John Quincy Adams was wisely sent by the United States, to establish relations of amity with the great power of the North; and while he was thus engaged, the flames of European war, which had been so long averted, involved his own country.

War was declared against Great Britain.
It was just.

It was necessary.

Yet it was a war that dared Great Britain to re-assert her ancient sovereignty.

It was a war with a power whose wealth and credit were practically inexhaustible, a power whose navy rode unchecked over all the seas, and whose impregnable garrisons encircled the globe.
Against such a power the war was waged by a nation that had not yet accumulated wealth, nor established credit, nor even opened avenues suitable for transporting munitions of war through its extended territories--that had only the germ of a navy, an inconsiderable army, and not one substantial fortress.