Henry letters
Encyclopedia
The Henry Letters were created by a fraudster
named John Henry
. The letters reflected that the British government operating in Canada
had employed him to try to persuade the New England
states to leave the United States
and join Canada. A bundle of letters was sold to President James Madison
for $50,000. The letters were fraudulent, but both the President of the United States
and the United States Congress
were deceived, increasing tensions
with the United Kingdom
before the War of 1812
.
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
named John Henry
John Henry (spy)
John Henry was a spy and adventurer of mysterious origins. It is reputed that he was born in Dublin, Ireland, probably between 1750 and 1775, although 1776 is the more accepted year....
. The letters reflected that the British government operating in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
had employed him to try to persuade the New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
states to leave the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and join Canada. A bundle of letters was sold to President James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
for $50,000. The letters were fraudulent, but both the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
were deceived, increasing tensions
Origins of the War of 1812
The War of 1812, between the United States of America and the British Empire , and Britain's Indian allies, lasted from 1812 to 1815. It was fought chiefly on the Atlantic Ocean and on the land, coasts and waterways of North America.There were several immediate stated causes for the U.S...
with the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
before the War of 1812
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...
.