The America that Never Was: An Alternate History of the United States of America

[Mechaman]

I love this timeline more and more with each passing update, however the "Conversations", unless critically important detract from the otherwise excellent piece of literature this TL is.

This is more than a timeline, this is a storyline. I am no historian good sir, I am a storywriter. I can not create history without characters, I can not create characters without "Conversations". I know the gushy storylines may be irritating, but deal with it. This is more for me to help get a feel of the exact direction I want to take the character. I used to think I could keep all the emotional storyline stuff out, but I just can't. I may be a writer of alternate history, but involuntarily I am and will always be a writer of stories. I can't help, and I sure can't change it.
The good news is that once the first election is over, alot of the meaningless conversations (especially the lovey dovey stuff) will decrease. However, turning point conversations will not decrease for I feel the conversations between men of power over their positions is vital to this timeline.
I apologize for this inconenience, but please understand that character writing is as natural to me as breathing.

[aaaa2222]

I love this timeline more and more with each passing update, however the "Conversations", unless critically important detract from the otherwise excellent piece of literature this TL is.

This is more than a timeline, this is a storyline. I am no historian good sir, I am a storywriter. I can not create history without characters, I can not create characters without "Conversations". I know the gushy storylines may be irritating, but deal with it. This is more for me to help get a feel of the exact direction I want to take the character. I used to think I could keep all the emotional storyline stuff out, but I just can't. I may be a writer of alternate history, but involuntarily I am and will always be a writer of stories. I can't help, and I sure can't change it.
The good news is that once the first election is over, alot of the meaningless conversations (especially the lovey dovey stuff) will decrease. However, turning point conversations will not decrease for I feel the conversations between men of power over their positions is vital to this timeline.
I apologize for this inconenience, but please understand that character writing is as natural to me as breathing.

I certainly don't mean to harm your writing style, that wouldn't be good for all of us fans. A character driven story is great, as long as you can keep up the exemplary quality going on so far.

[Mechaman]

I love this timeline more and more with each passing update, however the "Conversations", unless critically important detract from the otherwise excellent piece of literature this TL is.

This is more than a timeline, this is a storyline. I am no historian good sir, I am a storywriter. I can not create history without characters, I can not create characters without "Conversations". I know the gushy storylines may be irritating, but deal with it. This is more for me to help get a feel of the exact direction I want to take the character. I used to think I could keep all the emotional storyline stuff out, but I just can't. I may be a writer of alternate history, but involuntarily I am and will always be a writer of stories. I can't help, and I sure can't change it.
The good news is that once the first election is over, alot of the meaningless conversations (especially the lovey dovey stuff) will decrease. However, turning point conversations will not decrease for I feel the conversations between men of power over their positions is vital to this timeline.
I apologize for this inconenience, but please understand that character writing is as natural to me as breathing.

I certainly don't mean to harm your writing style, that wouldn't be good for all of us fans. A character driven story is great, as long as you can keep up the exemplary quality going on so far.

I promise that once the first Federal Elections are done, I'll have alot more firepower to work with. Alot of the reason why I have a ton of "Conversations" is simply to make do until elections start happening. Once elections are underway, there will be less and less useless conversations. Trust me, the first 8 years after the Election of 1785 are going to blow your mind.
In fact, unless some freak accident happens and I happen to die in it, the Election of 1785 should be up in the next update.

[Mechaman]

May 28th, 1785: Alexander Hamilton gives a speech in favor of his father in law, Philip Schuyler, to a crowd outside Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
There is only one man who is good enough to represent the best interests of the people of New York. A man of decisiveness and strength to sally on through the halls of Congress Hall, a true decision maker! He is a man after my father’s own heart! He’s never going to give you up, he’s never going to let you down, he’s never going to fail at representing the best interests of his people, the people of the state of New York! Please welcome: former Continental Army General and your future United States Senator…..Philip Schuyler!

Philip Schuyler, running for US Senator of New York.

It seems that since Hamilton sacrificed his political career for a life in New York he has now taken to being an active campaigner for likeminded politicians like his father in-law and John Hancock. He would be very active in the creation of the American party system.

May 31st, 1785: Many are surprised that Thomas Jefferson hasn’t hit the campaign trail with his good friend James Madison. When this question is brought up to Jefferson at a social function in Charlottesville he says quite sincerely: “If it would help at all, I would like to pray for the unfortunate soul who has the unluckiness in life to have to contest James Madison. God be with that lost soul.”

James Madison, running for the US House of Representatives for the Charlottesville area.

June 5th, 1785: John Adams campaigns in the town of Cambridge for John Hancock/John Rutledge. His endorsement is notable for opposing his own second cousin Samuel Adams for the more pro-administration ticket of John Hancock/John Rutledge.


John Adams, candidate for US Senate for the state of Massachusetts, campaigns on the behalf of John Hancock/John Rutledge. Usually Hancock would face little threat of losing the votes of Massachusetts, but since his biggest threat was also from Massachusetts, an endorsement from the rival political faction in the Adams family would greatly help his chances in the former Bay Colony.

June 8th, 1785: Delegates from the Republic of Vermont meet with the Royal Canadian Government in Quebec to settle the border dispute between the residents of Vermont and the Loyalists taking refuge in the woodlands of Upper Canada. The representatives from the Vermont Republic would be the guests of the Royal Canadian Government for 5 days, at the end of which hopefully a mutual agreement could be reached.



June 10th, 1785: After two days of hearing the case of the Republic of Vermont, the Loyalist Organization of Upper Canada (LOUC) makes their case. The argument presented by the LOUC is that since King George only released authority over the 13 colonies and not that of the Republic of Vermont (since itself was an independent nation during the Revolutionary War) that the Republic of Vermont is not safe from trespass from the LOUC.

June 12th, 1785: The delegation of Rhode Island votes against ratification of the United States Constitution. Rhode Island is peculiar in its opposition due to it being surrounded by states that gave strong support for the ratification of the Constitution. The strong opposition is due to the lack of power Rhode Island would have under such a union due to both their population and land size.

June 13th, 1785: The Royal Canadian Government, after hearing the argument presented by the LUOC and the Republic of Vermont reaches a verdict: the secession of Vermont is illegal by the definition of Royal Law and therefore the Republic of Vermont is to dissolve in 2 years time and return all lands to his Majesty’s Royal Government to be given to the Loyalist Organization of Upper Canada (LOUC). The delegates from the Republic of Vermont cry outrage at this ruling and vow not to leave their lands. The delegates would then head back home to prepare the bad news to their friends and family. Fate’s hand however, would not be so kind…..

June `18th, 1785: On their way back from Quebec to Montpelier, the Vermont delegation is ambushed by French Canadian ruffians who murder all but one delegate, Martin Chittenden, the son of Vermont’s President Thomas Chittenden, who was relieving himself at a creek. He hears the gunshots and hides for three hours until the mercenaries leave. It would be just Martin, surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness for weeks before finding civilization. This drastic turn of events would forever change the future of the Republic of Vermont.

June 21st, 1785: The polls close around the nation and the final vote for the Executive office is tallied:

Out of an electoral vote total of 92 with a majority of 47 need to win:
John Hancock: 54 evs or 47.55% popular vote
Samuel Adams: 29 evs or 39.14% popular vote
Patrick Henry: 9 evs or 13.31% popular vote
The election of 1785 would remain one of the most contentious elections in US history. The election was closer than many analysts predicted, or that they simply underestimated the progressive democratic nature of America as a whole. During those times, winner take all electoral voting hadn’t yet been set in place. Complications over vote counting would eventually demand a less complex voting system, but not in this century. Many historians would claim that if it wasn’t for the presence of Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams would’ve won the election due to the majority of radical anti-administration voters voting for the “lesser of evils”. Due to the presence of the radical ticket of Henry/Paine, however, many have argued that they in effect stole the fringe vote of the Adams/Clinton ticket and helped the pro-Administration ticket of Hancock/Rutledge win the election. Many people would also claim that Benjamin Franklin’s endorsement of the radical Henry/Paine ticket also helped the so called “Radical” ticket do well above expected in the election. Many anti-administration politicians and supporters would speculate that Henry was in the election merely to siphon votes away from Adams, thus helping Hancock win.
Of note, John Adams was elected US Senator Class Three of Massachusetts with 71.5% of the vote, James Madison was elected US Representative of Charlottesville and the surrounding area with 52.85% of the vote, Charles C. Pinckney was elected US Representative of Charleston and the surrounding area with 71.3% of the vote (thanks in part to his brother's endorsement but), and Philip Schuyler barely edging out with 51.37% of the vote for US Senator Class Two of New York. In the next coming weeks leadership positions in the Legislature and Executive branches would be decided.

