The Embargo Act was a series of laws passed by the Congress of the United States between the years 1806-1808, during the second term of President Thomas Jefferson. It was partly brought upon by the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair involving the British warship Leopard attacking the American frigate Chesapeake, and partly by Britain prohibiting its trade partners from trading with France. Britain and France were at war during the Napoleonic wars. The U.S. was neutral and trading with both sides, although each side tried to hinder the United States' trade with the other. Jefferson's goal was to use economic warfare instead of military warfare to secure the rights of Americans.
The Embargo Acts sought to punish the United Kingdom for its violations of American rights on the high seas; among these were the impressment of sailors on American ships—American sailors whom the Royal Navy claimed were deserters.
The later acts, particularly those of 1807 and 1808, were passed in an attempt to stop Americans and American communities that sought to—or were suspected of intending to—defy the embargo. However, they caused significant economic damage to Americans - exports plummeted from $108 million in 1807 to $22 million in 1808. These Acts were ultimately repealed at the end of Jefferson's second (and last) term -- Wikipedia
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, February 3, 1808
Embargo at Portland Maine
A letter just received from the Eastward, informs that the creditors of nearly a dozen merchants in the town of Portland, province of Maine, lately commenced suits against them, and sent the sheriff to attach their good (under a state law) but that the populace rose in anger, and drove the officers out of town with force and menace. The Supreme Court which was to have begun its session the same day, thought it prudent to adjourn till Monday next - N. York Evening Post
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, May 4, 1808
Reports have reached us, that serious disturbances have taken place in the district of Maine - that the jail in Augusta has been burnt, and an attempt made to burn the court house - that the custom house officers had been driven from their posts, and that the flour had been exported in open day. We sincerely hope those reports may prove unfounded. Much as we question the policy of the embargo, and ardently as we wish for its repeal, we should extremely lament any opposition to it by force, and detest the man who could resort to such a measure. During the existence of any law which has been constitutionally enacted, it it the imperious duty of every citizen to comply with its requisitions, and give efficacy to its provisions -- Wash. Federalist
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), Wednesday, May 4, 1808
The President had received a letter from the Collector in the northern part of Vermont, stating that the supplementary embargo law cannot be executed in that state; and that the people will, in spite of the law export their produce to Canada. It is said to be in contemplation to direct the Executive of Vermont to order out the militia. -- U.S. Gaz.
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania May 25, 1808
Blessed Effects of the Embargo
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Buckstown (Hancock County, Maine) to his friend in Newburyport, dated April 19, 1808.
“The situation of our part of the country is truly alarming. The people being deprived of the profits of their labour in consequence of the embargo, our traders dare not trust them; neither can they possibly pay for those things which they must have, or they and their families suffer. At Frankfort the traders do not think it safe to have stores of corn and flour on hand. They cannot credit them, and the back settlers say they will have them at any rate, if they use force. Civil prosecutions are stopped in many places. Last Friday a sheriff was assaulted back of Frankfort. His papers demanded with a cocked gun presented to his breast, threatening him with instant death if he refused; he complied - they searched his pocket book, took what they chose and released him; threatening him with death if he ever came that way with precepts again. They took 5 or 6 writs in his possession. They say that two of the lawyers offices in Frankfort must be destroyed. I think this will not be done though we have some reason to fear it. About 4 miles from Frankfort near 400 collected in one body, all Indian dresses, ready for any enterprise that might appear for their advantage. The surveyors of land dare not attempt any business for fear of being shot. When or how this will end, none can tell but him who rules the destinies of the nations, and orders all things according to his pleasure - on his arm are we dependent for deliverance.
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), December 14, 1808
From the 21st of Nov. to the 2d of Dec., the senate of the U. States were chiefly engaged in the discussion of the resolution offered by Mr. Hillhouse for the repeal of the embargo laws. On the 2d inst., on motion by Mr. Reed, to refer the said motion to the committee appointed on the 11th Nov. to whom was referred so much of the President’s message as relates to the several embargo laws, it was determined in the negative - Yeas 5 - Nays 26.
On the question to agree to the original motion, it was determined in the negative - Yeas 6 - Nays 26.
Yeas - Messrs Gilman, Goodrich, Hillhouse, Lloyd, Pickering and White. (The remainder in the negative.)
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), December 14, 1808
In the Senate it has been determined by a majority of twenty five to six, not to repeal the Embargo; and in the House it has been determined by a majority of eighty four to twenty one to prohibit the admission of British or French public or private vessels into the ports of the U. States, or the importation of goods, wares or merchandize, the growth, produce, or manufacture of the dominions of the said powers; and as preliminary to, or consequence on, this determination, it has been likewise decided that the “U. States cannot, without a sacrifice of their rights, honor and independence submit to the late edicts of G. Britain and France”; and that “measures ought to be immediately taken for placing the country in a more complete state of defense.”
These votes decide unequivocally the disposition of the government in all its branches, and prove its determination to maintain the ground it has already taken, or to occupy such higher ground as circumstances may require. - Nat. Intelligencer
