1769-1770 : Turn 4 Results

Apologies for the delayed posting, but regular life had intervened.  

And administrative note first.  We will do 3 more turns after this one:

• 1771-1772
• 1773-1774
• 1775

Let's see where this leads!

1769- 1770

Summary

• The Royal Governor cuts off supplies of gun powder to the militias and will only issue powder to Royal officers.
• The Low Country militias, led by the planters, dressed as Cherokee Indians, overpower the meager guard force and take control of the Powder Magazine in Charles Town!  They empty the magazine and hide the gun powder supplies in various secret locations in the low country swamps.
• A month after the "Charles Town Powder Party," A full regiment of troops arrive in Charles Town, having been dispatched by parliament to enforce taxes and quell sedition.
• The back country militias watch the developing situation.  Cherokee raids are now restricted to attacking over mountain men settlements that violate the proclamation line.

Meanwhile...

• A mob attacks British troops guarding the customs house in Boston.  Nervous troops open fire, killing 5 civilians.  The Sons of Liberty immediately dub this "The Boston Massacre"
• New England colonial leaders issue a call to all of the colonies to send representatives to a "Continental Congress" in 1771 to determine what sort of collective action should be taken against "Royal Oppression."

Click Map to enlarge

Detailed Arguments and results

Royal Governor - Strong, SUCCESS

The Royal Governor will cut off access to powder from the magazine in Charles Town and will only issue powder to officers with a Royal commission. As a result the low country militia wil be cut off from powder supplies and back country militias will only recive powder if they have Royal officers attached.

This will succeed because:

• Previously, the magazine was secured by a company of regular troops under the authority of the governor 
• This action is completely within the Governor's authority
• It supports Parliament's goal of discouraging locally controlled militias

Low Country Planters - Strong, SUCCESS

The Low Country unified militia, disguised as Cherokee Indians, will seize the powder magazine in Charles Town at night, remove the powder and hide it in different secret locations in the low country swamps. This will succeed because:

• The planters control the low country and with their widespread smuggling network, can easily transport and hide the powder.
• The Low Country militia were previously unified under the command of the big planters
• The Powder Magazine is only lightly guarded by one company of troops and can easily be over powered
• The Low Country militias are angry that the Royal governor has seized the magazine.

Parliament - Strong, SUCCESS

Parliament is observing the belligerence of the Spanish and growing separatist sentiments and will begin to shore up its presence in the colonies.

A regiment of Redcoats will be sent to the colony to help deter any Spanish shenanigans. While there, they will also serve as a visible reminder of Royal authority and will assist in the deterrence of smugglers and enforcement of taxes as needed.

We will accompany this by regular proclamations of the “Spanish Threat” and calls for unity and discipline in the face of rabble-rousers and foreign incursions.

This will succeed because:

• We have ample troops available.
• The strong back-country militias are able to fend off Cherokee provocations, allowing the regiment to focus on revenue collection and internal security.
• We can improve local participation with a bounty system, supervised by the military attache’s we have provided the militia.

POTENTIAL CONFLICT

Will the Regiment arrive from England in time before the Low Country planters attack the powder magazine?  I rated this as weak, due to the communication delay between the Americas and London and roll.  It fails, so the Regiment arrives in Charles Town to find the magazine already emptied...

Back country Farmers - Status Quo

They are laying low right now, content with their own justice system and strong defense against the Cherokee.

But... Increased restriction of smuggling and more customs duties is increasing the cost of living in the back country, as all of their finished goods come via the port of Charles Town.