A Quarterly Journal Devoted to 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Events [2012 2015] VOL 4, NO. 1 State of New York, January 1, 2015 FREE The Signing of the Treaty of Ghent, Belgium To End The War of 1812 2012 - 2015 By Christmas Eve, weary negotiators agreed on the order and syntax of 3,000 words in eleven articles This is the final Issue of the ‘Bicentennial Informer” When approved by their respective governments all hostilities would end and “all territory, places and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the war” would be restored as they were before the war. In short, no one won a thing. Impressment, a major cause of the war, was not even mentioned [this, and the following information, was copied from: www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/ We would like to take the treaty-ghent]. time to Thank all James Madison had an opportunity to end the War of 1812 almost as soon as it began. The British had repealed the Orders in Council – rules that curbed American trade with Europe – and thus NY Daughters one of Madison’s major reasons for war was now moot. If the British had foregone the right to impress American sailors, Madison could well have gone back to Congress with the suggestion that hostilities cease immediately. However, the British considered impressment their right by for attending the many custom, and believed it essential to their naval might. And so James Madison took his country to events commemorating the war. In January 1814 Madison agreed to peace talks in the neutral city of Ghent in Belgium, and sent 200th Anniversary off a curious collection of intellectuals and politicians to run the negotiations. John Quincy Adams, serious, disciplined and devout, was the chief negotiator. Son of a president and the U.S. minister of the War of 1812 in Russia, he was often unhappy with one of his colleagues at Ghent, the card-playing War Hawk, Henry Clay. Both men were strong negotiators, We will miss sharing supported by an effective committee: Albert Gallatin, these Bicentennial secretary of the treasury; James A. Bayard, a Commemorative Years moderate Federalist; and Jonathan Russell, the with each of you. chargé d’affaires for Madison in Paris. The Americans, whose communications with Washington took at least six weeks, were for the most part on their own. The British team enjoyed a closer connection with London, since Ghent was just a few days away. But Photo Credit: wikimedia.org this proximity allowed the British chief negotiators a false sense of advantage: Foreign Secretary Sackett's Harbour / Movie "......We will not conquer Canada Lord Castlereagh and Secretary for War and the Colonies, Lord Bathurst, chose not to attend day- this year" to-day talks, but sent a less-skilled team: the admiralty lawyer, Williams Adams; the impressments expert and admiral, Lord Gambier; and the Undersecretary for War and the Colonies, Henry Goulburn. Thus proximity served the Americans better. The historian Donald E. Graves states Chapter-by-chapter, available that “what the Americans lost on the battlefield, they made up for at the negotiating table.” online. This book was written by Patrick Wilder. Check it out by Adams and his team had one goal – restore things to the way they were before the war, the status visiting: quo ante bellum. The British negotiators were more ambitious; they wanted uti possidetis, that http:// each side could keep what it had won during the war. But the preeminent goal on both sides was sackettsharbour.com/ an end to the fighting. Britain had spent ten million pounds fighting the Americans. The United ?page_id=33 States was nearly bankrupt. By Christmas Eve, 1814 the weary negotiators had agreed on the order and syntax of 3000 words in eleven articles. When approved by their respective governments all hostilities would end and “all territory, places and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party from the other during the war” would be restored as they were before the war. In short, no one won a thing. Impressment, a major cause of the war, was not even mentioned. A Ballad In Honor Of Betsy Doyle 2015 EVENT A War of 1812 Heroine Bicentennial Commemorative Twas during the war of 1812 WAR OF 1812 Betsy Doyle picked up the iron tongs A heroine came to the fore And carried cannon shot, OUT OF STATE At Fort Niagara, action she took Heated long in a fireplace And became part of its lore. Until it was red hot. January 2015 A simple soldier’s wife living at the Fort All day long the cannon they did rage, New Orleans Her husband a cannoneer, Between the opposing Forts, But when he became a British prisoner And Betsy carried red hot shot A Fight To