Where've You Gone, General Washington?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

 January 9th, 1804:
Ringing in the New Year, the Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase. The biggest opponents were New England Nationals who are opposed to Westward Expansion for sectionalist reasons, and ardent Radical Republicans, opposed to it due to its price tag. Nevertheless, these two groups are again marginalized by the mainstream of both parties.

The United States, 1804
Red-The Treaty of Paris, 1783
Blue-The Treaty of the Hague, 1802
Green-The Louisiana Purchase, 1804

January 25th, 1804:
At the behest of Republicans in Congress, President Jefferson signs the Free Commerce Act, lowering tariffs to 4%.

January 26th, 1804:
Supreme Court Justice Alfred Moore of North Carolina resigns. During his time on the court he wrote only one opinion and was the least active judge on the bench. It is now up to the President to make what will be only the second Supreme Court appointment of his Presidency.

January 30th, 1804:
President Jefferson appoints Secretary of Foreign Affairs James Madison of Virginia to fill the seat vacated by Alfred Moore. Madison is an experienced diplomat and legal mind and was one of the chief crafters of the constitution. "There is no one more fit than he to interpret our founding document and the law of the land."

February 3rd, 1804:
James Madison is confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and he takes his assignment that very day, resigning the post of Secretary of Foreign Affairs. That adds one more Republican to the bench.

Balance of the Supreme Court
Chief Justice: William Cushing (MA) Serving since 1789
Associate Justice: John Marshall (VA) Serving since 1795
Associate Justice: William Paterson (NJ) Serving since 1790
Associate Justice: Samuel Chase (MD) Serving since 1793
Associate Justice: George Clinton (NY) Serving since 1799
Associate Justice: James Madison (VA) Serving since 1804

February 5th, 1804:
In order to fill the vacancy left by Madison, the President appoints former Ambassador to France William Short to the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

February 13th, 1804:
William Short is confirmed as the 4th United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He was one of Jefferson's many proteges from Virginia and served as one of John Adams' Ambassadors to Spain (1792-1794). His time as Ambassador to France earned him fame in Europe and America for his negotiations that led to American entry into a European War, and then American purchase of Louisiana. By now he is seen as a seasoned and respected diplomat, worthy of the position.

March 15th, 1804:
Quebec is admitted as the 18th State in the Union. With rapid growth thanks to the movement of New England and New York businesses into the area, it is unsurprising that it become the first of the two Canadian Territories to be admitted to the Union.

March 22nd, 1804:
At the 1804 Republican Caucus, Vice President Aaron Burr is nominated for President. The star of the convention is the Vice Presidential nominee, "The man who bought us Louisiana", Secretary of Foreign Affairs William Short.

March 30th, 1804:
Elections are held for Senate, Governor, and State Legislature in Quebec. Businessman, philanthropist, and former Governor of New York Stephen Van Renssaeler is elected the first Governor of Quebec, making him the first American to be elected Governor of two different states. During the last two years, Renssaeler's business expanded into the Quebec Territory with its coastline and ports. The Senators are James Livingston and Thomas Dunn. Dunn is a former British appointee to Quebec and the most prominent former British citizen to be elected. The At-Large Representative is Thomas W. Thompson. All are Nationals.

April 5th, 1804:
At the National Party Caucus, held in New York City, Governor Alexander Hamilton of New York and former Senator Bushrod Washington of Virginia are nominated for President and Vice President, respectively. Hamilton is the founder of the party and has paved a successful career as soldier, banker, legislator, Senator, Treasury Secretary, and Governor. During his two terms as Governor he defended New York against the onslaught of British troops and has overseen its reconstruction. Washington is the nephew of the late General Washington, has served in the Senate and as a judge in his homestate of Virginia.

April 23rd, 1804:
President Jefferson commissions the Corps of Discovery to explore the new American lands to the West. It is led by the son of Daniel Boone, Nathan Boone.

