ABSTRACT
British commander demanded the surrender of several seamen serving on the Chesapeake, whom he claimed to be deserters from the British service. When this demand was not acceded to, the Leopard, a t the distance of a hundred and fifty or two hundred feet, poured her whole broadside into the American vessel. The Chesapeake was unprepared for action. She received three broadsides without being able to answer in kind, and then struck her flag and surrendered. Three men were killed and eighteen wounded. The alleged deserters were taken aboard the Leopard. Three of them were Americans, one of the three being a negro. Perhaps the most exasperating thing about this whole affair was the presumption shown in attacking a frigate that was, if given a fighting chance, a fair match for the ‘Leopard.’ But the English did not stop to consider tha t an American frigate could fight. Within a few years they learned their mistake. This outrage nearly brought on war a t once, and it probably would have been as well if tha t had been the result, for it was high time that either France or England came to see that the United States could defend herself. And yet one must strongly sympathize with Jefferson and his advisers, who loathed the barbari ty of war, and believed tha t self-interest and common sense should win all nations to peace. Unfortunately the times were not suited for such humane ideas. Nearly the whole civilized world was rent with strife.”
