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Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003


WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA
Join us for chat @ https://discord.gg/H7mZsm9
If you want to play, simply post your intention to grab an ungrabbed character, or to make one of your own for the approval of the GM. This game requires 0 knowledge or expertise of any kind of roleplaying system as it is almost entirely freeform, with some very simple to understand stats.

USEFUL DOCS AND WEBSITES
Personal Information - Please keep your location up-to-date!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JtQf50h9Bi8gkHE5lxgfX4E5Rgkn4lGT4TLq36xDBiA/edit?usp=sharing

Senate Votes - Updated by Barbed Tongues, sorry Sniper, this one is better!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AudrEWTCRsiSX59jULeoGIkzuy15Z82KUewmuoQcW1o/edit#gid=0

Map Distance Calculator - 1 AP cost per 200 miles traveled
https://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-distance-calculator.htm

Action Posting - Post your actions here each turn so FSAD can keep track of what's going on
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iEWkY28FgAiph68JInPxmzg-lXEchQXAqaeAafIUpLc/edit#gid=0

Budget - This spreadsheet keeps the current budgets of the federal and state governments
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lU0UqEV48BDeQd1lGfi6nKkQ8O-C050rLrN-wztMS6M/edit#gid=0

The Six States of California - This spreadsheet keeps information on the six blessed states of California
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fPJbB0sZJrIzxsjjrsNtDPfuo5aPyP_kD3xHzoweOlc/edit#gid=0


INTRODUCTION

On June 29th, 1846, Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stepped from Buckingham Palace, having just tendered his resignation to the young Queen Victoria after losing a vote-of-no-confidence. Wracked with social unrest due to the repeal of the Corn Laws, the Irish Famine, and the Maynooth Grant controversy, Peel left the government in shambles. The naive and emotional British Empress furthered the discord in Britain when she attempted to reappoint William Lamb, a prominent Whig and favorite of the Queen, to the Prime Minister’s seat. The outcry by the extant Conservative majority in parliament brought the British government to a moment of crisis, with prominent voices (including Peel himself) calling for the appointment of Frederick FitzClarence, illegitimate son of William IV, to the kingship. With unrest gathering in Ireland, Victoria begged one man to pull himself above the fray, to support the monarchy and unify the nation by once more taking on the role of Prime Minister, this time in more than a caretaker position. Thus, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, ascended to the leadership of Great Britain at the age of 77. His first official act: British intervention to cut the United States of America down to size and unite the nation, for Queen and Country!


TIMELINE
1846 (Jul) - US invasion of Mexico is a disaster after Britain joins war on Mexico’s behalf. British expeditionary force cuts off US troops in Central Mexico.
1847 (Apr) - American forces withdraw from Mexico proper. British troops occupy Texas, which "votes" for secession from the Union. Texas is established as a British protectorate, immediately in conflict with the Mexican state due to its immense land claims to the edge of the Rocky Mountains.
1847 (Jun) - Britain forces the US to pay reparations to Mexico and Britain both. British reparations are given up in favor of total control of the Oregon Territory. A strong Whig government comes to power in Washington after riots depose Congress.
1847 (Nov) - American military forces occupying Alta California proclaim that they will hold the land until Congress authorizes payment of past wages. The new Whig Congress refuses to pay soldiers, due to both lack of funds and popular resentment of military. Mexican political chaos in Yucatan allows the American forces to establish themselves in a political vacuum.
1848 (Mar) - Gold is discovered in New Helvetia by members of the Mormon Brigade while hunting for deer.
1848 (Sep) - British government offers de facto recognition to American forces in control of California, with the Iron Duke proclaiming that he would not have California for the Americans, nor the Mexicans, nor the natives.
1849 (Apr) - Word has spread far and wide, and prospectors are flooding the region. Local military government is collapsing as soldiers are abandoning their posts to prospect. Mexico and America are making threats. Texas is suggesting confederation, with associated risks of British control and protection both. Prominent persons of California converge on Yerba Buena to formulate an official government.


RULES
Each player will PM or email their orders to FSAD. Actions are freeform, as in you can do whatever it is reasonable to imagine your character will do. Success will be decided somewhat randomly, and the chances of success will be subjective. The only control you will have over this are a number of points. Each player will receive 10 points per turn which they can apportion between their actions. The more points you apply to any action you do, the higher the chances of success.


