God Bless Aaron Burr - The Alternate History
1806
Federalists block attempts to downsize the military and Navy.
September 20
Hamilton returns home from Europe with a renewed vigor for politics. He tries to rouse public support for the Federalists but does not arrive home in time to make much of a difference in the mid-term elections.
First Victories
1807
June 22
The U.S.S. Chesapeake is fired upon and then boarded by the H.M.S. Leopard off the US coast. Three Americans are killed, 18 wounded and four are forcibly taken by the British. The American public is outraged by this incident.
July 2
July 4
Despite his call for calm, Hamilton begins a personal campaign to hire inventors and mechanics to rebuild the US Navy, which has been in decline for many years. Hamilton is actually very angered by the Chesapeake Affair since he had been publicly praising Britain. He is deeply embarrassed.
October 17
In response to Jefferson's demand of July 2, Britain responds by saying she will begin an even more vigorous policy of impressment. Hamilton is even more outraged by this note than Jefferson.
December 14
The Non-Importation Act of 1806 is declared to be effect. Hamilton, realizing that this will alienate New England merchants, asks Jefferson to consider war. Hamilton realizes that the Non-Importation Act will probably never change the way the European powers treat the US, but a war (even one that causes short term economic harm to New England) will.
December 18
Jefferson disregards Hamilton and asks Congress to formulate an Act of Embargo against all foreign goods. Hamilton is appalled at Jefferson's lack of resolve. Hamilton pleads to Jefferson to enact harsher measures that won't harm American merchants. The President refuses but does finally agree to let Hamilton address Congress.
December 21
In a packed House of Representatives, with the Senate also sitting in, Hamilton addresses Congress.
"I am known as a Federalist, a New Englander, or a New Yorker. I am all of these. But more important than any of these…I am an American. I am an American. A citizen of the United States of America. A country of free men working together building something to be proud of. We men…we free men have fought and died to make this so. All we ask for is freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom to assemble. We attained this freedom in 1783. Or perhaps not?
"We still die at the guns of English ships. We are still dragged off at the whim of the King. We still cannot chart our own course in life. What freedom did we die for? Perhaps the freedom to raise a different flag? Is that the extent of our Freedom? Most assuredly that is what the latest King George thinks. Were we not victorious in 1783? Did General Gates not defeat the British at Saratoga in 1777? Did General Washington not defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1780? I for one do not live the lies that King George does. I know the truth. I know who was the victorious party at the peace table in Paris only 24 years before.
"I am free. I fought for freedom. We fought for freedom. Americans fought for freedom. Yet I have been wronged. We have been wronged. All Americans have been wronged!
"I know of an unpopular little declaration written many years ago. I was moved by what it said and even by those who wrote it. I think it is appropriate to read some of it now.
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, to a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
"It continues on… enumerating why one people would wish to separate from another. It lists the grievances in a clear and fair fashion. King George III took it as a declaration of war. And now his son has chosen to ignore it all together. Perhaps it is time to remind him of what occurred on July 4, 1776? Perhaps it is time for a different sort of declaration? Let us try something his father would have had no trouble understanding.
"America it is time for another Declaration of Independence. It is time for true freedom from tyranny. It is time for war."
Jefferson is shocked by Hamilton's brief speech. Congress had erupted into thunderous applause. Despite calls for an immediate vote on the issue the late time of day forced Congress to recess until the next day.
December 22
The United States declares war on Great Britain
God Bless Aaron Burr - The Alternate History
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