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Post by terrus on Jun 5, 2014 7:02:05 GMT -5
Dear James,
The Congress convened today, and Washington is abuzz with debate over the various bills presented to the assembly. It appears that my own rules will be adopted, the only objection being in error. But there is some debate over my Bill of Rights, which face a competing proposal. The two differ not the slightest in substance, but they do in design -- mine seeking to alter the text of the Constitution, theirs seeking to append amendments to the end. I am hopeful I can ultimately press through my own proposal, and establish some basic protections for the people in a logical fashion.
But let me not just bore you with politics. All is well in general here in New York. Your brother-in-law is seeking to establish a newspaper, it appears -- I guess he is tired of working at the New York Morning Post. He's asked me for my investment, and I've agreed. I cannot think of a better editor. I'm sure you've corresponded as much with your brother as I. Your mother and your sister-in-law have become quite committed to a local charity, operated by the church -- I'm sure it will do them well.
I hope all is well in the Caribbean, which Jack tells me is where you are of last report. Be careful down there. I hear constant news of pirate attacks. I know Jack keeps his vessels well-armed, but it always worries your mother. Make sure your duty officers stay awake. But I'll not keep you longer with such concerns.
Good luck, and good travels.
Sincerely,
James Terrus
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Post by terrus on Jun 7, 2014 8:31:12 GMT -5
Dear James,
The days go by slowly here in New York. Congress is in session, and it debates bill after bill, but I feel that the passion has left the chamber. There's been no discussion of the Bill of Rights, minimal discussion of the other proposals before the assembly. It seems national politics are occurring more and more behind closed doors, a disappointment to say the least. But I am hopeful we can still overcome the challenges before us. We will have to see.
All is well at home. Your mother and sister-in-law are a bit concerned about Chris; he's taking a force down to Georgia to fight the Seminoles. "Colonel Bretagne" is being lauded as a hero up here for it, but, we all know how conflicts go. Who knows if he'll return. His wife, I know, is quite concerned, and so is your sister-in-law by proxy. But there are few better soldiers than he. I am sure he will succeed.
Matt's newspaper is well up and off the ground. The Times is quickly becoming all the rage here in New York -- "the Swaim commitment," they say, referring to his promise to be neutral. Not a common thing around these parts. Maybe he'll usher in a new era -- of course, no matter what, I imagine our new nation will bring some kind of new era with it.
Good luck down there as always, and good travels.
Sincerely,
Your father
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Post by brandt on Jun 17, 2014 9:42:49 GMT -5
Dear James Terrus,
It was a pleasure to meet you at our Republican meetings this week, I would like to invite you and a guest to my plantation for a ball to happen in the next few days. If you would like I can provide you with a carriage to take you there personally myself, our plantation will be hosting a ball for around 500 invited guests and it is my hope that you will join us for such a joyous occasion. I have enjoyed meeting with you this week and hopefully this will extend the hand of friendship over the coming months.
Sincerely,
William Brandt
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Post by terrus on Jun 27, 2014 16:34:35 GMT -5
[Letter to Representatives Abraham Clark (I-NJ), Elias Boudinot (I-NJ), Frederick Muhlenberg (I-PA), Thomas Fitzsimons (I-PA), Daniel Hiester (I-PA), Thomas Hartley (I-PA), and Jonathan Sturges (I-CT).]
Dear Fellow Representatives,
Congratulations on your re-election. I am very pleased to see each of you heading to Federal Hall this year, and I know my son looks forward to working with each of you. It was an honor to campaign for each of you this past year, and I hope my editorials and my son-in-law's endorsements helped you win your electoral contests. Assuming my confirmation, I also look forward to working closely with you, so as to ensure the proper enforcement of the statutes enacted by Congress. I write you today not as Counsel designate, though, but rather as a statesman seeking the best course for our country.
We all share a commitment to moderation in policy. We all recognize that republicanism is ultimately a middle course -- a center between statism on the right and democracy on the left. We all recognize that federalism is ultimately a middle course -- a protection against the tyranny of a foreign invasion through the establishment of a federal government, but a protection against the tyranny of a domestic coup through the maintenance of state governments. And we all recognize that these moderate policies are the best way forward -- the way to ensure our nation can prosper in liberty.
Like yourselves, I thought the best way to further this middle course was through political independence, by avoiding partisan politics. It is for this reason that I departed the Republican Party -- an establishment quickly become too nationalized, and too centralized. It is for this reason that I avoided the National Democrats -- an establishment radicalized in every manner. I truly felt that by being an independent, I might be able to effect the kind of change this nation needs.
But it it clear now that independence is not a viable political strategy. The three American political parties are growing in strength, and are dominating the electoral process. The Republicans picked up six seats, the Federalists five seats, and the National Democrats three seats in the House of Representatives this year. The number of independents in the lower house of Congress was halved during the same period -- some thirteen non-aligned representatives lost re-election. It is clear that in the modern political age, remaining independent is simply not a realistic plan for anyone that seeks to return to Congress again to serve the public.
There is still an ability for individuals like ourselves to make a difference, though, without sacrificing our values for some partisan agenda. The Republicans and National Democrats have unveiled national agendas, yes -- but the Federalists have not done so. The Federalist Party has instead adopted a policy of mere cooperation, its universally moderate members agreeing to do nothing more than to help one another be re-elected, and to coordinate with one another to overcome this nation's challenges. The members of the Federalist Party are, in terms of policy, independent -- they do what is best for their constituents and their states, not what the party demands.
The Federalist Party thus provides the best of both worlds -- the political organization needed to be re-elected, and the independence needed to properly serve one's constituents. This is why I joined the Federalist Party this week, it is why my son has joined the Federalists with me. For though we were Republicans not that long ago, we now recognize that the Federalist Party is the only reasonable political faction. It is the only group that is committed to moderate values -- that is committed to coordination, not coercion, amongst its members.
I write in hopes that you will join me in joining the Federalist Party. With your help, the Federalists can assume a majority in the House of Representatives, and thus control the House's docket. Through that control, our party members can work together to ensure our various constituents' concerns are addressed, while generally promoting moderate legislation. My son himself plans to run for Speaker as the representative of the Federalist Party -- I know he would be a highly competent legislative leader. Even if you cannot bring yourself to join the Federalist Party, I hope you will choose to support his candidacy.
Thank you for taking the time to read this correspondence -- I hope you will seriously consider joining me in Congress' moderate caucus, the Federalist Party.
Sincerely,
James Terrus
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