JSNES 2: A House Divided

[JosefStalinator]

UPDATE II; 1801

Congress Votes on VA proposals
Congress voted earlier today on the two controversial proposals proposed by the state of Virginia on the issues of the federal navy and slavery in the Northwest territories. The first proposal about the relocation of Norfolk was shot down in the House, and Senate by 28-4. The second bill, the one proposing slavery be open for current slaveholders in the Northwest, (after being barely passed in the House) was debated hotly in the Senate for the entire duration since its introduction to the Senate by Virginia Senator Mason. When the day for voting finally came, the divisions of slave and free became very evident. All 8 southern slave states and their senators voted for the Virginia bill, with the exception of Senator Stone of North Carolina. His vote however was evened out by the one Yea vote for the bill from New Hampshire senator Olcott, one of the few remaining slave supporters in the North. The tie vote then went to Vice President Aaron Burr, who cast the tie-breaking NAY just barely shooting down the bill that would allow slaveholders to keep their slaves in Northwestern territory. This angered many in his party, who come from southern states, but Burr stood in his opposition to the bill.

A bust of Vice President Aaron Burr

This hasn’t stopped the issue of slavery in the territories from dieing, as reading ahead will reveal…

Projects continue to spring up across US, Connecticut, Penn finish theirs
Massive internal projects which originally began in the north have also now begun in the south, with Virginia starting 3 new ambitious projects involving Norfolk, the military, and cotton production. In Connecticut, the lumber mill was completed, and a massive new project was started. This new project’s details are for now unknown, but massive stockpiles of lumber and other resources have been allotted for what is sure to be an ambitious undertaking. In Pennsylvania as well, enough funds were allocated to finish their Iron mining and metal-working industries, and are projected to open in 1803 with a significant boost to immigration and the economy of the state.

The Federal government receives too little in donation from states-leads to debt!
The federal government has slipped slightly into debt this last year, receiving only one small donation (of 1 eco) from the state of New York. Now 3 economy points into debt, the feds are sending out a plea to the other states, asking for at least 7 in donations this turn so that they can quickly pay off their debt while maintaining the powerful military and naval presence in DC. If they do not received the funds, the government is considering scaling back the army in order to save some economy in the future.

A swath of proposals swarm congress
Finally acting on their ability to propose bills, congressmen from all across the country proposed four important bills before Congress. Among these bills they address the Judiciary supremacy issue, the tariff issue, and even the Indian issue. Whether each is fated to pass or doomed fail remains to be seen, but each could have a significant impact on the relation between the state and federal governments.

NAPOLEON DEALS BLOW TO GREAT BRITAIN, BRITISH DOMINANCE OF SEAS ENDED!
In one of the most important battles of all of naval, European, and possibly world history, Napoleon Bonaparte’s naval forces, in conjunction with their allies Spanish, have dealt a tremendous blow to the Royal navy in a stunning victory. The two naval forces of the combined Franco-Spanish fleet and the British fleet had been chasing each other on and off for months, finally meeting at the cape of Trafalgar in Southern Spain near the Straight of Gibraltar, purely by mistake of the French Admiral Villenueve. Shortly before the battle, Admiral Nelson in command of the English fleet perished in a gunpowder accident which sank his flagship HMS Victory, and in the scramble for who would succeed him as the leader of the British fleet the commanders let down their guard and totally disregarded Nelson’s original plan for engagement in favor of their own. When the two fleets finally met, the French and Spanish fleets outnumbered the somewhat now disorganized and demoralized British fleet, dealing it a blow by sinking more than half its ships while only losing 5 of its own. The fleet proceeded to pursue the British, and managed to sink yet more of their ships until finally losing the tiny remnants to the safety of Gibraltar.

In France, Admiral Villenueve was met with fanatical celebration and fanfare, Napoleon himself took time away from his newly renewed Rhine campaign to personally greet and reward Villenueve for his victory, announcing that a new era was in store for Europe.