[Captain Chaos]

I give you high marks for the use of illustrations (especially the portraits of Ben Franklin and John Adams).

[Mechaman]

Hey guys I'm going to be going on a rafting trip on Friday-Sunday in Tahlequah. So if you don't see any updates for three days, that's most likely why.

[Captain Chaos]

Enjoy your weekend, mechman.

[Mechaman]

Quick update!
I'll get more up by the end of the week. I've hit a writer's block as of late (ie been watching Bond films all day).
Election 1785 overview:
Executive Office: John Hancock (MA)/John Rutledge (SC)
Legislative Branch:
House:

Georgia: 3 Pro Administration
South Carolina: 4 Pro Administration, 1 Anti Administration
North Carolina: 5 Pro Administration, 3 Anti Administration
Virginia: 2 Pro Administration, 8 Anti Administration
Maryland: 4 Pro Administration, 4 Anti Administration
Delaware: All Pro Administration
Pennsylvania: 1 Pro Administration, 7 Anti Administration
New Jersey: 3 Pro Administration, 1 Anti Administration
New York: 2 Pro Administration, 4 Anti Administration
Connecticut: 2 Pro Administration, 3 Anti Administration
Massachusetts: 5 Pro Administration, 3 Anti Administration
New Hampshire: 3 Anti Administration
Total: 32 Pro Administration, 37 Anti Administration
Anti Administration majority

Senate:


As you can see Congress is divided at the very beginning with Pro Administrative forces holding the Senate and Anti Administrative forces reigning supreme in the House.

[Mechaman]

Here's a quick update. I'm kind of busy lately so you should be seeing more and more of these quick updates.

June 22nd, 1785: Samuel Adams congratulates John Hancock on his electoral victory at the Congress Hall in Philadelphia.
Adams: I have to say it’s been an honor running against you John. There is nobody I would’ve rather have lost to, my fellow statesman.
Hancock: Let’s be honest, it was crazy Patrick Henry who helped me win more than anything. He stole your radical voters, I kept mine. I bet the Congress elections will be a bit more different than this one. Your fellows (anti administration) might just be the majority in the House or Senate!
Adams: I was thinking if it was alright with you I could formally congratulate you on your victory during your first inauguration.
Hancock: You may good sir.
The two men shake hands and go their separate ways. Those who witnessed the exchange would note that “never before had they witnessed more friendship between foes, the Massachusetts proudest sons.”
To this day it has been a tradition for defeated challengers to congratulate the winners at inaugurations, whether state or federal level (unless the challengers can’t stand each other).


The Wall of the Founding Fathers at the Museum of History in Boston, Massachusetts with portraits of Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Collectively, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and John Adams were known as “Massachusetts proudest sons”.

June 26th, 1785: After days of wandering around in the Canadian wilderness, Martin Chittenden encounters a group of Algonquin Indians. Chittenden drops to his knees and gives a sign of mercy to the head Algonquin, fearing he would be killed due to the Algonquin mistaking him for a British citizen. Instead the head Algonquin walks over to the trembling Chittenden, opens his hand, and gives him an offering of barley which is a sign of peace. The Algonquin group would escort Chittenden to their village where he would be fed, bathed in the river, and given a fresh change of clothes. Chittenden is shocked by the display of hospitality from the Algonquin tribe towards a random white man. The chief would have Chittenden as his honored guest and offer Chittenden a place to stay for awhile. Chittenden refuses, but the chief insists. Further, the chief tells Chittenden (the Algonquin could speak French ITTL, as could Chittenden), it would be an insult to the chief’s honor if Chittenden didn’t accept the Offering of Earth. Chittenden accepts it and is made an honorary member of the Algonquin tribe. Chittenden would call this day “the day I regained my hope in humanity.”

The Offering of Earth, sacred red dirt gathered from faraway lands offered to those outside the Algonquin tribe as a token of friendship and sometimes, membership into the tribe.

Back home in the Republic of Vermont, the families of those killed by the heartless French Canadian ruffians had no idea what had transpired.
During the afternoon while riding through the countryside, a Royal Canadian Cavalry unit on break would run into the horrific scene of the crime. What they found were the other Vermont delegates’ dead bodies, rotting down by a creek being eaten away by hordes of maggots and flies.

June 27th, 1785: The Pinckney family doctor finds out that Elizabeth Pinckney is once again with child. The Pinckney family has already produced three very healthy children (a rarity in those days), and god willing the fourth one would be just as healthy. When Governor Pinckney tells a few aides about Elizabeth’s pregnancy, it spreads like wildfire amongst the people of Charleston.
However, for today Thomas Pinckney had a lot on his mind besides the news of his dear Elizabeth being pregnant again: His proposal to the State Legislature to replacing the “vote by General Assembly” clause for statewide positions with popular sovereignty (vote by the people). This would be his biggest proposal yet (not counting the ratification of the US Constitution because that was a federal act), and this was including the new capital that would be begin construction in 1786.

During the evening at Monticello:
Jefferson opens a letter addressed to him from a messenger:
Dear most respected Sir Thomas Jefferson,
As you might be aware I, Jonathan Hancock of Massachusetts, have been elected to the Executive Office of the land. One of the gifts of this office is the right to appoint ministers to sovereign nations to represent our best interests. I know you have taken an oath to stay away from the political arena for awhile, but I know nobody more qualified than you to ask of this position: the United States Minister to France.
You are quite popular with the French good sir, they would enjoy having you as the US representative to their nation. We need to build upon the goodwill established between our two nations that started with the Revolution.
I know you do not have much time to decide, but please consider this as an opportunity to serve your nation without abandoning the young family you have been most eager to be with.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Hancock
Jefferson has an unusually long pause after reading this letter. After all many have told him that it was his fate, his destiny, to lead this nation. But he had longed to spend time with his young family, especially his wife Angelica whom he had loved only a year and a half before. He was tired of having to leave her alone while attending Congress, he wanted to be with her for more than just months at a time. Maybe this was his opportunity: to serve both his country and care for his family at the same time. But how would he break the news to Angelica? Would she accept? And what of young Martha, who is but 12? There was his other children to consider, but they wouldn’t accept unless Martha, who had taken the role of mother since the death of his beloved first wife, would approve.
Well, he might as well try.

June 28th, 1785: Just a day after Jefferson received his letter from Hancock, Hancock approaches Alexander Hamilton:

Hamilton: Well hello again John.
Hancock: Samuel, I have a sizable favor to ask of you.
Hamilton: Proceed.
Hancock: We need an minister to Great Britain.
Hamilton: I accept.
Hancock: You are not going to let me beg you to go?
Hamilton: John, right now my political career is going nowhere. I need every position possible to advance. I'm begging you to appoint me the Minister to Great Britain.
Hancock: Alright, you may go.


