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Collection Reference Number GLC03342
From Archive Folder Documents Relating to 1812 
Title Benjamin Tallmadge to James McHenry discussing general issues, including politics and the War of 1812
Date 29 November 1812
Author Tallmadge, Benjamin (1754-1835)  
Recipient McHenry, James  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Comments on McHenry's retirement. Describes Baltimore as "almost ruined, as a place suitable for Gentlemen who loved [George] Washington & inbibed his sentiments." Comments on congressional activities, the failure of a bill proposed by congressman (and former Maryland governor) Robert Wright, the House's passage of a bill raising army pay and protecting soldiers with debt. Also mentions early defeats in the War of 1812: "Our Northern & Western Armies seem to be doomed to misfortune and Disgrace." McHenry was a former secretary of war. Tallmadge was then a Connecticut congressman.
Subjects War of 1812  Federalists  President  Politics  Congress  Law  Soldier's Pay  Military History  Debt  Finance  Global History and Civics  
People Tallmadge, Benjamin (1754-1835)  McHenry, James (1753-1816)  Washington, George (1732-1799)  Wright, Robert (1752-1826)  
Place written Washington, D.C.
Theme War of 1812; Government & Politics; Banking & Economics; The Presidency
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information The American strategy called for a three-pronged invasion of Canada and heavy harassment of British shipping. The attack on Canada, however, was a disastrous failure. At Detroit, 2000 American soldiers surrendered to a much smaller British and Indian force. An attack across the Niagara River, near Buffalo, New York, resulted in 900 American prisoners of war when the New York State militia refused to provide support. Along Lake Champlain, a third army retreated into U.S. territory after failing to cut undefended British supply lines. By the end of 1812, British forces controlled key forts in the Old Northwest, including Detroit and Fort Dearborn, the future site of Chicago. In this excerpt, Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835), who had served as a colonel during the Revolution and as an agent for the Ohio Company, a land acquisition company, comments on the U.S. army's deplorable condition.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
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