advantages of friendship. The proof is that eight years
later George Canning asked the United States to join in a declaration
with Great Britain in favor of the Latin-American States; and the idea
developed into our independent Monroe Doctrine. The American people were
entitled to forget their weakness and defeats; for the net result of the
War of 1812 was to inspire the greatest naval and colonial power in the
world with a respect for American character and an acceptance of the
United States as a great National power.

[Illustration: From "Naval Actions of the War of 1812," by James Barnes.
Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers

THE "CONSTITUTION" TAKING THE "CYANE"

The "Cyane" was one of the crack sloops of war in the English service.
The "Constitution" after a running fight captured both this ship and the
"Levant." From a painting by Carlton T. Chapman]

* * * * *

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

_By Henry Adams_

Vols. VI-IX contain the best account of the War of 1812.

THE LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON

_By John Spencer Bassett_

Vol. 1, chapters vi-xiii, treat of Jackson's part in the war.

THE NAVAL WAR OF 1812

_By Theodore Roosevelt_

Best account of the naval strategy of the war.

A FULL AND CORRECT ACCOUNT OF THE MILITARY OCCURRENCES OF THE LATE WAR
BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

_By William James_

(2 vols.) The standard English account.

THE CANADIAN WAR OF 1812

_By Charles Prestwood Lucas_

Recent English point of view.

SEA POWER IN ITS RELATIONS TO THE WAR OF 1812

_By Alfred Thayer Mahan_

(2 vols.) A study of the whole struggle for neutral rights, and the
war.

RISE OF AMERICAN NATIONALITY, 1811-1819

_By Kendric Charles Babcock_

(American Nation, Vol. XIII.)

Most convenient brief account of the war. Recent and impartial.

NAVAL ACTIONS OF THE WAR OF 1812

_By James Barnes_

Popular and well illustrated.

Information concerning the above books and articles may
be had on application to the Editor of The Mentor.

THE OPEN LETTER

[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS]

If the telegraph had been in existence a century ago, the battle of New
Orleans would not have taken place. It was unique in history as a battle
fought after a war was over. And it was the only real victory won by the
land forces of America in the