Madison, James, as Fourth President

Autograph letter signed ("James Madison"),  2 pages (10 × 8 in.; 254 × 203 mm), Washington, D.C., 5 July 1814, to an unidentified recipient; formerly tipped to another sheet, separations at central fold, marginal chipping, mat burn at extreme margins.

Marshall B. Coyne (Sothebys New York, 5 June 2001, lot 199)

Autograph letter signed ("James Madison"), 2 pages (10 × 8 in.; 254 × 203 mm), Washington, D.C., 5 July 1814, to an unidentified recipient; formerly tipped to another sheet, separations at central fold, marginal chipping, mat burn at extreme margins
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

One month before the British invaded and burned Washington, America readies herself for an intensified war: "Ostensible preparations ... will be adapted to [England's] purposes, whether peace be her object ... or war her object ..." Madison discusses the possibility of escalated hostilities.  "I am in your debt for [your] 3 letters ... General Boyd goes to N.Y. instead of N. Orleans.  Werton was never even seen by me.  The command of the Revenue Cutter is to be given to Trewitt who is strongly & extensively recommended.  The last intelligence from Europe was, as you will have inferred, no wise decisive with respect to our affairs with G.B. nor can it be well so, untill the views of the latter are disclosed in negotiation.  In the meantime ostensible preparations, perhaps real expeditions, will be adapted to her purposes, whether peace be her object at Gottenburg, or war her object here.  As we do not know whether the B. Cabinet will consult its sober interests, or the passions of the moment, or to be made to understand & feel the policy of the great powers of the Continent in relation to this Country, it is impossible to divine the course it will pursue.  If her views are limited to the questions embraced by the war, it is a reasonable expectation that with the facility offered by the peace in Europe, an adjustment with us may take place.  Should new pretensions grow of the state of things in Europe, or out of misconceived state of things here, we can see nothing before us but another combat hrs avis e't focis.  It would seem scarcely credible that a submersion of our Gov't. can enter into the calculations of the B. Cabinet and yet it is easy to set bounds to the delusion which may be produced on willing minds by the foods for it supplied by displays among ourselves."

On 18 June 1812, Congress declared war upon Great Britain.  This war of 1812 was occasioned by the United States's insistence on neutral shipping rights during the Franco-British hostilities of the French Revolutionary Wars and the wars of Napoleon I, as well as the continued impressment of American sailors and confiscation of American ships by the British.  The outbreak of hostilities  stemmed from clashes in the West between American frontiersmen and the English and their Native American allies over the American settlers' encroachment onto land claimed by the British.  Although the United States was almost totally unprepared for war, its small navy fared well until late 1813 and, after the capture and burning of Washington, D.C. in August 1814, the Americans were successful at the battles of the Thames, Plattsburgh, and Fort McHenry.  The British finally entered into serious negotiations to end the hostilities after they were defeated at Fort McHenry; the Treaty of Ghent signed on 24 December 1814 brought the war to an inconclusive end.