Ralph J. Bunche Library to begin a collection of laws of the states, and $25 for the purchase of foreign gazettes and subscriptions to American newspapers that would be sent to American representatives overseas. In that same year, the Library also became, by law, the office of record to receive laws, public documents, and copyrights. During the War of 1812, the invading British burned the Capital, the White House, and other government buildings including that which housed the State Department and its library on August 24, 1814. While Dolley Madison famously saved the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington hanging in the White House,
HMS Atalanta (1814) captured in the Bay of Biscay. Unfortunately, Blakeley took "Atalanta"s captain, mate and supercargo, all of whom were lost shortly thereafter when "Wasp" disappeared at sea. The capture gave rise to a case before the Supreme Court of the United States over the status of a cargo owned by a neutral though carried in a vessel belonging to the enemy. Notes Citations References HMS Atalanta (1814) HMS "Atalanta" was the American letter of marque schooner "Siro", launched in 1812, that the British captured in 1814. There is no evidence that she actually entered into active service with the Royal Navy.