Here's Chapter 4. Here, I introduce the first real villain of the story, a man in Spanish Florida who is eventually driven to great anger and defiance by the sudden downfall of the old order in the area(Let's just say that this guy isn't exactly very civil, or civilized, for that matter.....).
We also begin to see the butterflies affecting Mexico at this point, as well. Again, as with Chapters 2 and 3, some creative license was used so some things may be a tad iffy by some of the strictest plausibility standards.
Nov. 8, 1805
Near San Agustin[1], Viceroyalty of Florida
[Spanish territory]
Enrique Cortez stared into the late autumn sky with a tinge of depression. Since the August Revolt[2], he had already lost his job and what little savings he had, and was close to losing his home as well. Even worse, the rebellions were starting to become more & more violent each passing week, it seemed; one skirmish in October in San Agustin had not only seen the deaths of two soldiers who attempted to keep order, one of them being a cousin of his, but someone had even freed slaves from a local villa.[3] “Chingada! Damn those rebellious devils. Have they any respect for the nation, nay, the race, which birthed them? Or do they seek to destroy all that has been given to them, just because they can't accept some discipline, like spoiled brats?”[4] Enrique whispered quite harshly, his hatred for them already burning a deep hole in his soul. Feeling as if he could possibly explode in anger if he stayed out any longer, he decided to compose himself and take the approximately half-mile walk back to his home.
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Extracted from “The Fall of the Spanish Empire, 1805-1929”
© 1956 By Victoria Patterson
Liberty Press
Sacramento, California, United States.
The August Revolt in 1805, which started in what is now Mission City[5] would pose a significantly more serious threat to the Spanish hegemony in the Americas than Madrid first realized at that time. It all started on the afternoon hours of the 4th, when residents of that very town heard the news of Sebastian Obregon's recent initiatives towards tighter military control of the region. This angered most of the town's residents, as they saw this as nothing more than an opprotunistic power play, and many began to demonstrate in the town center. When the local authorities tried to put an end to this, some of the demonstrators began to riot. One soldier, as told by a living survivor 50 years later, was so anxious to see law & order restored that he decided to fire a couple of shots into the crowd. Unfortunately, one of the bullets struck, and killed, a 12-year-old girl whose father was one of the protestors. A few seconds later, once most of the crowd figured out what had just happened, many of the hundred or so people in the square began running after the the shooter and all 4 of his fellow soldiers. 2 of them couldn't keep up and were lynched by the angry townspeople. The others got away, although 1 man got lost in the nearby swamp. The soldier who shot into the crowd, we are told, was found about a week later in a field about 10 miles north of town, with a bullet wound in the back of his head. As it appeared, the young cadet had felt such remorse for his actions, that he felt as if he couldn't bear the guilt any longer; although even today, some do wonder if perhaps he was just fearful of being captured by the angry townspeople or being shipped back home to Spain.
In any case, this eventually led to even more protests and riots, and even harsher crackdowns by Obregon, enforced by his loyal military men. Although a press blackout was ordered in Nov. 1805 by Madrid, and to be enforced immediately whenever these commands were received by the respective governors of New Spain and the other territories under Madrid's rule, sooner or later, a few people began to receive information from underground sources here & there. By January, 1807, the conflicts in Florida had started to turn in the direction of a full-blown revolt, and soon, it wouldn't just be the Land of Flowers[6] that would explode...
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Feb. 11, 1807
Toluca, Mexico Province
New Spain Territory
“This looks to be rather unfortunate for our Madridero overlords. Have they finally stepped on their own feet for once?” Francisco Valenzuela asked, putting down a letter he had recently received, concerning the news in Florida. “Perhaps so. It would be quite the blessing if we did manage to get the word out. Spanish tyranny must come to an end.” Alberto Galvez commented, before taking a sip of a cocoa drink. “Amen to that, amigos! It is time for Mexico to come out onto her own in the world. Let us act, and quickly!” shouted their friend, Orlando Cortez from a little distance. The three men came together on the street corner, next to where Valenzuela's aunt lived, right then to start discussing their plans for the future. Early that evening, Valenzuela and Galvez would speak to a crowd of dozens in one of the plaza markets.
“Mexico must be freed! The rulers in Madrid, what have they ever really done for us, the Mexican people? Nothing! They have only caused us pain and misery! While we toil for meager scraps, the wealthy haciendados gorge on the richest and most savory food and drink themselves to a blind stupor! It's time to end the suffering. We must join hands with our brothers in Florida, and make the decision to self-determine our own futures or we shall never have real freedom in our lifetimes, or even those of our children's! The choice is yours, slavery or freedom?”
-Francisco Valenzuela speaking to a small crowd in a Toluca plaza in 1807.
“If the Americans could gain their freedom from the most powerful nation on Earth, why not our beloved Mexico from weak little Spain?”
