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There is . . . a headlong rushing into difficulties, with I did think that in a defensive war — a struggle for all that
little calculation about the means, and little concern about is valuable — that all parties would have united. But it is
the consequences. With a navy comparatively [small], we not so — every measure calculated to replenish the trea-
are about to enter into the lists against the greatest marine sury or raise men is opposed [by Federalists] as though it
[power] on the globe. With a commerce unprotected and were determined to strike the ‘star spangled banner’ and
spread over every ocean, we propose to make a profit by pri- exalt the bloody cross. Look at the votes and proceedings
vateering, and for this endanger the wealth of which we are of congress — and mark the late spirit [to secede from the
honest proprietors. An invasion is threatened of the [British Union] . . . that existed in Massachusetts, and see with
colonies in Canada, but Britain] . . . without putting a new what unity of action everything has been done [by New
ship into commission, or taking another soldier into pay, can England Federalists] to harass and embarrass the govern-
spread alarm or desolation along the extensive range of our ment. Our loans have failed; and our soldiers have wanted
seaboard. . . . their pay, because those [New England merchants] who
What are the United States to gain by this war? Will had the greater part of the monied capital covenanted with
the gratification of some privateersmen compensate the each other to refuse its aid to the country. They had a right,
nation for that sweep of our legitimate commerce by the legally, to do this; and perhaps, also, by all the artifices of
extended marine of our enemy which this desperate act trade or power that money gave them, to oppress others not
invites? Will Canada compensate the Middle states for of their ‘stamp’ and depress the national credit — but history
[the loss of] New York; or the Western states for [the loss will shock posterity by detailing the length to which they
of] New Orleans? went to bankrupt the republic. . . .
Let us not be deceived. A war of invasion may invite a To conclude — why does the war continue? It is not
retort of invasion. When we visit the peaceable, and as to us the fault of the government — we demand no extravagant
innocent, colonies of Great Britain with the horrors of war, thing. I answer the question, and say — it lasts because
can we be assured that our own coast will not be visited with Great Britain depends on the exertions of her ‘party’ in this
like horrors? country to destroy our resources, and compel ‘unconditional
submission.’
HEZEKIAH NILES Thus the war began, and is continued, by our divisions.
A Republican Defends the War Source: Niles’ Weekly Register, January 28, 1815.

In 1814, what the Federalists feared had come to pass: British
ships blockaded American ports, and British troops invaded QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS
American territory. In January 1815, Republican editor Hezekiah
Niles used the pages of his influential Baltimore newspaper, 1. According to Washington, what is the ultimate cause of
political factionalism? Why does Washington believe that
Niles’ Weekly Register, to explain current Republican policies and factionalism is most dangerous in “popular” — that is,
blame the Federalists for American reverses. republican — governments?
It is universally known that the causes for which we 2. Compare and contrast the Quincy and Niles documents.
declared war are no obstruction to peace. The practice of What specific dangers did Josiah Quincy and the
Federalists foresee with regard to Republican war policies?
blockade and impressment having ceased by the general According to Hezekiah Niles, what were the war goals of
pacification of Europe, our government is content to leave the Republican administration? Corroborate the sources to
the principle as it was. . . . compare their perspectives on the parties.
We have no further business in hostility, than such as 3. Read the section on the War of 1812 on pages 233–235,
is purely defensive; while that of Great Britain is to humble and then discuss the accuracy of the Federalists’
predictions. What historical situation influences Federalist
or subdue us. The war, on our part, has become a contest arguments?
for life, liberty and property — on the part of our enemy, of 4. How had Republican war goals changed since the start of the
revenge or ambition. . . . war? Niles charged the Federalists and their supporters with
What then are we to do? Are we to encourage him impeding the American war effort. What were his specific
by divisions among ourselves — to hold out the hope of charges? Did they have any merit? How might the Federalists
a separation of the states and a civil war — to refuse to have defended their stance with respect to the war? Identify
relevant examples from the textbook and sources.
bring forth the resources of the country against him? . . .

defensive in the Atlantic, and its new capital city lay in ruins. The only U.S. victo-
ries came in the Southwest. There, the rugged slave-owning planter General Andrew
Jackson and a force of Tennessee militiamen defeated British- and Spanish-supported
Creek Indians in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814) and forced the Creeks to cede
23 million acres of land (Map 7.4).

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