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The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair...
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair...
Item # 694534
October 15, 1807
INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE, Boston, Oct. 15, 1807
* USS Chesapeake-Leopard affair
This title has a nice masthead, with an intricate engraving in the middle featuring a heraldic eagle.
The top of page 2 has a report beginning: "Our affairs, growing out of the late hostile attack upon the frigate Chesapeake by the British ship Leopard, remains by the last accounts from England in a very unsettled state..." with more on the particulars.
This was the Chesapeake–Leopard Affair, a naval engagement off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, between the two mentioned ship. The crew of Leopard pursued, attacked, and boarded the American frigate, looking for deserters from the Royal Navy. Chesapeake was caught unprepared and after a short battle involving broadsides received from Leopard, the commander of Chesapeake, James Barron, surrendered his vessel to the British. Chesapeake had fired only one shot.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, minor margin wear, generally good condition.
AI notes: The USS Chesapeake–Leopard affair occurred on June 22, 1807, off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, and became a major international incident between the United States and Great Britain.
The British warship HMS Leopard intercepted the American frigate USS Chesapeake to search for British deserters. When the Chesapeake's commander, Commodore James Barron, refused to allow a search, the Leopard opened fire, killing or wounding over 20 Americans. The British then boarded the Chesapeake and seized four alleged deserters.
The incident sparked widespread outrage in the U.S. and increased tensions leading up to the War of 1812. President Thomas Jefferson responded with economic measures, including the Embargo Act of 1807, aimed at pressuring Britain and France to respect American neutrality.
AI notes: The USS Chesapeake–Leopard affair occurred on June 22, 1807, off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, and became a major international incident between the United States and Great Britain.
The British warship HMS Leopard intercepted the American frigate USS Chesapeake to search for British deserters. When the Chesapeake's commander, Commodore James Barron, refused to allow a search, the Leopard opened fire, killing or wounding over 20 Americans. The British then boarded the Chesapeake and seized four alleged deserters.
The incident sparked widespread outrage in the U.S. and increased tensions leading up to the War of 1812. President Thomas Jefferson responded with economic measures, including the Embargo Act of 1807, aimed at pressuring Britain and France to respect American neutrality.
Category: Pre-Civil War
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