ADMINISTRATIONS OF MADISON, 1809-1817. THE WAR OF 1812. James Madison--The Embargo and the Non-Intercourse Acts--Revival of the Latter Against England--The _Little Belt_ and the _President_--Population of the United States in 1810--Battle of Tippecanoe--Declaration of War Against England--Comparative Strength of the Two Nations on the Ocean--Unpopularity of the War in New England--Preparations Made by the Government--Cowardly Surrender of Detroit--Presidential Election of 1812--Admission of Louisiana and Indiana--New National Bank Chartered--Second Attempt to Invade Canada--Battle of Queenstown Heights--Inefficiency of the American Forces in 1812--Brilliant Work of the Navy--The _Constitution_ and the _Guerriere_--The _Wasp_ and the _Frolic_--The _United States_ and the _Macedonian_--The _Constitution_ and the _Java_--Reorganization and Strengthening of the Army--Operations in the West--Gallant Defense of Fort Stephenson--American Invasion of Ohio and Victory of the Thames--Indian Massacre at Fort Mimms--Capture of York (Toronto)--Defeat of the Enemy at Sackett's Harbor--Failure of the American Invasion of Canada--The _Hornet_ and _Peacock_--Capture of the _Chesapeake_--"Don't Give Up the Ship"--Captain Decatur Blockaded at New London--Capture of the _Argus_ by the Enemy--Cruise of the _Essex_--The Glorious Victory of Commodore Perry on Lake Erie--Success of the American Arms in Canada--Battle of the Chippewa--Of Lundy's Lane--Decisive Defeat of the Enemy's Attack on Plattsburg--Punishment of the Creek Indians for the Massacre at Fort Mimms--Vigorous Action by the National Government--Burning of Washington by the British--The Hartford Convention. JAMES MADISON. James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, was born at Port Conway, Virginia, March 16, 1751, and died June 28, 1836. He received the best educational facilities and graduated from Princeton College at the age of twenty. He devoted himself so closely to study that he permanently injured his health. In 1776, he was elected a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was offered the mission to France, after the return of Jefferson, but declined it. Again he had the chance of becoming Jefferson's successor, when the latter resigned as secretary of State, but refused through fear of causing differences in Washington's cabinet. He was a Federalist at first, but changed his views and became an earnest Republican. Jefferson made him his secretary of State, and he served throughout both administrations. He was a cultured gentleman, an ardent friend of Jefferson, and carried out his policy when he became President. THE NON-INTERCOURSE ACT.