82 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



British Ministry to adopt defensive measures. Accordingly, on the 

 yth of January, 1807, the first " Order-in-Council " was issued. At 

 first this was well received in the United States, but afterwards it was 

 made a pretext for war. In June, 1807, an unfortunate incident 

 occurred in the too rigid enforcement of the " right of search." The 

 American frigate Chesepeake had on board some deserters from the 

 British Navy, whose return had been demanded by the British Con- 

 sul at Norfolk, and by the captains of the vessels from which they 

 had deserted. These demands were refused. Acting under instruc- 

 tions from Admiral Berkeley, Captain Humphries, of H. M. Ship 

 Leopard, followed the Chesepeake to sea, and, coming up with her, 

 intimated that he desired to send a message to the commander. A 

 letter was sent asking that the deserters, whose names were given, be 

 restored to the British. Commodore Barron, the commander of the 

 Chesepeake, refused to comply with this request,, whereupon the 

 Leopard fired a broadside. A short skirmish ensued, which ended 

 in the American vessel striking her colors, and restoring the deserters. 

 This incident aroused a strong feehng of antipathy against Britain, 

 which was greatly strengthened by the issue of an angry proclamation 

 by the President on the 2nd of July following. 



Events in Europe forced the British Ministry to issue a second 

 "Order-in-Council," which was doneonthe nth of November, 1807. 

 Napoleon, on the 17th of the following December, issued the " Milan 

 Decree " as an answer. InteUigence from Europe plainly indicated 

 to the American authorities that the policy of France did not exempt 

 the United States from the operations of the " Berlin Decree." 

 Acting upon this information. Congress, on the 25th of December 

 of that year, passed the " Embargo Act," which excluded all foreign 

 vessels from sharing in the coasting trade. 



Public opinion, which was constantly being fomented by dema- 

 gogues and partizan politicians, steadily increased in its hostility 

 towards Great Britain. To allay this feeling and to offer reparation 

 for the affair of the Chesepeake, the British Ministry sent an envoy 

 extraordinary to America. His mission failed, owing to the refusal 

 of the President to withdraw his proclamation of the 2nd of July. 

 The " Embargo Act " seriously injured American commerce, and was 

 soon superseded by a " Non-Intercourse Act," which failed to satisfy 

 either its promoters or the public, and was therefore repealed. 



