1790 Turn: The Second Year

[Lumine]

1790: The Second Year

January 1st to December 31st, 1790

In the News!

Government survives first year

Madison navigates through partisan divisions, Government still seen as untested

The Union expanded?

Push for new states grows exponentially, tension in Western Pennsylvania

Will the economy revive?

Ongoing speculation towards Land Act, new Secretary Gallatin

Indicators:

Economic Prosperity:

Very Low (High debt, ongoing deficit)

Faction Popularity:

(meant to reflect areas in which the faction exists)

Patriot: Highly Popular
Western: Popular
Democratic Republican: Respected
Hamiltonian: Respected
Whig: Respected
Radical: Respected
Tory: Very Unpopular

1.- Turn: This turn lasts across the whole year or 1790, following the same model as the previous turn. As always, you're free to organize your factions, publish in the press, fight in the National Assembly, pursue intrigue and try and influence the course of events.

[Lumine]

Kentucky petitions for statehood!

Franklin, Vermont continue steps for eventual petitions

LEXINGTON - As the push for new states has achieved significant momentum across the western frontier, the first of the potential states has finally managed to get a petition sent to the National Assembly. Once the western frontier of Virginia, the citizens of the Kentucky region had already organized a strong push for statehood which was delayed by the constitutional process and the new election, and having finally been allowed by the Virginia State Government the ability to secede the so called Commonwealth of Kentucky has sent an immediate and official petition to the National Assembly to see their statehood accepted. Should a faction sponsor a bill and the Assembly pass it, Kentucky will immediately become the fourteenth state.

Across the rest of the nation, two other potential states are undertaking successful efforts that could see them become states pretty soon as well: the Republic of Vermont continues its negotiations with the State of New York regarding their boundary lines to allow for eventual statehood, and unless a dramatic event takes place to derail negotiations it is believed Vermont will be allowed to petition by early 1791. A similar case happens in the Franklin area across western North Carolina, as the State Government - possibly due to joint Western and Patriot pressure - has halted the sabotage of efforts by the citizens of the area to constitute themselves as a state. With this substantial push, it is believed indeed that Franklin could also venture a petition next year.

Standoff in Pennsylvania!

Western Herald in conflict with State Government, Radicals move against Westerns

PHILADELPHIA - Despite the fact that Pennsylvania law was explicit about support for seccession in Westsylvania amounting to treason, the Western Herald - newspaper closely affiliated to General Wilkinson and the Western Faction - took a massive gamble by openly promoting seccession and commiting treason as stated by law. Deeply concerned about the prospect of internal conflict the Governor of Pennslylvania sought the aid of Radical Leader Benjamin Franklin to find a way to address this challenge to the state government, and Mr. Franklin sprung to action.

Declining to have the Western Herald closed down, the Radicals instead had the Western Herald staff placed under house arrest on account of the charges of treason, while allowing them to continue publishing the newspaper. In the immediate days after that the pro-Radical legislature then seize the moment to repeal the compromise act that would have moved the capital westwards, and began rallying eastern Pennsylvanians with the help of anti-Western propaganda which managed to hit on a soft spot.

The conflict deepens within Pennsylvania as most of the state (including the East) closes ranks with the Governor, Franklin and the Radicals, whereas across the West General Wilkinson and the Western Herald staff are hailed as heroes as the calls for secession grow. What will happen next?

Constitutional Monarchy in France!

While the Austrian Netherlands revolt, Louis XVI is turned into a constitutional monarch

PARIS - King Louis XVI has apparently dropped his earlier staunch opposition to the revolutionary process in France as a series of compromises and negotiation have taken place between the French deputies and the Monarch himself, many pointing out towards Mirabeau and the Marquis de LaFayette as some of the strongest advocates for a new system of government that would see France become a constitutional monarchy. Despite reports of Louis XVI being strongly encouraged by Queen Marie Antoinette and his own brothers to take action, Louis has seemingly accepted his new role of a constitutional monarch and given up significant powers in the process.

Not all is quiet in France, however. After the death of Emperor Joseph II the Austrian Netherlands remain in full rebellion as rebels create the so called United States of Belgium and declare their independence, many within France calling for action to support the rebels in the area. Furthermore, taking advantage of the rapidly increasing influence it has, the National Constituent Assembly has taken a bold, dramatic step to secularize France by passing the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and demanding that priests across France take an oath. While some, like the Bishop of Autun have taken his oath, most of the Church refuses to do so, setting the stage for religious conflict across France.

[Lumine]

General Wilkinson arrested!