May 10th, 1804:
A breakoff caucus of Radical Republicans nominates Representative John Randolph of Virginia for President and Senator Jesse Franklin of North Carolina for Vice President. They protest "President Jefferson's blatant imperialism, willingness to tolerate Northern banks and money, and his lack of concern for true Republican principles".

June 13th, 1804:
Ontario qualifies to be admitted as the 19th State in the Union. With that, elections for Governor, Senators, Representatives, and State Legislature are scheduled.

July 4th, 1804:
"We must remember that we are all Nationals, we are all Republicans, we are all Americans. While various factions may seem to wish to divide this nation, we must remember, United We Stand" proclaims Jefferson's Annual Address to Congress. It calls for a spirit of bi-partisan cooperation and seems to address specifically the Radical Republicans who have recently decided to challenge heir apparent Aaron Burr for the Presidency.

July 11th, 1804:
A political cartoon depicting the "duel" for the Presidency between Hamilton and Burr is published.

July 17th, 1804:
In the Ontario elections for national and state office, Solomon Sibley is elected the At-Large Representative for Ontario. Sibley served in the North-West Legislature and has been one of the highest ranking government officials in Ontario since its establishment in 1802. William Clark, due to the calls of the citizenry, is elected the first Governor. In the Senate elections, William McMillan and Paul Fearing are elected Senators. All but Fearing are Republicans, and most of the State Legislature is as well. At the State Capitol, where William Clark is stationed as Territorial Governor, he is sworn in.

Solomon Sibley, Representative from Ontario

September 18th, 1804:
The Corps of Discovery leaves Camp Dubois and begins their expedition.

November 9th, 1804:
The final polls for popular votes close, leaving the election in the hands of the counters and the state legislatures. Estimates show Hamilton winning many New England and Middle states. The South is for the most part in question.

November 18th, 1804:
Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law, former Senator Phillip Schuyler, dies. Schuyler helped to start Hamilton's career again when in 1790 he declined to run for re-election to the Senate and Hamilton took his place. From there, Hamilton rose to become Treasury Secretary and later Governor of New York, both positions of which helped springboard him to be a candidate for President.

Philip Schuyler (November 20th, 1733-November 18th, 1804)
United States Senator from New York (July 16th, 1789-March 4th, 1791; January 12th, 1801-March 4th, 1803)

December 5th, 1804:
In the Presidential election, National Party candidate Alexander Hamilton wins by a comfortable margin, marking the first time a member of the National party is elected to the Presidency. He beats Republican candidate Aaron Burr and Radical Republican candidate John Randolph of Roanoke.

Former Governor Alexander Hamilton [National-New York]/Former Senator Bushrod Washington [National-Virginia] 100 electoral votes
Vice President Aaron Burr [Republican-New York]/Secretary of State William Short [Republican-Virginia] 66 electoral votes
Representative John Randolph [Radical Republican-Virginia]/Senator Jesse Franklin [Radical Republican-North Carolina] 16 electoral votes

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

The map is awesome! I was wondering how you would include Ontario and Quebec, but you made it look perfect! Great job I love the irony of the Burr-Hamilton cartoon.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The map is awesome! I was wondering how you would include Ontario and Quebec, but you made it look perfect! Great job I love the irony of the Burr-Hamilton cartoon.

Thanks man, took a lot of work! What I did was I used the "Print Screen" button at the top right of the keyboard, copied it into paint, edited it, and was forced to draw the new territory by copying off existing maps of Canada and the Louisiana Purchase.

[HappyWarrior]

Good job with the map and it is going to be interesting and amazing to see Alexander Hamilton's Presidency.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

So the American Bonaparte is at the reins... This should be good.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Good job with the map and it is going to be interesting and amazing to see Alexander Hamilton's Presidency.

Thanks. Took a lot of work and lots of time on Microsoft Paint.

So the American Bonaparte is at the reins... This should be good.

Thanks, and I'm hoping it will be, though Hamilton might not be a wartime President.

[Jerseyrules]

Awesome so far. Keep it coming!

[BritishDixie]

Brilliant, carry on.

