Engagement between His Majesty's Ship "Leopard" and the United States Court Martial for the trial of John Wilson alias Jenkin (lately taken from the American Frigate "Chesapeake ") on charges of desertion, mutiny and Sentence against Captain James Barrow of the United States Frigate "Chesa- Correspondence between Hon. F. J. Jackson, envoy extraordinary and minister Plenipotentionary of His Britannie Majesty, and Hon. R. Smith, of the Department of State, Washington.......... House of Representatives of the United States, in relation to Mr. Jackson...... Governor General's speech alluding to the differences with the United States.. Recall of Mr. Jackson....... Repeal of decrees opening the Ports of the United States to France....... Proclamation on the same subject............ Annals of the times........ Sir James Craig's speech................................. Successor to Mr. Jackson...... Non-intercourse..... Engagement between the U. S. Frigate "President" and the British sloop of 143 148 United States House of Representatives-Preparations for war......... The story of John Henry. The Embargo...... American war paragraphs. A conscription............ United States Congress Hostile preparations..... Declaration of war.............. General orders...... Proclamation by Sir George Prevost... ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP "LEOPARD," CAPTAIN HUMPHREYS, AND THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE CHESAPEAKE," CAPTAIN GORDON, UNDER COMMODORE BRITISH ACCOUNT. Halifax, July 7, 1807. His Majesty's sloop of war " Columbine," Capt. Bradshaw, arrived here on Saturday last from the Chesapeake, after a passage of six days, with dispatches to the Honorable ViceAdmiral Berkeley. These dispatches relate to an unpleasant contest, which has taken place between His Majesty's ship "Leopard," Captain Humphreys, and the United States frigate Chesapeake," Commodore Barron. As this is an event of the utmost importance to two nations, whose best interest it is to be in amity with each other, we have endeavoured to collect as far as possible the interesting particulars. The Order of Vice-Admiral Berkeley, with which we have been favored, will shew the ground of difference; the propriety of the order given; and that part of the order which gave to Commodore Barron, the reciprocal right of search, must shew to every candid mind, a sincere disposition to avoid wounding the feelings of the Commodore, or of bringing the question to this painful issue. The manner in which Capt. Humphreys carried into effect the Admiral's order, will fully appear in the subsequent interesting letter from an officer belonging to the "Leopard," and reflects the highest honour on Capt. Humphreys, who has shewn, on the one hand, the most patient forbearance; and on the other, the most inflexible determination to do his duty. By the Honorable GEORGE CRANFIELD BERKELEY, ViceAdmiral of the White, and Commander in Chief to His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed in the River St. Lawrence, along the Coast of Nova Scotia, the Island of St. John and Cape Breton, the Bay of Fundy, and at, and about, the Island of Bermuda, or Somers' Islands. Whereas many Seamen, Subjects of His Britannic Majesty, and serving in His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, as per margin, while at anchor in the Chesapeake, deserted and entered on board the United States frigate the "Chesapeake," and openly paraded the streets of Norfolk, in sight of their officers, under the American flag, protected by the Magistrates of the town, and the recruiting Officer belonging to the above-mentioned American frigate; which Magistrates, and Naval Officer refused giving them up, although demanded by His Britannic Majesty's Consul, as well as the Captains of the Ships from which the said Men had deserted. The Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my Command, are therefore, hereby required and directed, in case of meeting with the American frigate "Chesapeake," at Sea, and without the limits of the United States, to shew to the Captain of her, this Order, and to require to search his Ship for the Deserters from the before-mentioned Ships, and to proceed and search for the same; and if a similar demand should be made by the American, he is to be permitted to search for any Deserters from their Service, according to the customs and usuage of civilized Nations, on terms of peace and amity with each other. Given under my hand at Halifax, Nova Scotia, the 1st day of June, 1807. To the respective Captains and Comman lers of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the North American Station. Belleisle, Bellona, Triumph, Chichester, Melampus, Halifax, Zenobia, (cutter.) |