Pennsylvanian Government arrests Western Leader for treason, Western Pennsylvania up in arms

PITTSBURG - With tensions in Pennsylvania at an all time high, many felt it would only take another disturbance to open Pandora's Box. And sure enough, one man was willing to risk the odds. Taking his case to the Pittsburgh Market Square it was General James Wilkinson who delivered a blistering speech against the Pennsylvanian Government and the Radicals of Benjamin Franklin by branding them as tyrants, defending the concept behind Westsylvania and attempting to rally the people to his cause. For the most part he was successful as many cheered for the General, but a significant part of citizens - many of them linked to the business community and the East of the state - looked with skepticism.

For the Governor of Pennsylvania this was the final straw, and upon the advice of his political faction an arrest warrant was sent for the General after committing treason under Pennsylvanian law. The federal marshals - along with a small group of soldiers - soon arrived at the area and a skirmish broke out between the General's supporters and the armed escort. After bitter firing and upon the soldiers being forced to fire their weapons, two soldiers and seven supporters of Mr. Wilkinson lay dead on the ground as the general was dragged to a carriage. Chased by an angry mob within Pittsburgh, the federal marshal and his escort barely escaped to take the General to jail.

As the group rode their way to Philadelphia and to the safety, the Westsylvania region decided enough was enough. As several Pennsylvanian officials were attacked, whipped and in some cases tarred and feathered, groups of armed militiamen have gathered and taken control of several frontier towns, isolating pro-government forces at Pittsburgh - where they sit uneasy as the local population is mostly hostile -. Western Pennsylvania is at the brink of full-scale rebellion as Eastern Pennsylvanians cheer for Mr. Franklin and the Governor, jeering at the carriage carrying the imprisoned General Wilkinson as he approaches Philadelphia.

[Lumine]

Radical faction faces defections!

Nicholas Gilman leads the Radical New Hampshire bastion into political independence

PHILADELPHIA - The immediate aftermath of the arrest of Secretary of War Wilkinson by the Pennsylvanian Radicals sent large shockwaves across the National Assembly due to the dramatic news of seeing one of their fellow deputies arrested for treason. While responses from the Government and the factions are expected, one daring politician already took matters into his own hands. Shortly after the announcement that stunned the Assembly, leading Radical politician Nicholas Gilman stood up from his seat and denounced the arrest of General Wilkinson, stating that he could not in good conscience continue being a member of the Radical faction.

Crossing the floor as an independent, he was shortly followed by the other New Hampshire Radical deputy - a follower of Gilman and his political machine -, and soon the split reached the Senate (where the New Hampshire Radical senator announced his defection as well) and New Hampshire itself, as the Governor and the legislature took sides with Mr. Gilman, all of them becoming independents for the time being. The authority of Mr. Franklin and the standing of the Radical faction has taken a sharp blow outside of Pennsylvania - where the Radicals remain popular in the east of the state -, although the Radical deputy remaining in Massachusetts has vowed not to abandon Mr. Franklin.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY:

Democratic Republican: 15
Hamiltonian: 15
Patriot: 11
Whig: 9
Western: 7 (one under arrest)
Independent: 4 (+2)
Radical: 2 (-2)
Tory: 2

[Lumine]

Scandal in Pennsylvania!

Press leaks in Pennsylvania implicate Madison with failed request to liberate Gen. Wilkinson

PHILADELPHIA - Right as the issue of Westsylvania takes full protagonism across the nation amidst the riots and revolts in Western Pennsylvania and the arrest of Secretary of War James Wilkinson it seems the situation is just growing more and more chaotic as time goes by.

Just as Patriot Leader James Jackson delivered an impassionate speech on the National Assembly in support of Westsylvania and against the Radical government in Pennsylvania several newspapers hit Pennsylvania and then most of the nation with a stunning revelation leaked to the press by what most people believe to be pro-Radical elements: that First Secretary James Madison had allegedly tried to pressure the Pennsylvanian government to immediately release Gen. Wilkinson and then demand special extralegal protections for his government and cabinet in an attempt to circumvent the law and act as if they are above it. The news came with an anoymous warning that Mr. Wilkinson would see himself facing a court, and that no Deputy could be considered above the law.

The news have had a highly polarizing effect within Pennsylvania, Congress Hall and the nation itself. There were many, particularly southerners and even the Western Pennsylvania rebels who cheered at the First Secretary for standing up for Wilkinson against Radical tyranny, just as there were others, many of them across the north and particularly in Eastern Pennsylvania who denounced the First Secretary by apparently attempting to go over the law. With the Pennsylvanian deputies under heavy pressure by the Radicals to take a stand - the Hamiltonians and the Whig waiting for word from Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Morris and Mr. Adams -, these revelations have seemingly redirected all anger from the rebels towards the Radicals alone and not the Federal Government, while turning Madison and his supporters heavily unpopular and even toxic within Philadelphia itself.

