Tag Archives: secession 2012

To Recap: How Madison Responded to Napoleon’s Offer

After repealing the Embargo, Congress once again passed a non-intercourse act, with a pledge the United States would resume trade with the first nation to repeal its injurious policies toward American commerce.  Jefferson’s successor, James Madison, tried diplomacy, working with … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on To Recap: How Madison Responded to Napoleon’s Offer

More on Nineteenth Century Economic Sanctions: Napoleon’s Continental System

By 1806 Napoleon had conquered or formed alliances with every country that mattered on the continent.  Napoleon dominated the land; Britain dominated the sea.  He lacked enough troops to invade Britain.  He was unable to conquer Britain’s formidable Navy. Napoleon … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on More on Nineteenth Century Economic Sanctions: Napoleon’s Continental System

Dreading Civil War, Mathew Carey Wrote to James Madison

Carey became alarmed the civil war was imminent.  He read everything he could on the history of civil war and began to promote national unity. “I had devoured… nearly all the Histories of Civil Wars to be found in the … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Dreading Civil War, Mathew Carey Wrote to James Madison

How the Massachusetts Legislature Reacted

  During its winter session, from January 26 to March 4, 1809, the Massachusetts legislature passed three resolutions: They denounced the Enforcement Act as “unjust, oppressive, and unconstitutional, and not legally binding on the citizens of this state.”  They opposed … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession, States' rights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How the Massachusetts Legislature Reacted

Federalists Organized Another Constitutional Convention

Madison was elected the next president of the United States in 1808.  For the Federalist Party’s leaders in New England, it was a significant setback.  Their attempt to unify the party by a moderate course of action had failed.[1] The … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Federalists Organized Another Constitutional Convention

Conservatives’ Dilemma: Moderation or Adherence to Principles?

Federalist Party leaders in Massachusetts faced a situation that is similar to what is going on within the Republican Party today.  As Tea Party leaders clamor for principles, the party’s leadership in Congress, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, pursue a moderate … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Conservatives’ Dilemma: Moderation or Adherence to Principles?

How Jefferson’s Economic Sanctions Angered New Englanders

  Jefferson’s intent was to keep the embargo in effect until either the French repealed their decrees, or the British repealed their orders.  Congress passed a ‘Force Act’ in 1809 bolstering the embargo.  It allowed federal agents to confiscate goods … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Nullification, Secession, States' rights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How Jefferson’s Economic Sanctions Angered New Englanders

Extra: Economic Sanctions in the Early Nineteenth Century

To Recap:   Some Events Leading to the War of 1812 Congress passed Macon’s Bill Number 2 in May 1810.  Americans resumed trade with Britain and France.  The bill stipulated the United States would re-instate its embargo against the enemy of the … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Extra: Economic Sanctions in the Early Nineteenth Century

How Jefferson’s Attempt to End Impressment Led to Talk of Secession

On June 21, 1807, the British frigate Leopard fired on the USS Chesapeake near Norfolk, Virginia, after the commander of the American vessel refused to let the British board it.   The British killed three sailors and injured another eighteen.  They … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on How Jefferson’s Attempt to End Impressment Led to Talk of Secession

What Hamilton Thought About Disunion and Why He Challenged Burr to a Duel

In a formal document, Hamilton explained his reason for challenging Burr to a duel.  It was, he said, to save his influence in politics.[1] The day before his duel, he wrote to Theodore Sedgwick, an influential Federalist in Massachusetts: “Dismemberment … Continue reading

Posted in From The Desk, Secession | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What Hamilton Thought About Disunion and Why He Challenged Burr to a Duel