Forgive me, this is ridiculously long. I promise not all updates will be this huge.
George Lawrence Washington sat with his mother and younger siblings in the sitting room while the doctors were with his father. Everyone was quiet as they waited and waited. It seemed like an eternity that the doctors were in with him. Three days ago Lawrence, only strangers called him George, had received a letter at his home telling him that his father had fallen ill with Malaria [1]. He immediately left his home and his young wife, the former Martha Laurens, daughter of Henry Laurens and sister of his friend John Laurens [2] and traveled to Mount Vernon to be with his family.
The doctor came out a moment later with a concerned look on his face. “It’s not good. I’m afraid I have tried everything I could to break the fever. But nothing seems to work. It’s in God’s hands now.”
With that proclamation Lawrence’s mother and sisters began to weep. His younger brothers began to console the women, while Lawrence approached the doctor. “Are you sure Doctor? Is there not something, anything, else that you can do?”
The doctor just shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir, I’ve tried everything.” Lawrence nodded and moved aside, letting the doctor leave.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DEAD!
General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and hero of the Revolution has died. The brave leader of men died on February 17 from Malaria. He was fifty-three years old. His funeral was attended by many leading men throughout the country.
-Excerpted from the Independent Chronicle Newspaper, Boston 1785
Excerpted from Birth of a Nation America: 1776 to 1815
Looking back, the Philadelphia Convention was doomed to begin with. The United States had been limping along under the Articles of Confederation since before the Treaty of Paris. While, it was able to settle the territorial disputes between the states and organize the Northwest Territory, the government under the Articles did little more. It failed to confront the British over their illegal occupation of forts in the west, negotiated a treaty with Spain that would have prohibited travel on the Mississippi for 30 years (never ratified), and even failed to confront the Barbary Pirates. The Congress could not raise funds, could not regulate commerce, and could not regulate trade. The Congress could not even raise a national army (presuming of course it found a way to fund it). In 1826, the situation boiled over with the outbreak of Shays’ Rebellion.[3]
What at first was an uprising of farmers in western Massachusetts, soon turned into a minor rebellion. The Rebellion was exacerbated by Congress’s inability to respond to the crisis until it was already out of control. It was only ended when Congress negotiated the funding of the New York and Connecticut militias to assist Massachusetts and defeat the rebels at the Battle of Boston.
Shays’ Rebellion finally forced the leaders of the country to face facts, the Articles weren’t working. With that in mind these leaders finally met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. However, from the serious problems began to show. A ground swell of opposition to any form centralization, lead Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and George Clinton. Benedict Arnold, second only to George Washington in popularity, could not overcome this torrent of anti-federal authority. Washington’s son, George Lawrence Washington, attended and spoke effectively for a strong federal government and soon gained the respect of most people in the room. Not even he, though, could overcome the discord in the room. Finally, people like Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Adams, who would become heroes in their own right were, at this point, regional celebrities at best.
With all of this the Philadelphia Convention concocted a weak compromise to strengthen the Articles of Confederation. The Congress would remain untouched, but be granted additional powers, including the power to tax. An Executive Council, of three people appointed by Congress for two years, was created to carry out the laws. Finally, a life time judiciary was created. [4] It could be said this was an admirable attempt to solve the problems of the country and avoid a breakup of the states. Unfortunately these changes did not go far enough to resolve the problems facing the country. The states still had far too much power in relation to the Federal Government, the military was still composed mostly of militia, and the executive branch was unwieldy and beholden to the Congress.
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The Western Rebellion, or Whiskey Rebellion as it’s also known, traces its roots to 1790 [5]. In that year, Congress finally passed an excise tax on whiskey in order to raise the revenues they desperately needed. Unfortunately, farmers in the western regions of Pennsylvania and Ohio territory use whiskey as a key part of their economy. Over the next four years, federal tax officials struggled to collect the tax from increasing obstinate and hostile farmers. What is more is that the executive council of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Clinton dithered and debated while the situation spun out of control.
The situation came to a head in 1794; the local tax magistrate, Malcolm Bush, ordered the appearance of twelve farmers to appear in court in Philadelphia for failure to pay the tax. He was delivering the writs with the aid of General Michael Neville. While most of the writs were delivered without a problem, shots were fired at the pair of men from a farm ten miles south of Pittsburgh. The magistrate was able to retreat back to Pittsburgh, while Neville returned to him home. Soon, however, the home was surrounded and shots were exchanged before the gunmen retired. The next day, however, the “rebels” reappeared and their number had grown to over 700 [6]. Neville, too, had re-enforcements though, in the number of 10 former US Army soldiers. After a series of tense negotiations, and the freeing of the women and children, shots were exchanged for over an hour. Finally, the leader of the rebels, Major James MacFarlane, himself a veteran of the war, attempted to call a cease fire. As he stepped out into the clear, however, he was shot and killed.