MECHANISMS OF POWER
Government: A Republic has been established. It is firmly set along American lines, and in almost every respect apes the American constitution.
Capital: San Francisco (Provisional)
Legislative Mechanism: Republic
Judicial Mechanism: Locally established Mexican law traditions, mob rule
Executive Mechanism: Constitutional executive
Tariffs: None established
System of Taxation: None established
Bureaucracy: Civilian government is nearly non-existent outside of San Francisco, Moroni and Nueva Helvetia, where it is entirely within the hands of a few elite. Wealthy local elites are in non-official control of Californio settlements. Few appointments are based entirely on nepotism and cronyism.
Land Ownership: Large Californio-controlled ranching estates under the Spanish/Mexican land grant system, this system is under immense strain as miners are ignoring Californios
Administrative Divisions: 6 states, large territorial claims. Most of the states are little more than lines on a map in San Francisco. Outside of the few areas of control, the government is non-existent.
Indian Administration: Missions along southwestern coast, unincorporated elsewhere
Education: Private, family-based except in San Francisco and Nueva Helvetia
Religion: Decrepit mission system broken by Mexican reforms for a generation. Californios are overwhelmingly Catholic, Anglos are overwhelmingly Protestant. Relatively large Mormon population in San Francisco and Moroni, while eastern Nimrod is experiencing a wave of Protestant Anglo immigration.
Stability: The country is overwhelmingly stable and settled after the recent declaration of Republic. The Californios of the south have been left alone, and the wide franchise and gold fever limits any social instability.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
British Empire - Friendly yet patronizing, clearly an unequal relationship, possible designs on California now that gold has been found
Leader - Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
Government - Constitutional Monarchy, Conservative Party Majority in Parliament

United States - Unfriendly, state of non-recognition, considers Anglo military to be traitors, yet Manifest Destiny is discredited and Whigs currently have no territorial designs outside of the US.
Leader - President Robert Charles Winthrop
Government - Constitutional Republic, Whig supermajority in Congress

Republic of Texas - Friendly, seeks alliance and union as well as friendship with Britain
Leader - President Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar
Government - Aristocratic Republic, Democratic supermajority in Congress

Republic of Mexico - Antagonistic, feels that California was stolen from it, only held back from invading by British and internal chaos
Leader - Dictator-for-life Antonio López de Santa Anna
Government - Weak Republic, Liberals act as rubber stamp for Santa Anna who has taken dictatorial control of the nation

MAPS
North America Political Map - These borders are extremely tenuous and would be better understood as maps of claims more than anything else.
Click for Big


Western North America - Detailed map of control.
European settlements of significance are circles, Indian settlements are diamonds, military forts are triangles.
Yellow is Californian, Blue is American, Green is Mexican, Pink is British.


Click for Big


GOVERNMENT
1849

Fall Sick and Die fucked around with this message at 21:47 on Dec 17, 2016

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Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003
CHARACTERS
General Stephen W. Kearny - Commander of California Battalion, Anglo President

Played by: cxcxxxxx
Charisma: 2 Command: 3 Economics: 3 Learning: 3
Influence: 4 (+2 President, +1 Federalist Leader, +1 War Hero)
Vendetta: John C. Fremont
Status: In San Francisco

Robert F. Stockton - Anglo Naval Commander

Played by: Epicurius
Charisma: 4 Command: 4 Economics: 2 Learning: 2
Influence: 5 (+3 High Military Command, +1 War Hero, +1 Beloved of the People)
Status: In San Francisco

William Walker - Young, brash Anglo ideologue, recent immigrant

Played by: ZearothK
Charisma: 5 Command: 5 Economics: 3 Learning: 4
Influence: 0
Status: In San Francisco

José Castro - Californio former governor and recent militia leader

Played by: Sigourney Cheevos
Charisma: 3 Command: 3 Economics: 3 Learning: 3
Influence: 3 (+2 Wealth, +1 Governor)
Status: In San Francisco

Samuel Brannan - Mormon leader, newspaperman in San Francisco

Played by: Sniper4625
Charisma: 4 Command: 1 Economics: 4 Learning: 4
Influence: 8 (+1 Senator, +1 G.E.P. Leader, +1 Mormon Leader, +2 Alta California Editor, +3 Wealth)
Status: In San Francisco

John C. Frémont - Anglo explorer, military commander

Played by: Takanago
Charisma: 4 Command: 3 Economics: 1 Learning: 3
Influence: 4 (+1 Senator, +1 Republican Leader, +2 Fame)
Vendetta: Stephen W. Kearny
Status: In San Francisco

Wang Long - Chinese leader of first immigrant group of 325 Chinese

Played by: Ramba Ral
Charisma: 3 Command: 3 Economics: 5 Learning: 1
Influence: 3 (+1 Governor, +2 Chinese leader)
Status: In San Francisco

John Sutter - Swiss immigrant businessman and landowner
Played by: Paper With Lines

Charisma: 2 Command: 2 Economics: 5 Learning: 3
Influence: 4 (+3 Wealth, +1 Senator)
Status: In San Francisco

