Tweet us. Join the cspan conversation, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. Since 1985, John Douglas Hall has been portraying president james madison. He has been in mount vernon, montpelier, and gatsbys tavern in alexandria, virginia. Next, to mark the 200 anniversary of the signing of the treaty of ghent by the president ending the war of 1812, the Octagon Museum hosted an event. Using his 30 years of experience researching and portraying president madison, mr. Hall discusses popular opinion of the time and the origins of the world 1812 or it this event is about 30 minutes. Good day to all of you. I am pleased to welcome friends here to the home of the which we have been occupying since last weve been here since february september. Of 1815, certainly in anticipation of great alterations to national circumstance. This is well to be evidenced. I find that, from time to time as president there is a necessity of explanation to the American People. As the circumstances press forward with the actions taken by this administration, there have been many reports of discontent is the declaration since the declaration commenced in the june of 1812. Thats nearly 2. 5 years ago. Since that time the administration, having relentlessly avoided any imposition of the suppression of the present speech alluded to in the bill of rights, this administration has been most fervent in not disturbing the rights of the American People. The accessibility to freedom of speech and the press has found great opposition in this administration. The outbreaks and riots in baltimore that occurred shortly after the declaration in july of 1812 in baltimore affected how many citizens supported the war. The outcome was the consequence of the publications. My friend, henry lee, had suffered that is the consequence of that there. We were not about suppress the press on those matters. You had seen a reflection in the country and in the unit new england state. We have seen their expressions of discontent, even amongst those in the democratic republican party, who expressed reservations about the war. But let us talk to the war itself. For years comparing the war they during the war between england and france, the nations had taken a stance of neutrality. They had voted national law and engaged in tribute. These two nations of the world were at war. During those years, they were engaged in the trade and technology contraband of the trade, but we found the policies of france and england changing dramatically. In 1806 and 1807. For those two years, the United States was able to engage in what they call a broken voyage. Where they had the permitting of trade that would occur between the two ports as long as the ship carrying the trade, such as a United States ship, would stand in a neutral port for several days, they would thus pay the taxes and tariffs. On those goods to the city. If they were not so, to have the sold to have the goods goods replaced upon the ship and go on. This process of the broken voyage was acknowledged by france and england, if not passively than directly. In 1807 the british change their policy and did not allow these broken voyages. The search for those orders of counsel seem to engage that any ship, neutral or otherwise trading with their enemy as expressed by their allies would be subjected to british seizure by the royal navy. The french responded through a host of other edicts and were engaged by a similar practice is the french navy and english navy regarding english ports, colonies, and allies. Essentially curbing them of all neutral trade, seized by the british, leading to the embargo declared by the United States, total embargo of trade. This embargo met with some resistance in new england. I was told that some urgency might be able to receive a great some merchants might be able to receive a great deal of profit have they sent three ships out to trade. Two were usually captured by the english or the french. In this regard, then, it was still be profitable even if one ship was able to return to port. With the embargo we sought to limit the amount of trade to those english and french colonies in the antilles and caribbean that were dependent upon American Goods for subsistence. We restricted the trade to those colonies so that they would be forced to appeal to their respective governments and receiver rescinding of the and seek a rescinding of the restrictive acts on the parts of free trade. Now, this was not able to be occurring. We thought the embargo also inspired manufacturers to produce such goods that could only be purchased in england and france. Thus inspiring american commerce all the more. But this did not occur for want of capitalism. So, after a year the embargo was rescinded generally. During that year in the years following an 1812, the united until 1812, the United States had been engaged in an epic active negotiation with england and france, seeking to have them resume the restriction on american trade. A number of embargo act, smaller in consequence, the importation nonimportation acts, prohibitive acts towards one nation or the other issued to france and england separately as they were not tied together but dealing separately again with england, thus whichever nation lifted its restrictions on american trade, we would recommence trade with that country and enforce harsher restrictions on the country that did