Hartford Convention

Hartford Convention, assembly of Federalist delegates from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont, held secretly in Hartford, Conn., Dec. 1814, to Jan. 1815. Its purpose was to discuss New England's grievances against the federal government resulting largely from federal neglect during the War of 1812. The possibility of secession was raised, but with the end of the war the convention's recommendations were undercut, and the prestige of the Federalist party was ruined.