Calhoun was born in the same year as Webster, 1782. He was born in South Carolina. His parents were Scotch-Irish. He learned more from the woods than he did from books and filled his memory before people could fill it. At the age of eighteen he began to prepare for college with the aid of his brother-in-law, a Presbyterian minister. Two years later he entered Yale College, studied hard and soon graduated with much honor. He studied law for three years, a year and a half in his own state and a year and a half in Connecticut. He began to practice law in South Carolina. He did not have much success. Perhaps the law was too dry for him or perhaps because he was soon to be elected to Congress. In 1811 he was married and elected to Congress. Henry Clay (Speaker) immediately put Calhoun on an important committee. The next act will be John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster and Henry Clay speaking of the war of 1812. CLAY (speaker): Members of Congress and fellow citizens: England has been at war with France for a number of years. France under Napoleon has secured a large part of Europe. England has tried in various ways to injure France by proclaiming that no ships of any nation shall trade with France. Napoleon retorted, issuing a decree that no ships shall trade with Europe and these laws hurt American commerce. Shall we stand this or demand our rights? Gentlemen, I say we must fight. On to Canada! MEMBER OF HOUSE: I think we should be very careful about going to war with Great Britain. She has a thousand war vessels, while the United States has only ten or twelve first-class vessels. MEMBER OF CONGRESS: England's troops are numerous, well drilled and have had much experience. Our troops are few and poorly disciplined and unused to war. I think, all matters in dispute could be arranged without fighting. MEMBER OF CONGRESS: We would make a great mistake to fight England and France at the same time. WEBSTER: The British in taking our men have made it a practice to stop American merchant ships and seize the best sailors. They claim these men are British citizens and could be rightfully seized. Whenever they see a fine looking seaman, they say: "You are an Englishman, we will take you!" We must fight with the navy. If the war must be continued go to the ocean. There the united wishes and exertions of the nation will go with you. Even our party divisions end at the water's edge. MR. CALHOUN: We have tried in various ways to induce England and France to change these laws. These are not the only grievances we have. England has a large navy. She needs many sailors. When our ships were in her parts, she has seized our men and forced them on her ships. Is this right? Must we stand such treatment? No! So we call forth the patriotism and resources of our country to help us. _End of Act II._ ACT III INTRODUCTION: