought about who would be, a Quebecois on the post would sound good. John Adams is however, still the ambassador to Britain.

3) Hehe, you are correct on all counts. As many could spread throughout British North America, but a significant population remains in America. And, your ruining the story, but yes, they cause problems later on.

4,5,6,) I did'nt go into details on how the Philadelphia Convention went down, but it's safe to assume most of your points. I've not forgotten about the Bill of Rights, it's coming. Also, if you look at the Constitution that was resulted, there are many areas which are not fleshed out and many holes that will cause problems later on... don't worry, I've thought about the future of this document.

7) No Vice President in this Constitution. In the meantime, I'm still deciding Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton, and Arnold's futures in particular.

Hmm, with the hints you give, things could get very interesting. It'd be great to see more detail in the updates!

The point raised above about Vermont is quite valid. Indeed, there will be huge issues to be settled in TTL's Nortwest Ordinance since Quebec will have to give up its claim to the Ohio valley (established by the Proclamation of 1767) on top of the other colonies abandoning their claims. Then you add border conflicts between Massachusetts (in Maine) and Nova Scotia and you might need a "Northern Ordinance" as well. I wonder if it makes it easier to get the Southern bill passed (OTL it was proposed, but didn't successfully pass Congress).

hzn5pk · May 29, 2008

More thoughts

Who were the colonial leaders in Quebec? Who was the Adams/Hancock (mass), the Wash/Jeff/Madison/Henry(VA), Ethan Allen/Seth Warner (Ver), .. you get the picture ... Who was this guy or guys for colonial Quebec? Did they have any standouts? There were two Quebec regiments who fought with the Pats, who were their leaders?

What would the future be for Lafayette? With Quebec in the mix, would he bring his family to the New World and be a political force? What would the butterflies be? Could he be that leader for Quebec?

Would adding NS and Que as well as at least Vermont and perhaps Maine and Kentucky sooner during the Articles of Confed have any effect on the timing of the Constitution. Is there a way to bring about the Constitution sooner?

Northwest Ordiance and Quebec - Quebec would have to give up its claim just as Virginia, Connecticut, and the rest of the new states did. If NY and NH give up their claims on Vermont sooner, this would set a precedant.

Perhaps though Quebec could trade land, Lower Canada (I got it right this time) for a portion of New Brunswick (Acadia). New Brunswick would be spilt between Maine, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. The natural border for Maine and Nova Scotia in this timeline would be the St. John's River (as it should have been OTL)

Zyzzyva · May 29, 2008

Perhaps though Quebec could trade land, Lower Canada (I got it right this time) for a portion of New Brunswick (Acadia). New Brunswick would be spilt between Maine, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. The natural border for Maine and Nova Scotia in this timeline would be the St. John's River (as it should have been OTL)

I will hunt you to the ends of the Earth!

Strategos' Risk · May 29, 2008

What about the possible alternatives of having Quebec not be incorporated into the Union, or giving them back to France?

Lord Grattan · May 29, 2008

Les rébellions de 1801-1802 in Quebec!

DuQuense · May 30, 2008

Wait

1779
Quebec is Captured by the Rebels

1782
Articles of Confederation adopted , OTL Quebec refused invitation to Join. ATL ??????????????????????????????????

1783
The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the Revolutionary War and granting the United States independence.
Britain gives up claims to Quebec. Quebec Becomes Independent like other 14 colonies

1787
Phillidelphia convention, Quebec sends no Delegates, New Constitution Proposed.

1788
Constitutional Debates - 11 states needed - Federalist / Anti-Federalist Papers - Quebec & ??? votes Nay on Constitution
Quebec remains Independent

What happened to all the United Empire Loyalists

OTL some of them went to Quebec, If more of them go there ATL, Quebec as a Independent States becomes more likely.

IOTL Bermuda was Pro independent, with Brittan giving up all NAmerica ITTL ?do whe get Bermuda?

