But first and foremost as touching the personal sensibilities and patriotism of both countries was the British exercise of a right of search and seizure to recover British sailors.
Moreover this asserted right brought into clear view definitely opposed theories as to citizenship.

Great Britain claimed that a man once born a British subject could never cease to be a subject--could never "alienate his duty." It was her practice to fill up her navy, in part at least, by the "impressment" of her sailor folk, taking them whenever needed, and wherever found--in her own coast towns, or from the decks of her own mercantile marine.

But many British sailors sought security from such impressment by desertion in American ports or were tempted to desert to American merchant ships by the high pay obtainable in the rapidly-expanding United States merchant marine.

Many became by naturalization citizens of the United States, and it was the duty of America to defend them as such in their lives and business.

America ultimately came to hold, in short, that expatriation was accomplished from Great Britain when American citizenship was conferred.