ROSS ACKELIFI

JAMES COLLINS

VINCENT LEE

NOVEMBER 9, 13

VS

1791 - GEORGE WASHINGTON - MESSAGE TO THE SENATE

On January 19th 1791, the Secretary of State having received from the charge d'affaires of France a note on the tonnage payable by French vessels in the ports of the United States, had the same under his consideration, and thereupon makes the report to the President of the United States. By order of the court, the charge d'affaires of France represents that they consider so much of the acts of Congress of July 20, 1789 and 1790, as imposes an extraordinary tonnage on foreign vessels without accepting those of France, to be in contravention of the fifth article of the treaty of amity and commerce between the two nations. Correspondingly, this would have authorized on their part a proportional modification in the favors of the American navigation, but that his Sovereign had thought it more acceptable to his principles of friendship and attachment to the United States to command him to make representations thereon, and to ask in favor of French vessels a modification of the acts which impose an extraordinary tonnage on foreign vessels. The third and fourth articles of the treaty of amity and commerce between France and the United States subject the vessels of each nation to pay in the ports of the other only such duties are paid by the most favored nation, and give them reciprocally all the privileges and exemptions in navigation and commerce which are given by either to the most favored nations. However, the question is whether the fifth article cited in the note is anything more than an application of the principle comprised in the third and fourth to a particular object, or whether it is an additional stipulation of something, not so comprised. Overall, the articles makes a point that if it be the opinion that the first construction is to be insisted on as the United States’, in opposition to the second urged by the Court of France, and that no relaxation is to be admitted, an answer shall be given to that Court defending that construction, and explaining as friendly terms as possible the difficulties opposed against the exemption they claim. Secondly, if it were the opinion that it is advantageous for America to close with France in interpretation of a reciprocal and perpetual exemption from tonnage, a repeal of so much of the tonnage law will be the answer. Lastly, If it be thought better to waive rigorous and nice discussions of right and to make the modification an act of friendship and of compensation for favors received, the passage of such a bill will then be the answer, telling that the treaty of amity and commerce with France failed poorly.

Transmitting a Report of Secretary of State Jefferson Regarding The Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France

“I lay before you a representation of the charge d'affaires of France, made by order of his Court, on the acts of Congress of the both of July, 1789 and

1790, imposing an extra tonnage on foreign vessels, not excepting those of that country,

together with the report of the Secretary of State thereon, and I recommend the same to your

consideration, that I may be enabled to give to it such answer as may best comport with the justice

and the interests of the United States. “

TALLEYRANDTalleyrand was a French diplomat. Under the regime of Louis XVI, through the French Revolution and then under Napoleon I, Louis XVIII, Charles X, and Louis-Philippe, he worked very successfully also known as a figure that polarizes opinion. For instance, some regard worship him as one of the most versatile, skilled and influential diplomats in European history, while the others regard that he was a traitor, betraying in turn, the Ancient Régime, the French Revolution, Napoleon, and the Restoration. He is also notorious for leaving the Catholic Church after ordination to the priesthood and consecration to the episcopacy. Shorty after he was ordained as Bishop of Autun, Talleyrand attended the Estates-General of 1789, representing the clergy, the First Estate. During the French Revolution, Talleyrand strongly supported the anti-clericalism of the revolutionaries. He participated in the writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and proposed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy that nationalized the Church, and swore in the first four constitutional bishops, even though he had himself resigned as Bishop following his excommunication – a religious censure used to deprive, suspend, or limit membership in a religious community or to restrict certain rights within it—by Pope Pius VI in 1791. During the Fete de la Federation in 1790, Talleyrand celebrated Mass. Evidently, he promoted public education in full spirit of the Enlightenment. Yet, after 9 Thermidor – a revolt in the French Revolution against the excesses of the Reign of Terror, triggered by a vote of the National Convention to execute several leading members of the Terror— He even mobilized his friends to lobby in the National Convention and then the newly established Directoire for his return. His name was then suppressed from the émigré list and he returned to France on 25 September 1796. In 1797, he became Foreign Minister. He was implicated in the XYZ Affair, which escalated the Quasi-War with America.

