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THE WINDWARD ISLANDS.
It is well known that one of the principal reasons for the declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812, were the insults heaped on the American flag, in every sea, by the navy of Great Britain.

The British government claimed and exercised THE RIGHT to board our ships, impress their crews when not natives of the United States, examine their cargoes, and subject our citizens navigating the high seas, to inconvenience, detention, and conduct often of an annoying and insulting character.

The British government contended that the flag which waved over the decks of our ships should be no protection to our ships or seamen.

For years our merchant vessels were compelled to submit to such degrading insults from the navy of Great Britain.
The mode of exercising this "right of search," so far as relates to the impressment of seamen, I have already had occasion to illustrate, and the incident which I now relate will explain with tolerable clearness the mode in which the British exercised this right in relation to property.
Previously to the war with Great Britain, a profitable trade was carried on between the United States and the English West India Islands.