The Very Day Henry Clay Arrives in Europe for the Peace Negotiations, He Informs the U.S. ambassador to France That the U.S. Has Agreed to the Talks: “You will have heard of the acceptance, by the President, of the British overture to treat of peace”

The U.S. was unprepared for the War of 1812, and the fortunes of war proved vacillating. There were successes, such as William Henry Harrison’s victory in the northwest in the Battle of the Thames, in which Tecumseh was killed, and Oliver H. Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. But there were also failures, such as Gen. James Wilkinson’s expedition against Montreal; also, Fort Niagara was lost, Black Rock and Buffalo were burned, and great quantities of provisions and stores destroyed. The American hope of conquering Canada began to look like a dream, and the threat remained that the British and their Indian allies might yet gain a hold over territory in the American west in order to create an Indian buffer state between the U.S. and the Mississippi River. The British blockade of the U.S. eastern seaboard was constantly growing more rigid; not a single American man-of-war was on the open sea. Meanwhile the discontent with the war prevailing in New England, which was destined to culminate in the Hartford Convention, continued to be active and to threaten rebellious outbreaks. But the most ominous event was the downfall of Napoleon’s prospects, the likely conclusion of peace in Europe, and, in consequence, the liberation of the military, naval, and financial resources of Great Britain for a vigorous prosecution of the war in America. In 1813 the Americans agreed to mediation to end the war, but the British declined and instead in early 1814 offered direct peace talks to be held at Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. The U.S. accepted that offer.

The head of the American negotiating team was John Quincy Adams, the U.S.’s most experienced diplomat. The four men who served with him were carefully selected by President Madison to reflect the varieties of political sentiment in the United States. Foremost among them was Henry Clay, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a noted War Hawk. Albert Gallatin had served as Secretary of the Treasury for both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. James Bayard was a U.S. Senator belonging to the Federalist Party who had been an opponent of the war, and was one of the 13 Senators to vote against declaring it. However, once the war began he supported the war effort. Jonathan Russell was acting U.S. ambassador to Britain when war was declared. In addition to being a negotiator, he was also serving as ambassador to Sweden and Norway. He proved instrumental in achieving the final peace terms. Adams, Gallatin and Bayard were already in Europe for the abortive mediation effort. Clay and Russell traveled from the U.S. to Europe, arriving at Gothenburg on April 14, 1814. There they found that the site of the negotiations had been moved to Ghent, Belgium, where they would go with some reluctance, as that city was garrisoned by British troops.

William H. Crawford was sent as U.S. ambassador to France in 1813, with orders to demand the repeal of the Berlin and Milan Decrees (put in place by Napoleon to attempt to strangle the British Islands, but in doing so interfering with U.S. commerce), to protest violations of American trading interests, and to attempt to negotiate a commercial treaty. During the peace negotiations, he was responsible for superintending the American consuls in Europe and keeping them informed of developments. More than that, he was an advisor to the President on the happenings on the Continent. As Ambassador to the Court of one of the two major adversaries in the conflicts in Europe, he was also actively involved in the Ghent negotiation process, advising the negotiators and responding to their confidential communiqués. He would later serve as Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Madison and Monroe.

Autograph letter signed, two pages, Gothenburg, April 14, 1814, the very day he arrived, to Crawford, updating him his view of the progress of the war, on hopeful recruiting efforts at home, some high level appointments recently made by President Madison, and informing him that he would like to visit Paris. “Mr. Shaler [secretary to the U.S. delegation] is charged with the delivery to you of sundry packets and letters, public and private, which with the oral communications you will receive from him will put you in complete possession of American affairs up to the period of our departure from N. York. Among the letters you will find several from our friends at Mrs. Dawson’s mess No. 2, all of whom I am happy to inform you were well.” Clay and John C. Calhoun had both lived in Dawson’s No. 2 boardinghouse in Washington while serving in Congress.

“The success with which our operations on the Lakes, in the N.W. and in the South had been attended gave to the administration a strength, of which they were not deprived, altho’ it was somewhat diminished, by the failure of Genl. Wilkinson’s enterprise against Montreal. The causes of that failure you will be able to collect from a document, called for by Congress, and with which Mr. Shaler will supply you. Laws had been passed offering increased incentives to the recruiting service, which was going on with much spirit; so that sanguine hopes were entertained of our ability to enter the field, on the opening of the campaign, with an imposing force. The Embargo law was enforced, without any of those violations which characterized the execution of the former one. The effect of this measure most regretted, as it respects its operation upon ourselves, was the probable diminution of the revenue. On the other hand, it was believed that the product of the Internal taxes had been placed at much too low an estimate.

“You will have heard of the acceptance, by the President of the British overture to treat of peace at this place. The unexpected continuance of Mr. Gallatin in Europe rendered it necessary to supply his place at the head of the Treasury, and G. W. Campbell was appointed to that station, and Mr Gallatin associated in this mission, after I left Washington: The Cabinet experienced a further change in the resignation of Mr. [William] Pinckney, and the appointment of Mr. [Richard] Rush to the office of Attorney General. His place as Comptroller was filled with Ezekiel Bacon, formerly of the House of Representatives.

“Upon leaving America it was my wish to have visited France, and altho’ it is somewhat weakened by the late visit which Paris has received; or rather is said to have received (for the fact is not yet confirmed), I have not entirely abandoned the intention. Will you do me the favor to inform me if there be any difficulty in my executing this purpose; and if I shall not trespass too much upon your goodness, may I further ask that you would obtain for me any facilities that may be necessary to my safety in traveling? The time is of course altogether uncertain, depending upon the termination of my public duties here; but I should hope it would not be longer than July or August.

“If Paris has been really occupied by the allies, I presume your public character has protected you from any inconvenience. As to your success in the object of your mission I apprehend that is not to be counted upon.”

This letter was acquired by us from a direct descendant of William H. Crawford, and it has never before been offered for sale.