The Anti-Federalists, as a matter of fact, were generally favorable to the Revolution although they deplored many of the events associated with it.  Paine’s pamphlet, indorsed by Jefferson, was widely read.  Democratic societies, after the fashion of French political clubs, arose in the cities; the coalition of European monarchs against France was denounced as a coalition against the very principles of republicanism; and the execution of Louis XVI was openly celebrated at a banquet in Philadelphia.  Harmless titles, such as “Sir,” “the Honorable,” and “His Excellency,” were decried as aristocratic and some of the more excited insisted on adopting the French title, “Citizen,” speaking, for example, of “Citizen Judge” and “Citizen Toastmaster.”  Pamphlets in defense of the French streamed from the press, while subsidized newspapers kept the propaganda in full swing.

=The European War Disturbs American Commerce.=—­This battle of wits, or rather contest in calumny, might have gone on indefinitely in America without producing any serious results, had it not been for the war between England and France, then raging.  The English, having command of the seas, claimed the right to seize American produce bound for French ports and to confiscate American ships engaged in carrying French goods.  Adding fuel to a fire already hot enough, they began to search American ships and to carry off British-born sailors found on board American vessels.

=The French Appeal for Help.=—­At the same time the French Republic turned to the United States for aid in its war on England and sent over as its diplomatic representative “Citizen” Genet, an ardent supporter of the new order.  On his arrival at Charleston, he was greeted with fervor by the Anti-Federalists.  As he made his way North, he was wined and dined and given popular ovations that turned his head.  He thought the whole country was ready to join the French Republic in its contest with England.  Genet therefore attempted to use the American ports as the base of operations for French privateers preying on British merchant ships; and he insisted that the United States was in honor bound to help France under the treaty of 1778.

=The Proclamation of Neutrality and the Jay Treaty.=—­Unmoved by the rising tide of popular sympathy for France, Washington took a firm course.  He received Genet coldly.  The demand that the United States aid France under the old treaty of alliance he answered by proclaiming the neutrality of America and warning American citizens against hostile acts toward either France or England.  When Genet continued to hold meetings, issue manifestoes, and stir up the people against England, Washington asked the French government to recall him.  This act he followed up by sending the Chief Justice, John Jay, on a pacific mission to England.