Alexander Hamilton, the first US Minister (under the US Constitution) to Great Britain

Back at Monticello during dinner:
Jefferson: I have some news, John Hancock has been elected to the Executive Office.
Angelica: Really? They have counted all the votes this quickly?
Jefferson: Apparently yes. Anyway I got a letter from Hancock imploring me to be his Minister to France.
Angelica: Oh yes! I've always wanted to live in Paris Tom! I can't wait to tell my mother and dear sister!
Martha: Angie (Martha's affectionate name for Angelica), you are such a young girl.
Jefferson: I haven't accepted yet.
Angelica: Why not? It's Paris!
Jefferson: It is more complicated than that. I can't just get up and leave this estate without a caretaker in my absence. Also, I have yet to hear the opinions of my dear oldest daughter on this matter.
Martha: It is alright father, it is your decision.
Jefferson: Martha, we do not have to go if you do not want to. I will not go if you do not want to, your opinion is the only one that matters right now.
Martha: You want my opinion? It is time you served your damn country!
Angelica: Martha! Language!
Jefferson: It is a bad habit I'm afraid Angelica. Picked it up from her dear father. Alright, I guess we will leave in 3 days for the shipping yard at Hampton. In the meantime, I have an acceptance letter to write.
It was now done, Thomas Jefferson would be the Minister to France for the next four years unless unforeseen circumstances arose.
And so it was, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, to of the Revolution's most devoted fighters, going off to the two old nations of Europe as ministers for young America.


Thomas Jefferson, the first US Minister to France (since implementation of the US Constitution). His presence in France would change the face of world history.

[Mechaman]

More!

June 30th, 1785: The Royal Government of Canada after receiving the news of the murdered Vermont delegation at Montreal (the city closest to the location of the dead bodies), sends their fastest messenger to send the news to the families of those deceased.

July 2nd, 1785: Thomas Pinckney finally makes his fatefull appeal to the General Assembly of South Carolina:

"For far too long we have let the ancient traditions of political oligarchy determine who shall lead these people! How can we claim to speak for the will of the people when this very chamber has the only voice in those who shall be the great deciders? What makes us better judges of men than the people of this state. Brothers I beg of you, let the promise of democracy rule in this state! Please pass this popular sovereignty act and put the power of election into the hands of the people!"

After his speech Pinckney gets a mixed reaction: boos from some of the very pro-administration officials who pulled the strings to get him into office, and loud cheers from the very anti-administration officials who opposed his election to the office. One of the men, young anti-administration representative William Smith, said this of Pinckney's speech:
"It was as if though for that moment in time, Thomas Pinckney had crossed over the party line and did what was right. Little would we know that Thomas Pinckney was no politician, he was a righteous man who had the misfortune of being a politician. God had never made a man as honest or as humble as our great Governor."

This praise, from those who in any other state would be his bitter enemies, would create a friendly atmosphere between Pinckney and the anti-adminstration faction in South Carolina. In fact, many historians would say that "Pinckney got along better with his enemies than his supposed friends!" when talking about his stint as South Carolina governor. In his memoirs Pinckney would defend his relations with the anti-administration forces by claiming: "I do not govern by the Federalist's agenda, neither do I govern by the Democratic-Republican's agenda, I govern by the people's agenda. If I had known now what I did when I accepted this glorious office of governance, I would've abstained from declaring allegiance to any one political party."

July 4th, 1785:
It is Independence Day in young America for the second time! People all around the nation are having massive social events commemorating the day that the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence! However, the very man who penned the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson, wasn't even in the country to celebrate the glory of his creation. Rather, he along with his family were on their way to the Kingdom of France as representatives on the behalf of this young nation Jefferson helped build. Also missing out from the usual Independence Day celebrations was Jefferson's former political rival and ironically now brother in-law Alexander Hamilton, who with his family were on their way to Great Britain to represent the interests of Young America. How ironic it was for John Hancock to request that these two should be the ones to go to the old world of Europe where rival countries are led by leaders that are related to each other by blood.
Not missing from the festivities though was Executive candidate Samuel Adams who had this to say to the Philadelphia Times:
You have to understand Thomas Jefferson was lying through his teeth when he recanted the story of why I wasn't there on July 2nd. First off, Jefferson himself showed up to prove he had a one arm up on not just the town drunk, but poor me as well! He must've flooded the ground with as much rum he drank! I am much surprised he didn't manage to float over to Town Hall on the amount he ingested. Secondly, said drunk implied that my mother was a lover of goats! What was I supposed to do? Go home sober and sad because someone insulted the honor of my mother? No way!

Samuel Adams was at the Philadelphia Town Hall Independence Day Celebration

Everyone has a good laugh.
John Hancock was also present and had his own story to tell:
Yes I was the first one to sign the Declaration of Independence, and let me tell you people gathered here that the large signature was no mistake. I, being the president of the Congress, thought to myself "no way am I going to let people ten years from now call a signature a "Josiah Bartlett" or a "Thomas Jefferson". And that's another thing I want to talk about now as we are gathered here to celebrate this momentous day.
It's a shame Jefferson himself can't make it today, because in all honesty this is his day. I may have been the President of the Convention, I may have been the first one to sign and have the biggest signature, but the day was Jeffersons. Who was it that wrote the very document we now celebrate on thsi day? Jefferson. Who is it that had the passion to write those very words "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Thomas may be a different man than me politically, but by god I have all the respect of him that's possible in this earthly realm for writing this document, this document of freedom, this document of liberty, this document the ultimate declaration of war against the forces of oligarchy and tyranny!
With that said I thank the Lord Almighty that I faced Samuel Adams and that radical Patrick Henry in the election instead of Jefferson, for Jefferson would've beaten me deader than a Dodo bird. There is no figure right now in our history more popular, more loved by this young public than Jefferson besides the recently departed George Washington. If Washington was the father of this young nation, this young nation must be the bride of Thomas Jefferson.
Which makes me very proud to say that as we speak Thomas Jefferson is on his way to the nation of France to as our great Minister. This man of freedom, this man of liberty, this man of enlightenment, along with Alexander Hamilton, our ambassadors to the Old World of Europe.
John Hancock would be given a large ovation for his speech.


Executive elect John Hancock also attended the event. At the event he spoke openly about his admiration of Thomas Jefferson.

At a gathering in Greenwich Village, former Vice Executive candidate on the radical ticket with Patrick Henry, would also make a few remarks:
Throughout the campaign Patrick, despite his open disdain for Jefferson's Reformation Acts and the Virginia Compromise, often spoke highly of Jefferson, and not just in the past tense. In his own words he confessed to me: "I know of no man more committed to the will of the people, the welfare of these 13 colonies, and the advancement of freedom and liberty than Thomas Jefferson." In fact, Patrick had no plans to run for the Executive Office until the Committee told us that Jefferson wasn't coming back to Congress. He told me "If Jefferson should run I will not proceed with any plan to run, for he has proven that he cares about the rights of the individual and civil liberties. Therefore he has re-earned my greatest respects."
As for myself, I am glad to see that Thomas Jefferson truly does have Common Sense. Mark my words, in a few weeks John Hancock will be our first Executive, but Thomas Jefferson will be the one who will lead this nation to true greatness.


Thomas Paine, former Vice Executive candidate, would reveal Patrick Henry's reconciliation with Thomas Jefferson at a gala in Greenwich Village.

[Mechaman]

July 7th, 1785:
On board the Lesborades, Thomas Jefferson is cruising toward France ingesting Caribbean Rum while his family are bored lifeless by the surrounding ocean scenery. “I left Monticello, my fine vineyard! For weeks of nothing but ocean blue?! What kind of crazy man am I?” Mused Jefferson in the ship’s cabin room (used for esteemed guests).
Angelica: Do you mind handing me a bottle of rum?
Jefferson: Why a whole bottle?
Angelica: Thomas, you’ve gone through 4 bottles since yesterday! My god, we’ve been on the sea for only 2 days!!! By the time we get to Paris you’ll be bleeding Caribbean Rum!
Jefferson: But it is quite exquisite, this Caribbean Rum. But not as exquisite as you my fair dame.
Angelica: It seems like Caribbean Rum won’t be the only thing you will get today!
(closes door and shutters).

July 8th, 1785:
At New York Harbor onboard the US Conqueror, Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth are moving into their quarters.
Hamilton: I can’t believe I’m going to subject myself to weeks of nothing but blue waters.
Elizabeth: Dear, it can not be all that bad. I am sure you will find some hobby aboard this ship.
Hamilton: Jefferson, you lucky devil. Catching a ride to Paris on board a ship full of Caribbean Rum. He’s probably already punch drunk on rum and having carnal relations with Angelica as we speak, lucky devil.
Elizabeth: At least we do not have children to deal with (gives Hamilton a grin).
Hamilton: That is correct. (grins ear to ear)

July 9th, 1785:
After weeks of trying to get the Popular Sovereignty Act passed, Thomas Pinckney achieves the victory he spent more than a month cultivating. The South Carolina State Legislature passes the act by a majority of 3 votes. Thomas Pinckney would call it “his greatest gift to the people of South Carolina: a deciding voice”.