[Lumine]

Commonwealth v. Wilkinson

Gen. Wilkinson released after symbolic trial, suspicions of bargain with Radicals

PHILADELPHIA - After heavy speculation over the fate of Western Leader Gen. James Wilkinson, the trial of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. James Wilkinson was to begin at last. Many expecting conviction by the Radical-friendly jury and court and even a possible death sentence for Gen. Wilkinson despite his high status as Secretary of War, it was curious for many to see on the eve of the trial a publication by the General condemning violence and calling for talks after his earlier - and highly risky - speeches to Western Pennsylvanians, even if the announcement itself particularly condemned the actions of Eastern Pennsylvania militias.

It was even more stunning to the state itself when Gen. Wilkinson was brought to trial in an affair which lasted little more than a couple of hours. Many feared the worst as the jury emerged back from their isolated quarters and announced the GUILTY veredict, only for the court to announce that the punishment chosen for the General was a fine of $1. The news, notably unexpected given the level of political tension and violence, led to mixed reactions even as most of the nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. Western Pennsylvanians, while pleased with the release of the General, now eye him suspiciously over whispers of a deal between the Radicals and the Western Leader. And Eastern Pennsylvanians, still grieving their fallen Governor, reacted angrily to the outcome of the trial and vowed to take revenge.

Pennsylvania at war, Radicals pursue reforms

Fierce battle for Pittsburgh after talks fall apart, Eastern militias gain upper hand

PENNSYLVANIA - As the events already mentioned were taken place the incoming Governor - widely seen as close to Mr. Franklin - and his Radical supporters began significant legislative efforts at the state assembly towards two crucial pieces of legislation: on the first place was an immediate attempt to ban the practice of duel in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which passed despite a significant majority displaying their opposition to the ban. Far more controversial was an attempt to pass a Constitutional Amendment that would make support for secession treason, and which has featured several non-Radical deputies heavily pressued by anti-Westsylvanian sentiment in Eastern Pennsylvania to pass the amendment - particularly by rabid press articles attacking Madison for "tolerating the murder of the Governor" and Jackson as a murdered who should stand trial. At the moment the Radicals may be close to gaining the support of 3/5 of the state legislature based on this pressure, but whether they'll achieve the 2/3 threshold is another matter.

As this was happening, Colonel (and Leader of the Opposition) Alexander Hamilton had offered his services to the federal government to enter the conflicted zones of Pennsylvania and seek the militias to have them stand down and avoid violence. His early efforts were met with success given his reputation and the benefit of having been close to the late General Washington, getting some Eastern Pennsylvanians in the south-west to stand down, and managing to lower the tensions within Pittsburgh by having several Western militiamen stand down as well. But it was precisely on Pittsburgh that the situation grew worse still. Eastern Pennsylvanian militias, having learned of the collapse of the Madison talks and wanting revenge after the death of the Governor and the release of Wilkinson gathered near Pittsburgh and prepared to strike and seize the town to inflict a crippling blow to the Westsylvanian cause. Having somehow recieved key information about the terrain and with some officers turning a blind eye, the militias converged on the town to demand the Westsylvanian men to withdraw, and upon being shot at in response a fiery battle emerged for control of the town.

After a bloody, fiery afternoon the Eastern Pennsylvanians overcame the resistance of the Westsylvanians and the local population to seize control of the burning town. Colonel Hamilton managed to escape to Philadelphia with the surviving half of his entourage, bruised but not seriously injured. With civil war having virtually broken out across parts of Pennsylvania, outraged Westsylvanians have formally expressed their belief that the State Government is allowing the militias to act without any control.

Kentucky: The Fourteenth State:

By-elections to the National Assembly and statewide elections to be held by the end of 1790

LEXINGTON - With a debate which notably saw all factions to agree to the idea of the Commonwealth of Kentucky becoming the fourteenth state, the National Assembly and the Senate passed the necessary bill to turn the region into the United State's newest addition by separating it from Virginia. As a result immediate elections must be held, in which the Governor, State Legislature (and therefore two Senate seats) will be elected and in which two by-elections will determine Kentucky's representatives to the Natonal Assembly in the seats of Allegheny and Louisville-Frontier. Given the state's strong support for the institution of slavery and the influence of the Westsylvania debate many believe a strong fight between Patriots and Westerners will take place, but don't rule out other factions making a respectable stand as well.

Bill of Rights ratified!

Enough states vote to ratify Amendments I through XX

PHILADELHPIA - In more peaceful news, after a year of debate on the various state governments over the large series of amendments passed by the National Assembly (twenty in total, known as the Bill of Rights), Amendments I through XX have finally been ratified by enough states to become a part of the United States Constitution. Their passage constitutes a major victory for the Government and their vision of America, and a much needed morale boost to the conflicted Madison Government after the rising chaos in Pennsylvania and the apparent inability of the First Secretary to put an end to the strife.