Already, French troops have been called from many fronts and men have been conscripted and brought north for what is expected to be an invasion of Britain itself, though the original invasion plan was delayed due to a need of troops in Germany and bad weather.

In Canada, the British garrison has been drastically reduced, and though no one has actually said anything, the same thing is in the minds of all Americans-seizing Canada (maybe with an alliance with France?). Many are apprehensive to attack the British to the North, citing the still sizable force and decent defensive positions, but also acknowledging the rich resources and population the North holds. It remains to be seen how this will unfold, but if the Americans are ever to seize Canada, they had best do it soon.

An artists depiction of the battle from the French ship Mizzen

British impressments rising as demand for sailors grows
Both before and after the battle of Trafalgar, the British navy had continued impressing US Naval personnel completely disregarding any state’s national sovereignty. Now even more desperate for sailors, the British have stepped up their effort and even more indiscriminately been boarding, seizing, and impressing sailors and ships of the US trading fleet. This has negatively effected the incomes of just about all trade-based states, and many are demanding an end to the issue once and for all.

British sailors impressing American sailors

Crisis in the Northwest!
Unwilling to accept their defeat in the senate of their controversial slavery bill, the states of Virginia and Kentucky, shortly followed by Tennessee and South Carolina have proceeded to flood the Ohio and other Northwest territories with slaves and their slaveholders in an effort to disrupt the overwhelming free-soil presence in the region.

In a pure coincidence, the states of Pennsylvannia and New York also flooded the territories with settlers and established the town of New Albany on the coast of Lake Eire. These settlers have so far coexisted peacefully with their slave-owning neighbors, despite the fact the slavers are in direct violation of the Northwest Ordinances of 1787. Regardless, many in the North are outraged and calling for action against the slave-holding settlers, while many southerners are calling for their protection.

The state of Ohio, which was going to apply for statehood within the next year or so, is now hesitating in making such a decision, fearing sparking a civil war amongst its American brethren. Though Ohio itself is a vast majority free over the small arriving slavers, the rest of the territory is quickly being swarmed by slavers wealthy enough to buy up large swaths of practically free land, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of this dispute will be…

Slaves moving North and West to their new territories, in which they may be technically free

“Random” Events:

Connecticut rapes everyone in stories, getting them +5 eco to Neptune +2 eco/turn, and +1 eco in their treasury.

Pennsylvanians uncover an untapped Iron lode in the hills of the West, bringing a nice 3 economy into their coffers.

Virginian slaves produce more cotton than predicted, +3 economy.

New Yorkers volunteer to aid in the construction of forts, +6 eco into them.

Kentuckians grow a hell of a lot of tobacco, and start tapping some coal mines, + 1 eco/turn

​

 

[JosefStalinator]

 

[Contempt]

good update!

 

[blackheart]

To: Federal Government
From: North Carolina

North Carolina will donate 2 eco points this coming year, but in return we demand the federal government take action against the British for imprisoning our sailors and disrupting trade.

 

[JosefStalinator]

TO NC
From the feds:
We are working to protect American shipping as much as possible, but what can be done once the ships enter British waters? Once that occurs, our fleet could be seen as an act of war, an impression the government is currently trying to avoid.

 

[Contempt]

To Federal Government
From Connecticut

Connecticut will likewise donate 2 econ., with inclusion that the Federal Government enforce the North-west Ordanince of 1787 in the Ohio territory. All slaves in that region techniquelly no longer are slaves, according to the Ordanince, but in the fairness of the American spirit Connecticut does not wish to deprive these Southern men of their..."property".

We ask that the slave holders are sent back into actual slave holding states, and that Ohio is keep free, and the North-west Ordanince is also up-held.

 

[blackheart]

To: Feds
From: NC

Put political pressure on them. If the British do not stop we will arm our merchant ships and give them the right to fire on any ships that display aggressive actions towards them. We will not stand for the kidnap of men by the British.