With the “murder” of MacFarlane, the riots turned into a rebellion spread like wildfire. Soon “moderates” in the group were being marginalized and radicals were assuming control. No one was more radical than David Bradford, who likened what was happening in Pennsylvania to the outbreak of the French Revolution and compared himself to Robespierre.
Bradford and his men seized control of the local towns and began intercepting the mail to discover those that opposed him. Those that did were cast out of the town and their property seized “in the name of the people.” On August 1st, Bradford and 7000 of his supporters met at Braddock’s Field and declared a Second Revolution. They marched on Pittsburgh and began rampaging and looting. When the fighting died, Bradford was in control of Pittsburgh, over one hundred people were killed, and hundreds more were under arrest awaiting trial for “crimes against the people”. It wouldn’t be long before these “criminals” were found guilty and executed via the guillotine.
-fighting in the streets of Pittsburgh
While all of this was happening, General James Wilkinson was beginning to spread discord in Kentucky. Wilkinson had previously pledged his allegiance to the Spanish King, though by 1788 that support seemed to have withered. Now, though, Spain had contacted Wilkinson about a renewed partnership. Wilkinson, seeing the chance for personal gain, readily accepted and began arming supporters and spreading propaganda against the Government. It was not long before armed bands were loose in the Kentucky countryside
-Portrait of Wilkinson, done prior to his treason
Finally, when news of the rebellions reached Vermont, still not a part of the Union [7], radicals in Windsor (the capital at the time), took the opportunity to declare a new Vermont Republic and pronounce it was ending its application to join the United States.
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The response in Philadelphia [8], was chaotic at best. The Congress and Executive Council had gone from minor discontent in western Pennsylvania to rebellions in three parts of the country in the span of a few weeks. They immediately began looking for a quick response, which they did by ordering the Pennsylvania militia to march on Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, when the militia arrived they were far outnumbered and several members of the militia abandoned their fellows and joined the rebellion. Then, the scared and outnumbered militiamen opened fire initiating a pitched battle that resulted in countless deaths. When the 1st Battle of Pittsburgh was concluded over three hundred were dead and furor against the heavy handed leaders in Philadelphia had reached new highs.
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George Lawrence Washington, thirty four at outbreak of the Western Rebellion, had maintained contact with many of his friends and allies from the War of Independence. Chief among those allies was Benedict Arnold (commander and friend), Alexander Hamilton (his father’s aide and brilliant theorist), and John Laurens (his brother-in-law and friend). He had also remained involved with Virginia politics and a close friend of Governor Henry Lee (another leader from the War of Independence). When word of the rebellions reached him at Mount Vernon he was greatly distressed. A letter addressed to Hamilton relayed his feelings, “When I hear of this violence in Pennsylvania I find myself glad that my father did not live to see such dark days. For surely the state of our great country would break his heart.”
When word reached him that Congress had called forth a national army he immediately volunteered and was commissioned a colonel and named commander of the 1st Virginia Regiment. He soon learned that Arnold, Hamilton, and Laurens had accepted similar commissions at various ranks. Unfortunately, Josiah Harmar was named Commander-in-Chief, a task Harmar was not cut out for.
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Regiments under the command of Arnold and Hamilton were soon marching into Vermont and occupying the towns. While they easily controlled the populated areas, they would continue to have trouble from marauders for two more years.
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The Rebels in both Pennsylvania and Kentucky spent the winter months drilling and training, putting together a “citizen army.” Meanwhile, regiments under the command of Harmar were undergoing similar training outside of Philadelphia.
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In the spring of 1795, Harmer dispatched a force of three regiments of infantry, under the command of General Arthur St. Clair to Pittsburgh with orders to capture the city and arrest the leaders of the rebellion. The force included the 1st Virginia Regiment under Washington.
When the Government forces arrived outside of Pittsburgh on April 5th, they were greeted with a city armed with cannon from Fort Fayette [9]. The ensuing 2nd Battle of Pittsburgh was another defeat for the Government as the cannon and number of rebels overwhelmed St. Clair and his forces. Fortunately, unlike 1st Pittsburgh, the Government forces were able to retreat in good order. Additionally, Washington gained notoriety when he and his regiment personally “lead” the fighting retreat by remaining in the rear. This heroism was in addition to Washington the men earlier in the Battle and preventing a route.
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While Washington’s star was on the rise, the Congress and the Executive Committee were becoming more and more unpopular by the day. While outside of the west, the Rebels were viewed as traitors and criminals, the people were increasingly frustrated at the failure of the Government to respond. This frustration was further compounded by the continued economic and political problems that had plagued the country since its founding. Washington, in the eyes of these people, represented a return to the early days of Independence and reminded them of his father, whom he looked like.
