In 1806 and 1807 Findlay helped to quash the Burr conspiracy. That required him to confront his partner Smith, an alleged conspirator. In the War of 1812, Findlay was commissioned as a colonel in the United States Army, and commanded the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He marched north with General William Hull. He opposed Hull's disastrous decision to surrender Detroit. Afterward Findlay was promoted to major general in the Ohio militia, and built Fort Findlay in 1812, which was named for him. Present-day Findlay, Ohio developed around it.