Pío Pico - Former governor and immensely wealthy Californio rancher

Played by: MAYBE YOU?? HIS PLAYER QUIT PLAYING...
Charisma: 3 Command: 3 Economics: 3 Learning: 3
Influence: 2 (+2 Wealth)
Status: In San Francisco

Kit Carson - Anglo mountain man, wilderness guide, associate of John C. Fremont

Played by: ThatBasqueGuy
Charisma: 4 Command: 4 Economics: 1 Learning: 1
Influence: 1 (+1 Fame)
Status: In San Francisco

John Coffee Hays - Former head of the Texas Rangers, lawman, immigrant from Texas

Played by: Shen-ji Yang
Charisma: 3 Command: 5 Economics: 1 Learning: 2
Influence: 2 (+1 Democrat Leader, +1 Fame)
Status: In San Francisco

Brigham Young - President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Played by: JosefStalinator
Charisma: 4 Command: 1 Economics: 3 Learning: 2
Influence: 5 (+1 Governor, +4 Absolute Leader of Mormon Community)
Status: In San Francisco

Josiah Warren - Radical, freethinker, individualist, utopian

Played by: ForeverBWFC
Charisma: 2 Command: 1 Economics: 5 Learning: 4
Influence: 0
Status: In San Francisco

Dong Reagan - Chinese immigrant and convert to the teachings of Hong Xiuquan

Played by: MaximoRoboto
Charisma: 1 Command: 3 Economics: 6 Learning: 6
Influence: 0
Status: In San Francisco

Pee Qa Chu - Chinese human being

Played by: mynamewas
Charisma: 5 Command: 1 Economics: 3 Learning: 4
Influence: 0
Status: In San Francisco

Charles Lucien Bonaparte - Ornithologist,

Played by: Enjoy
Charisma: 4 Command: 0 Economics: 0 Learning: 4
Influence: 2 (+1 Vice President, +1 Fame)
Status: In San Francisco

Elliot Harding - Negro Mining Leader

Played by: Erwin the German
Charisma: 4 Command: 2 Economics: 6 Learning: 1
Influence: 2 (+1 Senator, +1 Mining Leader)
Status: In San Francisco

James Sinclair - Factor for the Hudson Bay Company

Played by: Canuck-Errant
Charisma: 0 Command: 5 Economics: 6 Learning: 0
Influence: 2 (+2 Wealth)
Status: In San Francisco

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo - Californio Military Commander

Played by: cham888
Charisma: 4 Command: 4 Economics: 3 Learning: 0
Influence: 2 (+1 Governor, +1 Military Leader)
Status: In San Francisco

Jessie Ann Benton Frémont - Anglo wife

Played by: Barbed Tongues
Charisma: 5 Command: 1 Economics: 3 Learning: 3
Influence: 1 (+1 One of the only women in California)
Status: In San Francisco

José de los Reyes Berreyesa - Californio rancher and landowner

Played by: paragon1
Charisma: 3 Command: 5 Economics: 2 Learning: 3
Influence: 2 (+2 Wealth)
Status: In San Francisco
Vendetta: John C. Fremont
Vendetta: Kit Carson

Sergei Sokolov - Russian America Company trader and hat merchant

Played by: vicious cirtus
Charisma: 6 Command: 4 Economics: 6 Learning: 3
Influence: 1 (+1 Wealth from Company Position)
Status: In San Francisco

Ford Wallingford - British vagabond and farmer

Played by: EccoRaven
Charisma: 1 Command: 3 Economics: 4 Learning: 5
Influence: 0
Status: In San Francisco

Fall Sick and Die fucked around with this message at 07:37 on Dec 16, 2016

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd

Samuel Brannan

I look forward to helping build a stable and prosperous land of opportunity.

ZearothK
Aug 25, 2008

I've lost twice, I've failed twice and I've gotten two dishonorable mentions within 7 weeks. But I keep coming back. I am The Trooper!

THUNDERDOME LOSER 2021




Dibs on William Walker.

ZearothK fucked around with this message at 01:15 on Nov 27, 2016

Takanago
Jun 2, 2007

You'll see...

John C. Frémont

Kearney, you dog! You had better let me out of this God-forsakened jail immediately! You have no authority to keep me locked up in here! The California Battalion should be mine!

Takanago fucked around with this message at 04:11 on Nov 27, 2016

ThatBasqueGuy
Feb 14, 2013

someone introduce jojo to lazyb



Kit Carson

HarmB
Jun 19, 2006




José Castro

HarmB fucked around with this message at 05:19 on Nov 27, 2016

Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003
Welcome senor Castro and everyone else! Editing you into the group, come join us on discord if you have a chance!

