[Presidential] Jefferson, Thomas Autograph Letter, signedOn the Brink of War with Great Britain President Thomas Jefferson Praises the Spirit of the American People Defending their Rights(Washington, D.C.), July 11, (18)07. One sheet, 9 3/4 x 8 in. (279 x 203 mm). An unrecorded autograph letter, signed by Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States, to Captain Robert Anderson and the Volunteerpany of Williamsburg, responding to their offer of their services following the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair the previous June. With the original integral address leaf present but separated, addressed and free franked by Jefferson, and docketed in another hand to same; remnants of original wax seal present; each sheet silked; creasing from original and contemporary folds. This letter is not printed in The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (Princeton University Press), nor on Founders Online."To Capt. Robert Anderson & the volunteerpany of WilliamsburgThe offer of your services, in support of the rights of your country, merits and meets the highest praise: and whenever the moment arrives in which these rights must appeal to the public arm for support, the spirit from which your offer flows, that which animates our nation, will be their sufficient safeguard.To the legislature will be rendered a faithful account of the events which have so justly excited the sensibilities of our country, of the measures taken to obtain reparation, & of their result: and to their wisdom will belong the course to be ultimately pursued.In the mean time it is our duty to pursue that proscribed by the existing laws. The authority of these having been recently & grossly outraged in the State of Virginia, the Governor will employ such portions of it's (sic) militia, as, in cooperation with the force of the US. in the same quarter, may protect the country, it's (sic) citizens & property from violence. towards this your services are accepted under his direction.I tender, for your country, the thanks you so justly deserve.Th: JeffersonJuly 11. 07."With the United States and Great Britain on the brink of war following the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, President Thomas Jefferson praises the patriotism of a Virginia militia captain as well as the American people who offer their services to defend the United States during a time of crisis.Three weeks earlier, on June 22, the British 50-gun HMS Leopard pursued, attacked, and boarded the American frigate Chesapeake off the shores of Norfolk, Virginia, in search of British Navy deserters. The incident was a violent escalation of Britain's years-long campaign of accosting American merchant s and impressing its citizens into the British Navy. The attack resulted in three dead American sailors, 18 wounded, four captured, and the young nation humiliated. The incident inflamed tensions between the United States and Great Britain, and infuriated the American public who united in a call for a forceful response. As Jefferso