War of 1812 Opposition—John Randolph

The War of 1812 sparked intense opposition. In Congress, the Federalist Party unanimously opposed the declaration of war passed in June 1812. Among the war's most outspoken critics was Virginia Republican Congressman John Randolph of nearby Roanoke Plantation. He denounced the conflict as one of conquest and ambition, inconsistent with republican principles. Randolph lost his reelection bid in 1813 over his opposition to the war, but was elected to his former seat in 1815. He later served as U.S. Senator, member of Virginia’s Constitutional Convention of 1829-30, and Minister to Russia. Randolph died in Philadelphia in 1833 and is buried in Richmond.