July 10th, 1785:
The funeral services for the Vermont delegates slain in Lower Canada (modern day Quebec) are held in Montpelier. The man delivering the eulogy is the President of the Vermont Republic himself Thomas Chittenden, the father of Martin Chittenden (who they believed to be deceased at the time). In his speech on the men, President Chittenden said:
“It is unfair that these men who lived such extraordinary lives should die such shameful deaths. I believe I speak for every mother, every father, every brother, every sister, every son, every daughter, every family member and caretaker here today when I say that if I could turn back time it would be me at the end of the blade and not that of my boy. My boy who snuck away from home at the young age of 16 to fight in the Great War against Tyranny. So shameful he should die by the knife of a cowardly ruffian with no principle to fight for, to die for. God bless these dear boys of Vermont, forever and ever.”
Meanwhile, in what seemed to be almost a world away, Martin Chittenden was hunting in the woods for deer to feed his new family. He had grown to love these people of the land and had given up heading home to live his new life among the Algonquin. The Algonquin name for him meant “Peacemaker”.

July 13th, 1785:
John Hancock moves the last of his personal belongings into the Executive House in Philadelphia. This would be the place he and his family would live for the next four years. Hancock would later remark of the Executive House: “It was quite a depressing little place. Imagine a small town house only with guards. That is the Executive House.” Now all Hancock had left to do was draft his Inauguration Address, the first one ever in the history of these United States.

July 17th, 1785:
The day had finally come, the first Inauguration Day in the history of the United States of America. The Executive, John Hancock, formerly of Massachusetts (it is a custom in this timeline instead of saying "from [insert state name]" to say "formerly of [insert state name]" to signify the office as one that serves the whole of America). The locale, City Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the fanfare dies, Hancock approaches the stage. There to greet him is Samuel Adams, his main contender throughout the election. As is an unwritten custom to this day, Adams shakes Hancocks hand in a symbolic gesture signifying that he concedes total defeat to Hancock.
Adams: Make me proud John.
Hancock: Leave me some beer Sam.
(both men laugh)
John Hancock gets on stage and addresses the crowd:
If I may ask the good gentleman from South Carolina John Rutledge to sit on this chair to my right. A good Executive should always have his Vice Executive to his back.
John Rutledge gets up and sits at the chair to Hancock's right.
Finally, Hancock commences the nation's first Inaugural Address on an overcast July day in Philadelphia:

The Inauguration of John Hancock

"Ladies and Gentlemen of this young, fair, and prosperous nation:
Many gathered here today to witness this grand cermony may remember the olden days of monarchs marching down the streets in grand parades with manservants carrying them high above their heads and people bowing at their feet. Let me make one thing clear: I am not that man. I am no king. I am no emperor. I am not your pharoah. I am not your caesar. I am not even your leader, in fact you, the people of this great nation, are mine. I am but a laborer, employed by your votes this past June to be represent the needs of the people of this grand land. Mark my words Young America, the days of people bowing down before bureaucracy are dead, the days of a loving, caring government that will protect the rights, liberties, and freedom of the citizens who inhabit it's realms have just begun.
Which brings me to my next point, as first executive I have been given the authority to grant this office a title. This title shall not bear the word "king", for "king" is something we have fought long and hard to free the world from. The title shall from henceforth be known as "president", for I shall preside over this nation.
Hancock's speech would last seven minutes, one of the shortest in history.

The John Hancock/John Rutledge Administration
President: John Hancock

Vice President: John Rutledge


Cabinet:
Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Former President of the Continental Congress John Jay of New York


Secretary of Treasury: Former Massachusetts delegate Eldbridge Gerry


Secretary of War: Former Continental Army General Benjamin Lincoln of Massachusetts


Attorney General: Lawyer Oliver Ellsworth of Connecticut


Appointed Justices (still pending Senate approval)

Chief Justice:
William Cushing of Massachusetts


Associated Justices:
James Wilson of Pennsylvania


John Blair, Jr. of Virginia


Samuel Johnson of North Carolina


Edmund Randolph of Virginia

[Mechaman]

July 18th, 1785: The 1st US Congress begins its first session. The agenda at the moment: appointing leadership positions within the Congress. Since there are no official parties at the moment, Representatives and Senators may use this time to organize into different factions. Once factions are officially organized, the process of electing Congressmen to leadership positions may begin.

Congress Hall in Philadelphia, where the 1st US Congress met.

July 23rd, 1785: Just two weeks into voyage, the US Conqueror runs into a vicious storm at sea in the North Atlantic. Its fate, along with its crews and passengers including US Minister to Great Britain Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth, would is unknown.

July 31st, 1785: At midday while on its voyage back home to France, the pirate ship Lesborades encounters a British warship. At first the Lesborades attempts to avoid the powerful British ship, but fails as the warship takes eye of it after it passes around an island. The Lesborades captain comes up with a plan: get everybody to the lowest deck (used for storage) to give the warship the impression that the ship is abandoned. 15 minutes after everyone has gotten to the lower deck, the warship pulls alongside the Lesborades and sends over a search team. The search team gets to the second lowest deck before going back to their home ship after finding “nothing of value” (the lowest deck’s entrance was disguised under a rug). The warship leaves 10 minutes later. After an hour the Lesborades captain signals everyone that it is safe to get back to the upper decks. Thomas Jefferson, the US Minister to France who hitched a ride with the French pirates (claimed they were cheap and had “lots of rum”), would later say of the event: “it was nauseating: the presence of pigs in redcoats searching the upper decks and no rum to numb the distaste.”

August 1st, 1785: The US Congress meets. The agenda for the day: Congressional Parties. In both Houses of the Congress, official political parties would be recognized. At the end of the day, the factions in Congress would be:

Federalists: Consists of members of Congress who identify with the “old nobility”. They are strong advocates for a stronger federal government bureaucracy with financial credibility. They are mostly dominate in the southern plantation states and in the coastal urban areas of the north. Their ideological leader is Vice President John Rutledge. Their major issues are:
Control of all monetary and currency issues by a strong central bank.
A well funded army and navy.
Heavy Federal government regulation of economy to favor American business.
Protectionist trade policy.
Support mingling of church and state.
In favor of increased taxes on agriculture.
Non-Interventionist Foreign Policy.
Neutral on popular sovereignty (northern Federalists favored popular sovereignty , southern Federalists were mostly against popular sovereignty with a few exceptions)
Against unregulated freedom of speech and press.
Support the policy of martial law during wartime if necessary.
Against total right of privacy. (including issuing search warrants)
Divided over slavery (northern Federalists anti-slavery, southern Federalists pro-slavery)


Vice President John Rutledge, the leader of the Federalists.

Liberals: Consists of members of Congress who identify with the “common American”. They are strong advocates for “laissez-faire governance” in regards to the scope of government. They are mostly dominate in largely agrarian states and the “urban mainland”: the merchant class heavy states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. Their ideological leader is Samuel Adams. Their major issues are:
Decentralization of all monetary and currency issues to state banks representing a common currency.
A small military budget.
Laissez-faire economic system, “do or die” for American business.
Liberal trade policy
Support separation of church and state.
Against “unreasonable taxation” (excessive taxation).
“Commerce with all nations, alliances with none”: the belief that through friendly trade policies peace with all nations is possible.
Supporters of popular sovereignty, but with a republican form of government to prevent “tyranny of the majority”.
Support unregulated freedom of speech and press.
Against martial law.
Support the total right to privacy (including the issuance of search warrants).
Are somewhat divided over slavery (northern Liberals favor abolition, southern Liberals are for slave's rights and regulating slave plantations).


