"Perhaps no country ever experienced more sudden and remarkable advantages from any measure of policy ..." President John Adams wrote these bold words in his second annual address to Congress. Was this a bailout? Was this universal healthcare? It was an act that leveraged American businesses with the need for ships of war.
It all began with the president signing a law that banned U.S. vessels from sailing toward any port under French control. This was in response to the recent seizures of American vessels in the French West Indies. But trade with the French West Indies was very lucrative, and American merchants ignored the ban. Instead they decided to retaliate by working together to construct their own warships that would protect American property at sea. This protection should have come from the U.S. Navy, but the the navy in 1798 had no real fighting force. Construction of just three ships had been completed, the Constellation, Untied States, and the Constitution, but none of them were ready for active service yet. So American citizens had to step up on their own.
Rather than fight the people, Adams capitalized on their ingenuity. On June 30, 1798 President Adams signed "An act to provide an additional armament for the further protection of the trade of the United States, and for other purposes." This act effectively authorized the government to accept any armed vessel from a private citizen and to compensate that citizen with government "certificates" that yielded 6 percent interest. The U.S. government and American private merchants had struck a deal. The initial result of this deal, were nine privately funded warships. 4 small or medium sized frigates, four sloops-of-war, and one large frigate (Philadelphia). While these ships of war did not compare to the "super" frigates like the Constitution or even the 36-gun Constellation, they were crucial to the success in the Quasi-War with France. These nine privately built ships were designed to be nimble and uncommonly fast, and were incredibly effective in dealing with the French privateers who had been seizing American merchant ships.
With the success of these warships, President Adams was able to speak boldly and announce to France that while America desired peace, they did not fear war. It was now France's decision to accept Peace on American terms:
"They will respect the sacred rights of embassy; and with a sincere disposition on the part of France to desist from hostility, to make reparation for the injuries heretofore inflicted on our commerce, and to do justice in future, there will be no obstacle to the restoration of a friendly intercourse."Adams continued to pledge to France and the world that with all "Executive authority" of the United States, he would adhere to the "humane and pacific" policy. But, regardless of any ongoing negotiations, America was preparing for war.
"In making to you this declaration I give a pledge to France and the world that the Executive authority of this country still adheres to the humane and pacific policy which has invariably governed its proceedings, in conformity with the wishes of the other branches of the Government and of the people of the United States. But considering the late manifestations of her policy toward foreign nations, I deem it a duty deliberately and solemnly to declare my opinion that whether we negotiate with her or not, vigorous preparations for war will be alike indispensable. These alone will give to us an equal treaty and insure its observance."And, the source of this boldness, was the "effects of the small naval armament provided under the acts of the last session".
"Among the measures of preparation which appear expedient, I take the liberty to recall your attention to the naval establishment. The beneficial effects of the small naval armament provided under the acts of the last session are known and acknowledged. Perhaps no country ever experienced more sudden and remarkable advantages from any measure of policy than we have derived from the arming for our maritime protection and defense."Nevertheless, the protection of American coasts and trade was the duty of the government. America must now "lay the foundation for an increase of our Navy to a size sufficient to guard our coast and protect our trade". The first step was to procure the materials (timber and other supplies).
"We ought without loss of time to lay the foundation for an increase of our Navy to a size sufficient to guard our coast and protect our trade. Such a naval force as it is doubtless in the power of the United States to create and maintain would also afford to them the best means of general defense by facilitating the safe transportation of troops and stores to every part of our extensive coast. To accomplish this important object, a prudent foresight requires that systematic measures be adopted for procuring at all times the requisite timber and other supplies. In what manner this shall be done I leave to your consideration."
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29440
https://www.independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_12_01_06_sechrest.pdf
https://www.navycs.com/public-law/naval-add-1798.html
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Combat_naval_pendant_la_quasi_guerre.jpg
An Act to provide an additional Armament for the further protection of the trade of the United States; and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby authorized and empowered, to cause to be built, purchased or hired, a number of vessels, not exceeding twelve, nor carrying more than twenty-two guns each, to be armed, fitted out and manned under his direction.https://www.navycs.com/public-law/naval-add-1798.html
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