In 1807, Jefferson opened his seventh annual address to congress with words of caution which made it his duty to convene Congress at an earlier period than usual:
"Circumstance, fellow citizens, which seriously threatened the peace of our country have made it a duty to convene you at an earlier period than usual. The love of peace so much cherished in the bosoms of our citizens, which has so long guided the proceedings of their public councils and induced forbearance under so many wrongs, may not insure our continuance in the quiet pursuits of industry. The many injuries and depredations committed on our commerce and navigation upon the high seas for years past, the successive innovations on those principles of public law which have been established by the reason and usage of nations as the rule of their intercourse and the umpire and security of their rights and peace, and all the circumstances which induced the extraordinary mission to London are already known to you."What were these "many injuries and depredations"? Here is a short list of a few.
- Monroe-Pinkney Treaty December 1806 - Diplomats sign treaty with Great Britain that does nothing to deal with impressment of U.S. Sailors.
- Berlin Decree November 1806 - France forbids the import of British goods into European countries allied with or dependent upon France
- British Orders of Council January 1807 - Great Britain ordered that no vessels may be permitted to trade with the ports of France or carry French goods, including any of France's allies
- Decree of Aranjuez February 1807 - Spain claims reciprocity and decrees that all merchandise destined for ports of England would be confiscated.
- Chesapeake-Leopard Incident June 1807, the British H.M.S. Lopard attacked the U.S. Chesapeake for refusing to allow the British Captain to search it's chip. After 20 minutes of fighting, four men were taken off the ship, three were killed and eight were seriously injured.
It was at this point, when news of the Chesapeake-Leopold incident was received.
"The instructions given to our ministers were framed in the sincerest spirit of amity and moderation. They accordingly proceeded, in conformity therewith, to propose arrangements which might embrace and settle all the points in difference between us, which might bring us to a mutual understanding on our neutral and national rights and provide for a commercial intercourse on conditions of some equality. After long and fruitless endeavors to effect the purposes of their mission and to obtain arrangements within the limits of their instructions, they concluded to sign such as could be obtained and to send them for consideration, candidly declaring to the other negotiators at the same time that they were acting against their instructions, and that their Government, therefore, could not be pledged for ratification.
Some of the articles proposed might have been admitted on a principle of compromise, but others were too highly disadvantageous, and no sufficient provision was made against the principal source of the irritations and collisions which were constantly endangering the peace of the two nations. The question, therefore, whether a treaty should be accepted in that form could have admitted but of one decision, even had no declarations of the other party impaired our confidence in it. Still anxious not to close the door against friendly adjustment, new modifications were framed and further concessions authorized than could before have been supposed necessary; and our ministers were instructed to resume their negotiations on these grounds."
"On this new reference to amicable discussion we were reposing in confidence, when 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."Thus, as Jefferson wrote, "On this outrage no commentaries are necessary". In 1807 the citizens of America were angry and were demanding that America could no longer remain neutral in the Napoleonic wars. John Page, the former governor of Virginia and close friend of Jefferson described the situation in a letter. Page told Jefferson that the citizens of Virginia were not apt to stay neutral and oft repeated "that an Embargo is necessary", and “that an immediate stop to all intercourse with Britain is indispensably necessary, to retrieve our lost honor, & to bring the mad King to his senses". The common belief was that an embargo would be of greater consequence than any navy and military preparations that can be made. Furthermore, it was believed in Virginia that if Congress could meet immediately to declare an Embargo and suspension of all trade with Great Britain and her kingdom, then war could be prevented, or at least it might enable us to be better prepared for war. Now, the fate of the country was in Jefferson's hands. Page wrote to Jefferson that the general sentiment of the people was that "they are willing to leave the Interests of their Country, & the national Honor in your hands", but given the present agitation and excitement among the people, if Congress were to deliberate on the issue at this time, they might choose to declare war on Great Britain.
Here are the actual words from John Page;s letter to Jefferson:
" I have thought it a proper return for your confidence in me, to state to you what are the general sentiments of the People here, & how far my own sentiments coincide with theirs: & Justice to them requires, that I should add, that notwithstanding their present ardor & impatience, they are willing to leave the Interests of their Country, & the national Honor in your hands. It has occurred to me, & I have suggested it to some, that had you convened Congress during the present ferment, of the public mind, it is not improbable that they would declare War; or at least take some Steps which would lead us into a War, which you may very probably avert, by a calm but dignified expostulation, & negociation; or at least prevent, till we can be better prepared for the Conflict—This argument is satisfactory to every calm & dispassionate person I have met with. Wishing you Success Health & Happiness,"
Now that These "successive innovations on those principles of public law" occurred, the ferment of the country required quick and decisive action. Within weeks after Jefferson called Congress together early for his annual address, debate over the embargo was heating up. Jefferson's secretary of State and a few others were decisively against the embargo because of the impact it would have on the United States' commercial shipping, but Jefferson stood strong in favor of the embargo and on December 21, 1807 Congress passed the Embargo Act. The act prohibited all ships and vessels under U.S. jurisdiction from landing in any foreign port unless specifically authorized by the President himself. All American outbound traffic was made illegal with the goal of punishing Great Britain and France, forcing them to end their molestation of American shipping and respect U.S. neutrality. Unfortunately, the embargo proved disastrous to American commercial and navigation interests and undermined the American citizens' faith that their government, forcing Jefferson to revoke the embargo in the last days of his presidency.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29449
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/99-01-02-5946
https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/embargo-1807
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Page_%28Virginia_politician%29
http://c8.alamy.com/comp/FF80YY/t-jefferson-cartoon-1809-nintercourse-or-impartial-dealings-an-american-FF80YY.jpg
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