Vol. II.
NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
1891
Copyright, 1890
By Charles Scribner’s Sons.
University Press:
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| I. | Massachusetts Decides | [1] |
| II. | Chippawa and Lundy’s Lane | [24] |
| III. | Fort Erie | [62] |
| IV. | Plattsburg | [91] |
| V. | Bladensburg | [120] |
| VI. | Baltimore | [149] |
| VII. | Sloops-of-war and Privateers | [174] |
| VIII. | Exhaustion | [212] |
| IX. | Congress and Currency | [239] |
| X. | Congress and Army | [263] |
| XI. | The Hartford Convention | [287] |
| XII. | New Orleans in Danger | [311] |
| XIII. | The Artillery Battle | [340] |
| XIV. | The Battle of New Orleans | [367] |
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
CHAPTER I.
At the beginning of the year 1814, the attitude of New England pleased no one, and perhaps annoyed most the New England people themselves, who were conscious of showing neither dignity, power, courage, nor intelligence. Nearly one half the people of the five New England States supported the war, but were paralyzed by the other half, which opposed it. Of the peace party, one half wished to stop the war, but was paralyzed by the other half, which threatened to desert their leaders at the first overt act of treason. In this dead-lock every one was dissatisfied, but no one seemed disposed to yield.
Such a situation could not last. In times of revolution treason might be necessary, but inert perversity could at no time serve a useful purpose. Yet the Massachusetts Federalists professed only a wish to remain inert. Josiah Quincy, who fretted at restraints, and whose instincts obliged him to act as energetically as he talked, committed his party to the broad assertion that “a moral and religious people” could not express admiration for heroism displayed in a cause they disapproved. They would defend Massachusetts only by waiting to be invaded; and if their safety depended on their possessing the outlet of Lake Champlain, they would refuse to seize it if in doing so they should be obliged to cross the Canadian line. With one accord Massachusetts Federalists reiterated that until their territory should be actually invaded, they would not take arms. After January 1, 1814, when news of the battle of Leipzig arrived, the dreaded invasion of New England became imminent; but the Federalists, officially and privately, insisted on their doctrine of self-defence.