-Alberto Galvez, conversing with a skeptical observer in Toluca, 11 Feb., 1807.
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Selected Important Dates in the history of North America: 1805-11
Taken from “The Albright Textbook Series: Pre-Modern American History”
By Robert C. Wilkinson
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
© 1944, Maple Tree Press: Toronto. Used with permission.
1805:
The first significant anti-Spanish uprising occurs in the territory of Florida on August 4th after a demonstration against recent actions by Sebastian Obregon takes a fatal turn. It is only the first, many more will follow.
1806:
Signing of the Non-Importation Act into law under the Jefferson administration. Many are angry, particularly in the Northeast and in some of the port cities elsewhere in the U.S. but little is done.
Charles C. Pinckney, the South Carolina statesman, dies of a heart attack on March 11th.
On Sep. 17th, the city of St. Augustine is seized by anti-colonial rebels in Florida.
1807:
Jefferson is convinced by Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin to discontinue his incentives for the passing of the Embargo Act.
Two Mexican Patriotes, Francisco Valenzuela and Alberto Galvez, are arrested by authorities 4 days after a February 11th speech condemning the actions of the Spanish governor of Florida, Sebastian Obregon, and for inciting a revolt.
On April 25th, the first protester deaths occur in New Spain when a young couple in Nuevo Leon are ordered shot to death by an angry Spanish official who took a witty comment far too seriously, as reported by several local newspaper editorials.
Maine is split off from Massachusetts on Sept. 14th.
1808:
A British merchant ship carrying contraband goods by the name of the 'Mary Louise' was seized & raided by U.S. Federal authorities in Providence, R.I., following notice by a dock worker, in the morning hours of April 15th. This incident is rather noteworthy not only due to the fact that this was the first major seize of a foreign vessel in the U.S., but that this was reportedly one of the catalysts that led Jonathan O'Bannon to create & co-found the “Sons of New England” due to the death of a close friend, a Federal official who tried to negotiate with the smugglers.
1809:
On April 11th, the S.o.N.E. is co-founded by Jonathan O'Bannon and Eldon Canwood, in Portland, Maine. Their primary reason for existence at that time, was originally that of a general advocacy group whose stated goal was to assist in the understanding & implementation of the best interests of the people living in the region.
The July 12th attack on the Southampton merchant ship Princeton, in Portsmouth, N.H., marked the first attack against a British ship by vigilantes in the United States. 9 people were killed in the gunfight that occurred during the raid, 5 vigilantes and 4 of the 10 crewmen.
A New Haven, Connecticut tavern called 'The Patriot' was attacked by a group of vigilantes on the afternoon of Nov. 5th . 14 people were to lose their lives, including one of the two chief instigators, who later died from injuries received by having a chair smashed over his head, with all the others being various patrons & the head bartender. Robert Harrison, the owner, declined to talk to national newspapers, though he did grant interviews with a couple of local outlets.
The Hamilton territory[7], proposed in June, 1808, is created on December 4th of this year.
1810:
The explosion of the 'King's Own' merchant ship, this time in New York, kills over 50 people in the area, including one of the men who caused the incident.
An American ship from Boston named the 'Liberty Mae' was blown up in the harbor of St. John's, in Newfoundland, by a member of an angry mob of about two dozen persons, on June 5th, as retaliation for the large number of British ships either seized by government authorities or destroyed by overzealous vigilantes in the U.S.
Napoleon makes an offer on April 27th to set up a French embassy in Washington. President Madison receives the letter on May 8th and accepts the offer two weeks later.
1811:
On the morning of May 4th , the first major Indian raid on U.S. Territory in years begins when hundreds of displaced Delawares, Maumees, and some Shawnee make their first move, in what will become a 2-month long campaign, by razing, or at least, attempting to raze, several towns in Ohio near the border of the Indiana Territory where many reside, most notably Cincinnati. Raids also go as far as Louisville, Ky. where several Shawnee Indians located and subsequently ransacked a local Army post.
On July 2nd , President Madison discussed with several members of Congress the possibility of a gradual elimination of the Non-Importation Act, due to serious problems with enforcing the law(vigilante actions were a major factor in this) in certain areas, however, the meeting went nowhere, and a few of the pro-embargo senators & Congressmen had some rather harsh words on their way out, particularly towards Mass. Senator Timothy Pickering and certain others.
However, though, one good thing does come out of this: On September 23rd the Anti-Vigilantism & Protection Act, which had been sponsored by Sen. Pickering & and a pair of Congressmen from New York, was signed into law and was to go into full effect by the end of April, 1812. Unfortunately, vigilantism wasn't going to completely stop for some time, despite the best efforts of honest Federal officials, and eventually, many of were of the consensus that something more might need to be done...
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Nov. 25, 1811
Washington D.C.
