Jefferson's Works Jefferson's Writings.......................... Life of Jefferson....... Memoir Papers of Jefferson....... Life of Jefferson...... Life and Times of Madison..... Debates of Congress, Vol. III History of the Republic of the United States....... History of the United States, Vol. V....... American State Papers, Vol. V................... Statesman's Manual..... Life of J. Quincy Debates Letters of J. Story, Vol. I... LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS. Nathaniel Macom..............Speaker of the House JUDICIAL OFFICERS. John Marshall.................. Chief Justice..................... .........1805-1807 ......1807-1811. .........1801-1807 ......1807-1811. ...........1801-1835. CHAPTER VIII. MADISON'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 1809-1817. THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY. Madison accepted the policy of Jefferson with reference to foreign and general affairs. His inaugural address contained no new enunciation of principles, but repeated, in substance, those of his predecessor, with such additions as the exigencies of the times demanded. } DIPLOMACY. When the new administration was launched the aspect of Eleventh Congress, European events was very threatening. Extra Session. Our foreign relations had grown so complicated that an adjustment seemed impossible without an appeal to war. The controversy with England was still pending. Madison was a man moderate in his thought and judgment, and naturally inclined to a middle course of action. The country was sharply divided, however, on the war question, and it was difficult for him to act, with the consent of his own judgment, in full accordance with the demands of either side. He desired to avert war, as long as possible, by means of diplomacy. England and France were still belligerent, and still disregarding the rights of neutrals. The former adhered to her "orders in council" and insisted that "a man once a subject was always a subject;" the latter had authorized the seizure and confiscation of American vessels which should enter the ports of France. A short suspense was effected through certain proposals of the British minister, Mr. Erskine, who informed the President, shortly after his inauguration, that he was authorized by his government to withdraw the objectionable "orders in council." In this he transcended his powers, and in consequence was afterwards recalled. But, on the strength of his proposal, the President summoned a special session of Congress, to meet May 22, 1809, and suspend the Non-Intercourse act, in so far as it affected England, after June 10. Congress assembled on the day appointed, but in the meantime the British government, having disowned her minister's offer, the President restored by proclamation the Non-Intercourse act, and Congress, having no business to occupy it, adjourned June 28. At the expiration of the Non-Intercourse act, May, 1810, Mr. Madison "caused proposals to be made to both belligerents, that if either would revoke its hostile edict, this law should only be revived and enforced against the other nation. England rejected the proposal, but France, in a sort of dubious way, accepted it and received the benefit of its execution. Congress met November 27, 1809. The republican maEleventh Congress, jority was very large. Few matters of First Session. general interest came up. A continuance of the non-intercourse act was voted; also a resolution requesting the President to recognize no longer the British minister, Mr. Erskine's successor, because of his having "frequently and offensively" contradicted the secretary of state. Congress adjourned May 1, 1810. ATTEMPT TO RE-CHARTER THE NATIONAL BANK. Congress met December 3, 1810. The question of greatEleventh Congress, est interest during this session was that Second Session. Sof re-chartering the national bank. The old charter would expire on the 4th day of March, 1811. Mr. Gallatin, secretary of the treasury, on the 2d of March, 1809, had submitted a report favorable to the bank. Nothing further than this had been done. When the resolution to re-charter came up in Congress, the same opposition was manifested on the part of the "strict constructionists" as was seen in the case of the original charter. The federalists advocated the measure, and a sufficient number of republicans sided with them to make it a very close vote. The resolution was defeated in the House by a majority of one, and in the Senate by the casting vote of the Vice-President. The bank, at the expiration of its charter, was therefore discontinued. Congress adjourned March 3, 1811. THIRD EMBARGO. Congress met November 4, 1811. The republican majorTwelfth Congress,ity was still very great, but there was manFirst Session. ifestly a breach in the party, growing wider every day, on the question of war. A number of young and aspiring members had recently entered Congress, who unitedly urged upon the party the necessity of a change of policy. Among these were Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Jefferson and Madison had made it a peace party. Since 1803 over 900 American merchant vessels had been captured, and other outrages perpetrated against the rights of the American government as a neutral power. These outrages were held up before the country as a just cause of war. The leaders of the war party gave Madison to understand that his nomination for a second term depended upon his falling in line with them and adopting a war policy. In case he refused to do this another man would be nominated in his stead. Madison yielded to the pressure and reluctantly advised Congress to prepare for hostilities. As a preliminary, the President, in April, 1812, recommended an embargo for sixty days; Congress passed a bill to that effect, but extended the time to ninety days. DECLARATION OF WAR. The war of 1812 was declared and supported by the republicans, and for the measure they were held responsible. On the first of June the President, in his message to Congress, |