The British began attacking our merchant ships en route to France. In retaliation, the U.S. signed a treaty with Britain and they agreed to stop attacking our ships. Consequently, the French thought that this treaty was an alliance between Great Britain and the United States, so the French took several U.S. ships. To avoid war, John Adams sent three representatives the France. Their job was to speak to Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, and get him to stop the attacks. When they arrived, Talleyrand instead, sent three agents, known as X, Y, and Z. The agents told the representatives that they had to give France ten million dollars. Only then, would they be able to discuss the attacks. The representatives
The British began attacking our merchant ships en route to France. In retaliation, the U.S. signed a treaty with Britain and they agreed to stop attacking our ships. Consequently, the French thought that this treaty was an alliance between Great Britain and the United States, so the French took several U.S. ships. To avoid war, John Adams sent three representatives the France. Their job was to speak to Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, and get him to stop the attacks. When they arrived, Talleyrand instead, sent three agents, known as X, Y, and Z. The agents told the representatives that they had to give France ten million dollars. Only then, would they be able to discuss the attacks. The representatives