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Period: to
The War of 1812
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Leopard-Chesapeake Affair
On 22 June 1807 off Hampton Roads, Virginia, the American frigate Chesapeake was stopped by the British ship Leopard, whose commander demanded the surrender of four seamen alleged to have deserted from the British ships Melampus and Halifax. Upon the refusal of the American commander, Captain James Barron, to give up the men, the Leopard opened fire. Four seamen were captured and forced into service in the British Navy.
