In June 1807, tensions between the United States and Great Britain were on the rise, particularly due to issues of maritime rights and impressment of American sailors into the British Royal Navy. On the 22nd of June, the British warship HMS Leopard encountered the American frigate USS Chesapeake near Hampton Roads, Virginia. HMS Leopard, commanded by Captain Colvill, sought to enforce British claims of searching American ships for British deserters. The Chesapeake, under the command of Commodore James Barron, was preparing to set sail when the Leopard demanded that it be allowed to search the American vessel.

When Barron refused the demand, HMS Leopard opened fire on the USS Chesapeake, resulting in significant damage and casualties. The bombardment lasted for about 15 minutes, during which 3 American sailors were killed and 18 injured. After the cannonade, Leopard boarded the ship, forcibly taking four sailors, three of whom were claimed to be deserters from the British Navy. This incident not only sparked outrage within the crew and American citizens but also intensified the already heated diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The Chesapeake-Leopard affair became a rallying point for American nationalism and sentiment against British maritime practices. Following the attack, there was a surge of public opposition to British policies, leading to demands for war among factions in the United States. While a war did not immediately follow, the affair is often cited as a contributing factor to the War of 1812, as it exemplified the violations of American sovereignty by Britain on the high seas.