[Jerseyrules]

Once again, great job with the map and updates, though I'm curious as to why Jefferson didn't put Burr on the court just to get him out of politics (though I suppose back then it was more common to see Justices pursuing political ambitions while on the bench)

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

December 26th, 1804:
Following Christmas, President-elect Alexander Hamilton makes the decision to begin putting together his cabinet. Like Jefferson, a number of appointees will be from his home state. However, unlike Jefferson and his predecessor Adams, Hamilton has no intention of trying to unite the nation with his appointees.

January 3rd, 1805:
In a letter to Massachusetts Senator John Quincy Adams, Hamilton asks if he would be willing to step up and take the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Adams has had a long career in travelling the world, starting from his childhood in the days of the Revolution when he accompanied his father on a number of diplomatic trips. Later, Adams served as Ambassador to the Netherlands (1795-1797) and Secretary of the Navy (1797-1802). Adams, however, declines. He is happy as a Senator and will need more prodding if he is to again be part of a President’s cabinet. He also advises against asking his father, former President John Adams. The nation’s first President is too happy in his retirement, being away from the controversy that seemed to surround his second term, to step back into the arena. Having to face the critics after having done so for his entire political career might make him mad.

January 7th, 1805:
Hamilton receives John Quincy Adams’s reply to his letter. With that, Hamilton must set about looking for a new choice for Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

February 12th, 1805:
In the House of Representatives, the results of the elections are read, confirming that Hamilton has indeed been elected President.

February 14th, 1805:
Philip J. Schuyler, Hamilton’s brother-in-law and a New York State Assemblyman, submits President-elect Hamilton’s choices for the cabinet to the Senate. For Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton’s friend, former Ambassador to France, and fellow Roger Morris protégé, Gouvernour Morris is appointed. The nominee for Attorney General is Elbridge Gerry, former Governor of Massachusetts. For Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Truxton is to be retained, and for Postmaster General, member of the Bank of New York Board of Directors and New York State Assemblyman James Roosevelt is chosen. The positions of Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of War have yet to be decided upon.

February 22nd, 1805:
While some had considered that former Secretary of War Charles Cotesworth Pinckney as a potential candidate, Governor of the Indiana Territory, war veteran, and former Congressman from the Northwest Territory William Henry Harrison is appointed. Hamilton had wanted a man with a record of service on the battlefield, and Pinckney has done quite little of that since the Revolution.

Meanwhile, Hamilton's nominee for Secretary of Foreign Affairs is submitted. It is that of former Secretary John Jay, a fellow New Yorker and someone acknowledged as one of the nation's foremost diplomats.

March 4th, 1805:
Alexander Hamilton of New York is sworn in as the nation's third President. Bushrod Washington of Virginia is meanwhile inaugurated as its fifth Vice President. As well, many of Hamilton's cabinet appointees are confirmed and sworn in to their respective offices. The only one being held up is Hamilton's nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, his good friend, Gouvernour Morris.

The 9th Congress is as well sworn in today. Nationals control the Senate by a narrow margin. In the House, Nathaniel Macon is able to convince some moderate Nationals to vote for him in the election for Speaker of the House. Otherwise, Macon would have been unable to cobble together a majority as Republicans control only a plurality and Radicals are unwilling to compromise.

Balance of Power in the Senate
President: Bushrod Washington (N-VA)
President Pro Tempore: Oliver Ellsworth (N-CT)
Nationals: 20
Republicans: 14
Radical Republicans: 4

Balance of Power in the House
Speaker:Nathaniel Macon (R-NC-6)
Republicans: 69
Nationals: 60
Radical Republicans: 15

March 6th, 1805:
The Senate at last rejects President Hamilton’s appointment of Gouvernour Morris to the position of Secretary of the Treasury. While the Senate is controlled by Nationals, some found Morris to be too much of an elitist, and Western, Southern, and Quebecois Nationals rejected the radical aristocrat.

March 13th, 1805:
After some deliberation, the new appointee for Secretary of the Treasury is submitted. It is former Auditor of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., son of the former Governor of Connecticut and employee under Hamilton during the days of the Adams Presidency.

