The Republic in peril

"This book shows for the first time how republicanism and concern for the republican "experiment" led to the American decision to declare war on Great Britain in 1812. It does not attempt to be a full account of the diplomatic controversy that led to war nor of the political and parliamentary maneuvering that produced the final war declaration ... I have been primarily interested in the motives of members of the American Executive and Congress who stood for and against the war"--Preface.