Contemplating the possibility of secession over the War of 1812 (fueled in large part by economic interests of New England merchants), the Hartford Convention posed the possibility of disaster for the still young United States. England, represented by the figure John Bull on the right side, is shown in this political cartoon with arms open to accept New England back into its empire. William Charles, Jr., “The Hartford Convention or Leap No Leap.” Wikimedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheHartfordConventionOrLeapNoLeap.jpg.