Because the statement was:
The war of 1812 was not STARTED by the US, it was a response to unlimited British naval attacks and the impressing of American sailors.
rofl you were violating the embargo of napoleonic france, did you expect to supply an enemy nation of GB and get away with it? Thats pretty much an act of war. Anyways, GB did not declare war, you did.
"On June 1, 1812, President James Madison sent a message to the Congress, recounting American grievances against Great Britain, though not specifically calling for a declaration of war. After Madison's message, the House of Representatives quickly voted (79 to 49) a declaration of war, and the Senate agreed by 19 to 13. The conflict began formally on June 18, 1812 when Madison signed the measure into law.
This was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation, and the Congressional vote would prove to be the closest vote to declare war in American history. None of the 39 Federalists in Congress voted in favor of the war; critics of war subsequently referred to it as "Mr. Madison's War." [32]"