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F I R S T H A N D ACC O U N T S
FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS

In the quarter-century following the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, American
leaders had to deal with the wars of the French Revolution and Napoleon. These
European conflicts posed two dangers to the United States. First, the naval blockades
imposed by the British and the French hurt American commerce and prompted calls
Factional Politics and for a military response. Second, European ideological and political struggles intensi-
fied party conflicts in the United States. On three occasions, the American republic
the War of 1812 faced danger from the combination of an external military threat and internal political
turmoil. In 1798, the Federalist administration of John Adams almost went to war with
France to help American merchants and to undermine the Republican Party. In 1807,
Thomas Jefferson’s embargo on American commerce shocked Federalists and sharply
increased political tensions. And, as the following selections show, the political divi-
sions during the War of 1812 threatened the very existence of the American republic.

GEORGE WASHINGTON those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness,
Farewell Address, 1796 and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate dominion of one faction over another,
Washington’s support for Alexander Hamilton’s economic policies sharpened by the spirit of revenge . . . , is itself a frightful
promoted political factionalism. Ignoring his own role in creating despotism; but this leads at length to a more formal and per-
that political divide, Washington condemned factionalism and, manent despotism.
as his presidency proceeded, tried to stand above party conflicts.
In his farewell address, Washington warned Americans to stand
united and avoid the “Spirit of Party.” JOSIAH QUINCY ET AL.
Federalists Protest “Mr. Madison’s War”
S ource : James D. Richardson, ed., A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the
Presidents, 1789–1896 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1896), 1: The United States — and its two political parties — divided sharply
213–215.
over the War of 1812. As Congress debated the issue of going to
A solicitude for your welfare [prompts me] . . . to offer . . . war against Great Britain, Josiah Quincy and other antiwar Federalist
the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possi- congressmen published a manifesto that questioned the justifica-
bly have no personal motive to bias his counsels. . . . tions for the war offered by President Madison and the military strat-
The Unity of Government which constitutes you one egy proposed by Republican war hawks.
people . . . is a main Pillar in the Edifice of your real inde- S ource : Annals of Congress , 12th Cong., 1st sess., vol. 2, cols. 2219–2221.
pendence . . . your tranquility at home; your peace abroad. . . .
But it is easy to foresee, that, from different causes, and How will war upon the land [an invasion of British
from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many Canada] protect commerce upon the ocean? What balm
artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction has Canada for wounded honor? How are our mariners
of this truth. . . . benefited by a war which exposes those who are free, with-
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties out promising release to those who are impressed?
in the State, with particular reference to founding them on But it is said that war is demanded by honor. Is national
geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more com- honor a principle which thirsts after vengeance, and is
prehensive view, and warn you, in the most solemn manner, appeased only by blood? . . . If honor demands a war with
against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally. England, what opiate lulls that honor to sleep over the
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our wrongs done us by France? On land, robberies, seizures,
nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the imprisonments, by French authority; at sea, pillage, sinkings,
human mind. It exists under different shapes, in all govern- burnings, under French orders. These are notorious. Are
ments, more or less stifled, controlled or repressed; but in they unfelt because they are French? . . .

warships were disrupting American commerce and threatening seaports along the
Atlantic coast. In 1814, a British fleet sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, and troops
stormed ashore to attack Washington City. Retaliating for the destruction of York,
the invaders burned the U.S. Capitol and government buildings. After two years of
fighting, the United States was stalemated along the Canadian frontier and on the

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