XYZ+Affair

=__**XYZ Affair**__= toc The XYZ Affair was a making peace episode in 1798 that worsened the relationships between France and the United States and led to the Quasi- War of 1798. It was a diplomatic incident that almost led to the United States and France to war. Even though the affair caused unofficial naval war, United States and France were able to negotiate their differences and end the conflict in 1800.

The United States entered an alliance with the French in 1778, but after the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars was both unable unwilling to give aid. The conclusion of the Jay's Treaty with England, that partially vitiated the agreements with France, caused the French to get angry. Many American ships were stopped by French privateers, and the countries drifted into a hostile attitude. When President Washington sent Charles Pinckney ( Thomas Pinckney's brother) to try to settle the problems, the government refused to receive him. As a result the French ordered them out of the country.

Negotiations
The French stopped almost one hundred American ships that had set out for British ports in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and the Caribbean seas. Federalists like Alexander Hamilton called for a war, but president Adams sent a diplomatic delegation to Paris in 1791 to negotiate peace. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry were in this delegation. Three French agents with the names of Jean Conrad Hottinguer, Pierre Bellamy, and Lucien Hauteval, demanded a large, cash bribe for the delegates to speak to the French minister a huge loan to help fund the French military as a condition for continuing negotiations, and they wanted a formal apology from President Adams.

The Americans did not agree to the negotiations so they went back home. France's refusal to receive the accredited U.S. representatives, and not negotiating with them with cut any bribes for its leading members and a loan for its military in Europe seemed to be an extreme insult to the Americans. The public learned that the American delegates had rejected the demands. Their answer was NO!

**The Outcome**
France sent Marchal and Pinckney home but Gerry stayed in France, thinking that he could could prevent a Declaration of War, but didn't negotiate much further. Between 1798 and 1800, American and French warships and merchants ships fought in combat in the Caribbean and off the East Coast of the United States. The Americans wiped out France- American Alliance. President Adams seemed to be ready for war. He had built up a navy and a new army had been raised. Adams appointed new diplomats by William Murray. They negotiated an end to the fighting through the 1800 __Treaty of Mortefontaine__. The XYZ Affair significantly weakened the affection Americans had for France.

Between 1798 and 1800, American and French ships fought in combat in the Caribbean and East coast of the United States. President Adams began to build up the navy and a new army had been raised. An actual war seemed to be at hand, but Adams appointed new diplomats led by William Murray. They negotiated their differences through the 1800 Treaty of Mortefontaine. The XYZ Affair significantly weakened the affection Americans had on France, though it did take a while. In the end all is well and ends well!

__References:__
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/XYZAffair.aspx http://law.jrank.org/pages/11426/XYZ http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/hr/16318 http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h465.html 