During the Napoleonic wars, the British Navy in an attempt to stop "illegal" transport of French or Spanish colonial produce to the continent of America established a cordon around every American port on the Atlantic seaboard. No American ship could leave port without likely being stopped and searched for Caribbean goods and ex-British seamen. Some of these seamen had actually deserted from the Royal Navy, others left commercial vessels, and still others just simply migrated to America where they were quickly granted citizenship. The British were alarmed at the rate of desertions and were in a great need of experienced sailors to continue the war with France.
One such ship that was stopped was the Chesapeake captained by James Barron. The Chesapeake prepared to sail for the Mediterranean and on June 22, 1807 it crossed path with the H.M.S Leopard. The Chesapeake halted along side the Leopard to allow the British messenger on board. After reciting the proclamation, Captain Barron refused to allow the British to search the ship, making it clear that there were no ex-British sailors aboard the ship. Shortly there after, the Leopard began firing upon the Chesapeake in retaliation. During 20 minutes of fighting, the Chesapeake was only able to fire one shot and surrendered. Four men were taken off the ship, three were killed and eight were seriously injured. American sovereignty was clearly violated by the British, they fired upon the American flag and destroyed American life and property.
Jefferson shared this outrage in his annual address of 1807.
" on the 22nd day of June last by a formal order from a British admiral the frigate Chesapeake, leaving her port for a distant service, was attacked by one of those vessels which had been lying in our harbors under the indulgences of hospitality, was disabled from proceeding, had several of her crew killed and 4 taken away. On this outrage no commentaries are necessary. Its character has been pronounced by the indignant voices of our citizens with an emphasis and unanimity never exceeded."Immediate action was needed. Jefferson then announced the immediate protection of Norfolk where the attack occurred, and the removal of all armed British Vessels;
"I immediately, by proclamation, interdicted our harbors and waters to all British armed vessels, forbade intercourse with them, and uncertain how far hostilities were intended, and the town of Norfolk, indeed, being threatened with immediate attack, a sufficient force was ordered for the protection of that place, and such other preparations commenced and pursued as the prospect rendered proper."Jefferson wanted to take immediate military action, but contemplated whether or not America was prepared to declare all out war against British:
"The moment our peace was threatened I deemed it indispensable to secure a greater provision of those articles of military stores with which our magazines were not sufficiently furnished. To have awaited a previous and special sanction by law would have lost occasions which might not be retrieved. I did not hesitate, therefore, to authorize engagements for such supplements to our existing stock as would render it adequate to the emergencies threatening us ... Whether a regular army is to be raised, and to what extent, must depend on the information so shortly expected. In the mean time I have called on the States for quotas of militia."America was not prepared for war, yet Jefferson wanted to force Great Britain and France to respect American rights. So on December 22nd, President Thomas Jefferson signed the Embargo Act of 1807 prohibiting all American ships from trading in all foreign ports.
In 1808, Jefferson tried to negotiate the opening of trade with Britain hoping that the Embargo would cause Britain to have a change of heart. Unfortunately they would not budget, and it was also clear that Great Britain had also failed to complete a thorough investigation of the Chesapeake incident, nor do anything to redress the wrongs that were done. In his final address to Congress, Jefferson returned to the subject of the Chesapeake. Not only had Britain failed to handle the issue correctly, they had taken action to obstruct justice in this matter. Furthermore, it was now clear that the incident was directly related to the Orders in Council edict issued by Parliament.
"The communications made to Congress at their last session explained the posture in which the close of the discussions relating to the attack by a British ship of war on the frigate Chesapeake left a subject on which the nation had manifested so honorable a sensibility. Every view of what had passed authorized a believe that immediate steps would be taken by the British Government for redressing a wrong which the more it was investigated appeared the more clearly to require what had not been provided for in the special mission. It is found that no steps have been taken for the purpose. On the contrary, it will be seen in the documents laid before you that the inadmissible preliminary which obstructed the adjustment is still adhered to, and, moreover, that it is now brought into connection with the distinct and irrelative case of the orders in council. The instructions which had been given to our minister at London with a view to facilitate, if necessary, the reparation claimed by the United States are included in the documents communicated."
British
Impressment. Before the war of 1812, the British Navy had taken over 9000 American sailors who were then forced to serve in the British
Navy.
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