On June 22, 1807, the American frigate Chesapeake was stopped by the British ship Leopard for the purpose of inspecting the American crew for possible deserters.
The Chesapeake’s captain refused and the British opened fire, causing extensive damage to the ship. The American ship was boarded and four accused deserters were forcibly removed.
The event, clearly a violation of America's neutral rights, was widely reported in the newspapers and heightened the calls for war against Britain. The Chesapeake Affair was one additional grievance leading toward the War of 1812.