 

[Storm Rider]

Pennsylvania is also happy to donate economy to the federal government, but the amount will depend on our own financial status and thus we cannot yet make promises.

 

[Warman17]

From Virginia
To Federal Govn't/Supreme Court:

We ask that the federal government not enforce the ordinance of 1787 on the grounds it has denied citizens rights granted to them by the Bill of Rights ratified in 1791. The 5th Amendment stated as such

it so nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Gives slaveowners the right to their property, and as also provided under the 9th amdentment, taking their property away would be an uncontitutional act as securing an entire piece of land for one type of people(those who do not own slaves) would be entirely discriminatory to those with slaves.

The ordinence of 1787 is not "due process" which would involve fairness, and it is witholding an entire population to take their property into a piece of land, federally owned, where their said property is considered illegal. Half the states in these United States have slavery as an accepted institution and several northern states still have slavery on the books. The Contitution of the United States does not forbide slavery, and as such we see it entirely unacceptable for the federal government to declare a "slavery-free" zone. If the federal government was to not allow slavery in the territories it would be against the freedoms of property and ownership which we fought and many died, in a revolution to allow our population to do.

We thus ask that the Federal Government, most specifically the Jefferson administration, not enforce the Ordinance, which denies the freedoms and rights citizens are granted.

 

[Contempt]

[Secret to all but the States, and Federal Government]

To All States of the Union
From Connecticut

With the British defeat in the Seas, the French now dominate the seas, and British Canada now lies weak, and undefended with the prospect of an invasion of mainland Britian by Napolean.

If we begin catering to French trade, instead of British trade, than we can lower economic impact if we were to go to war with Britian over the impressement of our traders...and at the same time invading and taking over British Canada before France has a chance to conquer it for itself.

Perhaps even an alliance with the French might suit America well, and perhaps give us some prestige and more land. What says the rest of the states to this idea?

 

[JosefStalinator]

OOC: Don't expect to get the feds to agree to support either side just yet.

Imagine you are in Jefferson's position, you too would delay and procrastinate as much as you can to avoid taking sides on the issue, and even if he ever does it will only be tentatively. Jefferson's main goal is to preserve the union and avoid civil war.

To Virginia
From the Supreme Court:
You do argue a point... we will consider ruling on this case in the next session.

OOC: If the SC does make a ruling, you guys need to choose someone from each side to make a case (Virginia for the South, some free state for the North).

 

[Contempt]

nothing was here...

 

[blackheart]

To: Only States of the Union and Feds
From: NC

Conneticut is right. The power of Britain wanes and it is time to assert our dominance as masters of North America. North Carolina proposes that states involved in the tobacco and cotton trade form a governmental union to protect our trade rights with the Europeans in their turbulent times and ensure our products' demands are high and we get our fair compensation for them. We should also assure our monopoly on the markets.

 

[Contempt]

Connecticut Herald, Feburary Edition

Shermon Engineering Company Monopolizes Connecticut!

Shermon Engineering Company recently announced their aquisition of nearly all the major ship building and lumber production companies, as well as Widget production, in Connecticut this past Janurary. The Shermon Engineering Company was originally the Haddam Lumber Company, which recently opened the profitable Haddam Lumber mill with Government help.

The new Shermon Company is apparently a large board of 15 influental men who combined their ship building, lumber production, and widget companies into one major coperation. This massive ship building company is spear heading the massive production at New Haven with government subsides, while at the same time using the combined companies massive profits to buy out smaller companies in Connecticut.

Already the company holds monopoly in the state, and it is evident that the large company will begin expanding its hold on the Ship building business out of State, and into other nearby States of New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

New Regulation of Companies!

Governer Johnathan Trumbull recently proposed regulation of large corperate companies in order to protect the ship building industry's prices from sky rocketing out of control to the detriment of traders, not to mention wood prices within the state with the monopoly the Shermon Engineering company holds over the state.

