Confederation Victorious

[George W. Hobbes]

The flag of the United States of America

Confederation Victorious: An Alternate History

In 1786, the delegates of the thirteen states making up the American confederation met in Annapolis to discuss amendments to the Articles of Confederation.  To this day, the Annapolis Convention remains as the beacon of light that transformed the young United States from a failing republic to the mighty democratic titan that stands today...-"A History of the United States" by K. Burton Layne, Capitol Publishing, Susquehanna, United States of America

The Annapolis Convention submitted multiple amendments to the Articles, the first clarifying a position on federal taxes: "The United States in Congress assembled shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises upon the several States. Any State, having been delinquent in it's taxes to the United States in Congress Assembled, shall forfeit their right to vote on all matters relating to taxation in that body until such taxes are paid in full."

This eliminated the current status of states who would routinely fail to pay their federal taxes.  

Other amendments codified the inherent natural rights of "life, liberty, private property, and the pursuit of happiness", established the Continental Congress' right to form a national currency, eliminated tariff walls between states and forbade embargos between the states.  

It was Virginia delegate George Mason that presented several important amendments, that assured the rights of trial by jury, and the like.  Most importantly, of course, was his amendment ascribing the freedom of religion:

"That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practise Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other."

Also passed at the convention was an amendment strictly dealing with the right of the people to bear arms: "A well-regulated Militia, composed of the body of the People, trained to Arms, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

All of these amendments would easily pass, and preserved the continuity of the United States government.  Most importantly, of course, was the decision of the convention to establish an executive branch, composed of a single individual.

"The Executive power of the United States shall be vested in a single person. His stile shall be, "The President of the United States of America;" and his title shall be, "His Highness, the President of the United States and the Protector of Our Liberties." He shall be elected by ballot by the Continental Congress. He shall hold his office during the term of seven years; but shall not be elected a second time."

The establishment by the Annapolis Convention of a single chief executive was, undoubtedly, the primary factor leading to the evolution to greatness of the American state.  Without the steady hands of early presidents, it is not inconcievable that the United States would have collasped on itself.  The most famous example of this, of course, is the nullifaction crisis, although the hand of the executive in the Louisiana Purchase must not be ignored...-"An Analysis of the Annapolis Convention" by George Walker III, Dominion Books, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.

By 1788, all thirteen states had accepted the amendments to the Articles (including the amendment to provide for amendments by a two-thirds vote), and on July 4, 1788 the Continental Congress elected George Washington the nation's first President of the United States.

(Note: The base core of this timeline belongs entirely to http://users.metro2000.net/~stabbott/AHarticles.htm, which served as impetus and also where I "borrowed" the text of the taxation amendment.  Apologises to Mr. Abbott for using it without his permission.)

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Had the Articles of Confederation been amended instead of being superceded by the Constitution, then John Hanson (elected 1781 and serving a ane-year term) would still be counted as the first President, even if Washington was the first President elected under the revised Articles.

[George W. Hobbes]

Actually, not really, because Washington is the first President under the revised presidency.  Previously, the President wasn't an executive, just the leader of the Continental Congress.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

First off, its not the "Continental Congress" but "the United States, in Congress assembled".  The President had what little executive power that there existed under the Confederation., and his job and title are given in Article IX.  If the Articles were amended in such a way that there was to be a stronger executive that was not to be viewed as a continuation of the existing office, I think it likely that the style of that executive would not be President.  Consul, Magistrate, Principal, or perhaps even Prince would seem more likely in that case.

[George W. Hobbes]

There really isn't other than the fact that I like the U.S. civil flag.

And Ernest, well I just expanded the office of President, and history records Washington as the first. :-P

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

There really isn't other than the fact that I like the U.S. civil flag.

And Ernest, well I just expanded the office of President, and history records Washington as the first. :-P

Well, it is your what-if so you're free to do whatever you want, but I hope you're not one of those "gold-fringe" = "admiralty law" nuts.

[George W. Hobbes]

Excerpts from Professor George Walker III's address on the Administration of President George Washington (1788-1795), delivered at Liberty University, Susquehanna:

"Naturally, this very university stands as a testament to the forethought of this country's first President of the United States.  Liberty University was formed by an act of the Continental Congress in 1793 as part of President Washington's plan to establish a national university in order to foster the growth of a single American culture.  Liberty's establishment likely would not have happened had it not been for the Annapolis Convention.  Although the Union had become closer, even the Republicans were wary of the continual drive for Americans to label themselves as Pennsylvanians or Georgians over the standard moniker of American.

Nonetheless, as great as an achievement the formation of LU was, it was not the only excellent move of the first President's term.  In fact, Washington was declared the nation's first President by an act of the Continental Congress, rather than listing him as the "President" who had come after previous Presidents of the Congress, and not of the United States of America.  Had Congress not decided to declare Washington as the first President, your history text would label John Hanson as America's first President!

