Introduction

Washington, June 1, 1812

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:

I communicate to Congress certain documents, being a continuation of those heretofore laid before them on the subject of our affairs with Great Britain.

British cruisers have been in the continued practice of violating the American flag on the great highway of nations, and of seizing and carrying off persons sailing under it, not in the exercises of a belligerent right founded on the law of nations against an enemy, but of a municipal prerogative o’er British Subjects.

Whether the United States shall continue passive under these progressive usurpations and these accumulating wrongs, or, opposing force to force in defense of their natural rights, shall commit a just cause into the hands of the Almighty Dispoiser of Events . . . is a solemn question . . . .

                                             James Madison

                                             President, United States

The mad ambition, the lust for power, and commercial avarice of Great Britain, have left to neutral nations an alternative only between the base surrender of their rights and a manly vindication of them. I plead most vigorously an immediate appeal to arms.

                                             John C. Calhoun

                                             Chair, Foreign Relations Committee

                                             House of Representatives

June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain for the second time.