NationStates Jolt Archive

With the onset of winter the temperatures have dropped to a chilling 60 degrees in Tristan Providence. All throughout the barony citizens have donned coats and over jackets to protect themselves from these fridge temperatures. 60 degrees might not seem that cold to people who live in the far north, but for the people of Tristan Providence, it is as cold as it gets.

Its now late November and in the capital city of Govannon Christmas shoppers have begun the siege on stores across town. Everything from toys, clothes, kitchen wear, and food has begun flying of the shelves. Retailers have been busier than bee’s in this busiest time of year. The largest industry in Tristan Providence- Paragon Motors- has also experienced the rush of Christmas. Like Santa’s elves, factory workers have worked day in and day out to produce the backbone of transportation in the region.

Some 30 miles from the industrial district of town, lay the seat of power for the Barony, the Old Castle. For over 300 years it has loomed over the city of Govannon, and today it is now inhabited by the government whom, like the castle, looms over the Barony. Much like its people, the government has been a hive of activity. However, for a much different reason. Within 4 hours, the Old Castle would see something it has not seen for a 100 years. The Baron’s of the 4 Baronies- Tristan Providence, Fyfe, Fingal, and Cristian- would be meeting to discuss their future together. Already security around the castle had become impregnable. Royal Providence Army Soldiers armed with the latest SX23A1 Caseless Assault rifle’s, patrolled the grounds around the fortress. No attack would be carried out on their watch.

Not 2 hours before the meeting was to begin, the first of the Baron’s began to arrive. A motorcade of 5 Paragon RoughRider SUVs pulled up at the gate. Blue and red lights blinked on the front hood of the vehicles as the Soldiers checked the credentials of the passengers inside. Once the IDs were confirmed the guards opened the gates, and the motorcade pulled in as the surrounding soldiers saluted. As the group of SUV’s arrived at the front entrance, the guards set up a perimeter. Greeting the Baron at his arrival was none other than the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Devin Anderson. He walked up right as the Baron was stepping out of the vehicle. “Baron Rorie, I pray that your trip was comfortable all the way from Cristian.” The Foreign Minister said has he shook the Baron’s hand. The short grey haired man smiled as he gripped the Ministers hand. “Ah, yes, thank you very much Mr. Anderson. I am so glad to be in a warmer climate, you would not believe how cold it was when I left.” He said with a chuckle. The two men walked side by side into the castle as the SUV’s pulled away to make room for the next motorcade which had just arrived.

Soon all 4 barons had arrived at the Old Castle. Baron Alec Kendall of Tristan Providence, who had been waiting in his office preparing his presentation since the wee hours of the morning. Baron Allen Rorie of Cristian, who we already know was glad to be in a much warmer climate, compared to the much colder 34 degrees in Cristian. Baron Athol Somhairle of Fyfe, a young, red headed man who has ruled his Barony for a mere 5 years since his father’s death. And finally Baron Laurentiu Alexandru of Fingal, the oldest of the 4 Barons, his grey beard nearly touches his belt when he stands up, he walks with an ancient wooden cane that had been passed down generation to generation by has forefathers. Today, these 4 leaders of the line of Providence would meet together to decide the fate of their 4 nations. What was to lie in store for them, they themselves did not even know.

Six hours have passed since the Barons of the 4 Baronies entered into their meeting. But to the reporters outside waiting to report the conclusion of the meeting, it had seemed like six days. Some of the more inpatient reporters had begun drinking large amounts of coffee to offset their boredom. Others waited and gossiped with each other about the day to day happenings in the Barony. However, all of the reporters were anxious to hear what the Barons had to say, none had a clue on how big this was going to be.

After six hours and thirty four minutes, the door to the large meeting room opened. Reporters rushed to their assigned seats in the conference room and prepared to hear what the Barons had to say. Stepping up the front of the room was Baron Alec Kendall of Tristan Providence. With the cameras rolling the Baron began to address all four nations.

"My countrymen and brothers. Today is a momentous day for all of our nations. For the past six, your respective leaders and I have been discussing the future of our nations. The conclusion that we all have come to is one of unity and reform. With the world growing to be a more dangerous place for smaller nations, we have proposed that we unite the old Kingdom of Providence. Together, the Baronies of Tristan Providence, Cristian, Fyfe, and Fingal will come together in common interest to form the Second Kingdom, The Kingdom of Tristan Providence. As one nation, and one people we will all be safer and more secure. As the descendant of the eldest son of King David, I Alec Kendall am to become King of this new nation. As King I will act as head of state, I will be the commander and chief of the armed forces, and I will preside over all of the Baronies. We the Barons of the Kingdom of Tristan Providence have also ratified a new constitution for the Kingdom. The constitution is as follows."

Constitution of The Kingdom of Tristan Providence

We who serve our lord, in Order to form a more perfect realm, establish Justice, insure peaceful living, provide for the common defense, build the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of God to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Kingdom of Tristan Providence.

Article I

Section 1
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in the Parliament, which shall consist of the Upper and Lower houses.