Now, of course, on to the more political aspect of the Washington Presidency.  Obviously, the formation of the early two-party system of Democratic-Republicans, lead in the Congress by Virginian James Madison and the Federalists, who were lead by John Adams.  The Annapolis amendments to the Articles were primarially supported by the moderate wing of the Federalist Party, of which Adams was the chief representative....

Of course, coming back to the subject of Federalists, brings to mind the famous feud between Secretary of Foreign Affairs Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.  Citing the piling state debts from the American Revolution, Hamilton wished to have the federal government "assume" the debts of the states unto itself.

Obviously, such a move was blantantly unarticial, although the process of state nullifaction as a check on federal power had not yet emerged as an active political tool yet.  Jefferson, speaking through his friend and Republican leader James Madison, rightly declared that such a move was an excessive abuse of federal power.  

As we all know, under the Articles of Confederation, when it comes to domestic issues, state's rights takes absolute precedence, and as a result Hamilton's proposal fell flat, even moderate Federalists balked at such an obviously illegal move...."

[George W. Hobbes]

Excerpt from U.S.A: A General History

President George Washington (Federalist-Virginia)
(July 4, 1788-July 4, 1795)

1788
-Washington sworn in as President (July 4)
-Congress seperates into Federalists and Antifederalist factions, antifederalists eventually form the Democratic-Republicans.

1789
-Quaker petitions to abolish the slave trade die in committee, setting congressional precedent against tampering with the free trade of slaves.
-Hamilton "federal assumption of state debts" defeated in Continental Congress
-Susquehanna voted as site for new U.S. capital, over a Southern minority lead by James Madison that favors either Annapolis or the Potomac River.
-Bastille Revolution in France, President Washington demands neutrality.

1790
-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jefferson promises France a loan of $5 million.
-French Directory established.

1791
-Treasury bill defeated in Continental Congress, would have allowed for the U.S. government to mint currency.  Standard units of currency later adopted in 1793.
-Vermont admited as the fourteenth state.

1792
-Jefferson and Hamilton, feuding since the failure of the assumption bill, come to blows in a meeting of the President's Cabinet.  Hamilton resigns and annouces he will seek a congressional seat in the 1795 elections.

1793
-Compromise over Treasury legislation reached when Washington sells the minting bill and his national university to moderate Republicans in exchange for eliminating excise tax on whiskey, setting precedent for zero taxation on beverages.
-In light of information that Jefferson has encouraged the French government to seize American vessels*, Washington asks that Jefferson resign.  He does, and is named chancellor of Liberty University.
-Robespierre comes to power in France, begins mass executions.

1795
-U.S. elections for Continental Congress, with the assumption that Thomas Jefferson will be elected President upon a Republican majority and John Adams should the Federalists emerge victorious.
-Federalists establish a two-vote edge in the Continental Congress.
-John Adams inaugerated the second President of the United States on July 4.

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*In real life, Madison (and I believe Jefferson) actually did encourage the French government to seize American cargo ships.  Here Washington learns of the indiscretions and shoves Jefferson aside.  

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

1790
-Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jefferson promises France a loan of $5 million.
-French Directory established.

How in the world does the US have $5 million to loan anyone given the failure of Hamilton's banking program?

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Given the power granted in Article IX "The United States in Congress assembled shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective States," ithe United States were already allowed to coin money.  That it took it a while to getting around to do so doesn't surprise me in the least, as it took a while to do so in real life.

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In real life, Hernry's deteriorating health caused him to leave public office by 1794 and he died in 1799,  I can't see Henry agreeing to be President, especially given the popularity that John Adams would still enjoy.  The events as recounted in your timeline would make Adams' task of being the second President much easier thatn it was in reality.

[George W. Hobbes]

1. Concerning the $5M, they didn't.  But that doesn't exactly stop Jefferson from promising them the money anyway.

2. Eh.  Let's say Congress couldn't deal with the hassle of setting up mints because of the failure of debt assumption.

3. Eh, good point.  Will revise.

[George W. Hobbes]

Washington's Cottage
April 15, 1796
Susquehanna, United States of America
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Although President George Washington had only spent two and a half months of his seven-year term in the red-brick executive mansion, the press had quickly deemed the Presidential residence "Washington's Cottage", and nearly a year into the administration of President John Adams the name had still stuck.

Of course, "cottage" was a misnomer for the decadent presidential mansion, and Adams' attempts to deem the building the "Presidential Palace" had failed spectacularly, primarially because of the connotation between palace and monarchy.

At the moment, however, the moniker of his house was the last thing on President Adams' mind.

"This is insanity."

Across the desk, James Madison, the leader of the congressional Democratic-Republicans shrugged his shoulders.  "Well, you must admit, he does have a point."

