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.

Who Was Absent From the Convention

Posted on September 6, 2014 by “Caius”

Timothy Pickering and John Lowell were absent from the convention.  The convention’s delegates were selected by state legislatures.  Timothy Pickering represented Massachusetts nationally in the House of Representatives.  In Washington he was noted for his obstructionism of the war with … Continue reading →

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How Other New England States Replied to Invitations to a Convention

Posted on August 30, 2014 by “Caius”

Just three New England states appointed delegates to the proposed convention. Massachusetts led the way with twelve delegates:  George Cabot, William Prescott, Harrison Gray Otis, Timothy Bigelow, Nathan Dane, George Bliss, Joshua Thomas, Hodijah Baylies, Daniel Waldo, Joseph Lyman, Samuel … Continue reading →

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What John Adams Thought About Cabot and the Convention

Posted on August 23, 2014 by “Caius”

  Democratic-Republicans feared the Hartford Convention would lead to a confederation in New England.  So did John Adams.[1] A twenty-three year old Federalist visited Adams, then eighty years old.  He wanted letters of introduction to Jefferson and other Virginians.  John … Continue reading →

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Why Timothy Pickering Had His Doubts

Posted on August 16, 2014 by “Caius”

After years promoting a convention of New England states, Timothy Pickering was in favor of it. George Cabot and Harrison Gray Otis, two moderates, headed the delegation from Massachusetts.  In a confidential letter to John Lowell, Pickering began by praising George … Continue reading →

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What the Committee Reported

Posted on August 10, 2014 by “Caius”

Harrison Gray Otis reported for his committee: “The state of the national Treasury…requires an augmentation of existing taxes; and if in addition to these the people of Massachusetts, deprived of their commerce and harassed by a formidable enemy, are compelled … Continue reading →

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How Massachusetts Reacted When the British Captured Castine, Maine

Posted on August 2, 2014 by “Caius”

New England was defenseless against the British.  Earlier in the war, Federalist governors refused to pledge their state militias to defense of the nation. [1] After the British captured Castine, a town in Maine, Governor Strong of Massachusetts called up … Continue reading →

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How Napoleon’s Defeat at Leipzig Affected War in the United States

Posted on July 27, 2014 by “Caius”

    In October 1813, Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Leipzig.  On April 11, 1814, Austria, Russia and Prussia formed an alliance, signing the Treaty of Fontainebleau.  The treaty removed Napoleon as emperor of France, exiling him to the isle … Continue reading →

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How the Embargo of 1813 Affected New England

Posted on July 21, 2014 by “Caius”

Despite Federalist protests against the war, New England’s economy prospered.  Enterprising New Englanders profited by smuggling goods to the British in Canada.  Madison was outraged.  He reported to Congress on December 9, 1813: “The tendency of our commercial and navigation … Continue reading →

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How the Peace Party Failed

Posted on July 12, 2014 by “Caius”

  Noah Webster’s friends tried to broaden the scheme for a convention.  They proposed a state-wide convention in Massachusetts.   Federalist Party leaders knew the Massachusetts senate would never approve of a convention.  It had a Democratic-Republican majority.[1] Instead, they backed … Continue reading →

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What Noah Webster Had Already Done

Posted on July 5, 2014 by “Caius”

Noah Webster had proposed a convention to Governor Strong.  Cautiously, Strong brought Webster’s idea to his council, controlled by the Federalists.  The council shelved Webster’s proposal.  They favored a more cautious approach.  They advocated Federalists hold conventions in the counties.  … Continue reading →

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