Madison Accepts War as Inevitable.-The conduct of the British ministers with whom Madison had to deal did little to encourage him in adhering to the policy of "watchful waiting."One of them,a high Tory,believed that all Ameri-cans were alike "except that afew are less knaves than oth-ers"and his methods were col-ored by his belief.On the recall of this minister the British government selected another no less high and mighty in his principles and opinions.So Madison became thoroughly discouraged about the outcomeof pacific measures. The Battle of Lake
Eriepressure from Congress upon him became too heavy,he gave way,signing on June 18,1812,the declaration of war on Great Britain.In proclaiming hostili-ties,the administration set forth the causes which justified the declaration;namely,the British had been encouraging the Indians to attack American citi-zens on the frontier;they had ruined American trade by blockades;they had in-sulted the American flag by stopping and searching our ships;they had illegally seized American sailors and driven them into the British navy.
The Course of the War.-The war lasted for nearly three years without bringing victory to either side.The surrender of Detroit by General Hull to the British and the failure of the American invasion of Canada were offset by Perry's victory on LakeErie and a decisive blow administered to British designs for an invasion of New York by way of Plattsburgh.The tri -umph of Jackson at New Orleans helped to atone for the humiliation suf-fered in the burning of the Capitol by the Brit-ish.The stirring deedsof the Constitution,the
The "Constitution"（The disabled ship is the British frigate java.）United States,and the Argus on the seas,the heroic death of Lawrence and the victories of a hundred privateers furnished consolation for those who suffered from the iron blockade finally established by the British government when it came to appreciate the gravity of the situation.While men love the annals of the sea,they will turn to the running battles,the narrow escapes,and the reckless daring of American sailors in that naval contest with Great Britain.
All this was exciting but it was inconclusive.In fact,never was a government less prepared than was that of the United States in 1812.It had neither the disciplined troops,the ships of war,nor the supplies required by the magnitude of the military task.It was fortune that favored the American cause.Great Britain,harassed,worn,and financially embarrassed by nearly twenty years of fighting in Europe,was in no mood to gather her forces for a titanic effort in America even after Napoleon was overthrown and sent into exile at Elba in the spring of 1814.War clouds still hung on the European horizon and the conflict temporarily halted did again break out.To be rid of American anxieties and free for European eventualities,England was ready to settle with the United States,New England Jumping into the Hands of George IIIespecially as that could be done without conceding anything or surrendering any claims.
The Treaty of Peace.-Both countries were in truth sick of a war that offered neither glory nor profit.Having indulged in the usual diplomatic skirmishing,they sent representatives to Ghent to discuss terms of peace.After long nego-tiations an agreement was reached on Christmas eve,1814,a few days before Jackson's victory at New Orleans.When the treaty reached America the people were surprised to find that it said nothing about the seizure of American sailors,the destruction of American trade,the searching of American ships,or the sup-port of Indians on the frontier.Nevertheless,we are told,the people "passed from gloom to glory"when the news of peace arrived.The bells were rung;schools were closed;flags were displayed;and many a rousing toast was drunk in tavern and private home.The rejoicing could continue.With Napoleon defi-nitely beaten at Waterloo in June,1815,Great Britain had no need to impress sailors,search ships,and confiscate American goods bound to the Continent.Once more the terrible sea power sank into the background and the ocean was again white with the sails of merchantmen.
The Republicans Nationalized
The Federalists Discredited.-By a strange turn of fortune's wheel,the party of Hamilton,Washington,Adams,the party of the grand nation,became the party of provincialism and nullification.New England,finding its shipping interests crippled in the European conflict and then penalized by embargoes,opposed the declaration of war on Great Britain,which meant the completion of the ruin already begun.In the course of the struggle,the Federalist leaders came perilously near to treason in their efforts to hamper the government of the United States;and in their desperation they fell back upon the doctrine of nulli-fication so recently condemned by them when it came from Kentucky.The Sen-ate of Massachusetts,while the war was in progress,resolved that it was waged "without justifiable cause,"and refused to approve military and naval projects not connected with "the defense of our seacoast and soil."A Boston newspaper declared that the union was nothing but a treaty among sovereign states,that states could decide for themselves the question of obeying federal law,and that armed resistance under the banner of a state would not be rebellion or treason.The general assembly of Connecticut reminded the administration at Washing-ton that "the state of Connecticut is a free,sovereign,and independent state."Gouverneur Morris,a member of the convention which had drafted the Con-stitution,suggested the holding of another conference to consider whether the Northern states should remain in the union.