Section 2
The Lower House shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several Baronies, and the Electors in each Barony shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the Baronies Parliament.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and not have been a Citizen of Tristan Providence for his or her whole life, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that Barony in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several Baronies which may be included within this Kingdom, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of subjects, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Parliament of the Kingdom, and within every subsequent Term of five Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each Barony shall have at Least one Representative. When vacancies happen in the Representation from any Barony, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The Lower House shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3
The Upper House of the Kingdom of Tristan Providence shall be composed of two Representatives from each Barony, chosen by the Parliament thereof, for six Years; and each Representative shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Representatives of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Representative of any Barony, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Parliament, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and have not been a citizen for his or her whole life, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that Barony for which he shall be chosen.

The 1st Minister of the Kingdom shall be Speaker of the upper house, but shall have no Vote, unless they are equally divided.
The Upper House shall chuse their other Officers, and also a Speaker pro tempore, in the absence of the 1st Minister, or when he shall exercise the Office of Speaker of the Kingdom.
The Upper House shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the Prime Minister is tried, the Head of State shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the Kingdom: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Upper and Lower Representatives, shall be prescribed in each Barony by the Parliament thereof; but the Parliament may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of chusing Representatives.
The Parliament shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in July, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5
The Head of state shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of the parliaments Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Parliament, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6
The Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the Kingdom. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the Kingdom which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the Kingdom, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section 7
All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the Lower House; but the Upper House may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the Lower House and the Upper House, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the Head of State; If he or she approve he or she shall sign it, but if not he or she shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated. The word of the Head of State is law, or lack there of in this matter.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Upper House and Lower House may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the Head of State; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him.

Section 8
The Parliament shall have power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the Kingdom; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the Kingdom;
To borrow money on the credit of the Kingdom;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several Baronies.
To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the Kingdom;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the Kingdom;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Kingdom, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the Kingdom, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Parliament;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular Baronies, and the acceptance of Parliament, become the Seat of the Government of the Kingdom, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Parliament of the Barony in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Kingdom, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the Baronies now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Parliament prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any Barony.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one Barony over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one Barony, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

Section 10
No Barony shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Parliament, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any Barony on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the Kingdom; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Parliament.

No Barony shall, without the Consent of Parliament, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another Barony, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article II

Section 1
The executive Power shall be vested in a King or Queen of the Kingdom of Tristan Providence. He and his family shall hold this office for the life of their family. The role of head of state shall be passed from first born to first born. A Prime minister is also elected by the people for a term of 4 years. He acts as the representative of the people. The rules for election of Prime minister is as follows

Each Barony shall appoint, in such Manner as the Parliament thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Parliament: but no Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the Kingdom, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective Baronies, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same Barony with them. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the Kingdom, directed to the Speaker of the Upper House. The Speaker shall, in the Presence of the Upper and Lower houses, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the Prime Minister, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the Lower House shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for Prime Minister; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the Prime Minister. But in chusing the Prime Minister, the Votes shall be taken by Baronies, the Representation from each Barony having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the Baronies, and a Majority of all the Baronies shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the Prime Minister, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the 1st Minister. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Upper House shall chuse from them by Ballot the 1st Minister.

The Parliament may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the Kingdom.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the Kingdom, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of Prime Minister; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of forty Years, and have not been a resident of the Kingdom for life.

In Case of the Removal of the Prime Minister from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the 1st Minister, and the Parliament may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the Prime and 1st Minister, declaring what Officer shall then act as Prime Minister, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a Prime Minister shall be elected.

The Prime Minister shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the Kingdom, or any of them.
Before he enters on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tristan Providence, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Kingdom."

Section 2
The Head of State shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the Kingdom, and of the Militia of the several Baronies, when called into the actual Service of the Kingdom; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the Kingdom.

He shall have Power to make Treaties, and he shall nominate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and all other Officers of the Kingdom, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law.

The head of state shall have power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Upper House, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section 3
He shall from time to time give to the Parliament Information of the State of the Kingdom, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the Kingdom.

Section 4
The Prime Minister, 1st Minister and all civil Officers of the Kingdom, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III

Section 1
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Barony to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Barony. And the Parliament may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section 2
The Citizens of each Barony shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several Baronies.
A Person charged in any Barony with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Barony, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the Barony from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Barony having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labor in one Barony, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labor, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labor may be due.

Section 3
New Baronies may be admitted by the head of state into this Kingdom; but no new Baronies shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other Barony; nor any Barony be formed by the Junction of two or more Baronies, or parts of Baronies, without the Consent of the head of state.
The Head of state shall have power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the Kingdom; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the Kingdom, or of any particular Barony.

Section 4
The Kingdom shall guarantee to every Barony in this Kingdom Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.

Article IV

The Head of State, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no Barony, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Upper House.

Article V

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the Kingdom under this Constitution.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the Kingdom which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the Kingdom, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every Barony shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any Barony to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Representatives before mentioned, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the Kingdom and of the several Baronies, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution.

Signatures

Baron Alec Kendall, Tristan Providence
Baron Allen Rorie, Cristian
Baron Athol Somhairle, Fyfe
Baron Laurentiu Alexandru, Fingal
King Alec Kendall, The Kingdom of Tristan Providence