[Illustration:  HENRY CLAY.]

The indignation against the Peace Party, who, in the face of all the evidence, would protest against war, was scarcely less than the indignation against Great Britain.  The governor of Massachusetts (Caleb Strong), of New Hampshire (William Plumer) and of Connecticut (Roger Griswold), refused to allow the militia of their respective States to march to the northern frontier on the requisition of the president of the United States.  They justified their course with the plea that such a requisition was unconstitutional, and that the war was unnecessary.

Terrence had frequent interviews with the president.  His audacity and his intense zeal won the admiration of President Madison and his cabinet, as well as many congressmen.  One day, while waiting in the anteroom, he noticed a man whose features were evidently Hibernian.

“Do yez want to see the prisident?” asked Terrence.

“To be sure; but I’ve waited long,” he answered, with just the least brogue in his speech.

[Illustration:  JOHN C. CALHOUN.]

“Are ye fer war or peace?” asked Terrence, leading the stranger into a far corner.  The stranger looked the young Hibernian in the face for a moment and answered: 

“I am not an American; but if President Madison knew what I have to say, he’d give me an attentive ear.”

Terrence was shrewd enough to read the face of the stranger, and he knew he had something of great importance to communicate.

“Do yez want to see the prisident, really?” asked young Malone.

“Certainly, I do.”

“Lave it all to me,” the Irishman answered.  Then he explained that he was on the best of terms with President Madison and could get the ear of the president, when an audience would be denied everybody else.  He urged the stranger to give him an intimation of his business with Mr. Madison.  One Irishman will nearly always trust another, so the two Hibernians repaired to a hotel and, in a close room, the stranger told Terrence that his name was John Henry, and that he had lived for several years in Canada.  He told Terrence a story of the perfidy and treason of New Englanders; which produced many uncomplimentary ejaculations from the young Irishman.

Terrence at once sent a note to President Madison, in which he hinted that he had new and strange developments to make.  Madison again admitted Terrence, and they arranged for a meeting between the president and Mr. John Henry, who had a letter from Mr. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts.

[Illustration:  “IT ALL TO ME.”]

Late on a stormy night in February, 1812, Terrence conducted Henry to the mansion of President Madison.  But little was done at this first meeting.  Henry said he had some secrets to divulge which were of very great importance to the people of the United States.  An interview was arranged for the next evening.  Again Terrence conducted Henry to the president’s mansion.