Description:

"The Balance and Columbian Repository" 1807 Embargo Act, War with Britain

An issue of "The Balance and Columbian Repository", No. 52, Volume VI, pp. 410-414. Printed by Harry Croswell. 6pp, measuring 9.25" x 11.5", Hudson, New York, dated December 29, 1807. With details on the prospect of war with Britain one week after the signing into law of the Embargo Act of 1807, including mentions of the late Alexander Hamilton. The newspaper has flattened folds, with light toning, foxing, dampstaining, and soiling throughout. The front page has become detached. Minor chipping at the spine. Very good overall.

Highlights include:

"…On war with Great-Britain. WAR, under any circumstances, is one of the worst evils, that can befall a nation' to the United States, in particular, which are but just emerging from a state of infancy, as an independent power, a par, in which they would have to contend with the navy of Great-Britain, situated as we now are, is seriously to be deprecated. Our extensive commerce, without convoy, without protection, would fall a rich and easy prey to the exulting enemy. Our seaport towns, weakly fortified, and as destitute of naval defence, stand exposed to the merciless fire of an adversary. That part of our small navy, now at a distance from home, would fall before the superior force of the enemy, and thus become useful to her, against that trade which it was designed to protect. Perhaps no other event promises so great immediate profit to the government of England, at the present time, as a sudden war with this country. The amount of American property now floating on the high seas, is immense. Unprotected by convoy, in the event of war, a great part of this must inevitably fall into the hands of her numerous cruisers…Let those who say this is a favorable season for America to go to war with Great Britain, bring home their wandering eyes from the bloody fields of Europe, and fix them on the situation of their own country…Notwithstanding all the evils, ready to fall upon them. Notwithstanding the fearful odds they have to encounter, the citizens of the United States, animated by the spirit which led their forefathers to assert their rights and claim independence, evince by their zeal and patriotism, that they are prepared to encounter all, and hazard all, rather than submit to aggression; and though death has deprived us of the wisdom and bravery of a Washington, with many other heroes of the revolution, and though an untimely grave holds the remains of the departed Hamilton, liberty can still find heroes to lend her sons to victory or death. Yet let none wish for war until they have weighed well the consequences; and if possible, let the threatened evil be averted from us."

The Embargo Act of 1807 was a general trade embargo on all foreign nations that was enacted by the United States Congress, signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson on December 22, 1807. During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain and France frequently targeted neutral American shipping as a means to disrupt the trade of the other nation, and American merchantmen were seized as contraband of war. The British Royal Navy had impressed American sailors who had either been British-born or previously served on British ships, with incidents such as the Chesapeake–Leopard affair. The Embargo Act was imposed in direct response to these events, but ultimately proved to be a complete failure; It failed to improve America's diplomatic position, dramatically hurt the economy, and highlighted America's infancy and lack of leverage power. In contrast, both British and French commercial shipping was relatively unaffected. Ultimately, tensions with Great Britain continued to grow and eventually would lead to the War of 1812.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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