The British Commissioners were Lord Gambier, Henry Goulburn, and Wm. Adams.  The negotiations opened dubiously.  The demands of the British Ministers were at first of such a character, that it was impossible to comply with them, with any regard to the honor or welfare of the United States.  They insisted that the line separating the United States from the Canadas, should run on the southern borders of all the lakes from Ontario to Superior—­that the American Government should keep no armed force on these lakes, nor maintain any military posts on their borders, while the British should have the privilege of establishing such posts wherever they thought proper, on the southern shores of the lakes and connecting rivers, and maintaining a navy on their waters—­that a large part of the district of Maine should be relinquished and ceded to England, to permit a direct route of communication between Halifax and Quebec—­that the right of search should be granted to British ships-of-war—­together with many other terms equally unacceptable.

The letters of the American Commissioners to the Government at home, in the early stages of the proceedings, were couched in desponding tones.  They gave it as their opinion that no terms of peace could be agreed upon.  But the demands of the English Plenipotentiaries were met in a manner so decided, and reasons were offered for non-compliance so cogent and incontrovertible, that they were compelled to recede, and come to terms of a more reasonable description.  Moreover the British nation was heartily sick of foreign wars, which plunged the Government into debt, sacrificed the lives of its subjects, crippled their manufactories, and secured them, in fact, nothing!  At length, after a protracted negotiation of six months, articles of peace were signed by the British and American Commissioners, on the 24th of December, 1814.

The announcement of this event, at Ghent, was in a manner somewhat peculiar.  Mr. Todd, one of the Secretaries of the American Commissioners, and son-in-law of President Madison, had invited several gentlemen, Americans and others, to take refreshments with him on the 24th of December.  At noon, after having spent some time in pleasant conversation, the refreshments entered, and Mr. Todd said,—­“It is 12 o’clock.  Well, gentlemen, I announce to you that peace has been made and signed between America and England.”  In a few moments, Messrs. Gallatin, Clay, Carroll and Hughes entered, and confirmed the annunciation.  This intelligence was received with a burst of joy by all present.  The news soon spread through the town, and gave general satisfaction to the citizens.

At Paris, the intelligence was hailed with acclamations.  In the evening the theatres resounded with cries of “God save the Americans.”

In the United States the news of peace spread with the speed of the wind.  Everywhere it excited the most lively emotions of joy.  Processions, orations, bonfires, illuminations, attested the gratification of the people, and showed that, notwithstanding the general success which had attended our arms, they viewed peace as one of the highest blessings a nation can enjoy.