President James Madison sat in the Oval Office on this fine morning in D.C.. While an important step in curbing unnecessary vigilantism had recently been taken with the Anti-Vigilante Act, there was still the matter of those who reacted negatively to the provisions. Vice-President Clinton and a few others were there to discuss the various topics.
“George, I have this awful feeling that things shall only get worse as far as those hooligan vigilantes are concerned, given their disposition to such foolish actions as exploding an entire ship without regard for any innocent civilians who might be nearby.”, he said, to Vice-President Clinton.
Clinton nodded. “Well, James, I do agree with you and I too, fear the possible retaliation by those who would rather break the law to get simple gratification, than assist in enforcing it. But I feel enforcing the current statutes martial law may be needed soon in some areas.”
“And possibly violate some of the freedoms on which this nation was founded? I would prefer not to go that route.” Madison replied, with a somewhat annoyed look on his face. He feared that martial law could spark further reprecussions, even outside of New England, and was about to make that clear.
“But it may be our only solution to the violence in these areas-” said Clinton.
Madison cut him off. “Besides, enforcing martial law would only anger many of those outside New England anyway. We need lawful solutions, dear George. Dammit, do we want to do what the British did consistently, during the protests against the unlawful taxes that were burdened upon the people? Not to mention the possible reprecussions if such an action were to succeed.” Madison still remembered the days of British colonial rule and truly believed that any form of martial law could not only come back and damage his administration, but could ultimately serve as something that could harm the fabric of American society, possibly even exploitable by London.
“Perhaps not. I also should mention that it is unfortunate that the impressment of American seamen does still occur on occasion. Still, banning all trade may not be the best answer to this most pressing of matters. In any case, I still believe the Non-Importation Act has to go, vigilantes or not.” Clinton emphasized his last sentence so there'd be no lingering doubt about his wishes & agenda.
“And if Britain no longer feels any sort of pressure? Do you think they'd stop at sailors? They might be raiding civilians one of these days for all we know!” said William Giles in a slightly raised tone.
“Calm down, Senator. The British might be quite the annoyance but they're not completely foolish. Even London cannot go to such extremes without being condemned, even in these times, especially by the French. You shouldn't assume the worst.” Madison replied sternly. While they all agreed that Britain's saber-rattling was quite irritating, at the same time, they realized that war-mongering, at this point, was a non-answer as America was still a young nation with a not-yet significant navy & army.
"With all the respect due you my dear President, I fear that British compensatory raids, perhaps even an actual war, may yet be visited upon us. It would be rather unwise to keep assuming that Britain will just keep going about as usual, especially once Napoleon's war ends, either by surrender or by capitulation. They have already raised quite the commotion as it is over these latest shipwreckings.", Giles remarked.
“Mind you, Senator, any extension of the current Non-Importation Act would only serve to make this problem much worse in the long run. We must find other ways of making our interests known & accepted by the British.” Clinton chided Giles.
“And what would you say, Mr. Vice-President if-” Giles protested.
Madison interrupted Giles once again.“Senator, please stand down for just a moment.”
“If I may speak?” Treasury Secretary Gallatin requested.
“Well, go ahead then, Albert.” the President replied.
“Mr. President, sir, I can only say this: It is quite understandable, and in fact, logical, to utilize an assertive way of thinking when dealing with certain nations, particularly ones such as Great Britain. However, if we become too harsh with our demands and rhetoric, then London may have a rather nasty rebuttal and we may unfortunately eventually find ourselves at wat with what is still perhaps the most powerful nation in the world. And I do believe, as I stated to former President Jefferson 2 years ago, the Non-Importation Act must be repealed. I only hope it doesn't come too late.” Gallatin replied in a somewhat somber tone.
“Perhaps so. Well then, gentlemen, I've made my decision. I plan to, if at all possible, have the Non-Importation Act will be scaled down over the next couple of years but with appropriate compensation for any businesses or individuals who might perhaps be negatively affected by this action.” Madison said to all 3 of the men.
“Congress may oppose you, sir.” Giles remarked.
“Some will. But I believe that many realize that that the entire act, as it stands, cannot long be fully enforced by any lawful means.” Madison replied. He believed that negotiating with Congress might possibly lead to a decent solution accepted by all, but in the back of his mind, wondered how it could all get done.[8]
[1]This guy will be remembered. Trust me.
[2]Another Spanish term that has entered U.S. English earlier than it did IOTL.
[3]Yes, even Florida had slavery.
[4]Cortez sounds like a real piece of work, doesn't he? Well, he kinda is. Watch for him later on.
[5]It's in central Florida, somewhere not too terribly far from OTL Orlando.......
[6]An ATL nickname for Florida which was coined in the 1880s.
[7]There are going to be quite a few more territories than OTL.
[8]Kind of reminds you of Barack Obama and the deficit debate, doesn't it?
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