The Papers of James Madison Vol.3 1 March-6 October 1802

by James Madison

ISBN: 9780813915418

Published: 1986

Volume 7 of the Presidential Series, covering the period between late October 1813 and June 1814, documents Madison's response to diplomatic developments and European military events affecting the course of the war between the United States and Great Britain. Early in 1814 the president accepted an offer of direct peace negotiations, but his country's military situation did not augur well for the outcome of the talks. He sought to improve U.S. diplomatic prospects by strengthening commercial ties with European powers in the wake of Napoleon's defeat, and by resolving a controversy with Great Britain over the status and treatment of prisoners of war. Mindful, however, that the peace talks might not succeed, Madison also supervised planning for the next U.S. military campaign and oversaw the difficult task of raising a loan to finance it. In the midst of these military and foreign policy concerns, the president dealt with domestic political controversies such as those surrounding his...