March 25th, 1805:
The Senate confirms Oliver Wolcott Jr. to become the nation’s 4th Secretary of the Treasury. President Hamilton’s cabinet is complete and the other side isn’t happy one bit. Not only are they all Nationals, but the only one from a state outside the North and New England is Secretary Harrison.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs: John Jay (N-NY)
Secretary of the Treasury: Oliver Wolcott Jr. (N-CT)
Secretary of War: William Henry Harrison (N-IN)
Attorney General: Elbridge Gerry (N-MA)
Secretary of the Navy: Thomas Truxton (N-PA)
Postmaster-General: James Roosevelt (N-NY)

[BritishDixie]

Its back!

[Jerseyrules]

Looking forward to seeing more of this Cathcon

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Looking forward to seeing more of this Cathcon

Thanks. Trust me, President Hamilton has quite a lot to accomplish in his presidency.

[Jerseyrules]

Looking forward to seeing more of this Cathcon

Thanks. Trust me, President Hamilton has quite a lot to accomplish in his presidency.

I hope so

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

March 26th, 1805:
With his cabinet assembled, it seems President Hamilton is ready to move ahead. However, Congress does not convene until December of the year, so he is forced to wait. In the meantime, he busies himself and his legislative allies to begin drafting the bills he desires.

April 27th, 1805:
In the Battle of Derne, United States Marines attack Tripolan city of Derna. This is one of the battles of the ongoing Barbary Wars along the coast of North Africa.

May 6th, 1805:
In order to acquaint America’s allies with the new leadership in place, Secretary of Foreign Affairs John Jay embarks on his first diplomatic mission under President Hamilton. It is to Madrid where Jay will meet with the leaders of France and Spain as part of the Trenion Pact.

June 25th, 1805:
John Jay, having arrived in Madrid a few days ago, meets with Ambassador Joseph Bonaparte, representing France, and First Secretary Pedro Cevallos Guerra of Spain. In a series of talks that will last over three weeks, they discuss the future of the Trenion Pact, its function, possible threats to each of the three nations, and how it will affect commerce.

Ambassador Joseph Bonaparte of France

July 4th, 1805:
With Congress away, President Hamilton’s address is instead distributed via newspaper. In it, his plans for a nationalist economic policy and a Bank of the United States are discussed.

July 18th, 1805:
Talks having resolved, Secretary Jay prepares to head back to D.C. to speak with President Hamilton of his interactions with the representatives of Spain and France.

August 2nd, 1805:
With Governor John Sevier retiring, his former rival Andrew Jackson, a war hero, former Senator, and prominent planter, is elected to the position.

August 30th, 1805:
John Jay returns to Washington D.C. to give full details of his discussions with Guerra and Bonaparte. Despite Napoleon not having been present at the meeting, Jay relays the messages of Napoleon's government and Hamilton is impressed. While the President in the past has not had much love for France, breaking the current alliance would disrupt international relations and the gains America has made so far.

September 23rd, 1805:
Andrew Jackson is sworn in as the 4th Governor of Tennessee.

October 17th, 1805:
The Corps of Discovery reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri River, indicating that they are right on track.

December 2nd, 1805:
On the first day of the session of the 9th Congress, several bills are submitted by Hamilton’s supporters for passage. Among them are the Whiskey Act, an act to put an excise taxes on liquor and other distilled drinks, the Hamilton Tariff, raising rates once again to 6%, the Industrial Bounties Act, investing revenues from tariffs and other taxes back into businesses, and the First Bank of the United States, creating a national bank in order to provide a strong backing for the growing economy, good credit for all, and a national stake in growing industry.

December 16th, 1805:
The Hamilton Tariff becomes the first piece of the President's legislation to pass both houses of Congress. However, the other three pieces of legislation are all much more controversial and debate will be drawn out through the beginning of next year.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

**Sigh** Part of me wants to start this over to be told in a more textbook-like format. I really don't like the thought of quitting, however. Thoughts?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

You can always mix the two, and after giving a list of events date by date, have a section in the textbook style. I would do wars, and more indepth posts on domestic policy in that format. That way, we can still read about the Industrial Bounties Act this way...

