Declaration of War with Great Britain

TWELFTH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES;

At the First Session,

Begun and held at the city of Washington, in the territory of Columbia, on Monday the fourth

day of November, one thousand eight hundred and eleven.

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AN ACT declaring war between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the

dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories.

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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That war be, and the same is hereby declared to exist between the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of
America and their territories: And that the President of the United States is hereby authorized to
use the whole land and naval force of the United States ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, to carry the same into
effect; And to issue to private armed vessels of the United States Commissions or Letters of
Marque and General Reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, and under the seal of the
United States, against the vessels, goods and effects of the Government of the Said United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof.

[signed] June 18. 1812

approved

James Madison

[signed] H Clay, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

[signed] Wm H. Crawford, President of the Senate, pro tempore.

[signed]I certify that this act did originate in the House of Representatives

[signed] Patrick Magruder, Clerk