Ramba Ral
Feb 18, 2009

"The basis of the Juche Idea is that man is the master of all things and the decisive factor in everything."
- Kim Il-Sung

Wang Long

A RICH WHITE MAN
Jul 30, 2010

See them other chickenheads? They don't never leave the coop.

I am Pío Pico.

A RICH WHITE MAN fucked around with this message at 20:49 on Nov 27, 2016

Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003
It's funny as the three basically most important characters haven't been chosen. I'd love to get some more people in for these guys before we start...

Kearny is a hardass military officer who in a way "stole" command of California from Stockton, the naval officer whose forces had actually secured most of California (Kearny and Stockton were of equivalent rank) long before Kearny arrived. Stockton put Fremont in charge of California, but Kearny clapped him in irons and in the original timeline, sent him back to the US and had him court martialed for insubordination. In this timeline, Kearny is in a much less secure position, and Fremont's California battalion along with his friends Kit Carson and Admiral Stockton might make it hard for him to keep Fremont imprisoned. Sutter was the guy whose settlement next to what would later be Sacramento allowed the Gold Rush to happen. He was a wild Swiss emigrant who set up basically his own kingdom in the central valley.

Fall Sick and Die fucked around with this message at 02:44 on Nov 28, 2016

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice


Sign me up for Robert Stockton.

cxcxxxxx
Sep 7, 2013

It is not possible to eat me without insisting that I sing praises of my devourer?
Ill take General Stephen W. Kearny


Paper With Lines
Aug 21, 2013

The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

I'll be John Sutter.

Sheng-Ji Yang
Mar 5, 2014





John Coffee"Jack" Hays, Former head of the Texas Rangers, recent immigrant to California

Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003


As the convention opens at Yerba Buena's ramshackle Niantic Hotel, more than a hundred of the most prominent and well-to-do Californios, Anglo settlers, American (or former American) military officers, European immigrants, and now even a few Asiatics of various sorts. An observer from the British Empire is present, though remaining relatively low-key, he insists firmly that he is only here to observe and report back to the British post in Oregon. While several Anglo military officers, especially those close to Frémont, have requested British recognition of the independent status of Alta California, the British have stated firmly that without any form of civilized government, it's quite impossible. No representatives from the Mexican government will deign to set foot in the convention hall, while the Americans have expressed complete disinterest apart from their desire to prosecute soldiers they consider to be AWOL for desertion, and have them shot should they return. A bearded Russian fur trader from the Humboldt Bay region walks among the convention attendees, seeking to learn and relay what he can to the Tsar's agents.

It is clear that the current state of affairs, the territory of California occupied by former American military officers, is not well constituted for the surge of immigration and wealth taking place with the discovery of gold in the foothills of the central valley. The Californios chafe at the end of their traditional privileges, while the new immigrant community, overwhelmingly western European and protestant, want nothing to do with Mexican tradition or law. It is clear that the first matter to take place and have a vote will be what form of government should be constituted. While California's claims in the east are all but unenforceable, the vast territory spreading east to the Rio Grande, and north to the Great Salt Lake, and everything inbetween, is far too sparsely settled to control at the moment. Some suggest abandoning that claim, and creating a republic composed of states along the American model. Many Californios say that California has always been one territory, and spurn ideas to give up or concentrate power. The immigrants see only the prospect of gold, and the possibility of greater riches in the vast, trackless desert.

OOC: I will present various possibilities for discussion here, consider it akin to a choose your own adventure storyline, with a bit more flexibility. Based on the decisions people make, some future decisions will be opened, while others will be closed off, so take that into consideration. In the end I will tabulate votes based on these characteristics: the influence of your character, how well you cooperate with other characters, and how well you argue for your position (or debate against other's positions) through forum posts. Players will post in this thread for a day or so and we'll consider the issue closed, then move on to the next issue, until it seems like most of the overwhelming issues of the constitutional convention are settled, then it'll open up to more freeform play. Try to keep some debate and discussion here rather than in chat rooms so people following can understand how things develop. As you debate, make it clear that you support one of these four choices in some OOC aside comment.

A. We are most of us here Americans, and America is a great nation! Let us recreate the Republic, a nation of states, clear separation of powers, and law!
B. A strong leader is what is needed to meld this disparate group of people together! Let us have a dictator, an emperor, some great man to rule us and make our nation strong!
C. We should look to the ancients, with a small population, let us have a truly popular democracy, one man one vote, akin to ancient Greece, and cut out the middleman of republican corruption!
D. American democracy is a failure, let us create a kingdom, along the lines of Europe, with a true monarchy... and seek alliance and support there!

Fall Sick and Die fucked around with this message at 07:18 on Nov 29, 2016

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd

Samuel Brannan

The notion of one man bowing to another is almost as ridiculous as the proletariat having any serious say in the affairs of the state. Let us construct a Republic to protect our freedoms, without restricting our natural rights to pursue our individual prosperities.

