Why impressment disputes were hard to resolve

Americans were impressed, and the practice became a major grievance. British officers also faced an identification problem because British and American sailors spoke alike, moved through many of the same ports, and could claim whichever nationality best served them. Some British sailors asserted American identity to escape naval service, while genuine Americans could be swept up in the same system. Britain's demand for experienced manpower did not excuse the violation, but it helps explain why the dispute persisted when nationality was difficult to prove.