1812: The Navy's War (77 page)
19
In 1806 the Admiralty:
Dudley Pope,
The Black Ship
(Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1964), 62–63 and Appendix A.
In 1806 the Admiralty:
Dudley Pope,
The Black Ship
(Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1964), 62–63 and Appendix A.
19
“Fifty were laid”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 41.
“Fifty were laid”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 41.
19
“No plea of necessity”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 26–27.
“No plea of necessity”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 26–27.
20
“Hence, what with poor”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 60.
“Hence, what with poor”:
Leech,
Thirty Years from Home
, 60.
20
Worse, men wounded:
Pope,
The Black Ship
, 123–26.
Worse, men wounded:
Pope,
The Black Ship
, 123–26.
20
“Here was encouragement”:
William Richardson,
A Mariner of England: An Account of William Richardson from Cabin Boy in the Merchant Service to Warrant Officer in the Royal Navy, 1780–1819, as Told by Himself
, ed. Colonel Spencer Childers (London: John Murray, 1908), 100–11. For a different view of life in the Royal Navy, see N. A. M. Rodger,
The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815
(New York: Norton, 2004), 565–66, and Jon Latimer,
1812: War with America
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2007), 6.
“Here was encouragement”:
William Richardson,
A Mariner of England: An Account of William Richardson from Cabin Boy in the Merchant Service to Warrant Officer in the Royal Navy, 1780–1819, as Told by Himself
, ed. Colonel Spencer Childers (London: John Murray, 1908), 100–11. For a different view of life in the Royal Navy, see N. A. M. Rodger,
The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815
(New York: Norton, 2004), 565–66, and Jon Latimer,
1812: War with America
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2007), 6.
20
it is generally agreed:
Castlereagh speech in the House of Commons, reproduced in
Times
(London), Feb. 19, 1813; James F. Zimmerman,
Impressment of American Seamen
(New York: Columbia University, 1925), 27.
it is generally agreed:
Castlereagh speech in the House of Commons, reproduced in
Times
(London), Feb. 19, 1813; James F. Zimmerman,
Impressment of American Seamen
(New York: Columbia University, 1925), 27.
21
“We must on no account”: Times
(London), Jan. 11, July 3, and Aug. 2, 1813.
“We must on no account”: Times
(London), Jan. 11, July 3, and Aug. 2, 1813.
21
offering five pounds for:
C. S. Forester,
The Age of Fighting Sail: The Story of the Naval War of 1812
(New York: Doubleday, 1956), 39.
offering five pounds for:
C. S. Forester,
The Age of Fighting Sail: The Story of the Naval War of 1812
(New York: Doubleday, 1956), 39.
22
Deserters from the Royal Navy:
Rodger,
The Command of the Ocean
, 569.
Deserters from the Royal Navy:
Rodger,
The Command of the Ocean
, 569.
22
the British felt that the real reason: Times
(London), Dec. 25, 1812.
the British felt that the real reason: Times
(London), Dec. 25, 1812.
22
The ministry wanted: Times
(London), Feb. 20, 1813.
CHAPTER 3The ministry wanted: Times
(London), Feb. 20, 1813.
23
At the end of 1807:
“Eighth Annual Message to Congress, November 8, 1808,” in
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 1984), 544; Ralph Ketcham,
James Madison: A Biography
(Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1971), 457.
At the end of 1807:
“Eighth Annual Message to Congress, November 8, 1808,” in
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 1984), 544; Ralph Ketcham,
James Madison: A Biography
(Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1971), 457.
23
In December 1807:
Ketcham,
James Madison
, 456–57.
In December 1807:
Ketcham,
James Madison
, 456–57.
24
By the end of 1807:
Dudley W. Knox,
A History of the United States Navy
(Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1936), 96.
By the end of 1807:
Dudley W. Knox,
A History of the United States Navy
(Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1936), 96.
24
“withdraw from the reach”:
Leonard D. White,
The Jeffersonians: A Study in Administrative History, 1801–1829
(New York: Macmillan, 1956), 268.
“withdraw from the reach”:
Leonard D. White,
The Jeffersonians: A Study in Administrative History, 1801–1829
(New York: Macmillan, 1956), 268.
24
The British were indeed hampered:
George Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
(New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1952), 43.
The British were indeed hampered:
George Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
(New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1952), 43.
26
The stranger turned out to be:
Commander Arthur Bingham, R.N., to Vice Admiral Herbert Sawyer, R.N., May 21, 1811, and Commodore John Rodgers to Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton, May 23, 1811, in
The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History
, ed. William S. Dudley (Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 1985), 1:40–50.
