Treaty of Pottsville | |
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Treaty of Demarcation, Economical, Political, and Social Friendship of The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and The Commonwealth of Susquehanna | |
Drafted | 2 February- 25 June 2015 |
Signed Location |
15 July 2015 Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Reading |
Sealed | 16 July 2015 |
Effective Condition |
1 August 2015 Ratification by the Commonwealth of Susquehanna General Assembly and Reading General Assembly |
Expiration | Indefinite |
Signatories | Reading, Susquehanna |
Parties | Reading, Susquehanna, United Communities |
Depositary | United Communities |
Languages | English |
The Treaty of Pottsville was signed between the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna in mid-2015 to delineate territorial holdings and set up a structure to avoid conflict in the future. The treaty was written up over a period of approximately five and a half months by a joint committee of politicians and legal advisors from both Reading and Susquehanna.
This treaty was seen as a landmark agreement for two Pennsylvanian survivor states. It set the geopolitical borders between the two countries and Lehigh, provided for economical support to one another, and provisions to begin connecting infrastructure including more roadways and expanding rail lines. Provisions were included for mutual defense and a currency union which laid the groundwork for the Confederation of Pennsylvanian States.
Background[]
When contact between Reading and Susquehanna was cemented in late 2004, the both governments held claims on overlapping territory in former Carbon and Schuylkill counties. Most of the interfering claims were unenforceable as the countries did not have any formal control over the two counties. Additionally, while the nations engaged in talks, Reading very clearly outlined that it viewed itself as a provisional government controlling the entire former state, while Susquehanna was in the process of declaring formal independence.
At the conclusion of the 2011 Reading-Allentown War between Reading and the Allentown Mob in Lehigh County and Operation Freedom Wind between Susquehanna and multiple gangs in Carbon and Luzerne counties from 2011 to 2013, the two nations nearly shared a land border. Surviving gang members from Allentown had also fled to Lehighton and were beginning to cooperate with the raiders in the borough.
It was agreed by both nations General Assemblies that any territorial disputes were irrelevant if the raider threat destabilized the region and were causing damage to the boroughs controlled by each country. The two nations cooperated with each other to drive the raiders out of Lehighton, either killing or arresting the surviving gang members, and neutralizing the last major threat geographically located between the two countries.
However, the liberation of the territory caused a brief diplomatic crisis as both Reading and Susquehanna claimed the entire county and refused to exit the occupying territory. There were concerns of it escalating to military clashes, however, diplomats were able to prevent this from occurring.
In late 2014, Reading Governor Jones and Susquehanna Governor Barletta met in Shenandoah to sign an agreement for a formal treaty between the two countries.
Drafting the Treaty[]
While Reading had a significantly larger population, it was agreed that both countries would receive an equal number of representatives for creating the treaty. The board was composed of politicians and lawyers from both sides to craft a document that would be agreeable to both Reading and Susquehanna’s General Assemblies as well as not violate Reading’s claims as the successor of Pennsylvania or Susquehanna’s declaration of independence.
The panel initially was going to meet in Shenandoah to appease the smaller nation, however in January it was agreed to move talks to Pottsville due to its better infrastructure and more reliable electrical service.
Treaty[]
Article 1[]
Both Parties, the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna have social and moral obligations to the citizens of territories between both the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna. This territory will be split among the demarked lines in this Treaty, and each party has a responsibility to the other to ensure as safe transition of control.
Article 2[]
The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna agree and understand that both powers have an interest in the counties of Carbon, Monroe, and Schuylkill. While the people have the right to self determination this is recognized by both claimants as destabilizing. Resultant from these facts, Reading and Susquehanna agree to the claims and demarcations described herein this treaty.
Claims[]
- Reading shall have recognized claims over all of Bucks County, Chester County, Dauphin County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Lebanon County, Lehigh County, and Philadelphia County. It shall have recognized claims over Carbon County from south of 40° 52' North, Monroe County from south of 40° 59' North, and Schuylkill County from south of 40° 47' North and west of 76° 15' West.
- Susquehanna shall have recognized claims over all of Bradford County, Lackawanna County, Luzerne County, Pike County, Sullivan County, Susquehanna County, Wayne County, and Wyoming County. It shall have recognized claims over Carbon County from north of 40° 52' North, Monroe County from north of 40° 59' North, and Schuylkill County from north of 40°47' North and east of 76° 15' West.
- Leighton shall remain an independent state under the supervision of Reading and Susquehanna. The government shall control the boroughs of Bowmanstown, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, and Weissport as well as the townships of East Penn, Franklin, Lower Towamensing, Mahoning, and Washington.
Article 3[]
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna recognizes and accepts the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading’s claim to be the sole legal successor state to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as declared on 4 July 1988.
The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading recognizes and accepts the Commonwealth of Susquehanna’s claim as an independent country as declared on 12 September 2005.
The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading accepts the Commonwealth of Susquehanna’s control of assets, employees, institutions, properties, and any other intellectual, legal, or material goods formerly possessed or utilized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its agencies, and affiliated groups as both legal and in perpetuity.
Article 4[]
Section A[]
The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna shall recognize both parties passports and expedite customs for citizenry.
Section B[]
Businesses shall be allowed to cross national borders without national interference unless entering into a field that is under government control or is restricted under national law. Taxes will be paid in accordance with the percentage of revenue generated in each country.
Section C[]
Any laws violated by the citizens of both the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna shall be tried according to the laws of that nation. Criminals fleeing to the other respective nation shall be extradited to the country of the offense.
Article 5[]
The Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading and the Commonwealth of Susquehanna shall act as protecting powers for citizenry of both countries in nations where a single party has representation, either due to the lack of resources or diplomatic ties.
Citizens of each nation may seek asylum, passports, and other official documents under the name of either the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading or the Commonwealth of Susquehanna.
Until the Provisional Government of Pennsylvania in Reading shall so choose to, the Commonwealth of Susquehanna shall represent its interests in the United Communities, and Susquehanna's ambassador shall act on Reading's behalf at the government's request.
Signatories[]
- Governor Lou J. Barletta — Commonwealth of Susquehanna
- Governor John E. Jones — Reading