Author Archives: “Caius”

About “Caius”

Mathew Carey (1760-1839) used the pseudonym of “Caius,” a character from King Lear who was loyal but blunt. When Mathew Carey feared New England would secede from the Union, he read everything he could find on the history of civil wars. In that spirit, “Caius” offers a historical perspective for political discussion.

Secession in Massachusetts; Nullification in South Carolina

Posted on February 10, 2013 by “Caius”

Secession off the Coast of Massachusetts On the island of Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts, a British gunboat patrolled the shore, cutting off supplies from the mainland. Some islanders begged for food in town.  The sea-going islanders, whalers by … Continue reading →

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States’ Rights in New England and South Carolina

Posted on February 3, 2013 by “Caius”

New England States Asserted their Rights to President Madison in 1813 By 1813, the state governments of New England were under Federalist control.   Federalists opposed the war from the beginning, and were poised to assert states’ rights to President Madison.  … Continue reading →

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Why Westerners and Southerners Agitated for the War of 1812; Why South Carolina Wanted to Nullify a Federal Law in 1828

Posted on January 27, 2013 by “Caius”

Why Westerners and Southerners Agitated for the War of 1812 The representatives from the non-mercantile inland, the West and the South voted for the war.  Many of the representatives who had passed Macon’s Act No. 2 were not re-elected in … Continue reading →

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Why New Englanders Opposed the War of 1812

Posted on January 19, 2013 by “Caius”

  On June 16, 1812, the British suspended their economic sanctions, but it was too late.  Two days later, well before the news reached Washington, Congress declared war on Great Britain.  Declaring war theoretically favored New England’s shipping interests:  Continuing impressment, … Continue reading →

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How Napoleon Lured President Madison into a Trap

Posted on January 13, 2013 by “Caius”

By 1806 Napoleon had conquered or formed alliances with every country that mattered on the continent.  Napoleon dominated the land; Britain dominated the sea.  Lacking the forces to invade Britain, and unable to conquer Britain’s formidable Navy, Napoleon resorted to … Continue reading →

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Why Mathew Carey was Alarmed that Secession and Civil War were Imminent

Posted on January 6, 2013 by “Caius”

  In an influential Democratic-Republican newspaper, the Aurora, William Duane favored use of federal forces in New England. Mathew Carey, alarmed that secession was imminent, read everything he could on the history of civil wars.  He found that citizens were … Continue reading →

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How Jefferson and Madison Reacted to Threats of Secession

Posted on December 30, 2012 by “Caius”

Responding to howls of protest in New England, Congress hastily passed a bill repealing the Embargo.   Jefferson signed it three days before the end of his term, on March 1, 1809.  In its place, Congress passed a Non-Intercourse Act. While … Continue reading →

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How New Englanders Used Jefferson’s Arguments to Defy Him

Posted on December 24, 2012 by “Caius”

  On June 21, 1807, the British frigate Leopard fired on the USS Chesapeake near Norfolk, Virginia.  The British killed three sailors and injured eighteen.  The British then boarded the Chesapeake impressing three Americans.   Citizens throughout the United States expressed … Continue reading →

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How the Essex Junto and the River Gods Began to Threaten Secession

Posted on December 16, 2012 by “Caius”

  To New England’s Federalists the Louisiana Purchase tipped the balance of power in favor of the South.  By the end of 1803, Massachusetts Federalists dubbed the Essex Junto were scheming to secede from the Union.  They were joined by a … Continue reading →

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How Jefferson and Madison’s Use of Newspapers Contributed to Secession Threats

Posted on December 9, 2012 by “Caius”

 Jefferson and Madison Used Newspapers to Launch Their Party           In the Early Republic, newspapers evolved into partisan publications.    John Fenno, a journalist for the Boston Centinel, wrote a defense of the Constitution, attracting the attention of prominent Federalists.    In … Continue reading →

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