The stranger turned out to be:
Commander Arthur Bingham, R.N., to Vice Admiral Herbert Sawyer, R.N., May 21, 1811, and Commodore John Rodgers to Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton, May 23, 1811, in
The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History
, ed. William S. Dudley (Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 1985), 1:40–50.
26
During the summer he conferred:
Ketcham,
James Madison
, 508.
During the summer he conferred:
Ketcham,
James Madison
, 508.
26
“We have been so long”:
Monroe to James Taylor, June 13, 1812, in Gordon Wood,
Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815
, Oxford History of the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 670.
“We have been so long”:
Monroe to James Taylor, June 13, 1812, in Gordon Wood,
Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815
, Oxford History of the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 670.
27
“Perceval [and his colleagues]”:
Irving Brant,
James Madison
, vol. 6:
Commander in Chief, 1812–1836
(Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), 16.
“Perceval [and his colleagues]”:
Irving Brant,
James Madison
, vol. 6:
Commander in Chief, 1812–1836
(Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), 16.
27
Republican malcontents:
Frank A. Cassell,
Merchant Congressman in the Young Republic: Samuel Smith of Maryland, 1752–1839
(Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971), 144–70.
Republican malcontents:
Frank A. Cassell,
Merchant Congressman in the Young Republic: Samuel Smith of Maryland, 1752–1839
(Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971), 144–70.
27
Madison felt that he:
Richard Buel Jr.,
America on the Brink: How the Political Struggle Over the War of 1812 Almost Destroyed the Young Republic
(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 138.
Madison felt that he:
Richard Buel Jr.,
America on the Brink: How the Political Struggle Over the War of 1812 Almost Destroyed the Young Republic
(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 138.
27
“commerce, character”:
Quoted in David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler,
Henry Clay: The Essential American
(New York: Random House, 2010), 91.
“commerce, character”:
Quoted in David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler,
Henry Clay: The Essential American
(New York: Random House, 2010), 91.
27
In April, with war:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War: Politics, Diplomacy, and Warfare in the Early American Republic, 1783–1830
(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1983), 175.
In April, with war:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War: Politics, Diplomacy, and Warfare in the Early American Republic, 1783–1830
(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1983), 175.
28
“was not more at a loss”:
Quoted in Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 493.
“was not more at a loss”:
Quoted in Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 493.
28
Macon’s slur against Paul Hamilton:
Frank L. Owsley Jr., “Paul Hamilton,” in
American Secretaries of the Navy
, ed. Paolo E. Coletta (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1980), 1:93–98.
Macon’s slur against Paul Hamilton:
Frank L. Owsley Jr., “Paul Hamilton,” in
American Secretaries of the Navy
, ed. Paolo E. Coletta (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1980), 1:93–98.
29
“a powerful engine”: Annals of Congress
, House of Representatives, 12th Congress, 1st Session, 825, 830.
“a powerful engine”: Annals of Congress
, House of Representatives, 12th Congress, 1st Session, 825, 830.
30
its small size:
For the debate on expanding the navy in early 1812, see
Annals of Congress
, 12th Congress, 1st Session, 803ff. Congressman Cheves for the Naval Committee proposed building twelve 74-gun ships and twenty frigates at a cost of $7.5 million in January 1812. Craig Symonds,
Navalists and Anti-Navalists: The Naval Policy Debate in the United States, 1785–1827
(Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1980).
CHAPTER 4its small size:
For the debate on expanding the navy in early 1812, see
Annals of Congress
, 12th Congress, 1st Session, 803ff. Congressman Cheves for the Naval Committee proposed building twelve 74-gun ships and twenty frigates at a cost of $7.5 million in January 1812. Craig Symonds,
Navalists and Anti-Navalists: The Naval Policy Debate in the United States, 1785–1827
(Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1980).
31
“there is . . . nobody”:
George Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
(New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1952), 49.
“there is . . . nobody”:
George Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
(New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1952), 49.
32
War between Napoleon:
Dominic Lieven,
Russia Against Napoleon
(New York: Viking, 2010), 92–96; Samuel Flagg Bemis,
John Quincy Adams and the Foundations of American Foreign Policy
(New York: Knopf, 1950), 176–79.
War between Napoleon:
Dominic Lieven,
Russia Against Napoleon
(New York: Viking, 2010), 92–96; Samuel Flagg Bemis,
John Quincy Adams and the Foundations of American Foreign Policy
(New York: Knopf, 1950), 176–79.
