English vessels entered American ports, and men were impressed as seamen on the technical ground that they had never abjured allegiance. American vessels were boarded on the high seas, and some of the best men taken away and forced to serve under the English flag. There is a limit to forbearance, and the young nation, whose infancy had scarcely been passed, resolved that it would be better to die than endure such insults. War was declared. It looked like madness. It was so, if judged by the ordinary rules of national conduct. Great Britain was the mistress of the seas. On the roll of her navy were over a thousand ships, and eighty-five of the largest were actually in American ports. President Madison and his Cabinet did not, however, intend that the war should be waged on the high seas. The American ships-of-war were to remain in the harbors as so many floating batteries for defensive purposes. In New York Harbor was a small squadron under the command of Commodore Rodgers. He heard the rumor that he was not to go out to sea, and dispatched Captains Bainbridge and Stewart to Washington to confer with the Secretary of the Navy. Secretary Paul Hamilton listened attentively to the two captains, and they thought they had won their case; but with great courtesy he thanked them, and said that the President had, with the consent of his Cabinet, decided to order the ships to remain in the harbors. Captain Stewart stamped his foot, and with almost anger, exclaimed: "Sir, you are going to ruin the country; I'll have you impeached!" Paul Hamilton smiled. Off went Stewart to the White House and argued his case so well that the President put the unsigned order in his desk, and told the captain he would consider the matter. War was declared a few days after that consultation. Commodore Rodgers was ready to sail, and only awaited official knowledge of the declaration. The crowd at the Battery held divergent sentiments. "It's all very well for Rodgers to take his ships out, but kin he bring 'em back," asked an old sailor whose face was tanned by many a summer sun and winter wind; "kin he bring 'em back? That's what I want to know!" "You're afraid, Sam Buller, that's what's the matter." "Durn it! I afraid, younker? I hate John Bull like pizen, and but that's no reason why I should go an' get killed and do no good." "Take no notice of the old grumbler, men. Our commodore will not only come back, but will bring lots of British ships as prizes." The speaker was a boy--a mere child--for he had only just passed his eleventh birthday; but he was dressed in the full uniform of the United States navy, and ranked as a midshipman. "Hark to the baby!" "Baby! I'd have you know I got my commission two years ago, and if you doubt it, I ask these gallant men to attest it. I'm proud of my ship. I'm proud of her captain, and I'm an officer there. Is it not so?" The boy appealed to the crew of a boat which had just reached the wooden dock.