Madam, - In his Irishman's Diary of Monday, September 4th, Brian O'Connell states that James Hoban was drafted in to oversee reconstruction of a badly damaged White House after the American War of Independence. In fact, the damage resulted from what we Americans call the War of 1812, long after independence had been achieved. This war was subsidiary to the Napoleonic War between Britain and France.
Britain was demanding that neutral ships pay duties and was press-ganging American seamen to sail on British ships, allegedly as deserters from the Royal Navy. No wonder we fought back. After restrictive measures on both sides, president James Madison declared war on June 18th, 1812.
This war expanded to include territorial issues, such as concerns about the British being a threat from Canada. In 1814 the capital was temporarily abandoned as the result of an invasion by a British force under Admiral Sir George Cockburn, who ordered the burning of the Capitol, the White House, and the Navy Arsenal in retaliation for burnings of British properties. This was but one of many skirmishes which cost much and settled little.
Worn out by a futile, unpopular war, both sides signed the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium on December 24th, 1814, restoring pre-war conditions.
I moved to Ireland 12 years ago and one of the many pleasures I have enjoyed here is learning more about how my native country came to be developed by so many bright, talented individuals from my adopted country. - Yours, etc,
MARTY SANDERS, Turravagaun, Dromineer, Co Tipperary.