The book documents all of the reported claims presented to Congress by the owners, legal representatives, or heirs of private property lost or damaged during the War of 1812 and which were approved under the various laws passed for that purpose. A significant number of reported, but disapproved, claims are presented for historical purposes and to illustrate the evolution of legal and legislative thinking. A significant amount of detailed military and historical information about the incidents and the claimants is included that does not appear in the official government reports.