32
When the reluctant guests:
Harold Nicolson,
The Congress of Vienna: A Study in Allied Unity, 1812–1822
(1946; reprint, New York: Viking, 1961), 7–8.
When the reluctant guests:
Harold Nicolson,
The Congress of Vienna: A Study in Allied Unity, 1812–1822
(1946; reprint, New York: Viking, 1961), 7–8.
33
“Our government will not”: National Intelligencer
, Aug. 4, 1812.
“Our government will not”: National Intelligencer
, Aug. 4, 1812.
34
protected by British licenses:
For a copy of one of these licenses, see Alfred T. Mahan,
Sea Power in Its Relations to the War of 1812
(Boston: Little, Brown, 1905), 1:410–11.
protected by British licenses:
For a copy of one of these licenses, see Alfred T. Mahan,
Sea Power in Its Relations to the War of 1812
(Boston: Little, Brown, 1905), 1:410–11.
34
“in the event of a pacification”:
Irving Brant,
James Madison
, vol. 6:
Commander in Chief, 1812–1836
(Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), 63.
“in the event of a pacification”:
Irving Brant,
James Madison
, vol. 6:
Commander in Chief, 1812–1836
(Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1961), 63.
34
“Had the French emperor”:
Madison to Henry Wheaton, Feb. 26, 1827, quoted in Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 476–77.
“Had the French emperor”:
Madison to Henry Wheaton, Feb. 26, 1827, quoted in Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 476–77.
34
Legislation in April 1808:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
:
Politics, Diplomacy, and Warfare in the Early American Republic, 1783–1830
(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1983), 164.
Legislation in April 1808:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
:
Politics, Diplomacy, and Warfare in the Early American Republic, 1783–1830
(Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1983), 164.
35
The tiny War Department:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 155.
The tiny War Department:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 155.
35
Even if the public were:
Donald R. Hickey,
The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict
(Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1989), 80.
Even if the public were:
Donald R. Hickey,
The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict
(Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1989), 80.
35
The time to act:
For a different point of view, see Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 3–47.
The time to act:
For a different point of view, see Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 3–47.
35
“It had become impossible”:
Madison quoted in Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 109.
“It had become impossible”:
Madison quoted in Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 109.
36
“The acquisition of Canada”:
Jefferson to William Duane, Aug. 1, 1812, quoted in Adams,
History of the United States
, 528; Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:291.
“The acquisition of Canada”:
Jefferson to William Duane, Aug. 1, 1812, quoted in Adams,
History of the United States
, 528; Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:291.
36
“The partisans of England”:
Jefferson to General Thaddeus Kosciusko, June 28, 1812, in
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Library Classics of the United States, 1984), 1265.
“The partisans of England”:
Jefferson to General Thaddeus Kosciusko, June 28, 1812, in
Thomas Jefferson: Writings
, ed. Merrill D. Peterson (New York: Library Classics of the United States, 1984), 1265.
36
Imperialism was inherent:
Jefferson to Madame de Stael, May 24, 1813, in Peterson, ed.,
Thomas Jefferson
, 1271–77.
Imperialism was inherent:
Jefferson to Madame de Stael, May 24, 1813, in Peterson, ed.,
Thomas Jefferson
, 1271–77.
36
Conquering Canada would:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 7–47.
Conquering Canada would:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 7–47.
37
Tecumseh’s power grew:
James H. Madison,
The Indiana Way: A State History
(Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986), 3–50; Frederick Merk,
History of the Westward Movement
(New York: Knopf, 1978), 153.
Tecumseh’s power grew:
James H. Madison,
The Indiana Way: A State History
(Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1986), 3–50; Frederick Merk,
History of the Westward Movement
(New York: Knopf, 1978), 153.
37
“The Author of Nature marked”: Annals of Congress
, 12th Cong., 1st Sess., 657.
“The Author of Nature marked”: Annals of Congress
, 12th Cong., 1st Sess., 657.
38
“We must take”:
David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler,
Henry Clay: The Essential American
(New York: Random House, 2010), 88–89.
“We must take”:
David S. Heidler and Jeanne T. Heidler,
Henry Clay: The Essential American
(New York: Random House, 2010), 88–89.
38
Clay’s enthusiasm was strengthened:
Mark Zuehlke,
For Honor’s Sake: The War of 1812 and the Brokering of an Uneasy Peace
(Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2006), 71.
Clay’s enthusiasm was strengthened:
Mark Zuehlke,
For Honor’s Sake: The War of 1812 and the Brokering of an Uneasy Peace
(Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 2006), 71.
