War of Trade 1812

Impressments where a major problem for both the American government and the Merchant shipping industry from the late 1700’s to 1812 it has been estimated that between 6000 and 10000 Americans where forced into service with the British Royal Navy. 

 Great Britain did not believe that any British citizen had the right to expatriate themselves, under this line of thought any American born in Britain was still dealt with as if a British citizen. This was of course contrary to the position of the Untied States government. 

 In addition even those born in America after 1783 could easily be mistaken for British nationals, especially if the individual making this determination had selfish motive, such as fleshing out the crew of a British ship of war.

 During this period the American government begins issuing what was the passport of the day. It would be a document containing sworn statements as to ones nationality with a brief description of date/place of birth, physical appearance, scars, and the like. The problem was these documents where often so vague as to be useless. Soon after they came into use a sort of cottage industry was born. One Lawyer of the time wrote words to this effect “I remember buying them (official I D’s) for a dollar and selling them for $20.00” It is of no wonder that British naval officers gave such documents little weight. 

 It has been said, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.” To a British ship Captain an American could easily “look like a Brit, walk like a Brit, talk like a Brit.”

 

The British navy had for years been stopping and searching American vessels for “deserters”.  In 1807 the British ship HMS Leopard Hailed the USS Chesapeake then sending a Lieutenant over in a boat with a note from the Leopard’s Captain. The note, demanding that the Chesapeake allow a search for deserters, was responded to by Commodore Barron stating, he was not authorized to allow his men to be mustered by any but there own officers and he was unaware of having the men noted as members of his crew. There are different versions of what occurred on that day, but the end result was the Leopard fired upon Chesapeake killing or wounding 21, the Chesapeake unprepared for battle, striking her Colors after receiving several broadsides, was then boarded, four men where taken aboard Leopard as deserters. Commodore Barron insisted Chesapeake be taken as a prize of war, the British Captain refused to do so and the Commodore was forced to limp his ship back to port. This incident has been called the Chesapeake Affair and set off American calls for war with Great Britain.

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