Dec 9

Dec 9 The Correspondence That Started The War of 1812 - John Henry's Papers

John Henry sold President James Madison letters that were claimed to be an exchange with the Royal Governor of Canada which led directly to the War of 1812.

Published 5/5/20 - Updated 12/7/21

John Henry

Very little is known about the early life of John Henry.

He seems to have immigrated from Ireland to the United States early in the George Washington Presidency.

Henry had little success in business, but was able to obtain a commission as a Captain in the US Army just as the Quasi-War with France was breaking out.

John became fairly important in the war, commanding several forts in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

Secret Correspondence

After the war, Henry settled down in Vermont for several years and studied the law.

During this time, he was allegedly contacted by Sir James Craig.

Craig was the Governor-General of Canada and apparently asked Henry to spy on the Americans in an effort to see how deeply politics were dividing the country.

By this time, the Federalist Party had been all but eliminated on the national stage but maintained strong support in New England.

High and Dry

Henry reported that he believed, should Britain declare war on the United States, New England would cede from the Union and join with the Brits against the South.

Unfortunately for John, Sir Craig died shortly thereafter...and Henry had never been paid!

He travelled to England in an unsuccessful attempt to receive his reward.

The Henry Papers

Upon his return, Henry decided to sell his correspondence to President James Madison.

Allegedly, he was advised to do this by Edouard de Crillion who was, allegedly, a con man.

Shockingly, President Madison, who had never read the letters or seemingly ever met Henry before, bought the documents.

Known afterwards as The Henry Papers, these documents were used to justify the war hawks' push to declare the War of 1812 against Britain (as well as put one of the final death blows on the Federalist Party).

At What Cost?

Perhaps the most notable thing about Henry’s exchange with Madison was the price tag.

The President purchased The Henry Letters for $50,000.

This was a serious sum back then.

At this cost, Madison could have purchased a brand new ship for the fledgling United States Navy!

Furthermore, there was no way to authenticate the documents...a point made frequently by the Federalists. Some of the opposition even accused Madison of forging the Letters.