The Governer met with some resistance in the state senate, but apparently the very people being regulated, the Shermon Engineering company itself, met with the senate and convinced them to pass through the Governers regulations [genric regulations preventing the price from being outrageous, and not much else. The price on the products are still basically set by the company, just not till the point that its ridiculous].

It is rumored that the Governer made a deal with the company concerning what is being built in New Haven, and the regulations upon their company. Apparently, whatever was being built in New Haven was enough for the company to agree. Also, these laws would only effect Conneticut, making forrays into other states profitable for the Shermon Engineering Company.

Slavery in Ohio!

Slave holders have moved into Ohio from the South, directly against the North-west Ordinance of 1787, making it an illegal migration into the Territory. Already public out cry has reacted to the news, since Connecticut had out lawed slavery and the slave trade several years ago [alt. history, so I say so ]. Many calls for Connecticut to act against the South have bombarded the Governers office.

Connecticut as a whole wishes that the North remain free, and the South remain slave, and this invasion of the Northern Territory by the Southern slaves is an indication that perhaps slavery might be able to exist in the North against Northern States laws preventing it.

Already the Governer has responded to this issue, first condemning the move by the South, citing the North-west Ordinance as baring slavery in the North. However, Virgina's arguement that the 5th and 9th Ammendments conflicted with the North-west ordinance held some merit, and the Governer instead proposed a different solution: let Ohio itself decide.

The Governer, with his wisdom, proposed that the Ohio should be inducted as a state, and that the new State would be able to decide this difficult issue itself as to prevent Federal Government interferance with State's right to choose between Slave and Free, as much as he'd like all States to be entirely free. This plea was recieved with mixed results in Connecticut, many seeing the wisdom in allowing Ohio itself to decide, but still some hoping that the Federal government would keep Slavery out of the north entirely, and wanting the Governer to support such a move.

*****​

To Federal Government, Virigina
From Connecticut

It is Connecituct's opinion on the matter that if the North-west ordinance, and the Constitution of the United States are conflicting upon the matter of Slavery in a federal territory, that it should be up to the territory itself to settle the matter.

It is Connecticut's belief that Ohio should choose whether it should be Free or Slave, so that violence does not erupt when Ohio is a state and one group wishes to outlaw slavery, while another group wishes to establish slavery in the state.

So Connecticut proposes that Ohio be made a state, and its population will vote upon whether it will be free or slave, with Federal troops in the area to help protect the peace to make sure violence does not erupt over this issue. States right is paramount, and the Federal government should not try and dictate Ohio's status as slave or free so close to its induction as a State.

 

[conehead234]

Claiming maryland, and catching up on what is going on.

 

[Grandmaster]

On Ohio and the Northwest Territory

The Government of New York holds the position that slavery should not be permitted to expand into the northern territories. However, it is also the belief of this Government that the people of a State or Territory ought to be free to choose their government and laws for themselves. Therefore, New York supports Connecticut in her call to admit Ohio as a State under the auspices of what one political theorist at our Columbia University has termed "popular sovereignty"; that is, the right of the eligible voting population of a territory becoming a state to select, by means of a referendum, whether they wish to permit or ban slavery in their new State. Furthermore, it is the position of New York that the remainder of the Northwest Territory should be divided into organized territories corresponding to the boundaries of future States, so that they may sooner begin the process of deciding the nature of their own constitutions once they begin to become populated.

On Slavery in the Northern States

Governor Jay has hereby officially signed into law a bill passed by the State Legislature, formally abolishing slavery and the slave trade in New York, although slavery has in practice been dead in New York for many years. The Government of New York urges all other northern State governments to do the same.

On Britain & Canada (Secret)

The Government of New York holds that our Nation is not yet prepared for that costly and dangerous undertaking which we call war, and that as such it should be avoided at this present time. New York believes that defensive measures must be taken to protect the rights of American merchant shipping, and to secure our coasts and borders, but that offensive action -- at sea, or by land against British Canada -- must wait until we are better prepared for conflict. New York supports the concept of redirecting trade towards other European nations and away from Britain.

