ABSTRACT
The relations of Great Britain with the United States had been of the most unsatisfactory character ever since the first issue of the Orders in Council, in 1807, which compelled all vessels on their way to blockaded ports to touch at British harbours, and asserted a right of seizing British sailors found in American vessels. The United States, highly exasperated, met this step by the announcement that all intercourse with Great Britain and her dependencies was at an end. Although the embargo was withdrawn in 1809, and the trade with this country for a time resumed, the friction still continued. In spite of the remonstrances of the American Government, of the American merchants of Liverpool and elsewhere, and of many of the ablest men in this country, the British Ministry persisted in enforcing the orders until June, 1812. President Madison, in his address to the American people, stated that upwards of a thousand American vessels were seized under these orders on the high seas, carried into English ports, where many of them were condemned, and all subjected to heavy losses. At the beginning of the year 1812, as the commercial and manufacturing distresses became greater, it appeared that a perseverance in the unwise policy would produce a war with America. The great attainments and powerful eloquence of Mr. Brougham were for four years ranged against the orders, and on the 16th of June, 1812, his efforts were crowned with success, Lord Castlereagh announcing to Parliament that the ministry had decided to suspend the orders. The concession came too late. Two days after Lord Castlereagh’s announcement and three weeks before the news could reach America, President Madison had issued a declaration of war against Great Britain. The war lasted about two years and-a-half, inflicting enormous losses on both belligerents, whilst their successes were so nearly balanced that both nations were heartily glad to accept the mediation of the Emperor of Russia to put an end to the unnatural conflict. Perhaps there never was a contest where the amount of political and commercial benefit received on either side was so ridiculously disproportionate to the frightful material and moral damage inflicted by the belligerents upon one another.