A

Epicurius
Apr 10, 2010
College Slice
Commodore Stockton




Gentlemen, is there really a question here? The great triumph of the American Revolution was that our forefathers set up a government of the people; one where the people could make their will known through their elected representatives. And, while the current Congress has betrayed us, I still state that the founders of the United States were the wisest leaders and thinkers on the face of the earth. By following in their example, we avoid tyranny of the rule of one man. What of the other option, of popular government, based on that of ancient Athens. Is this practical? Look at the land we claim. I see a future where Californians will settle and bring into productivity all of the territory we claim and even more. How then, can we expect citizens from all corners of our far flung land to come to the capital whenever a decision must be made? Athenian democracy might be appropriate to the governing of a single city, but not to a modern state.

I vote A, a republic.

cxcxxxxx
Sep 7, 2013

It is not possible to eat me without insisting that I sing praises of my devourer?
General Stephen W. Kearny


Gentleman, let us form a nation that respects the natural rights of man, a society of voluntary cooperation and non agression, free of the trappings of slavery and servitude, a nation of law, property, and propsperity. It is only with the reigns of the state in the hands of all men, that we can accomplish this vision. As such, I propose a constitution in the name of the fathers of liberty, a constitution to embody the liberty of America, before its hijacking in the name of oligarchs and cronies.


A

Paper With Lines
Aug 21, 2013

The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

John Sutter



Of course we should have an American style Republic (A). The masses cannot be trusted to ensure our democratic freedoms such as the right to private property and the god given right to defend ourself will not be infringed. James Madison's intuition was right that if men were angels we wouldn't need government. In this case, we need the sort of republican style of government to ensure our country and our people remain free and uncorrupted by the brooding wills of the masses.

Sheng-Ji Yang
Mar 5, 2014



Jack Hays

I have seen the worst of Tyranny, under the evil Santa Anna, and drove it from a newfound Republic much like this one. We cannot establish such a system here. The only system that guarantees the rights and liberties of every man is that of a Constitutional Republic based upon those built by our American and Texan forefathers.

A

Sheng-Ji Yang fucked around with this message at 10:15 on Nov 29, 2016

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd
Alas, my latest copy of the Alta Daily seems to have gotten damaged in transit - unfortunately only the very top survived. I shall have to have a word with the mail delivery.

JosefStalinator
Oct 9, 2007

Come Tbilisi if you want to live.




Grimey Drawer
Since all the others are taken, I wouldn't mind grabbing a certain

Bringham Young


Having just arrived with the Mormon exodus in the Salt Lake Valley, would this be a valid playable character? And can I come visit San Francisco for the convention?

Let me know if there's also more to the alternative-timeline mormon migration, since it seems like they might have a heavier SF presence in this timeline. Historically though, Young would have arrived in Salt Lake around 1847, so they're either already settling in Salt lake (for about 2 years, population ~10-20,000 and growing rapidly) or would have just arrived further West in any alternate world where Brennan convinced Young to do so.

JosefStalinator fucked around with this message at 10:17 on Nov 29, 2016

ZearothK
Aug 25, 2008

I've lost twice, I've failed twice and I've gotten two dishonorable mentions within 7 weeks. But I keep coming back. I am The Trooper!

THUNDERDOME LOSER 2021




A

The United States of America have been defeated in a war, it is true, but our mere presence here and the sovereignty of the Republic of Texas shows that America is greater than a single nation and its ideal shall prosper even in this darkest hour!

Takanago
Jun 2, 2007

You'll see...

John C. Frémont

Let it be known that even though I rot UNJUSTLY in jail I will still make my voice heard!

A!

My time is short, so I shall be quick. What, dare I say, is more important than freedom and liberty? Nothing! Without freedom, and without liberty, California shall crumble into the sand and sea!

cxcxxxxx posted:

General Stephen W. Kearny


Gentleman, let us form a nation that respects the natural rights of man, a society of voluntary cooperation and non agression, free of the trappings of slavery and servitude, a nation of law, property, and propsperity. It is only with the reigns of the state in the hands of all men, that we can accomplish this vision. As such, I propose a constitution in the name of the fathers of liberty, a constitution to embody the liberty of America, before its hijacking in the name of oligarchs and cronies.

Indeed, Kearny, I agree. We SHOULD be a nation that respects the natural rights of man! A nation where we cooperate! A nation free from slavery and servitude! And a nation that respects law and authority!

And, in fact! Guess what! I can tell you how you can accomplish ALL of these things!