"That I've sold my soul to King George and intend to establish an American monarchy?"  Adams was so angered at the words of his old, no former, friend in the latest edition of the Susquehanna Gazette that he felt like taking the paper and chucking it in the calm face of Congressman Madison.

Again, Madison shrugged.  The legislator was surprising soft-spoken and made much of his congressional reputation through his uncanny ability to cut deals that made sense and achieved the short-term goal quite nicely.  "It was your son who brokered the treaty."

The President sighed, in hindsight, that had most certainly been a mistake.  He had sent his son, John Quincy, to serve as minister to Great Britain and broker a badly needed agreement between the United States and the British.  

The final result of the "Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America" promised an official British withdrawal from the Northwest Territory, gave the U.S. trading rights in the West Indies, and promised some grevance payment for the recent impressment of American sailors.  

Yes, it did require stringent trade with the British as well, but at the moment, Adams knew that America could not afford to fight another war with their former mother country, at least not yet.  Besides that, his son had done an excellent job of browbeating the British into giving a few concessions.  In terms of America's national interests, at least according to John Adams, the treaty was brilliant.

Unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress, spearheaded by editorial attacks from their party's founding father and the chancellor of Liberty University, Thomas Jefferson, were not in agreement with the President.  

"Your Highness," Madison continued, "This treaty will not pass."

"Then we will undoubtedly fight a war," Adams snapped, "A war that we will lose."

"Hamilton has called for the formation of a New Army," the Virginian commented wryly, "Perhaps that will help somewhat.  Besides that, we licked the British once, and we can certainly do it again."

Hamilton! The name ground against Adams' mind.  Ever since his election to the Continental Congress in 1795, Hamilton and his group of "High Federalists" had proven to be the biggest headache of Adams' Presidency.  

"Any war that we fight with England will not be regulated to Canada," Adams reminded his counterpart, "Hamilton's army will do us no good when the Royal Navy comes upon our shores and blockades our ports, starving us to death.  And the French certainly won't be able to come to our rescue as they did in the Revolution."

"The British are currently far too busy attempting to assault our French brethern and restore the Bourbons to the throne."

Adams was exaperated.  The current state of the Continental Navy was extremely weak, and the Army, even with Hamilton's additional "New Army" would still be entirely unable to secure the Canadas...not with the British military forts still occupying the Northwest Territory!

"We cannot fight a war when we have no friendly borders," Adams commented, "We would lose, and we would lose territory.  We just admitted Columbia* into the Union, giving us fifteen stars on our flag," Adams gestured to the blue-cantoned flag that sat in his office.  "Are you willing to lose three or four more stars as well as the Northwest, when this treaty will free the Northwest Territory, and leave us free to expand our navy without fear of impressment?"

Madison raised his eyebrows as he stared at the flag of the United States.  He was not the only Republican who had found the design distasteful, its blue canton had once held the British flag during the revolution, and the horizontal stripes were an insult the nine vertical stripes of the first flag of the Sons of Liberty.**

"The Republicans are willing to pass the treaty," Madison said softly, his simple words flooring Adams, who knew that he would lose at least five Federalist votes from down South when push came to shove.

"Really?" he inquired, obviously disbelieving.

Madison nodded.  "Of course, there will be a few concessions from the Federal camp."

"And what, pray tell, would those be?"

"First, acede to the reorganization of the Continental Army.  We Republicans are no more fond of the New Army than you are, Your Highness, we are much more favorable to the use of citizen militias.  However, we must have some sort of organized fighting force, and simply appointing a new commander of the Continental Army could do wonders."

"And who would you intend for the commander?" Adams sighed.

"James Monroe.  He honorably has served as governor of Virginia and fought nobly in the Revolution.  Then, we would ask that you increase the Continental Navy.  And lastly, of course, we ask that you eliminate every sign of Anglophilty from the banner of our Republic."

"Anything else?"

"Yes.  We would ask for an amendment to the Articles prohibiting the U.S. government from forming any of these ridiculous "national banks" that Hamilton and his ilk seem to be cavorting for."***

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*Tennessee.  Since the capital is in Susquehanna and not the District of Columbia, the Tennesseeans decided that Columbia was a good state name.
**Humor me here.  I know Madison wouldn't think this, nor consider it, but like I said earlier, I like the U.S. civil flag.
***Side note concerning Madison's demands.  I'm trying to stay in line withw hat I feel would be a decent Republican response to J.Q. Adams forming Jay's Treaty.  No doubt I'm a bit off base, but I'm sticking with what I have here.

[Justin]

So, in this TL we could see the establishment of a Parliamentary America ala Canada or the UK and Australia?

[George W. Hobbes]

Actually, right now I'm leaning towards an amendment coming down the line to have direct popular vote for President (a la the AH I referenced before), but I'm not quite sure.