Not all were fans of Washington, however. Those that still clung to the Articles of Confederation, especially those in the Executive Council, viewed Washington as tyrant in waiting. “Young Washington controls the hearts of the people and the military. We must do something before he decides to raise his own banner,” is an alleged quote from Patrick Henry during a ball in Philadelphia. To that end, the Congress decided to promote Washington and send him west to deal with Kentucky.
While the situation in Vermont was mostly dealt with and the “Committee for Liberty” (the name the rebels in Pennsylvania had begun calling themselves) was largely contained to the western portions of Pennsylvania, the situation in Kentucky was quickly unraveling. The rebels there had moved into the Northwest Territory and into Tennessee and, under orders from Wilkinson, had begun harassing the Native Americans along the frontier. This had led to a response from the tribes who were now attacking Americans at will. So far, the limited Government forces there had been largely ineffectual.
The Government was hoping Washington would fail in containing Wilkinson, thus tarnishing his record. Washington, for his part, accepted the appointment but was adamant of about receiving adequate support in the form of troops and cavalry. In the end, Washington received 2 regiments of infantry, 1 regiment of cavalry, and a company of riflemen. The Government had originally offered Washington three regiments of infantry and no riflemen. Washington was familiar with the situation in Kentucky and realized the rebels were fighting a campaign similar to what he and Arnold had done in the South during the War. As a result, he knew the riflemen would be much more valuable and so traded the infantry for the rifles. On May 23, 1795 Washington and his force set out to restore order in the west.
-drawing of an American rifleman
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With the ongoing problems more and more people were becoming upset with the current government and the Articles of Confederation. In Virginia, Henry Lee was increasingly popular in Virginia. The Laurens family in South Carolina and John Adams and his family in Massachusetts and New England were increasingly popular in their calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Hamilton, retired once again from the military, began writing the “Federalist Papers” with James Madison of Virginia. The Papers called for a strong federal government and reminded people that tyrants could be created by the abuses of liberty in the same way as the oppression of it. At the same time, the Executive Council was facing increasing difficulties and even their loyalists were beginning to question them.
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The Government finally re-occupied Pittsburgh on August 1st, 1795 when a combined force of infantry, cavalry, and cannon marched on Pittsburgh. This force was under the command of General Anthony Wayne. The 3rd Battle of Pittsburgh was a hard fought battle on both sides, but in the end Wayne’s forces triumphed through a mix of hard training, skill, and discipline.
Bradford was captured, tried, convicted, and executed, as were a number of other leaders. The Congress, meanwhile, pardoned the lower level rebels and rioters who agreed to throw down their weapons and pledge allegiance to the Government. This action greatly lessened the tension, however a low level rebellion would continue for years and that region would give rise to many similar populist movements, not the least of which caused the American Civil War in 1864 [10].
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As part of Washington’s orders, Congress commanded him to “deal with the Native Indians as he sees fit.” According to the Congressional notes, Congress had intended for Washington to engage and destroy the Native Americans. Fortunately for the Natives and the country and unfortunately for Congress, Washington did not “deal with the Natives” in that way. Washington had been greatly influenced by his father on the subject of the Native tribes. Both men considered Natives to be equal to white men, only their society was inferior. Washington also recognized the strategic situation. He could only fight one group at a time; if he engaged the Natives he would only strengthen Wilkinson. On the other hand, the Natives were large in number, skilled fighters, and had been largely confining their war to Wilkinson’s group. Washington, therefore, made it his mission to win over the Natives.
On July 8th, Washington and his officers met with Native leaders Little Turtle and Blue Jacket, along with their aids outside of Toledo near the Maumee River. Included in the Native party was a young Tecumseh, who would go on to be a Native leader in his own right. Among other things Washington brought food, blankets, medical supplies, and gun powder as gifts to the Natives. These gifts, along with Washington’s earnest way of talking won over the Natives. Little Turtle, in particular, was struck by Washington. Reportedly Washington gave Little Turtle a pair of pistols and said to use them on "the first man who ever comes to subjugate you." [11]
The next day Washington and the Natives signed the Treaty of Fallen Timbers. In the Treaty, Washington and the Natives agreed to work together to stop Wilkinson. Washington promised to help defend Native settlement and continue to provide supplies. The Natives agreed to stop their indiscriminate destruction of settlers’ property. Finally, Washington, privately, promised to work to ensure the Natives were not pushed out of their territory by settlers once the conflict was ended.
-Lithograph of Little Turtle
When word of the Treaty reached Philadelphia, some members of Congress were furious at the terms of the Treaty and accused Washington of a coup. Others recognized the situation and agreed to deal with it when the conflict was over. Still others, the growing number of “Federalists” applauded the Treaty.
