1798 John Adams - Quasi War with France

The French revolution had ended in a bloodbath of execution, including beheading of the king who had made an alliance with America. Then in 1795, America renewed treaties with two of Frances' enemies. After trying a bit of extortion, demanding outlandish demands from America (see the XYZ affair), the French terminated diplomatic relations with America. Finally, in 1797, the French Directory (then government of France), passed a decree allowing the "capture and condemnation neutral vessels and their cargoes if any portion of the latter are of British fabric or produce". This essentially justified the impressment of American sailors by the French Navy in international waters. By 1798, the French had robbed around 300 ships. John Adams called this act, an “unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the nations it attacks". In his 1798 address to congress, John Adams expressed his desire to prepare for war. This would be the beginning of the Quasi War with France. An undeclared war between the United States of America and the French Republic and Spain.

Here are John Adam's words written to congress:

"The law of France enacted in January last, which subjects to capture and condemnation neutral vessels and their cargoes if any portion of the latter are of British fabric or produce, although the entire property belong to neutrals, instead of being rescinded has lately received a confirmation by the failure of a proposition for its repeal. While this law, which is an unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the nations it attacks, continues in force those nations can see in the French Government only a power regardless of their essential rights, of their independence and sovereignty; and if they possess the means they can reconcile nothing with their interest and honor but a firm resistance.

Hitherto, therefore, nothing is discoverable in the conduct of France which ought to change or relax our measures of defense. On the contrary, to extend and invigorate them is our true policy. We have no reason to regret that these measures have been thus far adopted and pursued, and in proportion as we enlarge our view of the portentous and incalculable situation of Europe we shall discover new and cogent motives for the full development of our energies and resources.

But in demonstrating by our conduct that we do not fear war in the necessary protection of our rights and honor we shall give no room to infer that we abandon the desire of peace. An efficient preparation for war can alone insure peace."

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29440
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1798_State_of_the_Union_Address
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Combat_naval_pendant_la_quasi_guerre.jpg