face of it there was not much cause for congratulation in a war
in which the United States trebled its national debt and lost 30,000 men
and 1,500 merchant ships, without gaining any territory and without
securing any promise at the end of the war that the disturbance of
neutral trade and the impressment of American seamen would not begin
again.

[Illustration: COMMODORE DAVID PORTER

The Commander of the "Essex"

From the painting by Chappel]

Another group of troubles arose from the fact that the New England
States were against the war from the beginning, refused to allow their
militia to join in the forces intended to invade Canada, and in 1814
sent delegates to a convention at Hartford. That convention sat in
secret, and nobody knows exactly what was said; but the resolutions
passed by it and sent out to the country demanded changes in the
Constitution which would have made it hard to carry on a federal
government. Fortunately before they could be presented to Congress the
news of peace was received.

[Illustration: From "Naval Actions of the War of 1812," by James Barnes.

Copyright, 1886, by Harper & Brothers

THE "ESSEX" BEING CUT TO PIECES

The "Essex" was under the command of David Porter, and drove British
shipping from the Pacific Ocean. The vessel was finally destroyed by the
"Phoebe" and the "Cherub." From a painting by Carlton T. Chapman]

These uncomfortable facts may be cheerfully admitted in view of a strong
list of reasons for national congratulation. One was the notable victory
of Andrew Jackson at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, after peace had been
made, though neither of the armies knew it. Critics have pointed out
that Jackson was slow in divining where the British would strike; that
he threw up no sufficient intrenchments; that if the British had placed
cannon on the west side of the river, they could have fired into his
rear and compelled him to retreat. All that does not diminish the glory
of Jackson's victory. He showed the energy and determination which
brought together a force of 3,500 men, mostly raw militia. This little
command lying behind the lines at Chalmette received the attack of 6,000
men. Over 2,000 of the British attacking column were sacrificed, and
Jackson remained master of the field, with a loss of seventy-one.

This brilliant success proved that Jackson was a good soldier, which in
due time helped to make him President of the United States. It proved
also that Amer