not. By 1810 we had received notice from france from John Armstrong there that they were willing to discuss lifting edicts even from berlin if the from malan and berlin united , states would lift the nonimportation of french good. On the basis of that we lifted our restrictions to france, sent notice to england on the lifting of the restrictions that england would be forced to do the same. But england did not change her policies and we vowed that even the lifting of french restrictions was something obviated by the nuances of the declaration. Napoleon lifted the restrictions on american ships already in the port, but american ships on the high seas would still be subjected to seizure in the terms of making declarations and uncompromising based on the and compromise them engaging these alterations and of these trainings. And this trade. These matters of course, this left our negotiations with france very tenuous, but still more advantageous than our previous negotiations had, with england. I had the secretary of state we had negotiated for powers to negotiate with the United States regarding the difference between the two nations. The presence of sailors. The hostility of western tribes. The nature of open ports. The paper blockade in europe and a host of other restrictions placed on american trade. We had come to an agreement and in consequence of that agreement we lifted the restriction on British Trade for three months and allowed trade with england. But it turns out that his arrangement was rescinded by the administration and, because of that and later accounts from john foster, we found that the british would be intractable in the negotiation and would not lift any of their issues. Most important, of course, was the matter of the present. Of impressment. The capacity of england to board american ships of war, the incident with the chesapeake in 1807 was very consequential. This cannot be tolerated by this nation. With every effort to negotiate with england, to negotiate the issues between the nations having failed, it was inevitable, then, that we would be declaring war on england and i knew that by 1811 and the issuance of the new 12th congress at that point, in the 11th congress he found a new we found a new group of men coming into congress, young men who had been born at least at if not after the commencement of the revolution in 1776. These generals seemed ambitious for war. These gentlemen seemed ambitious for war. Mr. Clay, mr. Calhoun, mr. Cheese, mr. Gundy. And others. They were most ambitious for war and one of the representatives from virginia, mr. John randolph, called it the war of hawks, they were so ambitious. Called them war hawks. There were new members of congress, extraordinary as much as they wanted to have war, many of them voted against any acts that would be introduce to prepare the United States for war. You cant build ships of war you cannot ill ships of war. With raw timber you have to purchase it beforehand at the subtly naval yards reestablishing naval yards through the assembly of ships, hemp, operations from units and a host of necessary items to be addressed in raising a volunteer army, consisting of the militia from the civil state. All of these matters were pertinent. Yet allocations for money and , appeals to the congress for those moneys went unanswered. It began with through a lack of of the war began with a lack of preparation ensuring that in generations from now they would remark upon my person and my administration for having been so ill prepared for war. One was to be reminded of the restrictions in the constitution itself. It is the congress that declares war. It is the congress that appropriates money for the carrying out of war. It is a congress that approves those actions necessary for conducting a war. It is the congress in one hand that is to appeal for war. Yet on the other hand is nothing does nothing in order to prepare for that war. I suspect it is rather specious for anyone a subsequent generations to know of charges two level charges of ineptness or incompetence on the part of this administration. The war has been constructed the with the strict attention to the authority granted by it. We have suffered from difficulties in the northwest, in the niagara valley. Numerous successes on the high sea, but certainly the most generous and enthusiastic ball to all of us here in the last six days from that glorious victory nor lands on the behalf in new orleans on the behalf of general jackson, eclectic assembly of soldiers that he gathered to defeat the british army, a large army, regular army serving against napoleon. A most Extraordinary Assembly of british troops, welltrained and seasoned. According to the report of mr. Jackson, the british loss included nearly 2500 killed, wounded, or captured. History port indicated seven americans have been killed and 12 wounded, a most extraordinary disparity. This may well lead to the conclusion of the secession of hostilities in which they may negotiate a final capitulation of the war, bringing about a ceasefire, armistice, or treaty in order to end hostilities between the nations. Negotiations with england commenced almost as immediately as the declaration of war was declared in june of 1812. Most did not want the war to take place, but we had preconditions for the war to end. The british did not wish to answer them. The british had appointed