Samuel Adams, the ideological head of the Liberals

Radicals: Consists of members of Congress who identify with the “lasting revolution”. Extremely strong advocates of “laissez-faire” governance. Believes the states are a confederation of individual states, not one singular national entity. Were the most ardent supporters of the former “Articles of Confederation”. They are mostly dominate in areas with a very strong Liberal presence. They believe in the abolition of the federal state. Their ideological leader is US Representative Patrick Henry. Their major issues are:
Complete authority to each state to full control of all monetary and currency issues, even the creation of currency.
A nonexistent federal military budget, strong emphasis on individual militias.
Market anarchy: No intervention at all into the economy.
Free Trade Policy
Support complete separation of church and state.
Against all forms of federal taxation, only the states have the right to taxation.
Same foreign policy as the Liberals.
Strong supporters of popular sovereignty.
Total freedom of speech and press.
“Any state that would impose military ordinance on its own populace, deserves death.”-Patrick Henry
Same view of privacy as Liberals.
In favor of abolishing slavery.


Patrick Henry, leader of the Radicals

Rationales: Consists of members of Congress who don’t identify with any particular ideology. They are the most moderate of the four parties and are seen as the “Middle Ground”. They will be the deciding votes on contentious issues. They have no area of dominance but do very well with independently minded citizens. They are not united behind any one issue. President John Hancock is the most prominent Rationale.

[Mechaman]

Political Party Strength in Congress
Federalists: 10 Senators, 27 Representatives
Liberals: 9 Senators, 25 Representatives
Radicals: 9 Representatives
Rationales: 5 Senators, 8 Representatives
Members of the parties would divide up into Pro-Administration and Anti-Administration coalitions. Federalists unanimously caucus into Pro-Administration caucus, Liberals and Radicals unanimously caucus into Anti-Administration caucus. Rational Congressmen are divided.

Map of the US Senate 1785, with political parties:

Pro Admin: 14 seats      Anti Admin: 10 seats
This would make a Pro_Administration marjority in the Senate.

Map of the US House of Representatives, with coalition majorities:

Political Party Strength in the HOR (purple means Pro-admin, red means Anti-admin)
Georgia: 2 Federalists, 1 Rational
South Carolina: 3 Federalists, 1 Rational, 1 Liberal
North Carolina: 3 Federalists, 2 Rationales, 3 Liberals
Virginia: 2 Federalists, 5 Liberals, 3 Radicals
Maryland: 3 Federalists, 1 Rational, 3 Liberals, 1 Radical
Delaware: 1 Federalist
Pennsylvania: 1 Federalist, 5 Liberals, 2 Radicals
New Jersey: 3 Federalists, 1 Rational
New York: 2 Federalists, 3 Liberals, 1 Radical
Connecticut: 2 Federalists, 1 Rational, 2 Liberals
Massachusetts: 5 Federalists, 1 Rational, 2 Liberals
New Hampshire: 1 Liberal, 2 Radicals

Pro Admin: 32 seats.       Anti Admin: 37 seats
This would make an Anti-Administration majority in the house.

The alignment of Congress after the formation of parties affirms the election of 1785.

With the political parties/coalitions formed, Congress would begin the process of choosing Congressional leaders.

[Mechaman]

Update!
Time is going to go by faster now that Congress is in session.

September 23rd, 1785: President John Hancock announces the creation of the Department of Foreign Affairs before the US Congress. Voting would commence the following day, the 24th, to ratify the Department of Foreign Affairs. This would make Secretary of State John Jay's position official. It is expected to pass quite smoothly through Congress.

September 24th, 1785: The US House passes the Foreign Affairs Office Creation Act 60-9. The 9 dissenters were Radical Party members who argued that Congress should have the sole authority to handle foreign affairs.  The bill would go through the Senate in two days, September 26th,1785, where the Senate will begin debate over the legislation.

September 26th, 1785: Debate goes on regarding the Foreign Affairs Office Creation Act. The act is presented before the Senate by Vice President John Rutledge. In his closing remarks, Rutledge notes:
Now there may be some of you may have cause for concern regarding this bill. For those of you with concern may I remind you that while the Secretary of Foreign Affairs is the chief advisor of foreign affairs with the President, only Congress has the authority to establish treaties, alliances, or declare war. This office is merely an overseer of US foreign operations, explicitly limited to instructing emissaries overseas and negotiating with foreign representatives.

After John Rutledge ends his opening statement, Senator John Taylor approaches the main stage and opens with his own statement:


Senator John Taylor of Virginia (L), who recommended the creation of the Department of State.

Fellow senators, while I do applaud this act for bringing much needed organization to the Executive Branch, I must also bring forth the fact that while this office takes care of foreign affairs, none is said of domestic affairs. I think it would be a big mistake to pass this act without also putting this Secretary of Affair's in charge of advising the President on the affairs of the nation. For the sake of Checks and Balances, please take my plea in consideration.

For the rest of the session senators on both sides of the aisle started drafting for what would be known as the Department of State Act. Voting would begin when discussion will be determined to be final (by roll call).

September 30th, 1785: The Department of State Act passes unanimously through the Senate. As per the terms of the bill, the Department of State would become an official Executive entity starting October 28th, 1785.

October 4th, 1785: While traveling with a group of Algonquin, Martin Chittenden witnesses a group of ruffians attacking a group of travelers. Disturbed by memories of his fellow countrymen killed by ruffians, Chittenden calls for the group of Algonquin men with him to come to the aid of the travelers. Chittenden and his Algonquin friends arrive in time to prevent the slaughter of the innocent travelers and kill all but one ruffian in the gunfire (Algonquin casualties: zero). The ruffian starts begging for his life to be spared, until Chittenden takes notice of the man's vest; it used to be his best friend's vest. With pure anger taking over him Chittenden leaps forward and cracks the man's head open with a hatchet. Lost in his madness, Chittenden continues to chop and chop at the man's corpse until he breaks down in tears with his shirt covered in blood. His friends' deaths had been avenged, but at what cost? His innocence forever gone before the eyes of God, the man of peace he no longer would be, and his homeland probably in ruins from the onslaught of the Loyalists. His life it seemed, was over.

October 7th, 1785: Thomas Jefferson takes a walk outside his residence in Paris. What he finds shocks him: thousands upon thousands of common folk living in unimaginable conditions. He saw people selling dead rats for food, smelled the strong scent of death, and heard the anguish of the worst of human suffering. This would be very shocking for Jefferson, who felt this injustice must be addressed to the King of France as soon as possible.

October 8th, 1785: At a royal ball at the Palace of Versailles, United States Ambassador Thomas Jefferson drinks wine with French King Louis XVI. Louis talks about his collection of wine, future refurnishing of the palace, and future relations between the US and France. On that note, Thomas Jefferson did something not even the noblest of Frenchmen would not dare do: he brought criticism on the state of the poor in France:

Almighty King Louis XVI, you talk of grandeur, you talk of wealth, you talk of the beauty and glory of your kingdom. You talk of the unequaled glory of French society in the world yet the streets of your very own city of power is filled with the sight of human misery, the smell of death, and the cries of horrendous agony. Sir, the only thing your nation is unequaled in is the uninhibited exploitation and abandonment of the commonman. Any nation that would dare tax it's worst off members of society into the lowest condition of human suffering is one I would not dream of living in. France: the land where the tyrannic system of oligarchy is there only to fatten up the noble elite, at the great expense of the common person. How can you expect to live when those who are under your care are continually living just to die? Give these people a chance to live bearable lives and not forever on the diet of rats and lice! Please sir, for the sake of everything good and decent in this world, let them live decent lives!

King Louis, and those also present who heard Jefferson were shocked and appalled at what the American ambassador had said about their country. King Louis responded:

Good sir, if it weren't for the relations between our two nations, as well as your status as ambassador to this glorious land, I would have you hanged from the tallest tree in the garden and feed your remains to the dogs. Now leave my sight, I don't want to see your face again unless I summon for it. Don't tempt me any further you new world barbarian.

From that day forward, a great animosity existed between Thomas Jefferson and King Louis XVI. Jefferson would call the French noble class: The biggest pieces of filth that could ever be trusted with the welfare of the common people.


