The Henry Letters were correspondence by an adventurer named
John Henry with the Governor General of Canada, Sir
James Craig in 1809. The letters documented Henry's efforts to determine
Federalist
The term ''federalist'' describes several political beliefs around the world. It may also refer to the concept of parties, whose members or supporters called themselves ''Federalists''.
History Europe federation
In Europe, proponents of de ...
sympathies to have the New England states leave the United States and join the British Empire. A bundle of letters was sold to
President James Madison for $50,000. The letters were fraudulent, but both the President and his fellow Republicans in Congress were deceived on the eve of the
War of 1812
The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...
.
Henry left the United States for France shortly before the letters were made public on March 9, 1812 in a message to Congress by President Madison.
Historians have been sharply critical of Madison's actions. Leopold writes, "In buying sight unseen, in February, 1812, the worthless Henry letters at the cost of a badly needed frigate in order to expose the supposed intrigues of the New England Federalists, Madison and Secretary of State Monroe looked like fools as well as knaves."
[Richard W Leopold, ''The Growth of American Foreign Policy: A History'' (1962) p. 63. ]
See also
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Origins of the War of 1812
The origins of the War of 1812 (1812-1815), between the United States and the British Empire and its First Nation allies, have been long debated. The War of 1812 was caused by multiple factors and ultimately led to the US declaration of war on ...
References
{{James Madison, state=collapsed
War of 1812
Presidency of James Madison