On Federal Finances

Having always contributed its share of the Federal budget when other States would not, and realizing the great necessity of Federal strength and the full and terrible implications of a bankrupt National government, the Government of New York hereby puts before the Congress a bill requiring that every State donate a duty of 1 economic point to the Federal government every year, for the maintenance of the national army and navy, the enforcement of Federal law, and the upkeep of national and interstate infrastructure.

 

[Contempt]

The low buzz of the Haddam Mill was a soft under current in a large, open building removed from the rest of the Mill. Over its door way the simple words of Shermon Engineering Head Office belied its massive power in the state of Connecticut, and its growing power in other states as it expanded its economic might over wood, ship building, and other industries.

The entire board of former single companies was gathered under the power of one man, named Henry Shermon, who had formerly been the wood manufactoring company in charge of the Haddam Lumber mill. The gigantic company was meeting to flesh out its plans for Connecticut, and nearby states.

Important Members of the Board​

Head of Board: Henry Shermon
Assistaint Head of Board: John Freedman
Overseer of Shipbuilding: James Huntsman
Overseer of Lumber production: Alexander Hurst
Overseer of Company Expansion: Greg Johnson

"I bring this meeting to order!" shouted Shermon as the board talked amongest themselves about the upcoming meeting, and other meaningless things that do not pertain to this story whatsoever. In anycase, after his shout the board went quiet and gathered themselves into a sembalance of order around the long, polished wooden table.

"Good," said Shermon smugly, "we can now address the agenda for today. First of all, we should further expand our progress in garnering a monopoly of a...certain object we cannot mention even in present company," a murmured agreement and alot of nudges and winks followed this comment, and it was silenced with a glare, "and finish the New Haven docks in preperation for it. A good profit has been promised to us by Johnathan Trumbill, and we all know he keeps his promises."

The fifteen board members agreed heartily with cheers and toasts to the Governer, motioning to the government subsidised Lumber mill which they all profited from. Before the congradulations could get to out of control, Greg Johnson stood up to make his pitch to the other board members.

"While the furthering of our agenda in New Haven will likely make Shermon engineering the premier Shipbuilder in the country, not that we aren't already, I suggest expanding our influence out of Connecticut, so that our control of the industry will not be hampered when states such as Rhode Island, New York, Mass., begin to catch up to Connecticuts rapid build up of naval capibilities. For example, New Yorks Hudson project would propel the fledging industry in the New York Hudson, shipbuiding and otherwise would seriously jepordize our control of our industry at the moment."

The board considered the prosition, and one member even called out that it would foolish for the company to overstretch itself so close to its creation. Several other members mentioned that it might be worth the risk until James Huntsman stood up to say his peace.

"I agree with Johnson, since by expanding our influence in the New York Hudson, our company may begin to exploit the massive potentional of New York's resources and postion. By buying out companies in New York, and helping fund the states Hudson plan we would stand in good position to dominate the Hudson's lumber and shipbuilding trade, and perhaps even more if we can muster enough funds to continue work on New Haven, and to dominate Ship building on the Hudson."

"This is a good point," began Alexander Hurst, "and I think that domination of the vast resources of Connecticut by this company will begin by funding and controlling part of the Hudson valley program, while at the same time not neglecting our 'special' project in New Haven. "

Shermon took the arguements with a grain of salt, before quieting everyone down again to voice his final opinon, since it was the only one that mattered.

"We will expand into New York by taking control of parts of this Hudson project, allocating funds from our profits from trade, and our contract with the Government in New Haven. The Shermon Engineering company will dominate New England trade now, meeting adjourned."

With a stunning finality, the Shermon Engineering company made plans to dominate the New York Hudson's industry, developing it to make a tidy profit.

