XYZ Affair & Quazi-War (jul 1, 1797 – sep 3, 1800)

Description:

Age: 54--57

The XYZ Affair and the subsequent Quazi-War came as a result from the seizing of U.S. merchant ships by the French. As an attempt to bring a peaceful end to these illegal seizures, John Adams dispatches a three-man envoy in the persons of Elbridge Gerry, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Marshall. The envoy is unable to meet with Frances foreign minister, Marquis De Talleyrand, and are instead approach by the following intermediaries: Nicholas Hubbard (who will later be identified as W,) Jean Hottinguer (X), Pierre Bellamy (Y), and Lucien Hauteval (Z).

The French intermediaries approach the U.S. envoy with a couple of demands in exchange for ending the seizure of U.S. merchant ships. First, the intermediaries demand that the U.S. purchase a $12million loan from them, and second, that the U.S. pay a bribe to the foreign minister, Marquis De Talleyrand, in the amount of $250,000.

Note: The beginning day is not exact. Time Graphics does not allow for broader dates; therefore, the day is set as the first of the given month