bosom of the Convention.”  Monroe presented himself on August 15, 1794, and made a glowing address.  He descanted upon the trials by which America had won her independence and declared that “France, our ally and friend, and who aided in the contest, has now embarked in the same noble career.”  The address was received with enthusiasm, the President of the Convention drew Monroe to his bosom in a fraternal embrace; and it was decreed that “the flags of the United States of America shall be joined to those of France, and displayed in the hall of the sittings of the Convention, in sign of the union and eternal fraternity of the two peoples.”  In compliance with this decree Monroe soon after presented an American flag to the Convention.

When the news of these proceedings reached the State Department, a sharp note was sent to Monroe “to recommend caution lest we be obliged at some time or other to explain away or disavow an excess of fervor, so as to reduce it down to the cool system of neutrality.”  The French Government regarded the Jay treaty as an affront and as a violation of our treaties with France.  Many American vessels were seized and confiscated with their cargoes, and hundreds of American citizens were imprisoned.  Washington thought that Monroe was entirely too submissive to such proceedings; therefore, on August 22, 1796, Monroe was recalled and soon after Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was appointed in his stead.

The representation of France in the United States had been as mutable as her politics.  Fauchet, who succeeded Genet, retired in June, 1795, and was succeeded by Adet, who like his predecessors, carried on active interference with American politics, and even attempted to affect the presidential election by making public a note addressed to the Secretary of State complaining of the behavior of the Administration.  In Adams’s opinion this note had some adverse effect in Pennsylvania but no other serious consequences, since it was generally resented.  Meanwhile Pinckney arrived in France in December, 1796, and the Directory refused to receive him.  He was not even permitted to remain in Paris; but honors were showered upon Monroe as he took his leave.  In March, 1797, Adet withdrew, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were entirely suspended.  By a decree made two days before Adams took office, the Directory proclaimed as pirates, to be treated without mercy, all Americans found serving on board British vessels, and ordered the seizure of all American vessels not provided with lists of their crews in proper form.  Though made under cover of the treaty of 1778, this latter provision ran counter to its spirit and purpose.  Captures of American ships began at once.  As Joel Barlow wrote, the decree of March 2, 1797, “was meant to be little short of a declaration of war.”