 

[Grandmaster]

The crashing of hammers and clanking of handpicks reverberated through the narrow valley, pounding out a primal symphony of human industry whose melody uplifted noble American spirits better than any exhortation or brass band ever could. John Douglas looked up from his work to take in the sounds of transformation. The mighty sledgehammers, wielded in the hands of suntanned American farm-hands and tall free Negro men, pounded out a bass line which shook the foundations of the entire Hudson country and set the time and rhythm of the industrial concert piece. On top of the hammer bass line was the melody, scratched out of the earth with shovels, and laid down in stone and timber. Finally, fleeting, ethereal above the louder din were the high-pitched explosive notes of the pickaxe, driving into the soil, stone, and earth in the hands of experienced and able-bodied men. Douglas looked down at his own callous hands, blackened with dirt and dust from his hard work; and seeing his hands, and the earth they had moved, and hearing behind it all the crashing and singing of music implements of industry, he was proud to be working on such a project. Looking about him, he sensed that same pride in the other laborers: in the stout, rough-hewn Irishman brandishing his handpick to his left; in the swarthy Spaniard, hammer in hand, standing on his left; in the great muscular Negro driving iron stakes farther down the line, and in his fellow agrarian New Yorkers, wherever they toiled for the betterment of their State.

 

[Grandmaster]

President Jefferson, War Department Begin Planning for Coming Hostilities with Britain

*Top Secret*

Having secured an alliance with the Empire of France, and analyzed the state of British authority and power in the Western Hemipshere, the United States has elected to begin preparations for war on land and at sea against the British Empire. President Jefferson has cited the continued British abuses of American merchant sailors, Britain's perpetual disrespect for American sovereignty, and the danger posed by foreign occupation of strategic territories in North America and the Caribbean.

The American strategy involves two separate theaters of war: a northern front in Canada, and a southern front in the Caribbean. The northern states of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, with Federal support, will fight the British enemy on the northern front; the southern states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with Federal support, will engage the British in the Caribbean.

The generals of the militia of Virginia have begun to create a warplan for the conquest of the Caribbean islands, while commanders from New York have accepted responsibility for the liberation of Canada. Federal naval forces have been placed under Virginian command authority for the planning phase of the operation.

As per the New London Conference, all captured territories will be administered as Federal military zones until they are ready for statehood under the system of popular sovereignty.

Further details for military plans will be posted as they become available.

 

[Warman17]

*SUPER DOOPER SECRET*

Southern Plan of Attack:

CURRENT Available Forces:
Virginia:
Militia: 10 Conscript, 4 regular, 1 Elite
Navy: 5 Conscripts

North Carolina
Militia: 10 Conscripts
Navy: 5 Conscript

South Carolina
Militia: 15 Conscript, 4 Regular
Navy: 5 Conscript

Georgia
Army: 5 Conscripts

Kentucky
Army: 5 conscripts, 1 elite “Fightin’ 1337th“Division

Tennesee
Army: 5 conscript

Maryland
Army: 5 conscripts
Navy: 5 conscripts

Federal: Army: 10 regulars (heading north)
Navy: 10 conscripts

TOTAL: Militia: 55 conscripts, 8 regulars, 2 elites
navy: 35 conscripts



First off we need a navy raising operation. Most preferablly trying to raise regular frigates to aid in the operations. Maybe some Elite Ships of the Line.

We need to combine all our navel forces into one fleet under the command of a federal admiral. From there they will transport 1 conscript from each state (7 conscript) as well as 4 regulars(2 from SC and Virginia) and both elites from Kentucky and Virginia. These land forces will also be under a Federal general.

This army and navy will then go island hopping, first the Bahamas, then down to Jamaica where the real campaign is. After Jamaica is captured the fleet wil lthen head over to capture all the small british islands in the Lesser Antilles. After all of these are secure we'll head up with a small force and take Bermuda compelting the campaign.