Show PAPERS KNOWN AS X Y Z dispatches in 1797 strained ined ned relations existed between the united states and the th e young french c the unite 1 states desiring to repair the friend ship between the two countries which had been of such importance during the american revolution sent three commissioners to france t tt effect an understand ns ng the government of france the directory was pressel for funds and the commissioners were given to understand that the united states could have the friend ship of france only upon terms which amounted to an international bribe that otherwise war m abt be expected as the result of affronts the french felt they hid had received at the hands of the united states the american commissioners sent back to their government a series of dispatches describe ng their reception and the french proposals president adams after seeing these dispatches sent word to congress that no ogree ment with france was in sight and that no terms compatible with the safety the honor or the bessei bial in teresta of the nation child be ob talked copies of the dispatches were forwarded to congress at its request in the copies the letters X Y and Z were diplomatically substituted for the names of three french agents who had presented the offensive proposals hence the papers were called the X Y Z correspondence the rev elat lons contained in the dispatches caused a great greit sensation and p prep rep orations were begun for war with france some conflict indeed did break out upon the sea later how ever a satisfactory relationship was established between the two coun tries |