LET ME OUT OF JAIL YOU rear end in a top hat!
By all rights, should be in charge, and not you! Let it be known to ALL that you had no authority to seize power away from me! And so long as I unjustly rot in jail I shall never stop exercising my right to free speech and tell the entire world how much of a tyrannical jack-rear end you are!

If you think the current situation is just, Stephen, let me ask you this: under WHOSE authority did you seize control of the California Batallion? Under WHOSE authority did you arrest me? President Polk's? I think we all understand how hypocritical it would be to say that now.

Control of California should currently be in Stockton and I's hands, not yours! But I understand that it will not be in your control much further! That is fine, I wouldn't want to be a dictator, either.

Just let me out of jail! Let us start this nation off on just moral grounds, and let us not undermine the foundation of our own freedom and liberty!

JosefStalinator
Oct 9, 2007

Come Tbilisi if you want to live.




Grimey Drawer
Bingham Young


We are delighted to hear of a constitutional convention, and we hope to attend the conference forthwith. Pending our participation, we would like to affirm the words of brother Bannan and voice our support for option A.

The Mormon people know well the price of tyranny, as well as the power of the mob to inflict harm on others. A king or tyrant will only infringe on our liberties and try to supplant the place of God, while a "popular democracy" in the style of the decadent Greeks will only see the majority steer the minority away from God's teachings and to their graves.

Let it be known that we are not particularly opposed to the idea of monarchy, if only of the constitutional kind, such that the monarch is a figurehead with minimal powers.

An Open Offer to All Leading Men of Virtue

Many of you have heard of the great prophet Joseph Smith, to whom the angel Moroni revealed the Truth of God and the secrets of the ancients. Those seeking the Truth, and entrance into heaven, are welcome to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to learn more about the teachings of our Prophet and our Lord. As the leader of the church, I recognize the weight of power and the responsibility we now hold as the founding fathers of this nation. Your responsibilities will continue and only be strengthened, as you will be elevated to positions of leadership in our burgeoning church that is in dire need of capable leaders while we build our Earthly realm.

Join our faith, and let us found a nation based on the teachings of Joseph Smith, and create a virtuous and just community without equal in this world.

Specifics We Seek to Be Addressed at the Convention

Let is be known that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known to many of you by the common term "Mormon", views this constitutional convention as a way to fix many of the festering imperfections of the American Constitution. We seek the following important clauses in the new constitution of the great nation of California:

A Federal System

One of the great inventions of the American constitution was Federalism, and the devolution of power to the states. However, the American constitution as currently interpreted from Washington DC has been corrupted by federal influence and power, such that we can no longer trust our liberties to be fully realized in our former homeland. Let us not make these same mistakes in California.

We seek a federal constitution that grants considerable power to the states. We leave up to the delegates to choose the borders and composition of other states, but the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have clearly established itself throughout our Eastern frontier, and expects that to be reflected accordingly.

Freedom of Religion

There is little our people hold more dear than the free exercise of religion. Like many of you, we come to this land seeking the riches of virtuous living, but also we seek to escape the oppression and prejudice of the United States. California's constitution MUST contain a clause that guarantees the free and full right to practice religion as individuals see fit. This is non-negotiable - my people have endured countless hardships and lost too many of their faithful brethren to enter the lion's den yet again. Failure to provide for the full and unfettered freedom of religion will see the Church look elsewhere for governance.

Right to Militia

Our people faced another hardship in the United States - the inability to defend ourselves from those who would seek to harm us. We were briefly granted a period of great power and protection on this Earth in the form of a militia, but this right was taken from us, and our Prophet most unjustly martyred by the wicked.

We seek that the constitution recognize our right to individual self defense, in the form of militia companies organized at the local and state level. As with the freedom of religion, failure to include such a clause risks the support of the Church in our great founding endeavor.

To John C. Fremont, Unjustly Imprisoned

We have heard your pleas, and they fall on sympathetic ears. Do not think we have forgotten your time marching with our people, surveying the land, and living off this Earth's bounty. You have the vigor of one who has heard the Prophet's words, and your imprisonment is unjust for one who strode the lands like a Giant on par with our noble settlers.

Everyone deserves redemption, and it is our mission to ensure no more become martyrs like Prophet Smith before us. As a sign of redemption, let us send an elder to see your conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Once this redemptive act is complete, we will do everything in our power to see you freed, and welcome you as an elder and father of our Church in recognition of your past efforts for our people.

JosefStalinator fucked around with this message at 09:15 on Nov 30, 2016

Sheng-Ji Yang
Mar 5, 2014



Jack Hays

Having spent many months traveling through the frontier of this great new nation, pioneering trails for settlers from the east, I have much experience with its geography. As we seem to be heading in the direction of a federal, constititutional republican government, might I propose the following states and territories?



