There was a debate as to whether the tornado saved Washington, D.C. from the British or if it actually helped them to ruin the city. Whichever it was, President Madison went back to the city on August 27 and peace between the two countries was achieved by the end of the year.
Congress thought about abandoning the city and constructing a capital elsewhere, but they eventually rebuilt the city. The granite stone of the President's residence was burned black with soot and it was decided to repair the structure and paint it white. This is how the White House got nits name. So, whenever you hear the White House being mentioned, that goes back to the War of 1812.
Peace negotiations started in the City of Ghent, Belgium in August 1814, as both sides wanted peace since the trade embargo largely impacted the British economy (not to mention the even bigger expenses of fighting Napoleon).
Hundreds of American privateers had put to sea and were wreaking havoc on the British merchant fleet all over the world. Public support in the U.S. was also waning, especially in New England where the federalists assembled in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss their grievances (and some even went so far as to desire secession).
Peace terms called the Treaty of Ghent were agreed upon and signed in December 1814, but the conflict did not officially end until Congress ratified it on February 17, 1815.
--Brock-Perry
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