Blue light federalists
Encyclopedia
Blue-light Federalist was a derogatory term used by those who believed certain Federalists to have made friendly (“blue-light”) signals to British ships in the War of 1812
to warn the British of American blockade
runners, the specific event supposedly happening in 1813, in New London, Connecticut
, when Commodore Stephen Decatur
saw blue lights burning near the mouth of the New London river
in sight of the British blockaders. He was convinced that these were signals to betray his plans. The Federalist Party had many members who pushed for peace with Britain and the portion of the Party which opposed further prosecution of the war was styled as the "blue light" faction by their enemies.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
to warn the British of American blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
runners, the specific event supposedly happening in 1813, in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, when Commodore Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
saw blue lights burning near the mouth of the New London river
Thames River (Connecticut)
The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It flows south for through eastern Connecticut from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket rivers at Norwich, to New London and Groton, which flank its mouth at the Long Island Sound.Differing from its...
in sight of the British blockaders. He was convinced that these were signals to betray his plans. The Federalist Party had many members who pushed for peace with Britain and the portion of the Party which opposed further prosecution of the war was styled as the "blue light" faction by their enemies.