XYZ+Affair



"Millions for Defense, Sir, but NOT ONE CENT FOR TRIBUTE"


 * After Jay's Treaty was ratified the French began seizing American ships in retaliation for America's closer relations with Britain
 * Federalists wanted to go to war with France
 * Adams sent 3 diplomats to France to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Foreign Minister Tallyrand
 * Instead 3 of Tallyrand's agents secretly met with the American Diplomats
 * The agents (X, Y, & Z) demanded the Americans loan France $10 million and give Tallyrand $250,000
 * The American response was: "Millions for Defense, Sir, but NOT ONE CENT FOR TRIBUTE"
 * Word of the French bribe was made public in America which enraged the public even more for war

If you were President what would you do?

Listen to Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists and go to War with France?

or

Send another diplomatic team over to further negiotiate peace?