King Louis XVI of France, who had animosity towards US Ambassador Thomas Jefferson.

October 10th, 1785: The US embassy in London gets concerned when Alexander Hamilton hasn't shown up to assume his post. They send a message to be sent back to Philadelphia informing the President that Hamilton is presumed to be missing at sea.

October 14th, 1785: Martin Chittenden and his men arrive in northern New Hampshire to camp for the night. He is headed in the direction of Philadelphia. His purpose is unknown.

October 16th, 1785: The US House begins voting on the War Department Creation Act. It is expected to face the usual resistance by the Radicals and maybe even a few Liberals.

October 18th, 1785: The US House passes the War Department Creation Act 65-69. The result is surprising, considering that five Radicals voted for it. In hindsight the positive result can be attributed to Radicals "thinking it would be unwise to leave a President alone on matters of warfare, even with the powers delegated to Congress". Voting on the bill in the Senate is expected to commence October 25th, 1785.

October 25th, 1785: In another shocker, the US Senate unanimously passes the War Department Creation Act. The lack of resistance to this bill surprises the Pro-Administration coalition, especially considering how much Liberals and Radicals oppose a strong national military. The War Department would become an official Executive entity starting November 10th, 1785.

[Mechaman]

October 28th, 1785: The Department of State begins operations. Secretary of State John Jay is sworn by President John Hancock (in the absence of a Chief Justice, the President had the authority to swear in Executive officials) to assume the office. John Jay, who has strong Federalist tendencies, is known for his advocacy of non-interventionism in European affairs. At home however, he was anything but "non-interventionist".


Inaugural Portrait of Secretary of State John Jay

October 30th, 1785: The Senate (who has sole authority on approving federal justices and cabinet secretaries) begins voting on the Justices to the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice appointee William Cushing, who is known for having Rational sympathies, is expected to be comfortably, if not unamiously, approved by the Senate.

November 2nd, 1785: William Cushing of Massachusetts is unamiously voted to the office of Chief Justice. William Cushing was probably John Hancock's easiest choice, the other justices, however, will have a bit more trouble.


William Cushing, the 1st Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He will be known for his levelheadedness and his objectivity. He will become the measuring tape by which every Chief Justice that followed him would be measured.


November 5th, 1785: The Senate begins voting over the remaining Justices. The 1st Associate Justice, James Wilson of Pennsylvania, a Rational just like Cushing, is approved by the Senate 18-6 (All Federalists who claimed he was actually a "moderate Liberal").


Associate Justice James Wilson of Pennsylvania, a well known Rational from Pennsylvania, was often accused by Federalists of having a "Liberal slant".

November 7th, 1785: The 2nd Associate Justice, John Blair, Jr. of Virginia, was well known for his Liberal sympathies. In the preceding weeks John Hancock was beginning to regret nominating John Blair due to the Federalist power in the US Senate. However, in the end John Blair's credentials won over any supposed fear of bias he would have as he was approved by the US Senate 15-9, just over the three-fifths majority needed in the Senate.


Associate Justice John Blair, Jr. of Virginia, who was known for being vocal on Liberal causes, would barely be approved of by the US Senate. He was known for being a strict constitutionalist.

November 9th, 1785: The 3rd Associate Justice apointee, Samuel Johnston of North Carolina, was well known as an advocate for Federalist causes. Like John Blair, he faced alot of opposition but managed to be approved 17-7 mostly due to his experience as a lawyer. He promised after being approved by the Senate that he would be as "objective as possible" as an Associate Justice.


Associate Justice Samuel Johnston of North Carolina was well known as an advocate for Federalist causes. Like Blair he faced stiff opposition to be approved but won over Rationals and even Liberals with his promise to be "as objective as possible" in his rulings.

November 10th, 1785: The Department of War officially begins operations under Secretary Benjamin Lincoln, the late General George Washington's second in command at the Battle of Yorktown. Like President John Hancock, Benjamin Lincoln was a Rational (most Revolutionary War commanders in the immediate post war era were). Out of Hancock's appointees, Benjamin Lincoln was the most well liked by the general populace and Congress.


Portrait of Benjamin Lincoln, the nation's first Secretary of War.

November 11th, 1785: The final Associate Justice apointee to the US Supreme Court, Edmund Randolph of Virginia, a Rational, has a much easier time being approved by the Senate due to his moderate views. The Senate approves him 21-3. At the age of 32, he was the youngest Supreme Court Justice (at the time).


Associate Justice Edmund Randolph of Virginia was known for his objectivity and youth among the Supreme Court Justices.

November 16th, 1785: With just a week before Congress takes a week of recess, President John Hancock sends the US House the Department of Treasury Creation Act. Voting on the act in the House is to take place on November 18th, 1785.

November 18th, 1785: The US House passes the Department of Treasury Creation Act 54-15. The opposition vote came from Federalists who didn't have a problem with the Act itself, but the nomination of Eldbridge Gerry, an advocate for a decentralized banking system. This is the first act that would get the unanimious approval of the Radicals.

November 20th, 1785: Discussion begins over the Department of Treasury Creation Act in the US Senate. The debate is intense due to staunch Federalist opposition to Eldbridge Gerry. Vice President John Rutledge would act as a peacemaker:

My friends, let us let this crazy partisan bickering off for another day. Do not let one man's opinions dictate what you think of an entire position. Remember in four years when I become President, I can fix any mistakes Mr. Gerry could make by replacing him with someone more up to our credentials.

The Federalists give him a rousing ovation for when he said "when I become President". This was the turning point in the Senate debate.

November 22nd, 1785: The Senate votes on the Department of the Treasury Creation Act. The final tally is shockingly 23-1. In hindsight President Pro Tempore of the Senate John Adams would claim "we realized that the existence of a Department of Treasury actually helped our goals towards a Strong National Bank than it would've without the Department or Eldbridge Gerry". Per the conditions of the act, the Department of Treasury would begin operations on December 8th, 1785.

November 23rd, 1785: Congress takes a week long recess for an unofficial Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 26th, 1785: Secretary of State John Jay gets a disturbing letter from a courier: Alexander Hamilton never arrived the American Embassy in London. Jay immediately goes to Hancock's house in Philadelphia and delivers the news:

Hancock: Are you telling me that Hamilton never showed up in London?
Jay: Yes. Apparently there was a storm at sea and the US Conqueror sailed right into it. The British claim to have found wreckage of the ship in the North Atlantic, they found no bodies.
Hancock: My god.......
Jay: Indeed, Hamilton was one of our most charismatic players. With him gone, nothing can stop the Liberals.
Hancock: It's too soon to judge the winds of change my friend.

Hancock's words, however prophetic, would come to define this America that never was.

[Mechaman]

November 29th, 1785: President John Hancock reveals to the nation’s presses that Alexander Hamilton, his choice for Ambassador to Great Britain, went missing in the North Atlantic (now known as the Bermuda Triangle). His fate is unknown, so in the best interest of the nation Hancock will announce a replacement for Hamilton as Ambassador to Great Britain.

December 1st, 1785: President John Hancock, after much deliberation, names Hamilton’s replacement to Great Britain. His replacement would be George Cabot, an American merchant from Boston, Massachusetts.


George Cabot, Hamilton’s replacement as Ambassador to Great Britain.

December 4th, 1785: The final Department Creation Act, the Department of the Attorney General Creation Act, comes to vote in the US House where it is passed unanimously. It is expected to get passed quite easily in the Senate as well.

December 7th, 1785: The Department of Attorney General Creation Act is passed in the US Senate unanimously. The Department of the Attorney General would being operations January 4th, 1786. The three branches of government were finally complete.

December 11th, 1785: The Rhode Island State Legislature finally ratifies the US Constitution 34-32. After the vote was taken, the Country Party members storm out of the state legislature and vow that the “Federalist takeover this state will not be tolerated!” The Country Party has 29 seats in the Rhode Island State Legislature and without them the State Legislature can’t operate. The leader of the Country Party was Arthur Fenner.


