WILLIAM THORNTON

In the War of 1812, in retaliation of English facilities being attacked by Americans in Canada, the British raided Washington DC and burned the White House. They had also set up a battery of cannon in front of the Patent Office building—one of the most impressive in Washington—and were about to destroy it. The Superintendent came out with this speech. The British officer ordered the cannon removed and the Patent Office with its models was saved.

In the War of 1812, in retaliation of English facilities being attacked by Americans in Canada, the British raided Washington DC and burned the White House. They had also set up a battery of cannon in front of the Patent Office building—one of the most impressive in Washington—and were about to destroy it. The Superintendent came out with this speech. The British officer ordered the cannon removed and the Patent Office with its models was saved.