The crisis of relations with France. Part three

On April 30, 1798, the Ministry of the Navy was established, independent of the Ministry of the Army. The size of the army was increased, and Washington was brought back from retirement to lead it.

In fact, Hamilton wanted to lead the army, but Adams did not intend to allow this in any case. However, Washington refused to take command unless Hamilton became his deputy, and Adams had to agree to this, which meant that the enmity between Adams and Hamilton escalated even more.

An undeclared war at sea broke out between the two countries, during which French and American ships engaged in battle if they met on the high seas. Each side captured approximately 100 enemy ships, and the most famous battle took place on February 9, 1799, when the ship Constellation captured the French frigate Ensurjant (Rebel). In general, the Americans won more victories. In 1799, the French Directory was overthrown by the amazingly talented thirty-one-year-old General Napoleon Bonaparte. Now he ruled the country as a "consul" and made huge plans in which there was no place for a pathetic war with the United States. Therefore, when Adams took a step towards resuming negotiations (to the horror of extreme federalists), Bonaparte gladly went to meet him.

On September 30, 1800, the Treaty of Morfontaine (commonly referred to as the Convention of 1800) was signed. France has agreed to receive the American ambassador and not to infringe on his dignity. Moreover, the 1788 treaty officially ended, and the United States entered a new century unencumbered by any foreign alliances.

Throughout this story, Adams performed surprisingly well-almost flawlessly, but in doing so he split the Federalist party.

In internal affairs, Adams did not show such wisdom. The wave of indignation against France has taken shape in a harsh federalist sentiment against foreigners and dissidents. Immigrants came to the United States in large numbers, bringing with them European views. Many of them, especially those of French descent, became supporters of the Democratic Republicans.

Conservative Americans at that time (as well as almost constantly thereafter) were suspicious of "foreign instigators," and extreme federalists saw this as a chance to make their dominance in the country permanent and turn it into an aristocratic republic that would be similar to Great Britain without a monarch. Quick guide at FairPari.com account access with screenshots.