[Lumine]

Impeachment in Pennsylvania,
Westsylvania declares secession

Governor Ross impeached by opposition, no replacement is yet to be chosen

PHILADELPHIA - The fall of Pittsburgh not only stunned Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole, it accelerated a process which appeared to grow worse and worse as the year dawned to an end. Following the battle and a refusal by the utterly furious Westsylvanian leaders to accept the idea of remaining part of Pennsylvania, Governor Ross and the Radical faction announced they had no choice but to send the state militia to fight alongside the Eastern Pennsylvania militia and crush the Westsylvania rebellion, leading hundreds of armed men to march towards Pittsburgh and the Westsylvania area amidst the cheers of the anti-seccessionists and the growing concern of the moderates.

In Philadelphia itself, the opposition to the Radical plurality in the State Legislature led to a tense stand-off as the Democratic-Republican, Whig, Hamiltonian and Western representatives announce their joint intention to support Articles of Impeachment against Governor Ross to replace him and put an end to the violence. Radical response - having heard rumours of the plan given the difficulty of coordinating so many different representatives - was immediate in attempting to halt impeachment, withdrawing the Constitutional Amendment on treason and sounding the alarm on the Westsylvanians as being prepared to strike and invade (thus appealing to unity in the crisis). It was to no avail as Ross was impeached by a couple of votes, the Radical Speaker removed before the impeachment vote as well.

The Governor removed from office, it feel to the state legislature to choose the new Governor by proxy by selecting a new Speaker to take over as acting governor, and it was then that coordinated efforts colapsed amongst public outcry at the removal of Governor Ross. Crowds gathered on Pennsylvania and outside the state legislature to protest, and the pressure and lack of agreement on an alternative made it impossible to hold the election. The vote was suspended as many representatives left the building amidst jeers and threats from the crowds, Pennsylvania left without an official authority.

At the west of the state, the militia continued to carry on the orders of Governor Ross as no suitable authority was there to rescind them, leading to the first sustained armed clashes and the death of a handful of eastern militiamen and over two dozen Westsylvanians. Their leaders, beyond aggravation, then took the step that seemed to mark a point of no return. The triumvirate of Major (self proclaimed Major General) James McFarlane, lawyer and fiery orator David Bradford, and famed preacher and author Herman Husband gathered on Redstone Fort to declare their intention: the Westsylvania movement was formally declaring secession from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - whilst expressing their belief for a process to ensure Westsylvanian lands in Virginia would join with them -, and calling upon First Secretary Madison and his government to protect them from the Eastern Militias.

[Lumine]

Federal troops march into Pennsylvania!

General Hamilton restores order, but at a price

PENNSYLVANIA - Having resigned from the National Assembly and commissioned as a Major General by President Hancock, Alexander Hamilton wasted no time in seeking an end to hostilities across the state of Pennsylvania. Gathering a force of a few thousand men from neighboring states Hamilton and his troops - many of them having the advantage of being Revolutionary veterans - marched into Pennsylvania with relatively high morale after a brief address by Hamiltion and by knowing they had the full support of President Hancock and First Secretary Madison. A small group of 500 hundred men was separated from the main force and sent into Philadelphia itself to protect the State Legislature and disperse protectors, all with express orders of restraint.

This led to tense moments as civilians - angry about what seemed like federal support for Westsylvania - not only insulted but then attacked the soldiers, forcing them to attempt to disperse the crowd and then fire into the air. They managed to get the protestors to disperse and for the State Legislature to finally elect a new Governor (this time a compromise choice in a moderate Democratic-Republican), but the city itself is boiling with anger and resentment towards anti-Radical forces. Not only it is expected for the new Governor to be defeated as soon as an election takes place, some National Assembly deputies have expressed their desire to switch the capital on account of the city's hostility.

Across the countryside Hamilton worked hard across November to achieve the disarmament of militias, and while most of them did surrender and went home, several Eastern and Western militias had little intention to go home in their determination to punish the other side. Several gunfights ensued as Hamilton's veteran force smashed militia group after militia group, yielding a few dozen deaths while avoiding set backs due to a well-coordinated strategy. Matters came to a decisive end at Pittsburgh, where many of the concentrated Eastern militias would not back down. Hamilton was forced to take the city by assault during the night, and the resulting "Second" Battle of Pittsburgh allowed the federal troops to recover the city. Roughly a hundred men - most of them the rebel militias - died in battle.

In the aftermath the Westsylvanian forces under the command of the triunmvirate decided to lay down their arms as well and return home, leaving a small core force to protect the Westsylvanian leadership at Redstone Fort. On this rapid campaign General Hamilton has earned a positive reaction among many - including Westsylvanians - on account of his precise instructions, avoiding civilian casualties and by restoring government control, while coming under harsh fire by others - particularly in eastern Pennsylvania - due to the death of several militiamen. Pennsylvania has been pacified on the surface, but tensions remain high for long as the Westsylvania issue is unresolved. And even if it is, many observers fear of the response by the rest of Pennsylvania given their growing resentment over federal intervention.