John Adams - Special Message to the Senate and the House; May 16 1797

Haha, no pay no gain!

Get Off XYZ (:

XYZ Affair-Neutrality strains

relations with France and Britain

-U.S sends ambassadors to France to patch relations

-Bribes were demanded by the French

-US outraged as story emerged

-U.S. not taken seriously

“Cinque-tetes, or the Paris Monster,” is the title of this

political cartoon satirizing the XYZ Affair. On the right, the five

members of the French Directory, or the ruling executive body, are

depicted as a five-headed monster demanding money. The three

American representatives, Gerry, Pinckney, and Marshall, are on the left, exclaiming, “Cease bawling,

monster! We will not give you six-pence!”

XYZ AFFAIR SPEECH BY JOHN ADAMSAnalysis: The speech given by John Adams on May 16, 1797 discusses

the circumstances in which congress has been inconvenienced with France’s serious discontents and thoroughly explains the diplomatic interactions between the governments of the two nations. Adams gives a depiction of the platonic, post-treaty relationship that the US had seemed to have before their relationship soured, however he does not provide much background on what occurred on France’s side of the diplomatic affair that engendered animosity between the two republics. His speech moves toward the diversion of blame toward France and their questionable credence. What Adams does do is make a reference to public audience and draws attention to its importance in the grand scheme of diplomacy. Adams explains his support of the idea that the opinion of the people is also reflected in a countries government. Adams perceivers to convince France and other nations that the US government is not backed by “degraded people, humiliated under a colonial spirit of fear and sense of inferiority, fitted to be the miserable instruments of foreign influence, and regardless of national honor, character, and interest.” He goes on to explain that the result of his perseverance was regrettable, stating that “but they have passed on the great theater of the world, in the face of all Europe and America…They have inflicted a wound in the American breast. It is my sincere desire, however, that it may be healed.” Another thing to take away from his speech is that his heart and his intentions are fully engaged in unifying the people and the government by implementing fair conduct preserving international peace. This primary source would have been more useful though if it had directly addressed the xyz affair in detail.

• Addresses France’s discontents• Not enough background on what France might be

thinking• Potential lack of communication with France• “Nations should treat for the mutual advantage of

their affairs, and especially to accommodate and terminate differences”

• “It evinces a disposition to separate the people of the United States from the government… and thus to produce divisions fatal to our peace

• Such attempts ought to be repelled with a decision which shall convince France and the world that we are not a degraded people, humiliated under a colonial spirit of fear and sense of inferiority

• I should have been happy to have thrown a veil over these transactions if it had been possible to conceal them; but they have passed on the great theater of the world, in the face of all Europe and America

MESSAGE TO SENATE• Diplomatic efforts

failed• Quasi War

approaching• Political impasse• Only mild proposals

to increase military strength

After the XYZ Affair, Congress created a

navy department and authorized American ships to seize French

vessels. Congress authorized the creation

of an army of 50,000 troops. While war was

never officially declared, for the next

two years an undeclared naval war raged between France

and the U.S.

Analysis: John Adams’ message to the Senate and House on March 19, 1798 discusses the reports of the envoys who were sent to France. Adams began by saying, in a nutshell, “The envoys have done their best to try to ease political tensions between the two republics, though at this point our diplomatic efforts have been fruitless.” With the Quasi War having occurred during this time period, one can infer that giving up on the preservation of peace ordeal as soon as an impasse was reached was not beneficial – of course the affair would result in a war. Adams almost prefers not to believe that war is the direction that the governments are heading in, and has a very euphemistic way of describing his semi-preparation for it. He states that the nation’s circumstance has shifted to one pervaded by meticulous caution when dealing with seafaring vessels or any vulnerable extremity of the United State. Adams is uncomfortable with the fact that vessels are now being sent in “armed condition”, which is an instruction by the government that is becoming difficult to justify. • “It is incumbent on me to declare that I perceive no ground

of expectation that the objects of their mission can be accomplished on terms compatible with the safety, the honor, or the essential interests of the nation”

