The Embargo of 1807
In 1807 Britain and France were at war, and to gain an economic advantage both sides had forbidden the other to trade with the United States. Their threats were not idle either. Upon banning trade between France and America, The British Royal Navy began the practice of impressment upon American ships. They would stop American vessels and seize sailors, saying they were British deserters. As the year progressed so did the issue’s importance. It rose to the top of America’s foreign policy priorities with over 6,000 American sailors being taken. (Foner, p301)
On June 22, 1807 the Chesapeake Affair forced the president at the time, Thomas Jefferson, to make a decision. The British HMS Leopard had orders from the British government to attack the USS Chesapeake. Not only did they take four sailors, who were claimed to be British deserters, but three other sailors were killed and eighteen wounded. The extreme use of force by the British solders enraged the American people, and shouts were made for action. (Cray)
Going against his basic beliefs that the American economy needed foreign trade to survive, and that an intrusive national government was not beneficial to its country Jefferson decided to put up an embargo on all foreign goods. (Foner, 301) The embargo stated “During the continuance of the act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States, no vessels of any description whatever, and wherever bound, whose employment is confined to the navigation of bays, sounds, rivers, and lakes, within the jurisdiction of the United States, shall be allowed, to depart from any port of the United States without having previously obtained a clearance”(Embargo of 1807) This meant that American vessels were no longer allowed to trade with foreign countries. Jefferson had this done for three reasons. First, he felt that the embargo would hurt both Britain and France’s economies enough to where they would rescind their current policies towards trade with America. Second, he hoped it would cause Americans to cooperate amongst themselves, and make the economy grow internally. Third, with American ships not traveling far off shore they would be safe from British attacks. (University of Houston)
Unfortunately, the results were not what Jefferson had hoped for. Britain and France were too busy fighting against each other to take much major notice of the blockade. (Foner, 301) And instead of the domestic economy working amongst itself to profit, illegal smuggling through Canada flourished. By this time American exports had also sunk 80 percent. (Foner p 301) So the embargo was ended by congress just as Jefferson’s presidential term was coming to an end. The embargo was then replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act in 1809, which made trade legal with all countries except for Britain and France. (University of Houston)
The Non-Intercourse Act was soon thereafter replaced in 1810 by Macon’s Bill No. 2. which stated “all the penalties and forfeitures which may have been incurred under the act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States, or under any of the several acts supplementary thereto, or to enforce the same, or under the acts to interdict the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France and their dependencies, and for other purposes, shall be recovered and distributed, and may be remitted”.(Macon’s Bill No. 2) This meant that the United States was now ready to once again trade with Britain and France. But there was a catch. The bill also stated that if one of the countries was ready to recognize and respect the United State’s neutrality, then the United States would not trade with the other country. France saw this as a chance to bolster its trade and simultaneously hinder Britain’s, so they jumped at the opportunity and accepted the United State’s offer. In return the president at the time, James Madison, then brought back the trade embargo on Britain. (foner p 302)
By June of 1812 Britain was still harassing United State ships, and was aiding Indian attacks on American forces. With the embargo failing to keep Americans safe Madison decided it was time for war. He saw it as a time to make Britain realize that they could not bully themselves back into America. So he went to congress and declared war on Britain, ending the economic plan of attack and entering a stage of force. (foner p 302)
Overall, the embargo and the following legislation were failures. The country lost money, and was unable to avoid war. But to Jefferson and Madison’s credit they recognized the negatives of war, and were willing to attempt peaceful solutions. In Jefferson’s case he went as far as going against his core beliefs because he believed it was what was best for the American people. Yes the country had to eventually go to war. But attempting to solve international affairs bloodlessly instead of rushing headfirst into battle is never a disgraceful alternative.
Works Cited
Cray, Robert E. "Journal of the Early Republic." 3 Nov. 2005. Web.
<http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/journal_of_the_early_republic/v025/25.3cray.html>.
"Embargo Act of 1807." July 2002. Web. <http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/us/c_embargo.html>.
"The Embargo of 1807." University of Houston. Web. <http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=19>.
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008. 301-02. Print.
"Macon's Bill No. 2." Apr. 2003. Web. <http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/us/c_macon.html>.