(sorry if this is a bit jumping the gun, if too early ignore it)

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd
.

sniper4625 fucked around with this message at 18:47 on Nov 29, 2016

cxcxxxxx
Sep 7, 2013

It is not possible to eat me without insisting that I sing praises of my devourer?
General Stephen W. Kearny - Commander of California Battalion, Anglo President pro Tempore


To John C. Fremont,
If you would be so kind, please pursue a line of private correspondence with me, as I do think we could work something out to alleviate your current situation.


As for the suggestion of Brigham Young, I eagerly support his claim to the right of militia. Hemmed on all sides by foes current and future, well regulated militias at the state and local level will serve to bulwark the rights we both seem to hold dear. I heartily endorse his suggestion to the convention.

cxcxxxxx fucked around with this message at 19:11 on Nov 29, 2016

Ramba Ral
Feb 18, 2009

"The basis of the Juche Idea is that man is the master of all things and the decisive factor in everything."
- Kim Il-Sung

Wang Long

It is strange to want to adapt a system of government by a country that would want to hang you for disobedience. Perhaps a government that is properly following the teachings of the great philosopher might be better in ruling, but that is neither here or there. I do hope that those that govern do so justly and receive the Divine Mandate to rule. Lest this land descend into a bloody civil war.
I therefore propose that we do not whole heartedly just regurgitate the government on the east of this continent, but instead create something new even if we use the same foundation.

ultimately going to abstain on this one.

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd

Ramba Ral posted:


Wang Long

It is strange to want to adapt a system of government by a country that would want to hang you for disobedience. Perhaps a government that is properly following the teachings of the great philosopher might be better in ruling, but that is neither here or there. I do hope that those that govern do so justly and receive the Divine Mandate to rule. Lest this land descend into a bloody civil war.
I therefore propose that we do not whole heartedly just regurgitate the government on the east of this continent, but instead create something new even if we use the same foundation.

ultimately going to abstain on this one.

I heartily agree with your final point - though we may share a foundation with the government of which we were once a part, we have an opportunity to construct a far superior building on top of it. Let us not waste the opportunity.

Paper With Lines
Aug 21, 2013

The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

John Sutter


I must say, that as a Swiss citizen, it is of no consequence to me that the Americans want kill us in choosing a government. They have set up a situation which allows for prosperity and private enterprise to thrive. It would be foolish to adopt something that does not have those traits, even if the current set of American political actors and ourselves remain in a state of fracas.

Fall Sick and Die
Nov 22, 2003
By a clear acclamation of voices and speech throughout the convention hall, voices drown out any voices for anything but a republic. yet a few key voices discuss, what sort of Republic shall be crafted here? Who shall have the franchise?

A. The American system is best, let all white (Anglo) males have the franchise, whether they own property or not!

B. The American system has resulted in a degraded Jacksonian democracy rather than a true republic, let us restrict the franchise to white property-owners once again!

C. As the Roman system went, let us forge a Republic based on the prime example! Voting shall be done only by citizens, and citizenship should only be granted to those who meet certain criteria, not necessarily based on ethnicity or wealth, but also considering the possibilities of service to the state.

D. With such a mixture of peoples, the Latin American republics have great experience. Let people be classified by their degree of ethnicity, with those of greatest European descent rising to the top! We should have a Republic along the lines of Mexico!

E. As people march west, freedom marches forward! Let us expand the franchise as it has never been expanded before! Let all persons vote, regardless of race, religion or even sex!

F. The primary necessity of any system of representative government is that its citizens are animated by deep and sincere religious belief. Let us restrict the franchise to those who correctly worship the Lord God!

sniper4625
Sep 26, 2009

Loyal to the hEnd
William Brannan

It is my strong belief that those with the most invested in the success of the state should be similarly granted the greatest privileges within it. I personally am in favor of the landowner franchise, though I remain open to suffrage through some form of national service as well.

Expanding the franchise to those unsuited should be avoided, lest the petty whims and vagaries of the mob dash our ship of state upon the rocks of disaster.

B, might be persuaded to C

sniper4625 fucked around with this message at 22:04 on Nov 29, 2016

ZearothK
Aug 25, 2008

I've lost twice, I've failed twice and I've gotten two dishonorable mentions within 7 weeks. But I keep coming back. I am The Trooper!

THUNDERDOME LOSER 2021



William Walker

Strong Anglo stock has proven itself worthy of citizenship, and prosperity theology has shown us that those with wealth have been graced by God, and thus are also deserving of citizenship in our republic! I say more, soldiers have made this place a reality, heroes whose deeds honour Odysseus and Achilles as predecessors are here, it is thanks to the élan of the American army that we are gathered here in this historic occasion, so let us consider valour too a merit worth of citizenship, so that even those of humble beginnings and mongrel stock may rise above their station with deed and honour! The people make the nation, so let us make these three the cornerstones of the California Republic: For Family, Prosperity and Valour!

