Madison's Blog

December 25th 1814

Yesterday peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium. By the end of the day Britain signed a peace treaty with the United States that ended the war. This treaty was called the Treaty of Ghent. Locally, New Englanders were meeting in Hartford, Connecticut criticizing me and calling this war "Mr. Madison's War". They were upset because of the blockade that damaged their trade. Can you believe they were actually considering withdrawing from the United States?! But when news of the peace treaty arrived, the Hartford Convention ended.

September 13th 1814

The American flag was still standing at dawn. The Americans held off the British attack.

August 1814

The British have attacked Washington DC. They set fire to several government buildings. My wife Dolly barely escaped with her life. They've moved on to Baltimore to attack Fort McHenry! God help us.

March 1814

The Native Americans, esp the Creeks have been giving Americans a difficult time, attacking their settlement. Andrew Jackson took charge of the forces in Georgia and defeated the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The treaty that ended the fighting forced the Creeks to give up millions of acres of land.

June of 1812

After receiving much pressure, I have agreed to allow Congress to declare war on Britain.

Spring of 1812

Relations with Britain are getting worse. They continue to impress our American sailors.

November 1809

I have become president and now I inherit all the situational problems that Jefferson dealt with. I do not wish to go to war with Britain or France. I would like to find a peaceful solution. The American people have developed a sense of Nationalism. Henry Clay, John Calhoun and their supporters, also called the War Hawks, are ready to go to war with Britain.

1805

The Shawnee war chief, Tecumseh, has allied himself with Britain hoping that a British victory will mean the return of Native American lands. While Tecumseh was away from the Shawnee people, General Henry Harrison, defeated their tribe at the Battle of Tippecanoe.