1221. CHESAPEAKE, Attack on Frigate.—
On the 22nd day of June last [1807], by
a formal order from the British admiral, the
frigate Chesapeake, leaving her port for 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 four taken away. On this
outrage no commentaries are necessary. Its
character has been pronounced by the indignant
voice of our citizens with an emphasis
and unanimity never exceeded. 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. An
armed vessel of the United States was dispatched
with instructions to our ministers at
London to call on that government for the
satisfaction and security required by the outrage.
A very short interval ought now to
bring the answer. * * * The aggression
thus begun has been continued on the part of
the British commanders by remaining within
our waters, in defiance of the authority of the
country, by habitual violations of its jurisdiction,
and at length by putting to death
one of the persons whom they had forcibly
taken from on board the Chesapeake. These
aggravations necessarily lead to the policy,
either of never admitting an armed vessel
into our harbors, or of maintaining in every
harbor such an armed force as may constrain
obedience to the laws, and protect the lives
and property of our citizens, against their
armed guests. But the expense of such a
standing force, and its inconsistence with our
principles, dispense with those obligations of
hospitality which would necessarily call for
it, and leave us equally free to exclude the
navy, as we are the army of a foreign power,
from entering our limits.—
Seventh Annual Message. Washington ed. viii, 83.
Ford ed., viii, 152.
(Oct. 27, 1807)
