200 years ago today

[Macman]

After the War of 1812 there was the almost war from the 'Pig incident' in the San Juan Islands. If that spark had flared, the Civil War may have had a different conclusion.

Yes, indeed. A certain Captain George Pickett was in charge of the original U.S. Army detachment sent to San Juan Island as things heated up.

[Detroitpete]

Most Americans (except for those residing in northwest New York state), have indeed forgotten about the War of 1812. Some might recall the White House getting torched. Growing up I always sort of thought of it as a war at sea, with the stunning American victories over the Royal Navy being the highlights: USS Constitution vs. HMSs Java and Guerriere, USS United States vs. HMS Macedonian, the Battle of Lake Erie, etc. I was never very clear on the land actions.
Of course, there was that popular song about the Battle of New Orleans! "In 1814 we took a little trip...."

Those of us who have grown up in and around the Michigan and Ohio border, Detroit and Lake Erie can't but help to know of this war and the impact of the battles fought here on our history. We're just glad our Ontario friends still let us over the border now and then ;-)

P.S. I grew up on a farm along the River Raisin and learned to fly fish for small mouth bass in these waters along side the battlefiled markers and memorial parks. I'm also the descendant of Col. John Carothers (Corathers)who was decorated for his actions during this war.

[Singlemalt]

Pete, you are welcome anytime. It has been almost 200 years of peace between our nations and a great deal of cooperation, trade and mutual benefit has transpired. After 200 years no one can really hold bitter feelings. However, it is much easier to respect those who remember and respects the conflicts of the past than those who out of ignorance or intentional myth building pretend they never happened.

I think the War of 1812 did a lot to build the character and nature of the Canada which was to come later. For the first time, in the face of a common threat English, French, Native and Black Canadians (in the ranks were units of escaped slaves) were forced to cooperate and fight together in a way we had never done before.

It is a sad statement of human nature that so often it requires the crusiable of war to build the foundation of lasting institutions.

[Tahshar]

All other social and political considerations set aside for a moment there is a lasting and painfully regrettable upshot of that war which ALL Americans must be reminded of from time to time. For the first time the US Government enacted a law whereby they punished all achievement, innovation, productive endevour by its citizens. No longer was commerse and trade taxed via sales taxes, levies on import and export, and property taxes but ALL income was subject to confiscatory taxation. The government later went on to impliment the automatic withholding of income taxes. I feel sure that if all americans had to file a return and pay thier taxes by actually writing a check to the government every year or quarter we would have a much more efficient and equitable system.

Those of you who are citizens of the other participating parties in the war of 1812 can with certainty claim a huge victory. At least it wasnt an event for which you have to pay in perpetuity.

Of course, we DID do pretty good with that little real estate deal with Napolean.

[ThistleDown]

The Nancy was a schooner in the fur trade on the Great Lakes and was berthed at MacIntosh’s wharf at Moy (now called Windsor) when the War of 1812 broke out between the United States and Great Britain. Moved for protection to Amherstburg, the ship was taken by the commander of the British garrison, Lieutenant-Colonel St. George, as a transport vessel. She was sunk in 1814 and the North West Compoany was recompensed 2200 pounds for her destruction.



Subsequently, her two brass cannon were retreived by Angus Mackintosh and settled in at his estate of Moy in Inverness-shire when he inherited the chiefship from his brother. Today, they are mounted on the garden wall of the new Moy Hall facing Loch Moy. Here's one of them.

[Bohica]

Yes we did burn down the White House but I see they have rebuilt it and it's very nice

[federkeil]

Yes we did burn down the White House but I see they have rebuilt it and it's very nice

Indeed, the interior needs some updating though...

Edit : This post is in reference to the dreadful interior decorating present inside the White House

[Riverkilt]

oooops!!! RULES....Mods!!!!! Not cool.....

[Mael Coluim]

oooops!!! RULES....Mods!!!!! Not cool.....

Steady as it goes, lads. We are all friends, here.

[ThistleDown]

This is The Nancy lobbing a gentle one across the bow. Slow in the water, if you please, gentlemen.