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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

PROCLAMATION CONCERNING “CAMBRIAN,” ETC. 1 - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

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PROCLAMATION CONCERNING “CAMBRIAN,” ETC.1

[Dec. 20, 1806.]

Whereas by a proclamation bearing date the 3d day of May last, for reasons therein stated, the British vessels of war called the Leander, the Cambrian & the Driver, were forever interdicted the entrance of the harbors & the waters under the jurisdiction of the U. S. and in case of any of them reentering the harbors or waters aforesaid, all intercourse with them was forbidden, all supplies and aid prohibited from being furnished them under the penalties of law provided: and whereas one of the said armed vessels, the Cambrian, has lately entered into the waters of the Chesapeake, within which, with certain other British armed vessels, she still remains: I have therefore thought fit to issue this my Proclamation, forbidding, so long as the said Cambrian shall be within the waters of the Chesapeake all intercourse, not only with the said armed vessel the Cambrian, but with every armed vessel of the same nation, their officers, & crews now in the sd bay of Chesapeake, or it’s waters, or which may enter the same. And I do declare & make known, that if any person from, or within, the jurisdictional limits of the U. S. shall afford any aid to any of the said armed vessels, contrary to the prohibition contained in this proclamation, either in repairing any of them, or in furnishing them, their officers or crews, with supplies of any kind, or in any manner whatsoever or if any pilot shall assist in navigating any of the said armed vessels, unless it be for the purpose of carrying them, in the first instance, beyond the limits & jurisdiction of the U. S. such person or persons shall, on conviction, suffer all the pains & penalties by the laws provided for such offences. And I do hereby enjoin & require all persons bearing office civil or military within the U. S., and all others, citizens or inhabitants thereof, or being within the same, with vigilance & promptitude, to exert their respective authorities, & to be aiding & assisting to the carrying this proclamation and every part thereof into full effect.

In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the U. S. to be affixed to these presents, and have signed the same with my hand. Given at the city of Washington the 20th day of December in the year of our Lord 1806 and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States the 31st.

[1 ]Endorsed: “This was not issued, the Cambrian having gone off.” On this proclamation, Jefferson wrote to Madison on Dec. 19:

I send you the draft of a Proclamation, dated for tomorrow. I think all the letters & orders, to the effect already agreed on, should be instantaneously got ready, and I ask the heads of departments to meet here tomorrow at 11 o’clock to consider what additional measures can be taken for forcing the Cambrian off, and for preventing her entering any other port of the U. S. Would it not be proper to ask Mr. Erskine to see you immediately to shew him the letter of Newton & report of the officer, & to let him know the measures we will take tomorrow. He may by tonight’s post reinforce his advice to those officers. He had also written to Gallatin on Dec. 18: I inclose a draught of a Proclamation with an amendment proposed by Mr. Madison. Before I make any alteration I shall be glad of your opinion on the matter. I return the two draughts of letters with an alteration or two proposed to me of them for your consideration. Mr. Erskine promised to write to Commodore Douglas yesterday on the subject of the Cambrian. He says she is reported as having sprung her bowsprit, & put in on that account. Consequently we must let the matter lie till we hear from the Collector. I have made it a rule not to give up letters of accusation, or copies of them, in any case. It is true that Davies would probably care very little about a copy of his letter being sent to Briggs; yet I should think it sufficient that the heads of accusation have been already furnished to Mr. Briggs. Affectionate salutations.