On the face of it this would seem perhaps, at least to many of us on this side of the Atlantic, rather bizarre.
The reference to Admiral Sir Robert Calder most likely refers to his indecisive action off Finisterre on July 22nd 1805, just two months before this report. He was later recalled home to England in disgrace to face a court martial, prior to Trafalgar. (You may remember Nelson's action in allowing Calder the priviledge of returning to England in his flagship the 98 gun 'Prince of Wales'.)
Not knowing that much about US politics I did, however, find this which may have something to do with the attitudes then prevailing in the country:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Treaty