The remote causes of the second War with Great Britain appear to have arisen from the war existing between that power and France. America endeavored to maintain a strict neutrality, and peaceably to continue a commerce with them. Jealousies, however, arose between the contending powers, with respect to the conduct of America, and events occurred, calculated to injure her commerce, and to disturb her peace.] "Decrees were first issued by the French government preventing the American flag from trading with the enemy; these were followed by the British orders in council, no less extensive than the former in design, and equally repugnant to the laws of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed sometime between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search claimed by Great Britain as one of her prerogatives. To take her native subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy were not unfrequently seen seizing native British subjects who had voluntarily enlisted on board our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen. [_Interesting Events_: Second War: The Berlin Decree of 1806, and that of Milan, in the succeeding year, (both issued by the French government, to prevent the American flag from trading with their enemy,) were followed by the British Orders in Council; no less extensive than the former, in the design, and equally repugnant to, the law of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed some time between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search, claimed by Great Britain, as one of her prerogatives. This was to take her native born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy, were not unfrequently seizing native born British subjects, who had voluntarily enlisted on board of our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.] "In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the president, laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. [_Interesting Events_: Second War: In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the President, on the 22d of December, 1807, laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.]