Earliest Americana Catalog, Page 4, the War of 1812

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Catalog Page 4

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The "Second War of Independence":
The War of 1812

Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it compromises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few". -James Madison

The War of 1812 was declared by Congress on June 13, 1812, and ended with the Treaty of Ghent, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814. Newspapers of the war are all far scarcer than Civil War era papers. The news items, in typical period fashion, consist of letters from observers, official government documents, and items freely copied from other newspapers with which the editor "exchanged". In this era of horseback post riders and sailing vessels, all but the local news was usually weeks or months old before it appeared in print. These fine old papers offer excellent coverage of this conflict and how America responded.

Negotiating Peace
E4-002. [SINGLE ISSUE] THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, December 6, 1814. [Complete issue of 4 pages, 4 size, published at Washington, D.C., by Gales & Seaton]
The work of the American peace commissioners at Ghent, trying to negotiate an end to the ruinous war with Great Britain, occupies nearly the entire issue, which is printed in an unusual reduced size four-column format. The Intelligencer had been a vocal critic of England and was entirely destroyed by the redcoats when the captured Washington a scant four months before this issue was printed. The British propose that their Indian allies be included in the peace settlement, and up to a third of what was then the United States be returned to them, along with much of Louisiana; the Americans' reply at length. Fascinating history .
Condition of this issue is fine evenly browned . . . 25.00

Great Naval History
E4-003. [SINGLE ISSUE]. NILES WEEKLY REGISTER, June 26, 1813. [Complete issue of 16 pages, 8vo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"Constitution and Java" very detailed report, over a page long, of the decisive engagement between "Old Ironsides" and the British warship, written by "An American" to correct mis-reporting in the press of that great battle. Long piece follows on the "CAPTURE OF THE CHESAPEAKE" detailing from British sources the loss of the US warship and the death of her Captain James Lawrence, just 30 miles outside Boston Harbor. Also in this issue is a rare early account of the Pacific Northwest "The Loss of the Ship Tonquin hear the mouth of the Columbia [River]," attacked and destroyed by "the savages... an immense number of Indians in canoes." Vivid account. More war news, etc.
Condition is bright very fine . . . 30.00

New Orleans in Danger - Hartford Convention in Session
E4-004. [SINGLE ISSUE]. NILES WEEKLY REGISTER, January 14, 1815. [Complete issue of 16 pages, 8vo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"HARTFORD CONVENTION" eight pages of detailed coverage of the assemblage of New England merchants in protest of the ruinous war with Britain. They debate and resolve on resistance to federal authority, including refusing any military draft, and as current as today's headlines, proposing five new amendments to the Constitution to assert Congress' right to rein in Presidential power gone mad. Privately the convention's members considered seceding from the Union and returning to England! News from New-Orleans to Dec. 14 begins "We anxiously look towards this city, filled with hopes and wounded with fear for its safety" as the same redcoat forces that burned Washington approaches. About two pages of detailed reporting of the city's preparations. More wars news &c.
Condition is nice fine . . . 22.50

USS Constitution Becomes Old Ironsides
E4-005. [SINGLE ISSUE]. THE WEEKLY REGISTER, February 20, 1813. [Complete issue of 16 pages, octavo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"Splendid Naval Victory" headlines the triumph of USS Constitution over HMS Java. Niles introduces Commodore Bainbridge's report by saying "We have not the language to express our feelings on this glorious occasion - the vengeance-charged Yankee guns have again prostrated the bloody cross" of British oppression. Full account of how the U.S. warship engaged the enemy and reduced her to a ruined hulk that had to be scuttled after she was literally pounded to pieces by American cannon fire. Fine early report of the encounter that earned the American vessel her enduring nickname. George Washington's Farewell Address, with its sage advice to the republic, is reprinted on Page One. More war news, politics, etc.
Condition is fine with light cover foxing, mostly in the right blank margin . . . 30.00

