On this day in 1814, the British captured Washington and burned the Capitol. Congress responded—this is quite true, and you may verify it for yourself if you like—by appointing an investigative committee. We have not heard much from the committee lately, but we believe it is still taking evidence. A spokesman for the British government called the committee’s investigation a “partisan sham” and said that the attack on the Capitol had been a peaceful demonstration by supporters of British policies and also a false-flag operation by the Madison administration.