After failed negotiations with France involving bribes and outlandish demands became widely known as the "XYZ Affair", federalists called for a declaration of War. President John Adams refused and sent negotiators back to France again in 1799 to end hostilities.
In 1797 relations with France things went from bad to worse, France refused to receive Charles Pinkney as the new minister-in-residence to replace Monroe and even expelled him from the country. France was sill angry over the Jay Treaty and were acting in defiance towards the United States. John Adams in May of 1797 called a special session of Congress to meet regarding relations with France. Could the United States honorably send another diplomatic mission to France? As things continued to escalate, Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of War James McHenry provided a more moderate response to the President. They agreed that "France cannot be considered as a violator of the laws of nations, nor the simple act of refusal, as just cause of war". Their position favored an extraordinary mission to France, negotiations, and an increase in defensive measures. Eventually, the rest of Adam's cabinet came to agree that the "extraordinary mission" should be sent.
But who to send? President Adams reached out to his Secretary of Treasurer Oliver Wolcott, and asked his his thoughts regarding James Madison as commissioner. Wolcott was shocked and responded in fear that Madison had opposed the Jay Treaty, fought assumption and consistently resisted Washington's and Hamilton's programs. Wolcott responded: "Sending Mr. Madison will make dire work among the passions of our parties in congress, and out of doors, through the states!". In fact most of the cabinet did not trust Madison, and chose to send a message to Adams, "we are willing to resign". These men were all federalists, men who were part of Washington's cabinet Adams chose to keep. They were instrumental in his election, and he could not afford to cross them politically. They agreed to a three-man commission, and in March of 1797 they chose Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry as special ministers to France.
The American diplomats were then sent to France and no word was heard form them until March 1798. The negotiations were a failure; the French made outlandish demands of a loan and a bribe which were refused by the Americans. Adam's cabinet was again divided on how to react with both Attorney General Charles Lee and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering arguing for a declaration of war. The Democratic-Republican leaders in congress suspected that Adams had exaggerated the French position to encourage war and they demanded the release of the commissioner's dispatches. Adams turned them over, but replaced the French actors with the letters W, X, Y, and Z. The affair instantly became known as the "XYZ Affair". The federalists pounced on this and called for a declaration of war. Congress then authorized the acquisition of 12 frigates and made other appropriations to increase military readiness. But Adams persevered and refused to ask Congress for a declaration of war. Instead, President Adams sent negotiators to France again in 1799 who eventually negotiated an end to hostilities with the Treaty of Mortefontaine in September 1800.
In December of 1799, President John Adams wrote to a joint session of Congress and described his intentions. It was a bold move that kept the conflicts from escalating into an all out war between the United States and France.
"Persevering in the pacific and humane policy which had been invariably professed and sincerely pursued by the Executive authority of the United States, when indications were made on the part of the French Republic of a disposition to accommodate the existing differences between the 2 countries, I felt it to be my duty to prepare for meeting their advances by a nomination of ministers upon certain conditions which the honor of our country dictated, and which its moderation had given it a right to prescribe.
The assurances which were required of the French Government previous to the departure of our envoys have been given through their minister of foreign relations, and I have directed them to proceed on their mission to Paris. They have full power to conclude a treaty, subject to the constitutional advice and consent of the Senate. The characters of these gentlemen are sure pledges to their country that nothing incompatible with its honor or interest, nothing inconsistent with our obligations of good faith or friendship to any other nation, will be stipulated."
In November of 1800, John Adams delivered his second final address to Congress. Negotiations have not yet been terminated, but Adams remained optimistic that it would be met with a "success proportioned to the sincerity with which they have been so often repeated."
"The envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary from the United States to France were received by the First Consul with the respect due to their character, and 3 persons with equal powers were appointed to treat with them. Although at the date of the last official intelligence the negotiation had not terminated, yet it is to be hoped that our efforts to effect an accommodation will at length meet with a success proportioned to the sincerity with which they have been so often repeated."
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29441
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29442
James McHenry, Forgotten Federalist by Karen E. Robbins.
https://books.google.com/books?id=_w7UCgAAQBAJ&dq=james+mchenry+mission+to+france&source=gbs_navlinks_s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_Affair
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/The_Signing_of_the_Treaty_of_Mortefontaine%2C_30th_September_1800_by_Victor-Jean_Adam.jpg
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