Arthur Fenner, the leader of the Rhode Island Country Party

December 12th, 1785: Rhode Island state militia burst into the homes of Country Party members and arrest them for treasonous acts against the state of Rhode Island. Over 200 members of the party would be arrested in a period of five days and thrown into jail.

December 17th, 1785: The Cambridge Press releases an article by Samuel Adams criticizing the actions of the Rhode Island Government in its arrest of hundreds of Rhode Island Country Party members:

“The other day, hundreds of men were taken from their homes and thrown into jail for no other purpose than they were protesting. Where did this happen? Great Britain? France? Spain? No my fellow Americans, it happened in Rhode Island, one of our very own Original Colonies. I for one am an ardent supporter of the US Constitution, however, to use unconstitutional means to punish those who were against it is a bastardization of its original intent. The actions of the Rhode Island Government in regards to this incident are beyond reprehension and I hope that justice comes to those who violated these innocent men’s rights.”

Samuel Adams comments would cause a huge stir among Americans.

December 20th, 1785: Right before the Winter Recess, Representative Thomas Paine (Radical) of Greenwich Village, NY, approaches the stand before the US House and makes this famous proclamation:

“My fellow Americans. Just a few days ago the greatly respected Samuel Adams released an article in the Cambridge Press condemning the events that have taken place in Providence. As a lover of freedom and liberty, I also shall voice my disgust at what has transpired in Rhode Island. The very acts committed by the Rhode Island State Government breed contempt upon a free society. These kind of actions should not be happening in a free and just land. We need a set of guidelines to protect the civil liberties of the American people, gentlemen what we need is a Bill of Rights! Please dear brothers, please, don’t let us fall into the quick sand of tyranny which has subjected countless man and woman to tyranny of the oligarchs.”


New York Representative Thomas Paine (Radical) would outright condemn the actions of the Rhode Island State Government and demand the creation of a Bill of Rights in the US Constitution.

As horrible as the actions of the Rhode Island Government were, they paled in comparison to the corruption of the French oligarchy that Thomas Jefferson was witnessing as Thomas Paine spoke.

Also on that same day, half a world a way, US Ambassador to France Thomas Jefferson was meeting with French officials to discuss US trade policy with France. Jefferson would eventually get the French representative to compromise on a liberal trade policy that would benefit both nations and strengthen the bond between the countries. Jefferson, despite the personal animosity between him and Louis XVI, has managed to cement American and French relations. The only question was: Would the people back home agree with the rough draft of the Jefferson Treaty with France?

December 21st, 1785: Jefferson sends off his rough draft of the Jefferson Treaty on a courier ship back home.

Also, Congress would begin it's annual Winter Recess.

December 25th, 1785: The Christmas Day Revolution occurs in Providence, Rhode Island. In the countryside, in the city, the people rise up and take arms. An army thousands strong overthrow the Rhode Island State Government and in the process overthrow the authority of the US Constitution. All the members of the Country Party who were thrown in prison are freed from the revolutionaries and take control of the government. The Federalist government is ordered into exile to Upper Canada. Remnants of the Federalist forces escape into Eastern Providence, Westerly and the islands in the bay. At the end of the day, Revolutionary forces have already have East Providence surrounded. Estimated at least 500 dead.


Orange is Revolutionary area of control

[Mechaman]

December 26th, 1785: News of the Rhode Island Revolution has spread throughout New England and the “Urban Mainland”. The initial reaction for many is shock, many still can’t believe another revolution has occurred so soon in the New World.

December 29th, 1785: After days of resting in Westerly waiting for the oncoming Revolutionary Brigade to bring them death, the remaining Federalist forces of southwest Rhode Island retreat west into Connecticut. The southwest Rhode Island Federalist forces were very low on ammunition, food, and other vital supplies and low on morale. After a few days they came to realize they weren’t fighting for survival and that they would rather live another day to live with their families, even if it was in a Rhode Island controlled by radical revolutionaries. On the Revolutionary side, things are a bit different as volunteers from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire arrive to help aid the Revolution.

December 31st, 1785: At the end of 1785 on the Pinckney Estate, all is peaceful and all is calm. There is no hint at all of the chaos that is occurring up north in the small former colony of Rhode Island. Governor Thomas Pinckney presides over a state at peace and harmony with itself. His wife and children are safe in his arms by the fireside instead of in a raging warzone like the citizens of East Providence, Bristol, and Newport, Rhode Island. At this moment he could not conceive of any of the horrors of war happening in that small land, to the people of Rhode Island caught in the middle of a bloody civil war between political extremists. If Thomas Pinckney had known of the horrors involved, God save those who got in his way of Justice.

January 1st, 1786: At the chime of midnight, Revolutionary forces come in from all sides: the land and sea, and take the resting Federalist forces by storm. After a week of fighting, the Revolutionaries have taken East Providence. In the aftermath the stench of death is permeates the air. After a week of fighting, over 6,750 people have died in this meaningless conflict, with over half the casualties from the Battle of East Providence alone.

January 4th, 1786: The Department of Attorney General officially starts operations. Former lawyer Olliver Elsworth of Connecticut, who isn't affiliated to any partisan political party, begins his term as the 1st Attorney General of the United States.


Olliver Ellsworth, the first Attorney General of the United States of America

January 5th, 1786: At the Battle of Bristol, the Federalists make one last stand. Among those fighting on the Revolutionary side is 18 year old former Continental courier and now journeyman from the Waxhaws area, Andrew Jackson, who shines in the battle. Jackson’s gun gets jammed and he ditches it and pulls out his sword and becomes the stuff of legend after killing 28 armed Federalist troops and only stopped when his sword got dull. The Federalists around him, seeing what had transpired, retreat away from Jackson in fear. The Revolutionary captain in charge of Jackson’s unit gets shot, Jackson picks up the fallen captain’s sword, points to the Federalists and gives the command: “Make bastards these men’s children!” The Revolutionaries get the Federalists to surrender by nightfall, who were allowed to leave for Newport to have time to draft a surrender document.

January 6th, 1786: For his display of courage and “madness”, Andrew Jackson is promoted by the Revolutionary Rhode Island Army to the rank of Captain. At the age of 18 he has become one of the youngest captains in history.


The young Captain Andrew Jackson


January 7th, 1786: US Congress resumes. The first agenda on the table: The Rhode Island Revolution. Congress is real divided on the issue: For one the Federalists (of Rhode Island) are at fault for imposing acts of tyranny on the dissenters before the Revolution but at the same time the Revolutionaries are at fault for overthrowing a government that had ratified the Constitution. The debate would rage for days.

January 9th, 1786: US Representative Fisher Ames of Massachusetts approaches the podium and makes this statement:

" Gentlemen of this respected office, the people of Rhode Island live in a state of chaos and the Revolutionaries are in complete responsibility for it. The Revolutionaries have overthrown the authority of the Constitution in favor of full on radicalism! This course of action should not be tolerated. The authority of the Constitution is permanent! As long as any region has recognized the Constitution it is American land and the people in it are American people! This revolution is not an act of freedom, it is an act of mutiny against the United States of America! "


US Representative Fisher Ames of Massachusetts (Federalist) would condemn the actions of the Rhode Island Revolutionaries

In reply to the Representatives statements, Speaker of the House James Madison approaches the podium and makes his own statement:

" Have we so quickly forgotten that the very actions of the government of Rhode Island immediately after the Country Party left the General Assembly in an act of protest? That the actions of the Rhode Island government itself were unconstitutional. The government of Rhode Island had, by their actions, created an environment of unconstitutionality. Therefore, we should respect the right of the Revolutionaries to rebel against this intruder of civil liberties and stay neutral. And even if the Rhode Island government was correct, after our own war of independence our well of willing volunteers is small and we are running a high enough budget deficit as is. Getting involved in a way we have no business in would only skyrocket that deficit. "


Speaker of the House James Madison (Liberal), would come to the defense of the Rhode Island Revolutionaries.

Congress would continue to debate this issue for the next week.

[pogo stick]

Very original. Keep writing

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Wonderful update! Viiva la revolution!