admiral boren, of halifax, to warren of halifax to act in the manner of negotiating with the british, but he was himself intractable. We have seen irrefutable proofs over the last two in a half years of the efforts of the United States. And in the conceding matter we have seen further cessation of hostilities that had not taken place because the terms proposed by the english, the terms proposed by this nation had not been answered by the enemy and as a consequence, the host has continued through difficulties the hostilities have continued. The difficulties of cost in capturing the president in new york, managing to cripple one of the three british ships that was fighting the president. The president was finally taken. Stephen decatur was never to be exchanged, coming back to Washington City only recently, at the beginning of this month when i opponent appointed a shield as the new secretary of a mr. Cronin shield as the new secretary of the navy. It has been his ambition in massachusetts to institute something broad through the navy , and i believe the congress will approve. The idea is to appoint a board made up of captains of the United States navy wellversed in naval affairs. The names of of william bainbridge, porter, and rogers they have all been proposed as members of this threeman board. Its my disposition to name mr. Porter or perhaps mr. Rogers as the chairman, appointing to others following mr. Porter to act as the other two commissioners in the title and rank of commodore, where they will be responsible for the details supplied to the navy in securing it, leaving the secretary of the navy to other duties in the post. This would be a cursory review of the events that took place over the last 12 years over the last 2. 5 years including the reasons for going to war and the manner that we carry the diplomatic war on, particularly if i left out any military encounters or specifics of those encounters in the northwest by appointment, the politics of congress during the course of these days in the negotiation were going on in europe to the presence of our Peace Commission starting in 1813 in new jersey with adams in st. Petersburg, subsequent to the appointment of Jonathan Russell and henry clegg. Henry clay. These matters are more particular and i did not wish to engage your attentions at that time. Even as i look upon your fine assembly i noticed a blank faces that indicate the inability to comprehend that which i have already said. It is much more difficult for me to say than for you to understand. If there are queries amongst your number, i should be pleased to receive any questions you may have yes . There was much criticism of you when they called it mr. Madisons war. At any time during the war, did you think may be it had not been such a good idea or maybe youre not come pushing your objective you were not a compass in your objective. When you heard the council had been rescinded, you had negotiated act to a war question mark anything like that . A very good question and the fact that you brought up the idea of the orders of counsel which we found reprehensible, we found that within two months after the declaration of war. The war was not declared because of the particular orders in council and the rescinding of those orders. The declaration of war was first established to establish the dignity of this nation. We were an independent nation not subjugated to a european nation. The orders in council issued by the british as a manner of maritime policy but the rescinding of them was not accompanied by a declaration by england to rescind their right to impress sailors from other ships. In order to cause this, lift this in pressman to american sailors, boarding american merchant ships and even american manofwar, we offered a statute which was passed in congress that the United States no longer allow any english sailors on american warships. This was to guarantee the british the supposition that gentlemen were deserting the british navy and fighting on american ships. Our passing that statute did not seem to cause the british to lift their declaration of rights to impressment. In terms of the nature of the war, it was only inevitable because the british were so intractable and negotiating these issues. They sought to negotiate them several times and we had to come to some conclusion with mr. Scott erskine. We had to make adjustments on a matter of trade to accommodate british wishes. But even with the extension of our magna minute he, the british did not resend their right to impressment of sailors. Even though the orders from counsel are lifted, those issues dealing with the rights of neutral nations of trade in times of war had not then. The declaration of war is always the ultimate matter of diplomacy and other numerous attempts succeeded to make changes in the negotiation between england and the United States and france and the United States. We came close to declaring war on france as well. The issues of war was one of national integrity, to inculcate the American People a sense of american pride. , to establish american diplomacy in the courts of europe so that they knew they had a nation with whom to contend and not merely some subordinate to the english or french in the matter of trade. I think the war was inevitable only because of the intractability of the british and their failure to negotiate. I think the war has