Republic of Indian Stream

en.wikipedia.org

22 points·samclemens··5 comments

> Both governments, appalled at the idea of war over a matter so trivial as a hardware-store debt

But then 15 years later...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_War_(1859)

This is amazing! Thank you for the link.

If you venture out to the area you can actually visit the British and American camps that feature in this saga. Before the pandemic there would even be days where the camps were staffed with actors in era appropriate costumes and roles.

Both sides sent in tax collectors and debt-collecting sheriffs. The double taxation angered the population, and the Republic was formed to put an end to the issue until such time as the United States and Great Britain could reach a settlement on the boundary line.

A time-honored tradition: forming a new nation state because you don’t want to pay egregious taxes.

Reminds me of the Republic of Vermont [0], which preceded today's US state of Vermont. They were in talks to join Quebec before the British surrender at Yorktown left them surrounded on three sides by the fledgling United States. They stayed independent for another 10 years before joining the US as the 14th state.

Had their own currency for a while [1], of which you can buy replicas in many a gift shop.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_Republic

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermont_copper

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