In 1807 the British frigate named Leopard fired upon and boarded the US warship Chesapeake after suspecting it of carrying British deserters. The British then reprimanded four Chesapeake crewmen, one of whom was reportedly hung shortly after. This was only the final straw for a method called Impressments used by the British. The practice of Impressments forced Americans into their Navy and which had subjected countless merchant ships and many Americans to the same treatment suffered by the ( more ... )
