1237. CHESAPEAKE, Tergiversation of Great Britain.—
The communications
made to Congress at their last session explained
the posture in which the close of the
discussion, 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 belief 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.—
Eighth Annual Message. Washington ed. viii, 105.
Ford ed., ix, 220.
(Nov, 1808)