been most successful. We did not seek to conquer land in canada. We do not seek to subjugate another people. We had hoped that the americans living in canada might urge that province to join our own in the United States. I believe my own secretary of state, mr. Munro suggested to the Peace Commissioners at one point that we might advance the idea canada being involved in the negotiations. I dont know whether that has been proposed by the committees commission by the these commission or not. These are matters of national dignity, not the congress pre. We want to express of the British American independence. For that reason, the war was inevitable and this time, we have certainly met the goal of establishing our purposes with england and the rest of the courts of europe. It has become more difficult since last april with the abdication of the corsican napoleon. The british would bring more forced down upon our nation in naval terms. The victory in new orleans would indicate that however much forced the british may send in our direction, the spirit of the American People will still persevere. We see it agreeably in the end. Other questions . Perhaps you are hear from Washington City question mark i like having your company and i hope we have opportunity to speak with one another privately if circumstances would allow. Maybe in a public forum, there is a general reluctance to pose questions amongst your colleagues and friends. I am delighted with your company here today. I must confess that this position as president has changed alternately with that victory in new orleans. It had been obviated somewhat by the report from the president the loss of the u. S. Resident but we had two other victories since that time. We hope more reports of victories will be seen and the constant pressure on england to acquiesce the most modern of demands. Yes, sir . [indiscernible] a disagreeable turn of events took place last august and september. It was certainly a disappointment to myself and mrs. Madison and to the rest of the nation. I dont believe the whole spirit of the United States, the dignity of the mark in people, are predicated on constructing buildings but rather onto the heart and spirit of the American People themselves. When the unfortunate event had taken place, mrs. Madison and i were separated from one another. She saw refuge and i have sent a message to her on the 24th day of the battle of bladensburg indicating i might meet her at the foundry. Unfortunately, by the time i arrived there, i realized the difficulty in travel with so many people leaving the city. I left another message for her to join with me across the river in north virginia. By the time she had gotten there, apparently i had already left. A variety of stays in salama and minors ordinary, i did meet with her for a while, three hours together i believe. I had to take leave to seek out the generals forces. I proceeded in the company of benjamin ross, the secretary ofthe attorney general and with john mason, the general, to proceed to brookfield where we understood that general winder might be located and we lodged there at his house. Myself mr. Rush, and mr. Mason and the dragoons accompanied us. We received word there where the generals forces would be. The following day, we reentered Washington City. There, i was quite surprised by mrs. Madison. We did not hope she was in danger by arriving in the city so weekly after that, a storm took place. We took private lodgings with her sister at the f street house. We have been renting from the origins when i was secretary of state in 1801. We stayed there for two or three weeks and received a notice. We were allowed to rent this house for 500 for six months until the president s mansion could be reestablished. The landlord removed himself to the south of here. In any event, mrs. Madison and i had been well entrenched here at the octagon house. Congress met at the post office. The nation proceeds with its public business. Perhaps more uncomfortable than it was before but the public is this is of such magnitude and import that it would require us all to make adjustments to carry on the course of american activities and the american spirit in 1815. We all persevered. I believe its been a bit uncomfortable to acknowledge your question but it has not been that the tarrant or any inclination on my part or anyone in my circle to respond to the request we removed to philadelphia or new york or some other northern place. We shall retain the National Capital here. We built it here and mrs. Madison has been most adamant in establishing the american dignity. Rather than relinquishing our capital for some unfortunate turn of events, we will remain here and rebuild here and establish that american spirit and precedents to persevere in the face of adversity. I like to have your company here and i hope we make wind ourselves in our company in the near future. We may hear news from some ghent that negotiations have been taking place or advocated. The appointment of John Quincy Adams two years ago it appears the advancement of these matters was made in december last year. We made a proposal for the british to me and discuss these matters. It was suggested by the british to remove it to gethent. They refuse last year and 1814. Allowing them to discuss the terms of ceasefire and secession of possibility. They refused it. And december of the past