The Jay Treaty relieved tensions between the United States and Great Britain. Jay's Treaty disappointed many Americans, because even though it forced the British out of western ports by 1796 and require them to pay for the seizure of American ships and sailors, the treaty prohibited American trade with France. The Pinckney Treaty relieved tensions between the United States and Spain. It guaranteed the U.S. navigation rights on the Mississppi River. Both of these treaties led to the XYZ Affair, which is an issue between the U.S. and France. France was very upset with the U.S. for signing Jay’s Treaty, because it did not only violate earlier treaties between the United States and France, but France felt that the signing of the treaty was being too friendly with Great Britain, especially after the 1793 war between France and Great Britain. Three commissioners are sent to France by John Adams in order to meet with France’s foreign minister to restore peace between the two countries. Instead, he dismissed meeting with them and eventually sent three French agents who demanded a bribe and a loan to France if they would wish to meet with the foreign minister. The U.S. refuses to pay. The U.S. as a result begins to prepare for war with France. X, Y, and Z are letters that replaced …show more content…
New Hampshire called the law “constitutional, and, in the present critical situation of our country, highly expedient.” Many people would argue, though, that it is not up to states to judge the constitutionality of laws. Congress issued the “Congressional Report Defending the Alien and Sedition Laws” in February of 1799. This report defended the sedition portions of the Alien and Sedition Acts as a constitutional regulation of speech and press. Congress claimed the laws were “precautionary and protective measures for our security ... So eccentric are the movements of the French government that we can form no opinion of their future designs (intentions) for our