December 2nd, 1805:
On the first day of the session of the 9th Congress, several bills are submitted by Hamilton’s supporters for passage. Among them are the Whiskey Act, an act to put an excise taxes on liquor and other distilled drinks, the Hamilton Tariff, raising rates once again to 6%, the Industrial Bounties Act, investing revenues from tariffs and other taxes back into businesses, and the First Bank of the United States, creating a national bank in order to provide a strong backing for the growing economy, good credit for all, and a national stake in growing industry.

and later on, in another update (or in the same one, doesn't really matter ) this way...

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

January 3rd, 1806:
Senator John Quincy Adams (N-MA) introduces another piece to the “Hamilton Package” of bills being debated on the floors of both houses of Congress: The National Road, the first national highway, to cut from Maryland through Pennsylvania and Ohio and into the Indiana and Illinois territories. Immediately, its biggest opponents are not Southern Republicans but New England Nationals who fear the growth of the West at the expense of the North-East.

January 9th, 1806:
On the floor of the House,  Hard-line Nationals, Radicals, and Republicans alike form a temporary alliance against the National Road. In a speech given by Caleb Ellis (N-NH-AL), he claims “This Act is merely an attempt to fund a project for the benefit of the West alone and against the interests of other states.” Meanwhile, Radical Republican Robert Marion (RR-SC-1) denounces it as “Another Nationalist attempt to levy taxes on an entire nation for the interests of a few states.”

January 15th, 1806:
The National Road passes the Senate thanks to National backing and some breakaway Republican votes from states like Ohio and Kentucky. However, it remains mired in debate in the House of Representatives. The rest of Hamilton’s agenda as well as still stalled.

February 4th, 1806:
After a month of debate, Speaker Nathaniel Macon at last is able to bring the National Road to a vote in the House. With the South and New England against it, it passes thanks to support from Western states (TN, KY, OH), and middle states (NY, PA, MD, DE, NJ). The Virginia delegation was split, and John Quincy Adams was able to bring some Massachusetts Representatives to vote Aye. Its passage is the second successful piece of legislation on Hamilton’s list.

February 5th, 1806:
With John Quincy Adams’ bill now out of the way, attention and debate instead focuses on the Industrial Bounties Act. Designed by Hamilton to fund a large amount of industrial growth in the middle states and the Great Lakes area, it is one of the more controversial plans proposed. With the heavily agricultural South already against it, he will need to hope that the West takes favor with it. He already has New England and the middle states backing it.

Meanwhile, President Hamilton gladly sits down at his desk to sign the National Road, passed late yesterday. He feels his agenda is on the right track.

February 17th, 1806:
In a relatively non-controversial vote, the Industrial Bounties Act passes the Senate, which is controlled by Nationals.

February 26th, 1806:
The President slams his desk as he hears news that the Whiskey Act has failed to pass the Senate. With all Western and Southern members voting against it as well as Pennsylvania’s two Senators, it was unable to garner enough votes. Hamilton had been planning on using the revenues from it to help finance many of his domestic projects.

March 4th, 1806:
In a stroke of good news for the President, the House at last passes the Industrial Bounties Act following a large amount of haggling with Western Representatives and moderate nationalist Republicans. Hamilton signs it into law that very day.

March 11th, 1806:
The Corps of Discovery at last reaches the Pacific Ocean. Nathan Boone, leader of the expedition, records the magnificent sight of the massive body of water.

March 17th, 1806
At last, Hamilton’s greatest and most significant plan is brought before the Senate for a final vote. The First Bank of the United States ties thanks to the “Nay” vote of a Pennsylvania National. Therefore, it is up to Vice President Bushrod Washington to determine the bill’s passage, and he votes “Aye” much to the uproar of his fellow Southerners.