• “Ample resources of the country afford for the protection of our seafaring and commercial citizens, for the defense of any exposed portions of our territory, for replenishing our arsenals, establishing foundries and military manufactures”

• “The present state of things is so essentially different from that in which instructions were given to the collectors to restrain vessels of the United States from sailing in an armed condition that the principle on which those orders were issued has ceased to exist”

QUASI WAR• 1798-1800• United States V.S. France• Undeclared War With France, the

Pirate Wars and the Half-War• The US• Over 2000 ships captured in total,

one after Naval involvement• France• Unknown killed or wounded exactly,

but insignificant• Several French privateers captured

or destroyed

SUSPENDING OF COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE

On June 13th 1798 an act to suspend commercial intercourse between the united state and France was passed. It was split up into 5 sections. Section one states that any vessel of the United States shall not sail into any port owned by the French republic or to any territories of France after the date of July 1st. Any ship sailing from the French republic after the date of July 1st to the United States shall be seized by the United States. Section two states that after July first that any ship wanting to receive clearance for a voyage to a foreign country must pay a bond to the United States. Only are they allowed to come ashore in a French republic if because of inclement weather or by force. Section four states that all French vessel armed or unarmed are not allowed to enter the Republic of the united states or any of its territory’s unless granted special permission from the President of the United States. Any French ship driven into a port of the United States due to inclement weather may be seized or given refuge until repairs can be completed. Section four states that this act will continue until congress states otherwise. Section five states that if before the next congressional meeting If France disavows the United states will remain neutral and have no connection with the European war. It also states that the trade between the two will continue to be seized and that only French ships will be allowed to pick up French persons or by the order of the President of the United States.

 

This document prevented all trade with the Republic or France. It let no French vessels or people into the country of the United States unless granted permissions otherwise by the president. It was very strict and if any vessel were to violate these rules it would most likely be seized.

 

FURTHER TO PROTECT COMMERCEOn July 9th, 1798 John Adams approved an act to further protect the

commerce of the United States. This document broken into eight sections states the following. Section 1. Any French vessels within United States waters or anywhere else on the high seas should be captured by United States public vessels and have all onboard seized. All French property found onboard the ship should be brought to a Port of the United States. Section two states that all Privately owned vessels can do the same if such ship applies for an application under the seal of the United States. Section three states that any man applying for a commission to allow his armed vessel to fight against French vessels should produce a detailed description of their vessel along with the tonnage and force. The number of crew on board, the name of the acting commander and the names of the two officers of next rank should all be stated. Once completed the application shall be passed to the secretary of state.

Section 4 states that a bond shall be given to the United States by the owner or owners of the vessel and at least two sureties shall be listed. Those who fail to do so or do not follow the treaties and laws of the United States will be fined seven thousand dollars. A ship with one hundred and fifty men will be forced to pay double. Section 5 states that all seized from French vessels captures should be given to the owners of the vessels and should be distributed to the crew if an agreement has been made. Failure to meet an agreement will result in discretion by the court.

Section 6 states that all property recaptures from the French, which belongs to a resident of the United States, shall be returned to them. Upon returned the owner shall give a payment which can range from 1/8 to ½ of that has been salvaged. Failure to meet this agreement will result in court that shall determine the salvage given. Section 7 states that all seized by vessels shall be brought to a port of the United States to be published and that a court shall decide where the items will go for the most part they end up with the Owner and the crew of the vessel which had seized the items. Section 8 states that all French men seized shall be taken into any port and taken into the custody or a marshal, military officer which shall keep them safe at the expense of the United states.

 Overall this document was created during the beginning quasi war. It allows vessels of the United States to capture and seize French ships and all onboard. It lasted for about two years and many American and French ships were seized or sunk.