Primary sources from the era.
A guide to the most valuable primary sources for researching the War of 1812, including official records, personal correspondence, newspapers, and digitized archival collections from American, British, Canadian, and Indigenous perspectives.
British newspapers played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and government policy during the War of 1812, initially dismissing the United States, then reacting with shock to naval defeats and later criticizing the burning of Washington. Their coverage reflected a nation weary of prolonged warfare and contributed to the movement for peace.
Contemporary accounts of the burning of Washington in August 1814 include letters, newspaper reports, and British and American military memoirs. These primary sources offer diverging perspectives on the attack, the destruction of federal buildings, and the morale of both sides, forming the foundation for historical interpretation.
Contemporary accounts of the Battle of New Orleans include official reports, memoirs, and letters from American and British participants, offering diverse perspectives on the January 8, 1815 engagement. These primary sources are essential for understanding the battle’s details, controversies, and historical significance.
War of 1812 payroll records itemize compensation for American soldiers and militia members, including names, ranks, and service periods. They are essential for genealogical research and for understanding military administration during the conflict.
The Convention of 1818, signed on October 20, 1818, resolved boundary, fishing, and trade disputes between the United States and Great Britain after the War of 1812, setting the 49th parallel as the border to the Rocky Mountains and providing for joint occupation of Oregon.
The War of 1812 officially ended on February 17, 1815, when the United States and Great Britain exchanged ratifications of the Treaty of Ghent, which had been signed on December 24, 1814.
Explore the letters, official reports, newspapers, and naval logs that documented the September 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry, offering American and British perspectives on a turning point in the War of 1812.
Albert Gallatin, the Swiss-born American Secretary of the Treasury, was the senior and most effective member of the U.S. delegation that negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. His diplomatic skill, patience, and willingness to compromise were decisive in achieving peace on terms of status quo ante bellum in December 1814.
The Andrew Jackson Papers at the Library of Congress form the largest archival collection documenting Andrew Jackson’s military career during the War of 1812, including his campaigns in the Creek War and the Gulf Coast, his orders and correspondence, and the Battle of New Orleans.