End His job she commandeered. From below to the upper floor. The War of 1812 A tremendous battle did ensue 01.06.15 General Pakenham’s Final Supper The men who saw her were amazed Between Forts Niagara and George For she never faltered there 01.07.15 Jordon Noble Memorial Service With cannon balls flying over the water And when the battle finally reached an end 01.07.15 A Call to Arms Re-enactment North of Niagara gorge. Her bravery had proved so rare… 01.08.15 Wreath Laying Ceremony Author of the ballad is Niagara County Deputy Historian, Ron Cary 01.09.15 Battle Re-enactments 01.09.15 Wreath Laying Ceremony 01.09.15 Symposium Battle New Orleans 01.10.15 Battle New Orleans Symposium 01.10.15 Rosary Procession 01.11.15 From “Dirty Shirts” to Buccaneers: The Battle of New Orleans... 01.23.15 The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Annual Symposium www.battleofneworleans2015.com/ page.php?name=about-us Bicentennial Commemorative Photo credit: http://1812now.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-21-1812-betsy-doyle-returns.html WAR OF 1812 HISTORY: War of 1812 Battle of New Orleans The Battle of New Orleans was the last major battle of the War of 1812. The fight took place on January 8, 1815 when 7,500 British soldiers marched against 4,500 U.S. troops led by General Andrew Jackson. Jackson defeated the British in just 30 minutes, halting their plans to attack New Orleans and establishing himself as a national military hero. The Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, had been News of the treaty took almost two months to cross the Atlantic, and British forces were not signed two weeks before the informed of the end of hostilities in time to end their drive against the mouth of the Mississippi battle, but the news had not River. On January 8, 1815, a large British army attacked New Orleans and was decimated by an yet crossed the Atlantic inferior American force under General Andrew Jackson in the most spectacular U.S. victory of the war. The American public heard of the Battle of New Orleans and the Treaty of Ghent at The Battle summary above was taken from: www.history.com/topics/battle-of- approximately the same time, fostering a greater sentiment of self-confidence and shared identity new-orleans throughout the young republic [www.history.com/topics/treaty-of-ghent]. News of the peace reached New York City on February 11, 1815. Photo credit: www.blog.nyhistory.org/ peace-christmas-eve-ending-war-1812/. page 2 From Your Bicentennial Chairman When State of New York Society President, Jan Johnpier, first asked me to Chair this committee, I was not aware how much I would enjoy writing the ‘Bicentennial Informer’ during the War of 1812 Commemorative Years (2012-2015). In fact, with a busy schedule, I wondered how I would find time to write four (4) copies annually. I may have even mentioned to her that it would be difficult. However, she saw something I did not, and now I realize what a privilege it has been to oversee this special committee, and all of New York State’s commemorative activities in various areas across the State. As many know, New York was a main theatre for action in the War of 1812, and many raids occurred along Lake Ontario. Our NY Daughters of 1812 discovered there was certainly plenty of activities to keep her busy these last three years, and numerous experts who helped enlighten the public as to the actual events of the war. We were there, listening! I am so grateful to President Johnpier for seeing this unique opportunity, and entrusting me to the task of managing it during this once-in-a-lifetime event, the “200th Anniversary of the War of 1812”. I could not have known all the adventures I would encounter with other U.S. Daughters of 1812, particularly those in New York who were finding, planning, and attending the very same events as myself. I appreciate each Daughter’s assistance in locating the activities in her area, as well as helping me fill each quarterly issue. It was equally enjoyable meeting men and women in various New York State communities who have spent a great deal of their time studying the War of 1812. We were proud to present Spirit of 1812 Awards to many deserving individuals who are keeping the War of 1812 history alive. I would also like to thank President Johnpier for the time she spent proofing each copy of the ‘Bicentennial Informer’ before it was published. It has been an excellent tracking tool for all of the New York State Commemorative events which our Society became involved with. The next page (s) provides a full account of the activities our Daughters participated in during the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.