Our Early Troubled Relations With An Aggressive Islamic Power
E4-006. [SINGLE ISSUE]. THE WEEKLY REGISTER. APPENDIX TO VOLUME THE THIRD, [April], 1814. [Complete issue of 64 pages, octavo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"Affairs of Algiers" is a six page letter from the U.S. Consul General, transmitted by President Madison to Congress, describing "the most unexpected and extraordinary event" in the America payment of tributes to the Dey of Algiers, who seized more than his share of supplies and munitions from the U.S. vessel Allegheny. After its victory in the First Barbary War in 1805, the attention of the United States turned to its war with England. The Barbary pirate states took this opportunity to return to their practice of attacking American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea and holding their crews and officers for ransom. Unable to devote military resources and political will to the situation, the United States quietly recommenced paying ransom for return of the prisoners, as described here. Articles on the British perspectives on the war with America, and "British Tax Tables" show how Britons are paying for the war with higher taxes. The constitutions of the states are all printed here as well, as promised by editor Niles in this special "quadruple sheet" number printed as a bonus for subscribers. [4]
Condition is fine . . . 25.00

The U.S. Capture of Toronto
E4-007. [SINGLE ISSUE] THE WEEKLY REGISTER, June 5, 1813. [Complete original issue, 16 pages, 8vo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"The Capture of York, in Canada" is an excellent detailed account of the U.S. Army's successful military and naval attack on the Canadian capital city, which was renamed Toronto in 1834. Spirited account covers two pages; after subduing the 600 man redcoat garrison, successful commanders proclaim "The British Union Jack is coming down, and the stars are going up!" U.S. forces burned the capitol's public buildings; fourteen months later the British would burn Washington D.C. in retaliation. "Trappings of Royalty" lists King George's extravagant household budget in great detail. Also, the capture of the British fort at Mobile, in the future state of Alabama, much on Zebulon Pike (after whom the peak was named) and his command of the naval forces at Sackett's Harbor. Excellent issue.
Condition of this issue is fine . . . 20.00

War's Cruelty - War in Ohio - Texan Independence Spreads
E4-008. [SINGLE ISSUE] THE WEEKLY REGISTER, August 14, 1813. [Complete original issue, 16 pages, 8vo size, published at Baltimore, Maryland, by Hezekiah Niles]
"Barbarities of the Enemy" is a gruesome list of British war crimes in America, by the House investigating committee, detailing accusations of brutalizing POW's, the rapes at Hampton, Virginia, ransoming people from "the savages" allied with England, etc. Signed in type by future President William H. Harrison is a report of the fighting at Sandusky, with Tecumseh and the British; almost a full page of detail, with more on the western campaigns. "NAVAL" news recalls the heroism of James Lawrence, as well as Decatur and Porter Half column on the backpage reports the republican rebellion against Mexico's Spanish authorities, which began in Texas, is spreading, with outbreaks of violence in Vera Cruz, Durango, and Monterrey.
Condition of this issue is fine . . . 15.00

The Federal Budget
E4-010. [SINGLE ISSUE] THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, March 16, 1813. [Complete issue of 4 pages, folio size, published at Washington, D.C., by Gales & Seaton]
Covering most of Page Four, where it is signed in type JAMES MADISON, is the Federal Budget for 1813, listing government leaders and their salaries and budgets. A number of lines devoted to the U.S. Mint detail its operations and wages - for example $1,5000 is the annual salary of the Chief Coiner. Five additional Acts of Congress also bear the Pres9dent's type signature. Several war news items and commentary, and an affecting letter from an American held prisoner by the Algerine pirates. Scarcer .
Condition of this issue is overall fine with archival tape support at the back page fold line . . . 20.00

Atmosphere Issues from the War Years All newspapers in this section are from the war years and contain news of the conflict. Exact dates are of my choice as stock allows. All are complete and in fine collectible condition as noted. Multiple examples of all are in stock; there will be no duplication of dates in orders or more than one example of any title. Click the thumbnail to view a larger photo of typical issues. Please note that the camera flash exaggerates browning and/or foxing, which is not generally objectionably unless so noted.

E4-947. THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, typical issue printed between 1812 and 1814. [printed at Washington, D.C., complete issue of 4pp, full folio size].

