Disappearance of Schooner Patriot and Theodosia Burr Alston-- Part 3: A Duel, Conspiracy Then a Disappearance

From the February 9, 2012, North Carolina Shipwrecks blog  "Schooner Patriot and  the Mystery of Theodosia Burr Alston by Judi Heit.

Wife of South Carolina governor John Alston and daughter of former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, but the 1804 duel between her father and former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton that led to the latter's death, complicated her life. During Burr's murder trial, Theodosia traveled several times to New York to support her father.

He was acquitted, but still politically intriguing and next got in trouble when he tried to get several western states/territories to secede and make him leader.  In 1807, he defended himself against conspiracy allegations.  He was acquitted, but went into exile in Europe.  Theodosia defended him in this as well.

After return to South Carolina from the conspiracy trial, Theodosia's health became worse and then she lost her ten-year-old son.  In the meantime, Aaron Burr had returned from Europe and in 1812, was living in New York and convinced his daughter to come see him there during the holidays.  At this time, Great Britain and the United States were at war, so her husband couldn't come with her because he was governor of S.C..

--Brock-Perry

Tennessee's George Washington Campbell-- Part 2: Secretary of the Treasury

Due to the tremendously unsettled nature of the period, his tenure in the Treasury is often viewed as a failure.

In order to gain badly needed funds to finance the war, Campbell arranged to borrow money from Europe through the assistance of American businessman John Jacob Astor.  Overwhelmed by the failures of the Treasury Department and his own poor health, he resigned his cabinet post in September 1814.

--Brock-Perry

Tennessee's George Washington Campbell-- Part 1: Senator to Secretary of the Treasury

From the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture.

(1768-1848)

Served as U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Treasury during the War of 1812, Ambassador to Russia and U.S. District Court Judge of Tennessee.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1811 on a platform advocating war with Britain, he was a leading War Hawk (those who wanted war) and served as chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs.  In 1812, he married  Harriet Stoddert, daughter of Benjamin Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy in Jefferson's cabinet.

On February 9, 1814, he resigned from  the Senate to accept the position of Secretary of the Treasury in Madison's cabinet.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: British Fleet Sets Sail, No More "Utis Posseditis, Paper Money

NOVEMBER 25, 1814:  The British fleet sets sail from Jamaica, heading for New Orleans.

NOVEMBER 27, 1814:  The British negotiators in Ghent, Belgium, drop the "utis posseditis" offer during the peace negotiations.  They no longer insisted upon keep "captured territory."

NOVEMBER:  Unable to pay debts in specie (gold) as required by law, the U.S. government offers to pay wartime debts in paper.  Most banks refuse to accept treasury notes as security and war bonds fell to 60 cents on the dollar.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: Treasury Secretary Dallas Calls on Congress for a National Bank

OCTOBER 17TH, 1814:  Treasury Secretary Alexander Dallas calls for Congress to establish a national bank to finance the war and to increase taxes ti help pay for it.

The Senate passed the bill on December 9, 1814.

--Brock-Perry