Category — War of 1812

Here are three interesting articles from the Niles Weekly Register, pertaining to the War of 1812. In the first, we see the exuberance brought about by the early victories of the US Navy in several single-ship actions.

In the second we have a silly calculation purporting to show that prosecuting the war was good for the country economically speaking.

And finally, we conclude with a brief article on the state of the nation’s credit.

The textbooks don’t adequately depict what the term “impressment” meant. It was one of the principle causes of the war of 1812 (whose conclusion, ironically, still left unresolved). The article below gives some idea of what being pressed into the service of his majesty’s navy might mean.

In an interesting twist in history, Isaac Hull, captain of the USS Constitution captured HMS Guerriere in a decisive single ship action — three days after his uncle, Revolutionary War Hero William Hull, surrendered Detroit — almost without a fight.

The following regulations were issued by Colonel Henry Proctor, concerning the new Canadian Territory of Michigan. Detroit was shamefully surrendered to the British on August 16, 1812.

The only bright spot in the War of 1812 for the Americans was the American navy. The American heavy frigates and privateers enjoyed several stunning successes early in the war. This was especially humiliating to the British, who took such pride in their navy. Readers of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series get a flavor of how desperate British captains were to “wipe the eye” of the Americans. This brief challenge, issued by an English captain was reprinted in the Niles Register, in the fall of 1812.

The war considered by its supporters, as the nation’s second war of independence, stirred patriotic fever among those of all ages. This article from the Niles Register was published to illustrate patriotic fervor.

Madison was involved in every major event of early American history, before, during and after the Founding. Richard Brookhiser’s serious, if too brief, biography of James Madison, is delightfully written, and replete with insights about the man and his time.

In the early 19th century, the US Navy, perhaps more than most navies, was forced to rely on private ships granted letters of marque, which licensed them to prey on the shipping of belligerent powers. This article from the Niles register explains how they made their money.

The mob is always categorized by cruelty and inhumanity. When a newspaper in Baltimore had the temerity to criticize the government for declaring war on Great Britain, the mob decided to tear down the house in which it was published. When the newspaper started up again, they resolved to kill the publishers.

The country was deeply divided about the prudence of declaring war on Britain in 1812. Alexander Contee Hanson published some articles in his newspaper, The Federal Republican, that were severely critical of President Madison and sharply questioned the wisdom of declaring war on the world’s most powerful nation.