. Printed at the nation's Capital, this newspaper denounced English policy and supported the war effort unflinchingly. Because of its outspoken record, the offices were sacked and burned by British troops when the city was briefly occupied in the summer of 1814; though with typical Yankee ingenuity the paper was printing again, on whatever paper and equipment could be found, within ten days of the redcoat departure. THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER was one of the most significant American newspapers of its century. It was begun in 1801 by William H. Smith, and passed in 1810 to the legendary newsmen Joseph Gales and William Seaton, who continued to publish the paper in daily, tri-weekly, and weekly editions until its demise in 1868. For most of its long life this newspaper, which had been founded as the de facto spokesman of the Jefferson administration, remained in fact if not in name the official newspaper of the Federal government, recording the activities of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches in full detail.
Condition is fine; there is browning in these scarce and historic issues because of the paper used and Washington's humid climate. Fine mementos of those difficult years. These issues were once the property of Capt. James Craven. whose name can be seen at the Masthead, inked by a subscription clerk. Price per issue . . . 15.95 Please enter your order quantity here:

Scarcer Newspaper with an Appealing Title and a Moderate Stance
E4-949. THE YANKEE, typical issue printed between 1812 and 1813. [Complete issue of 4 pages, folio size, published at Boston, Mass., by Benjamin True and Thomas Rowe].

Edited by David Everett (1770 - 1813), playwright, author, and lawyer, this paper survived him by seven years, finally succumbing when a fire destroyed the printing-office. It contains the latest news of the war with England, and of the titanic struggle on the Continent between Napoleon and England, which drew the United States into ill-advised conflict with the latter Empire. Editorially the paper stands for unity in the face of the war, in these early months before the blockade became effective. I note much on the land war in the west and north, and accounts of the war at sea, along with Washington dispatches and commentary. Good budget of ads. Excellent regional newspaper from a time when the "Yankee" tars were the heroes of the hour. Scarcer title; this group of Volume I issues contains the only examples of the title I have seen.
Condition of the issues is generally quite fine, never bound, simply string-tied and featuring wide untrimmed margins. Price, each issue, . . . 13.95 Please enter your order quantity here: then press

E4-959. THE WEEKLY REGISTER, typical issue printed between 1812 and 1815. [complete issue of 16 pages, printed at Baltimore, octavo size].

This highly detailed newspaper, in handy octavo format, is filled with some of the best coverage and commentary of the war years, by the great newsman Hezekiah Niles. Niles was one of a rare handful of newsmen who refused advertising, in order not to be swayed by the advertisers' politics, and relied solely on subscription fees to keep the paper solvent. He suspended the paper for two weeks in that dark year of 1814 - when the editor and staff were busy fending off the British attack on Fort McHenry, guarding Baltimore. Francis Scott Key immortalized the epic in what is now our national anthem. An American classic, still, renowned for its unbiased chronicle of the day's events.
Nice fine condition. Price per issue. . . 9.95 Please enter your order quantity here:

Edited by Washington Irving
E4-962. THE ANALECTIC MAGAZINE, typical issue printed between 1813 and 1814. [Complete issue of 88 pages, octavo size, published at Philadelphia, Penna., by Moses Thomas].

For a brief period, less than 24 issues, this fine eclectic review was edited by the great American author Washington Irving (1783 -1859). He contributed a number of reviews of new books and wrote the "literary and scientific intelligence" in the news columns. He celebrated the great triumphs of the U.S. navy in action against King George's warships in articles he wrote covering the war's events and the heroes. Irving started with a salary of $125 a month, which he thought "handsome pay ... [for] an amusing occupation" but by the end of 1814 he had grown tired of the demands of active editorship of an ongoing periodical and quit, to be replaced in Feb. 1815 by Thomas Wharton. I offer complete issues dating to the months of the Irving editorship, unique mementos of the early career of one of the most celebrated authors of his century at a formative period of American letters .
Condition of the issues is fine, minor light foxing, from a bound volume. Price, each issue, . . . 29.95 Please enter your order quantity here: then press

E4-965. THE WAR, typical issue printed between 1812 and 1814. [Complete issue of 4 pages, quarto size, published at New York, N.Y. by Woodworth & Co.]

This bi-weekly newspaper was printed specifically to report the events of the war with England, and is especially prized for its detailed accounts of the bloody land war with the British Indian allies in the western wilderness. Editor Woodworth (1784 - 1842) was an apprentice of Benjamin Russell and helped print the Columbian Centinel until 1809. Vivid coverage of the war as it unfolded, to a conclusion that could not be known at the time. It is a hard title to find, as it had a limited press run. In its Masthead is the proud motto, "Let the rallying cry, through the day, be 'Liberty or Death'"
Condition is quite fine, on better quality paper. Price per issue . . . . 14.95 Please enter your order quantity here:

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