C

JosefStalinator
Oct 9, 2007

Come Tbilisi if you want to live.




Grimey Drawer
Bingham Young


The Arrival

My compatriots of California and brethren of the faith! Our arduous journey for liberation and safety is over.

We have travelled years to reach this moment. When we founded the city of Provo in the great Salt Lake Basin two years ago, I thought our journey ended. Yet, the liberation of California and the intervention of brother Brannan showed me that God had other plans for us, and we continued West, united in our devotion and faith.

With our arrival I announce the founding of two new cities that will serve as our new homeland and center of our Church.

Chief among them is Moroni (OTL Stockton). Situated in the great Valley of our new nation, those seeking their fortunes both on Earth and in Heaven will find safe haven in Moroni. Here I will make my residence, and here I refound the church, as Joseph Smith before me would have wished. We will begin construction on a great temple in his honor immediately.

We have also founded the city of Nauvoo (OTL Lodi) just north of Moroni, in honor of our great Prophet and the sacrifices made by our earliest brethren in Illinois. Here, river travel offers easy and safe access to the goldmines of the Sierra Nevada, and a refuge for those seeking a new life free from the prejudice and bloodshed of the Old World.

Let it be known that all who seek safe passage to the mountains and fields will find no quarrel with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Those who wish to hear the word of God and ensure countless riches in both this life and the next are welcome with open arms to visit our communities.

Paper With Lines
Aug 21, 2013

The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

John Sutter


While it is clear that some members of our burgeoning society are disadvantaged both genetically and in terms of human potential, it is not our constitutional duty to cripple them or benefit those who are not plagued with those defects. Everyone should have the ability to participate in the political process through voting. It is not the role of the state to exclude people from participating and it may disadvantage the cream of those peoples who rise above.

Additionally, the state is merely a means to an end without nobility. By restricting suffrage we give munition to malcontents who would divert their energy to correcting a perceived wrong rather than engaging in the more glorious pursuits of entrepreneurship. Restricting suffrage would be a distraction sooner rather than later.

E

ThatBasqueGuy
Feb 14, 2013

someone introduce jojo to lazyb


E

Full voting now, this land deserves nothing less

Sheng-Ji Yang
Mar 5, 2014



Jack Hays

I will support A, though it would be best to extend the franchise to our Californio brothers as well. While the uncivilized races should not be allowed to degrade our Republic, the Californios are a good, upstanding people. I have dealt with many Spaniards of various stripes and see no reason to exclude them.

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JosefStalinator
Oct 9, 2007

Come Tbilisi if you want to live.




Grimey Drawer

Fall Sick and Die posted:

By a clear acclamation of voices and speech throughout the convention hall, voices drown out any voices for anything but a republic. yet a few key voices discuss, what sort of Republic shall be crafted here? Who shall have the franchise?

A. The American system is best, let all white (Anglo) males have the franchise, whether they own property or not!

B. The American system has resulted in a degraded Jacksonian democracy rather than a true republic, let us restrict the franchise to white property-owners once again!

C. As the Roman system went, let us forge a Republic based on the prime example! Voting shall be done only by citizens, and citizenship should only be granted to those who meet certain criteria, not necessarily based on ethnicity or wealth, but also considering the possibilities of service to the state.

D. With such a mixture of peoples, the Latin American republics have great experience. Let people be classified by their degree of ethnicity, with those of greatest European descent rising to the top! We should have a Republic along the lines of Mexico!

E. As people march west, freedom marches forward! Let us expand the franchise as it has never been expanded before! Let all persons vote, regardless of race, religion or even sex!

F. The primary necessity of any system of representative government is that its citizens are animated by deep and sincere religious belief. Let us restrict the franchise to those who correctly worship the Lord God!

Brigham Young


This question is quite vexing, and highlights the unique dangers facing our nascent Republic. There are a great many corrupting influences, and the power of the masses to harm those of the minority who might spread the word of God in earnest peace is one to be greatly feared.

However, as already stated, a prerequisite to our participation in this nation building exercise is the protection of religious beliefs of all free men. We cannot allow the disenfranchisement of any for their beliefs, lest we find ourselves again oppressed in our new haven.

That said, we find it repugnant to grant those marked by the sin of Cain the franchise, as well as the women who guard our families from the corrupting influence of politics. Option E is unacceptable, beyond the religious guarantees.

As such, the LDS community votes for the following option:

F, if this is understood to cover the Christian faith (and our church is explicitly mentioned as enfranchised).

JosefStalinator fucked around with this message at 07:41 on Dec 16, 2016

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