In 1807, France and Britain were enmeshed in the Napoleonic Wars that had begun in 1803. The United States remained neutral, and American merchants continued trade with both countries. As the war continued, naval commanders from France and Britain began making excuses to seize neutral ships whose crews they suspected of having dealings with their enemy. English crews also seized American ships and kidnapped sailors accused of being wayward British citizens, then pressed those sailors into service on British ships. In response to these incursions, the U.S. Congress, with the support of President Thomas Jefferson, passed the Embargo Act in December, 1807.
