Page:Cambridge Modern History Volume 7.djvu/360

 328 Search and impressment. [i 790-6 Scarcely had this law been passed, when the act of a British naval officer off the harbour of New York called forth another measure of retaliation more futile still. As the coasting schooner Richard was approaching Sandy Hook one evening in April, 1806, and was less than half a mile from shore, the British ship Leander, which had long lain in the offing, fired two shots across her bows as a signal to heave to and be searched. The Richard was quickly rounded : but at the same moment a third ball badly directed struck the taffrail and carried off the head of the helmsman. In New York excitement rose high. Flags on the vessels were put at half-mast; the people wore mourning; a public funeral was given to the murdered man; and resolutions were adopted, denouncing in strong terms the tame submission of the govern- ment. The President did what he could. He issued a proclamation calling for the arrest of Captain Whitby of the Leander ; ordered the Leander, the Cumbria, and the Driver to leave the ports of the United States ; forbade the people to repair them, pilot them, or supply them with food; and commanded their officers never again to enter the waters of the United States. Meanwhile the question of impressment had grown into a serious issue between the two countries. In 1790, Spain having seized a couple of British ships in Nootka Sound, Great Britain made ready for war ; and one night in May a press-gang went the rounds of sailor resorts in London. So many American sailors were seized that the captains of the American vessels in port applied to Gouverneur Morris for aid. Morris was on a private visit to London, but had been requested by Washington to inquire into the disposition of the ministry to send a minister to the United States. He now undertook this mission, had interviews with Pitt and the Duke of Leeds, was assured that Great Britain had no wish to molest American sailors, and was told that the trouble arose from the difficulty of distinguishing the subjects of his Majesty from the citizens of the United States. Morris then asked if certificates of citizenship issued by the Admiralty Courts would be sufficient protection, and was told they would. But Washington would hear nothing of certificates; and when Thomas Pinckney went out as American minister he was especially instructed on this matter. Nothing however had been accomplished when the French war opened and impressment began in earnest. In 1793 consuls were permitted to issue certificates of citizenship. But Great Britain held that this was not a consular power, and the certificates were not respected. In 1794 Jay concluded his treaty; but it was silent on impressment, and in 1796 Congress interposed. Collectors of the ports were now authorised to issue protection papers to American sailors ; and two agents were to be appointed to reside abroad, inquire into the situation of the impressed Americans, and report to the Secretary of the Treasury. Under this law, between 1796 and the peace of 1802, 35,000 seamen