38
Four of the War Hawks:
Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
, 38. For a brief, solid description of the political makeup of the 12th Congress, see Hickey,
The War of 1812
, 29–30.
Four of the War Hawks:
Dangerfield,
The Era of Good Feelings
, 38. For a brief, solid description of the political makeup of the 12th Congress, see Hickey,
The War of 1812
, 29–30.
38
“In case of war”:
Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:293.
“In case of war”:
Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:293.
39
“difficult to relinquish”:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 4; Gordon Wood,
Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815
, Oxford History of the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 676.
“difficult to relinquish”:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 4; Gordon Wood,
Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815
, Oxford History of the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), 676.
39
Southerners, including the president:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Borderlines in Borderlands: James Madison and the Spanish-American Frontier, 1776-1821
(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009), 122–24.
Southerners, including the president:
J. C. A. Stagg,
Borderlines in Borderlands: James Madison and the Spanish-American Frontier, 1776-1821
(New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009), 122–24.
39
Some thought:
Secretary Hamilton to Representative Langdon Cheves, Chairman of the House Naval Committee, Dec. 3, 1811, in
The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History
, ed. William S. Dudley (Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 1985), 1:56
Some thought:
Secretary Hamilton to Representative Langdon Cheves, Chairman of the House Naval Committee, Dec. 3, 1811, in
The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History
, ed. William S. Dudley (Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center, 1985), 1:56
40
He had heard a version:
Monroe to Jefferson, quoted in Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:281.
He had heard a version:
Monroe to Jefferson, quoted in Mahan,
Sea Power
, 1:281.
40
Instead of wasting:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 145.
Instead of wasting:
Stagg,
Mr. Madison’s War
, 145.
40
Concerned about the president’s:
David Long,
Ready to Hazard: A Biography of Commodore William Bainbridge, 1774–1833
(Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1981), 129–33; Mahan,
Sea Power
, 281.
CHAPTER 5Concerned about the president’s:
David Long,
Ready to Hazard: A Biography of Commodore William Bainbridge, 1774–1833
(Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1981), 129–33; Mahan,
Sea Power
, 281.
43
Madison approached his call:
See Bradford Perkins,
Prologue to War: England and the United States, 1805-1812
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970).
Madison approached his call:
See Bradford Perkins,
Prologue to War: England and the United States, 1805-1812
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970).
43
He tried to convince:
Ralph Ketcham,
James Madison: A Biography
(Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1990), 530.
He tried to convince:
Ralph Ketcham,
James Madison: A Biography
(Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1990), 530.
44
It did not help matters:
Ambassador Foster to Wellesley, Jan. 31, 1812, quoted in Bradford Perkins,
Prologue to War: England and the United States, 1805–1812
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970), 372.
It did not help matters:
Ambassador Foster to Wellesley, Jan. 31, 1812, quoted in Bradford Perkins,
Prologue to War: England and the United States, 1805–1812
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1970), 372.
44
The ambassador was encouraged:
Perkins,
Prologue to War
, 343–76.
The ambassador was encouraged:
Perkins,
Prologue to War
, 343–76.
44
“British cruisers”:
“Madison’s War Message, June 1, 1812,” in
James Madison’s Writings
, ed. Jack N. Rakove (New York: Library Classics of the United States, 1999), 685–92.
“British cruisers”:
“Madison’s War Message, June 1, 1812,” in
James Madison’s Writings
, ed. Jack N. Rakove (New York: Library Classics of the United States, 1999), 685–92.
45
Federalist strength:
Roger H. H. Brown,
The Republic in Peril
,
1812
(New York: Norton, 1971), 193.
Federalist strength:
Roger H. H. Brown,
The Republic in Peril
,
1812
(New York: Norton, 1971), 193.
45
“Go to war”:
Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 440.
“Go to war”:
Henry Adams,
History of the United States of America During the Administrations of James Madison
(New York: Library of America, 1986), 440.
45
Randolph insisted that war:
Richard Buel Jr.,
America on the Brink: How the Political Struggle Over the War of 1812 Almost Destroyed the Young Republic
(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 130–31.
Randolph insisted that war:
Richard Buel Jr.,
America on the Brink: How the Political Struggle Over the War of 1812 Almost Destroyed the Young Republic
(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 130–31.
46
“against the nation”:
Adams,
History of the United State
s, 574.
“against the nation”:
Adams,
History of the United State
s, 574.
46
Governor Strong wanted:
Buel,
America On the Brink
, 160.
Governor Strong wanted:
Buel,
America On the Brink
, 160.
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