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The Natives were not the only local forces Washington recruited along the way. Several militia groups from Kentucky, Ohio, and the Tennessee Territory had joined up with Washington, swelling his numbers. Most important of these was a group from Tennessee men led by a lawyer by the name of Andrew Jackson.
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Washington knew that he would not be able to win the conflict under the current rules. Wilkinson’s force seemed to strike at random and disappear before he could respond. As a result, Washington intended to change the rules. Natives, cavalry, and militia would spread out into the country side and attempt to engage Wilkinson. Meanwhile, Washington’s infantry would occupy the cities to deny Wilkinson any safe harbor. Washington himself, however, was not with the infantry; he decided to lead one of the cavalry troops himself.
This strategy, by and large, quickly proved effective and soon Wilkinson was on the run. The key battle occurred at early September in southern Kentucky at the Battle of Brown Banks (near todays Tecumseh [12]). There, a combination force of militia and Natives, under the command of Andrew Jackson engaged a group of Wilkinson troops, including Wilkinson himself. During the Battle, Jackson was nearly killed and only saved when Tecumseh, who was with the Natives, knocked Jackson to the ground. The Battle was won by Jackson and his men and gave chase to the rebels. When the rebels were faced with the Mississippi, Jackson thought he had them, until they got into boats and crossed the river into Spanish territory.
Jackson and Tecumseh gave chase across the river, but were engaged by Spanish troops working with the rebels. While Washington had long suspected the Spanish in aiding the rebellion (they had found Spanish gold, weapons, and supplies), he now had direct proof. He had larger problems, though; he needed to stamp this rebellion out.
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Washington spent the winter in Kentucky, training with his men and receiving re-enforcements. Washington was finally able to force Wilkinson to stand and fight in southern Illinois at the Battle of Creek Bend on March 30th. Washington’s Native forces had located Wilkinson and began tracking him. Using this information, Washington was able to trap Wilkinson’s force between his forces, which he had split. At the Battle, Washington’s forces decimated Wilkinson’s force (he himself was killed during the battle).
-Portrait of Battle of Creek Bend
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Washington rose even higher in popularity with his victory over Wilkinson and securing the peace in the west. Some members of Congress, however, was extremely upset. Washington was a hero among the people and solidly in the “Federalist” camp. Samuel Adams, who had replaced Jefferson on the Executive Council, is reported as saying, “We sent him out there to die, not become a hero!”
Congress had becoming increasingly Federalist, but was still majority “Confederate.” They, therefore, conspired remove Washington before he could become even more popular and on April 1st they quietly ordered General Wayne to relieve Washington of his command and see him brought back to Philadelphia for a Court Martial. Ostensibly, he was charged with usurpation of authority by negotiating Fallen Timbers with the Natives. Privately, they were hoping to convict Washington before the mob learned of the charges.
Congress, however, was in for a surprise. General Wayne arrived in Washington’s camp and informed him of his orders. Wayne also informed Washington he wasn’t going to follow those orders. Washington, Wayne, Jackson, and Tecumseh decided quickly on how they would respond. Washington, would take Wayne and Jackson back to Philadelphia with him to deal with Congress while Tecumseh and the Natives protected the frontier from any Spanish incursions. As they got close they would send scouts into the city with news of what Congress had done.
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The plan worked perfectly. By the time Washington’s army was within twenty miles of Philadelphia Congress was surrounded by angry mobs. In the chaos, many Confederate members of Congress tried to flee. Some succeeded in escaping, others were captured and detained, if they were lucky. Hamilton, Madison, and Laurens (all of whom were in Congress), meanwhile, proclaimed an end of the Articles of Confederation and the Confederate’s guilty of Treason.
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Washington marched into Philadelphia at the head of an army. The remaining Congressional troops either surrendered or changed sides as Washington approached. The next day Washington and the other Federalists issued a declaration offering amnesty for all rebels and confederate members with the exception of a few people. Washington ordered those people not pardoned by captured for trial. Further, he invited the states to Philadelphia for a Convention to “decide the future of our country.”
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On September 15, 1796 Washington gaveled to session the Philadelphia Convention.
[1] – Apparently a common thing for him and those in Virginia at the time.
Source
[2] – She is referenced
here at the bottom. I am guessing her age.
[3] – Wee bit worse than OTL
[4] – Similar to the New Jersey Plan
[5] – Delayed one year than OTL.
[6] – Larger in number
[7] – Never became a state in 1791 because of continued issues with the border
[8] – still the capital
[9] – Presuming, here, that the fort was armed with cannon.
[10] – Teaser
[11] – different circumstances and person than OTL
[12] – OTL Columbus
