August 6 1812: Adams Learns of the WAR

On August 6 1812, John Quincy Adams, in St Petersburg Russia, learns that the United States has declared war on Great Britain on the June 18. 

6th. Mr. Proud dined with us, and brought with him the New York Commercial Advertiser of 2 2d June, containing the message from the President of the United States to Congress, communicating the sequel of the correspondence between Mr. Monroe and Mr. Foster, and recommending a declaration of war; the report of the Committee of Foreign Relations upon this message, also recommending an immediate appeal to arms; the act declaring war, approved 18th June; the proclamation of the President founded upon the act of Congress; and the yeas and nays in both Houses upon the act — seventy-nine to forty-nine in the House of Representatives, and nineteen to thirteen in the Senate; two Senators, Mr. Bradley and Mr. Whitesides, absent. Minturn and Champlin sent off a pilotboat from New York to Gottenburg with this intelligence, for the purpose of securing their property there and here from British capture on this occasion. The vessel arrived at Gottenburg 23d July, and Mr. Proud, who is an agent of Minturn and Champlin, received the paper by express from that place.