1228. CHESAPEAKE, Hostilities Threatened.—
You will perceive by the enclosed
copies of letters from Captain Decatur
that the British commanders have their foot
on the threshold of war. They have begun
the blockade of Norfolk; have sounded the
passage to the town, which appears practicable
for three of their vessels, and menace an
attack on the Chesapeake and Cybele. These,
with four gunboats, form the present defence,
and there are four more gunboats in Norfolk
nearly ready. The four gunboats at
Hampton are hauled up, and in danger, four
in Mopjack bay are on the stocks. Blows
may be hourly possible.—
To General Dearborn. Washington ed. v, 117.
Ford ed., ix, 101.
(W.
July. 1807)
