William Miller, War of 1812 Governor of North Carolina-- Part 2

After the war, as governor of North Carolina, he lent his support to early efforts to establish a system of public education in the state.  He also helped improve internal state trade and transportation and a revision of the penal code and judicial system.

One of his appointees to the  bench was instrumental in the organization of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

After his terms, President John Quincy Adams appointed Miller as diplomatic agent to Guatemala.  He died of yellow fever en route to assume his new post.

It is believed he was buried at sea.

--Brock-Perry

Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight-- Part 1: The Burning of Washington, D.C.

From Wikipedia.

Sappers and Miners of the British Royal Engineer under Captain Blanchard were employed to burn the principal Washington buildings.  Blanchard reported at the White House that it appeared that President Madison was so sure  that the Americans would be victorious that he had prepared a handsome entertainment and feast.  he said he and his sappers had thoroughly enjoyed that feast before they set fire to the building.

The U.S. Capitol was the only building in the fairly new city  that was "worthy to be noticed."  It was a prime target of the British because of its aesthetic and symbolic  value.    Prior to setting fire to it, they looted it which at the time, besides both houses of Congress, contained  the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.  One of the items taken was "An account of the receipts and  expenditures of the United States for  the year 1810."

The British intended to burn the building to the ground.  They set fire to the southern wing first, but it burned so quickly they were unable to gather enough wood to burn the stone walls completely.

--Brock-Perry

The Singeing of Washington, D.C.-- Part 1: A Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight, Then a Real Bad Storm

From the March 20, 2019, Washington Post "Weird Weather Saved America three times" by Gillian Brockell.

Frequently, when an invading country captures an enemy city, they occupy it, but not so when the British did so with Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812.

When they invaded on August 24, 1814,  they set the capital building on fire which at the time housed not only Congress, but also  the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.  Then it was on to the Executive Mansion for the same thing.

The next morning, they continued their arson and would have done more, except that a terrifying thunderstorm, possibly a hurricane,  hit and a pounding rain put the fires out.  High winds sent debris flying, injuring and killing several British soldiers.  Then a tornado touched down in the middle of Constitution Avenue, sending cannons aloft.

Real Bad Weather.  --Brock-Perry

The Colin Kaepernick War of 1812 Connection-- Part 2: "The Hireling and Slave"

There is some disagreement as to what Francis Scott Key meant by "hireling and slave."  He can't answer himself as he died in 1843.  His poem, "The Defence of Fort M'Henry,"on which the National Anthem is based, was written during the War of 1812 at the September 1814 Battle of Baltimore.  he was so happy to see the U.S. flag still flying defiantly over Fort McHenry after the night before's British bombardment.

But, what did Key mean by "the hireling and slave?"

Francis Scott Key was a Baltimore-born lawyer practicing in Washington, D.C..  He is noted for having participated in the conspiracy trial of Aaron Burr. and his many arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

The Fortuna Tries to Pull a Fast One-- Part 2

"From thence she sailed to Havana, where she arrived on 12 February, 1814; took in cargo of produce of Cuba and left the port of Havana on 25 March, 1814, under protection of a British convoy bound to Bermuda.

"After parting with the convoy, she was captured on 19 April, 1814, in  N. lat. 38 degrees, W long. 60 degrees, by the private armed schooner Roger, and brought into Wilmington, N.C., for adjudication.  The master and all the crew, except the mate and two seamen, were taken out and kept on board the privateer until 4 August, when they were sent in to be examined.

"A claim was interposed by the master for the ship as property of Martin Krause, of Riga, one of the house of trade of M&I Krause of that place."

The ship had been carrying 1520 boxes of sugar and 144 quintals of Campechy wood.  A certificate was found on board that the ship had been built in Finland.

--Brock-Perry

The Fortuna Case: When Is a Prize Really a Prize?

From the Encyclopedia of North Carolina.

A judicial decision given by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall for the District of North Carolina on an appeal.  It involved the validity of a maritime prize that was brought into the port of Wilmington, North Carolina, by a commissioned privateer during the War of 1812.

This was a fairly common case for similar prize cases originating in the District of North Carolina, but this was the only one to receive publication in both circuit and Supreme Court opinions.

The question in the Fortuna case was whether it was Russian and thus a neutral vessel, or British and a belligerant and thusly fair game for capture.  This would determine the validity of the capture and the ability of a federal court to condemn it as a "good prize."

Justice Marshall painstakenly went through the confusing facts before finally determining the Fortuna was most-likely British owned and therefore a valid American prize.  The Supreme Court confirmed Marshall's decision.

Prizes Meant Big Money for the Privateers.  --Brock-Perry