President of the Senate Bushrod Washington (N-VA)

April 8th, 1806:
In the House, the First Bank of the United States fails to pass by a comfortable margin thanks to mobilized and united Republican and Radical Republican forces.

April 21st, 1806:
The first session of the 9th Congress of the United States comes to a close. The most active Congress since the first term of John Adams, President Hamilton has seen both failure and success for his ambitious agenda. On one side, the Hamilton Tariff, National Road, and Industrial Bounties Act have passed. On the other hand, the Whiskey Act and First Bank of the United States have failed. It is clear Hamilton will need more support in Congress to advance his agenda further.

[Jerseyrules]

Awesome!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

July 4th, 1806:
In his annual address, President Hamilton declares how proud he is of the progress made just in the first session of Congress. Three major bills crucial to his plan have been passed. However, there is work to be done and the President states that only with a strong economy can the United States become the nation it is "destined" to be.

September 9th, 1806:
Justice William Paterson of New Jersey dies from previously received injuries, leaving a spot on the court to be filled by a man of Hamilton’s choice.

September 12th, 1806:
Following Paterson’s funeral, Alexander Hamilton sits down to write a letter to former President Adams asking him to accept nomination to the Supreme Court.

September 17th, 1806:
While staring contentedly out his window at Peacefield and observing the fruits of his planting early in the Spring, former President Adams opens a letter from one of his successors and it surprised to read that Hamilton wishes him to accept nomination to the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Shocked and a bit flattered, he must decide and consults with Abigail later that evening.

September 23rd, 1806:
In a letter to President Hamilton, former President Adams accepts the nomination for appointment to the Supreme Court. Having been out of politics for well over nine years, the President feels he's recovered enough to again wade into the arena, this time as a Justice.

October 6th, 1806:
In a special session of the Senate, with quorum and presided over by Vice President Washington, John Adams is confirmed by a quick voice vote to replace the late Justice William Paterson.

October 9th, 1806:
Having ridden down from Massachusetts, former President John Adams is inaugurated as the next Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. "It is a strange thing," he says to his friend and Associate Justice John Marshal, "to take over for a man I myself appointed". In fact, fifty percent of the court is comprised of Adams appointments. Cushing, Marshall, and Chase were all put on the bench during his two terms.

Balance of the Supreme Court
Chief Justice: William Cushing (MA) Serving since 1789
Associate Justice: John Marshall (VA) Serving since 1795
Associate Justice: John Adams (MA) Serving since 1806
Associate Justice: Samuel Chase (MD) Serving since 1793
Associate Justice: George Clinton (NY) Serving since 1799
Associate Justice: James Madison (VA) Serving since 1804

November 17th, 1806:
Led by Nathan Boone, the Corps of Discovery reaches St. Louis Missouri, having reached the Pacific Ocean and completed their mission.  They bring with them extensive notes and drawings of the wild-life and landscape of the new territory.

December 1st, 1806:
The 9th Congress convenes for its second session.

December 15th, 1806:
An Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves is proposed by Senator Stephen R. Bradley (R-VT). It is favored by the President and many Northern Congressmen from either party. However, the South and West are likely to oppose it.

[HappyWarrior]

I really enjoy this timeline and its format.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

1796 Popular Vote Map


1796 County Map


1800 Popular Vote Map

President Thomas Jefferson (Republican) 86.5% of the popular vote
Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs John Jay (National) 13.5% of the popular vote

1804 Popular Vote Map

Former Governor Alexander Hamilton (National) 50.5% of the popular vote
Vice President Aaron Burr (Republican) 42.3% of the popular vote
Representative John Randolph of Roanoke (Radical Republican) 7.2% of the popular vote

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Also, a note. The Nationals will now be utilizing the color purple. This is to make way for the color blue much later on for a different party.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I really don't feel like writing.

[Jerseyrules]

I really don't feel like writing.

More please .  Also, ALL CANADA, MEXICO, SOUTH AMERICA AND ANY ISLAND WITHIN 5000 MILES OF THE CONTINENTAL AMERICAS . (I'm hoping for at least a moderate ameriwank)

Keep up the good work