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What happened between H.M.S. Leopard and the USS Chesapeake in 1807?

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1812, War of — War of 1812 Battle between the frigates HMS *Shannon* and USS *Chesapeake* off Boston during the War of 1812; detail of a lithograph Louis Haghe after by J.C. Schetky.

In 1807, the British Royal Navy frigate H.M.S. Leopard fired upon the U.S. Navy frigate Chesapeake in an act of aggression related to the practice of impressment. During the encounter, the British seized four sailors from the American vessel, three of whom were U.S. citizens.1

While the British government in London eventually issued an apology for the incident, the event significantly heightened tensions between the two nations and nearly led to war at the time. Instead of immediate military retaliation, President Thomas Jefferson responded by exerting economic pressure, leading Congress to pass the Embargo Act in December 1807. This confrontation remains a notable grievance that contributed to the eventual outbreak of the War of 1812.12