Trial and Secess

After reading Gunny's latest post, I was reminded of another attempt by an American to create a separate country. This is a bit different in that it involved land that was not yet a part of the Union. After his term as Vice President, Aaron Burr was fleeing trial for famously murdering Alexander Hamilton in a duel. During this period, Jefferson still was not certain if the United States would continue to expand West. So Burr thought he would raise an army, and take it for himself. Thus beginning what is known as the The Burr Conspiracy. It is a fine line between fact and fiction. I saw a television show on The History Channel, "Weird U.S. History" that claims it is all true. Burr was put on trial for treason but the only evidence against him was a letter that he may or may have not written. I tried to find a map online of his supposed kingdom to be. Alas, I could not find one. What I did find though is not only relevant, but I think, even more interesting.

In 1982, the U.S. was becoming obsessed with immigration and drugs. A border stop was put up on US 1 from the Key West to the mainland of Florida. The Keys greatly suffered from this. It was an inconvenience to commuters and it hurt tourism. What should they do Gunny? Succeed of course! They figured that if the U.S. basically built a border separating them, they might as well be another country. Thus, The Conch Republic was born.


Independence was declared on April 23, 1982. It is celebrated as Independence Day. The then mayor, Dennis Wardlow declared himself Prime Minister and declared war on the U.S., surrendering one minute later, and asked for $1 Billion to assist the foreign nation.

Apparently, this attempt at succession wasn't easy. In fact, there was a showdown between the Coast Guard and the Conch Militia. In the one Conchian's own words:

"ON THE DAY OF SECESSION, THE SCHOONER WESTERN UNION (THE LAST WOODEN SCHOONER BUILT IN KEY WEST) WAS HEADING OUT FOR A SUNSET CRUISE AS A COAST GUARD CUTTER WAS RETURNING FROM PATROL.

ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY, THE WESTERN UNION SAILED CLOSE ALONGSIDE AND FIRED HER CANNONS.

THE CREW THEN SPONTANEOUSLY BEGAN THROWING THEIR LEFT OVER LUNCHES, GALLEY FOOD, AND ANYTHING ELSE THEY COULD FIND.

THE REST IS HISTORY"

If only all wars could be fought with food. Success? Well today, under an act by congress, Conch's maintain dual citizenship.

Everything was peachy...UNTIL THE GREAT INVASION OF 1995. On September 20, 1995, the 478th Public Affairs Battalion of the Army Reserve was conducting training of the invasion of a foreign island. Unannounced, the Battalion decided to carry out it's exercise on Conch soil. They were greeted by the Conch Militia, equipped with water guns and stale Cuban bread. The leader of the 478th issued an apology for neglecting to ask for permission. On September 22, 1995, a surrender ceremony was held. The battle was over.

If you would like a Conch Republic Passport, just visit the micronation's website.

Gunny has an ally.