[Mechaman]

Short update, but I felt this was a powerful story turn to put into this timeline, so I think it's fitting it has it's own entry:

January 11th, 1786: Thomas Jefferson gets a letter from the United States Embassy in Paris (he moved to Normandy because he couldn't stand the sight of the "suffering of the Common People"):

"Sir, we are aware of the relationship between you and the honorable Mister Alexander Hamilton. Which is why with great sadness we regret to inform you that Hamilton, his wife, and the ship they were on disappeared. We have no idea if he or any of the other people alive are still alive, but day by day that possibility gets dimmer and dimmer. We shall pray eternally for the safe return of Sir Alexander Hamilton. In his absence, Sir George Cabot of Massachusetts has been sent as his replacement to serve as Ambassador to Great Britain. I hope you yourself are in great spirits good sir.

The Embassy"

Thomas Jefferson, for the first time in his life, was genuinely concerned about the welfare of Alexander Hamilton. The weird bond that exists between these two was unlike any seen in history, as if the coincidence of being married to sisters put aside any real animosity that existed before.

On an island.........
The evil malicious storm had brought him nothing but ruin. The cold silent island had taken away his humanity. The dark hand of death had taken his love away from him. Nothing was left for him now, except the cold air of silence. However, in this cold silence, in the aftermath of despair, his wife’s dying cries no longer permeating the air, his silver tears now dry on his cheek, he found existence. He found a chance to be born again, to begin life anew. The cruel hand of Fate had failed to end him, nothing could stop this man, this man of principle, this man of unlimited pride. Somehow he would get out of this hell and return to the land he loves and lead his young people to a great future. He refused to die now, he would not suffer the same fate as his immortal father who died before his time truly began……..

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Robinson Hamilton!

[Mechaman]

I seem to be hitting a jackpot of ideas lately.
Don't be surprised to see as many as 6-7 updates in the next 2-3 days.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I seem to be hitting a jackpot of ideas lately.
Don't be surprised to see as many as 6-7 updates in the next 2-3 days.

And very well

[Mechaman]

January, 14th, 1786: After days of debate, the US House and Senate decide not to intervene in the Rhode Island Revolution. As a compromise to Federalists though, the US wouldn’t recognize Rhode Island status as a nation. The deciding factor was the deficits the nation had due to the Revolutionary War. Plus, a lot of the army retired after the war to live peaceful lives, meaning Congress would have to spend money on recruiting an army to fight in the war. The US could win a war quite easily with Rhode Island, but it would still have a drain on the treasury.

January 18th, 1786: The Revolutionaries and the Federalists meet at Newport to sign the Newport Treaty. Per the treaty, all Federalists will be forgiven for their past participation in the Rhode Island Revolutionary War and allowed back into society once they surrender all claims to the government of Rhode Island. Those responsible for the mass arrests before the outbreak of revolution will be exiled to Upper Canada for 5-10 years. Those who had formerly supported the Federalists would be surprised at the leniency of the Revolutionaries towards those that threw them in jail with little regard to Constitutional authority. In a few weeks the Rhode Island General Assembly would begin drafting their own Constitution, which would turn out to be quite a bit more liberal than the US Constitution.

January 21st, 1786: President John Hancock is taking a walk in the environ of Congress Hall when a crazed New Englander in Algonquin clothing runs up to him:

Crazed newcomer: Mr. Hancock?
Hancock: I wasn’t aware today was costume day at the Capitol. Who set you up to this lad?
Newcomer: Sir, my name is Martin Chittenden and I’m an emissary from the Republic of Vermont.
Hancock: What?
Chittenden: Sir there is a very important manner I have to discuss with you. It’s a matter of survival for my people.
Hancock: If only we had an embassy for the Republic of Vermont. Looks like I’m free for the rest of the day. Come with me lad, my wife makes a very excellent turkey roast.
Chittenden: Alright sir.

That evening at dinner:

Chittenden: They started intruding on our lands about two years ago. We brought this matter up to the Royal Government of Canada and they came up with this insane ruling.
Hancock: Go on.
Chittenden: Apparently since Vermont isn’t a part of the thirteen colonies our status isn’t recognized by the Treaty of Paris therefore the Royal Canadian Government still owns Vermont and we have to leave our homes by August 1787! Something must be done!
Hancock: I got a solution, you will not like it, but it is the best chance your people have of keeping your land and property.
Chittenden: What is it?
Hancock: The General Assembly of Vermont ratifies the US Constitution and joins the United States of America.
Chittenden: Madness! Our sovereignty is a sacred thing!
Hancock: As citizens of the United States of America you would be guaranteed as many civil liberties as you currently do. I believe you will find our Constitution to be just as enabling of individual rights as yours, if not more so. Plus, would you really feel more comfortable with an army of 200 weekend warriors or the army that threw the British out of the thirteen colonies?
Chittenden: Good points. I’ll think about it. I’ll go back and present this idea to my people. I can’t guarantee anything Mr. President, but I think given our current situation me and the people of Vermont may change our minds in the future.
Hancock: God speed Chittenden. Don’t get attacked by ruffians on your way back to Montpelier.
Chittenden: God speed sir.
The future of the Vermont Republic was in the hands of the young Martin Chittenden.

January 27th, 1786: Jefferson's Treaty arrives at Congress Hall. The House and Senate would debate the details of the treaty for a few weeks.

January 29th, 1786: Martin Chittenden arrives home at Montpelier. His family is very glad to see he is still alive. After refusing a celebration in his honor, Martin tells his father Thomas Chittenden, the president of Vermont, the bad news. Thomas says he'll think about it.

February 6th, 1786: In the interior of South Carolina, construction begins on the new capital city Columbia. Seeing that Charleston was too far away from those in land, Thomas Pinckney decided to begin construction of a capital city to answer the call of the citizens of South Carolina no matter where they live in the state.


Building designs for Columbia, South Carolina.

February 14th, 1786: The Valentine's Day Massacre occurs. 24 French Noblemen are taken from their horse carriages and knifed to death in front of their friends and family by buggers, who then take their money. It is obvious that the situation for the common man is getting much worse by the day in France, as crime has skyrocketed due to the desperate situation of people. Even in the coastal regions it is not safe for people to walk unguarded. American Ambassador Thomas Jefferson is so cautious about security that he has arranged for his daughter to have a bodyguard detachment to be with her constantly. He, however, always rides alone freely in crime infested areas as if the only life he didn't fear for was his own.

On the Valentine's Day Massacre, Jefferson would write:

"Such a horrible event, seeing the commonman reduced to the occupation of murder and theft just to put food on his table! If there is any nation that deserves revolution more than anyone, it is negligent France."

February 16th, 1786: Speaker of the House James Madison calls for the roll vote on the Jefferson Treaty: 47 ayes and 22 nays. The opposition came from the Federalists who had complains about the liberal trade policies inolved in the treaty. To get this through the Senate would be an even tougher ordeal, as many compromises would have to be made.

February 19th, 1786: US Senator Philip Schuyler (Federalist) comes to the podium to address both his fellow Federalists and the Pro-Administrative Rationales in the Senate:

"Fellow Senators, today we have before us a task like no other: a request for an economic alliance with the Kingdom of France. Let that sink in for a moment. Believe me, I know Thomas Jefferson, I know he is a man of strong liberal convictions, but I also know he is a caretaker. This is the best possible treaty he could've gotten from the French, I truly believe that. If I can trust Thomas Jefferson as the father of my grandchild, I'm going to trust him with this Treaty.
I also was a very close friend to George Washington and believe me gentlemen, George Washington would've wanted this Treaty. We cannot afford to sacrifice our economic standing due to dogmatism."


United States Senator Philip Schuyler would be an important figure in getting the Jefferson Treaty passed.

President Pro Tempore John Adams would later call Schuyler's speech "pure emotional grandstanding". However, it had it's effect: the Senate would vote 17-7 to ratify the treaty, on the condition that the American navy be allowed to protect American trade ships from piracy on French trade routes and a small tariff added to sugar imports.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Great as alway update. When you become Governor General of Oklahoma, I sugesst to make this an compulsory lecture for all student

Poor green mountains boy