My dad claims that people from Massachusetts did not come to the aid of the country during the war of 1812?

Question

He claims they refused to let their militia serve outside boston and that Maine was mainly conquered by Britain through Mainer cowardice and that's the reason for the bad weather in New England. Is this true?

Answer 1

So, the heavens have ever frowned on the selfishness of New Englanders, eh?

Well, if you believe in a world governed by the direct intervention of various gods and demons and of course an active place for magic, then that is the kind of tale that would certainly invoke retribution.

However, it is not true that that the War of 1812 was entirely ignored by New Englanders. First, one of the reasons for the war was protection of American shipping and seamen - "freedom of the seas" - from British predations. This was the consequence of Britain declaring that neutrality of shipping was not to be respected during the latter stages of her long war against Napoleon. This was an especially important matter to New Englanders.

American naval strength during the war was expressed mainly by the nation's small but respected fleet of "frigates," smaller warships armed with between 32 and 44 cannon. These strongly-built vessels were contructed in different ports around the U.S., including Salem, Massachussetts. New Englanders were killed in the dozens when the Essex, out of Salem, was trapped by British warships in the neutral port of Valparaiso, and in violation of the laws of neutrality was battered to bits by the Brits.

Answer 2

He's right! The people of New England and the Acadians(New brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia), were very friendly to each other. I remember reading once that the gov of Mass once said something like "If the good people of Nova Scotia promise not to bare arms against me, I shall not bare arms against them." There was even a story that the town of Calais, Maine had no gun powder for it 4th of July celebration, and the British fort at St. Stephen, New Brunswick gave the town some from their own supply!
As to the militia, yes that is true. The militia did not have to fight outside of the American lands. They were created to protect, not for offensive attacks. Many actually invoked this right in the ill fated attack on Queenston heights(Niagara Falls, Ontario). After watching the first wave of "Regular" troops get slaughtered by General Brock's British and Native Indians led by Joseph Brant, someone in the militia remembered that they didn't have to fight on foreign soil and so they sat safely on the other side of the river, and watched the butchery. Best seats in the house though!

Answer 3

Contrary to public perception, there wasn't an overture, it was a plot inspired by communists.

Answer 4

Is your Dad realy that old?