Chapter 10
CHAPTER X. But what if the issue of the battle had been different? As stated in the last chapter, the peace treaty was speedily and joyfully ratified. But what if the issue of the battle had been different? The chronology of the treaty may here be given.
Signed at Ghent on the 24th day of December 1814 by the peace commissioners representing the two countries. Ratified for England by the Prince Regent on December 31st, 1814. Reached Washington the night of February 14th, 1815. Sent by President Madison to the Senate February 15th. Ratification advised by the Senate February 16th.
Ratified by President Madison February 17th. And ratification exchanged with England's representative the same day. Promulgated by President Madison February 18th. Thus ending the period of hostilities. Would the United States Senate have advised ratification or would the President have ratified
if the British on January 8th had swept aside that defensive army and had carried into effect the design to capture and occupy Louisiana? Probably no more grave or serious situation has ever confronted an American President than that which would have been presented. By ratifying the treaty the President would have satisfied the New England malcontents
who had given veiled threats of disunion. But by the ratification with England in possession of Louisiana and holding that it was not a legal possession of the United States the President would have faced a desperate alternative of giving up Louisiana and the Trans-Mississippi territory. Or referring it to the issue of a future war or future negotiations.
It is the belief of the writer that President Madison would have declined to ratify the treaty as long as the British remained in occupation of Louisiana. Thus prolonging the war with its uncertainties and taking the risk of the disruption of the union through a separate peace with England by the New England states. A proposition which as we have seen was in contemplation by the English government.
All of these questions so momentous to the American Union were happily and gloriously averted by the marvelous defensive victory at New Orleans. And yet American historians teach our children that that battle was a needless one. Oh ignorance, oh prejudice, oh pro-English. End of chapter 10.