Lyly · Jun 4, 2008

LylyCSM2 said:
Baby Steps
1783 - 1789

With the Treaty of Paris signed, America was at peace, however the challenges were not yet over. Prospects were high for Americans. Most expected an economic boom after the war, and many went into debt in preparation for this new prosperity. Rather than a boom however, the economy of the new nation utterly collapsed. Southern farmers, who had prospered during the war, could no longer find a market for their goods. Merchandise produced in America suddenly had no market abroad as Britain, Spain and France all adopted policies disallowing goods not carried in their ships to be imported. Simultaneously, British goods flooded American markets.
To deal with these problems, each state individually negotiated with Britain and enacted it's own policies, leading to further problems. This caused the Continental Credit Notes, printed during the war, to become worthless. To further escalate the problems incurred by this depression, the holes in the Articles of Confederation began to shine through. Congress, the only federal level body of government, failed to provide a solid base of government for the nation. It had no authority to finance itself or enforce it's resolutions.
After only a few years of independence, Americans realized that something had to be done about the Articles. A meeting was called for in Philadelphia, 1787, to suggest amendments to the Articles of Confederation. However, soon after the first meeting, the delegates began fleshing out a wholly new document.
The Philadelphia Convention, May 1787
Soon after the first meeting of the convention, there were clearly two sides of the floor. Termed Nationalists, many delegates (Led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton) wished to strengthen the federal government and make the United States a union. Others, Confederalists (led by Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams), only wished to strengthen then federal government to a degree that mutually benefited the states.
The Virginia Plan of government, devised by James Madison, differed from the Articles of Confederation in that it rejected state sovereignty in favor of a national republic. This drew immediate opposition from the Confederalist faction, which represented those opposed to a national government, as well as most delegates from smaller states, such as Delaware and Nova Scotia. In opposition, the Confederation Plan was put forward by Samuel Adams. This plan proposed that the Articles of Confederation remain in place, but with strengthened Federal authority, such as that to levy taxes and control commerce.
With neither plan acceptable to either faction, the following weeks provided for only bitter debate. Finally, in early June, the Connecticut delegation offered a compromise. The Connecticut Plan appealed to both sides by introducing separate federal legislatures, one representing the States and the other representing the people of the nation as a whole. It maintained state sovereignty, but provided for a central government that, through agreement of both legislatures, could overrule state provisions. Debate continued, and several delegates walked out of the convention in protest of a federal government, but the Connecticut Plan, modified and amended, became the basic for what did become the Constitution.

Continued...

The document, the Constitution of the Government of the United States of America, was adopted by the convention on September 28th, 1787 and subsequently released to the 15 states for review and ratification. Thomas Jefferson, now the clear leader of the Confederalist faction, an influential voice in the convention alongside Samuel Adams, had been calling for a statement detailing the rights and responsibilities of the federal government, individual states, and citizens. Despite his advocation, such a statement was not released in the original draft of the Constitution, due largely to a lack of time and discussion on the subject. As a result, many delegates returned to their home states refusing to ratify the document as it stood.
Nevertheless, Pennsylvania became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 9th, 1787. Following Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey became the only other states to ratify it by the end of the year. Connecticut, Maryland, and New Hampshire followed early the next year. On June 8th, the Statements of Rights and Responsibilities, written by Thomas Jefferson, were approved as the first amendments to the Constitution by the Continental Congress. With a clear delineation between the roles of federal, state, and popular government, Rhode Island, New York, Georgia, and Nova Scotia had ratified the Constitution by the end of the month. With the required 10 states ratifying the Constitution, The Continental Congress agreed to a time table to begin operations of government under the new Constitution on May 16th, the following year.

By May 16th, 1789, Quebec and Virginia remained the only states to not yet ratify. On this date, national elections for President and the House of Representatives occurred. Voting for the House of Delegates was to occur within State legislatures, with a deadline set on July 1st, the same date Allotment for the House of Representatives and Presidential Election by the Electoral College were to occur.
The Constitution had been written largely with the assumption that George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army in the revolution and President of the Philadelphia Convention, would serve as the nation's first President. On May 16th, Washington received 46,134 popular votes with 4,075 going to others, mostly John Adams, or ineligible ballots. On the same day, citizen voters gathered nationwide to vote on their candidates to the House of Representatives. Candidates for the house were elected from state-wide and then moved up to the federal level (bars were set on states, proportionate to population, on how many candidates moved up) where candidates were randomly allotted seats, 1 per 10,000 citizens. A total of 3,406 candidates were elected.
3 days before Independence Day, the first President, as well as the first members of the Houses of Representatives and Delegates was determined. In the Electoral College, electors from Virginia, Canada, and New York were not present. Virginia and Canada had not yet ratified the Constitution and a deadlock in the New York legislature prevented the appointment of any electors. By the end of the day, George Washington was unanimously elected President, with 271 electoral votes. After allotment for the House of Representatives, the 3,406 candidates had been reduced to 319 Representatives. Finally, each states' appointment to the 26 member House of Delegates was announced. Inauguration for the President was due to occur on July 4th, the national holiday, the Houses of Delegates and Representatives were to first meet July 17th.

By the end of July, the new nation had a new government, hard at work creating legislation to further expand the government and provide for important lacks in the government, such as a tariff and public services. John Jay, of New York, was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates, and James Madison was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
One of the first bills to pass through both houses and become law was the Hamilton Tariff, proposed by Delegate Alexander Hamilton, of New York. In addition, the Departments of Foreign Affairs, War, and the Treasury were all created.

Sorry for taking so long to get this little bit finished, unfortunately, I've created a hellishly complex Constitution and the House of Representatives in particular took a while to get down. My next post will explain how the Constitution works, what the Statements of Rights and Responsibilities entail and what all our favorite political figures are up to.