Jefferson's Impressment

There was a great deal of pressing, or impressment, going on between the British and American Navy throughout the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Impressment, which has dated back to the French Revolution was primarily used to recruit additional seamen and manpower for their armed forces. Britain has had a history of enforcing impressment because of the constant shortages of seamen due to a lack of qualification and low pay they endured; when it actually came. Life upon British ships were hazardous, hard and often unasked for; many of Britain’s own Naval force were pressed into service to fill the need for manpower on blockades and after witnessing the horrors of war with France many sailors deserted the British Navy and enlisted as American merchant
Alongside preventing war with Britain, Jefferson hoped to stress Britain and France’s supply system and to result the two into making peace with one another or at least to stop interfering with American ships but the embargo consequently turned out to be more harmful to the U.S. Jefferson repealed the act and three days later left office. In March of 1809 James Madison came into presidency. Madison sent a message to Congress approaching several issues caused by the British; impressment, harassment of American commerce, blockading Americans ships from European ports and attacks from savages and at the time a group of young legislators in Congress known as the “War Hawks” began to urge and agitate Madison more and more to go to war with Britain and the leader of the War Hawks, Henry Clay, believed war would give America their respect as an independent nation and restore their prestige. On June 18, 1812, James Madison signed the official Declaration of
Outraged by Britain’s relentless actions, Americans sought to regain “Free Trade and Sailors Rights”. It was also clear Britain had very little respect towards America, they believed because since America was their offspring they were allowed to meddle, suppress and enforce their rules such as impressment and the “Orders of Council” upon their trade system. America was determined to make Britain respect them and although the U.S. has won most or its wars it was still a weak nation and in many battles America was lucky if they escaped alive. The first few attempts made by America ended in humiliating defeats. At the Battle of Queenston Heights General William Hull surrendered without a single gun fire because the sight of the vast forces the British had gathering around Fort Detroit was too intimidating. Another attempt failed but also had a success, General Van Rensselaer marched across the Niagara River and launched an invasion on Queenston Heights. In spite of the fact that his invasion was poorly organized Van Rensselaer was able to seize a redan gun gaining control of the battle and slaying General Isaac Brock while he tried to retake the fort. Afterwards British reinforcements arrived and drove out Van Rensselaer’s forces. Britain was victorious again but will have to do without the use of Brocks dynamic and strategic leadership. America began to have an impact on the war and even though in January of 1813, when