| Show PAPERS KNOWN AS X Y Z dispatches in 1707 strained rel relations existed between the united states and the young french republic the united states desiring to repair the friendship between the two countries which had been of such importance during the american revolution sent three commissioners comillIs to prince france to effect in an understanding un deesta tiding the government of france the directory was pressed for funds and the file commissioners were given to understand that the united states could have the friendship of france only upon terms wh which ich amounted to in an international bribe that otherwise war might he be expected as the result of affronts the french felt they had received at the hands bands of th the e united stites states the american commissioners sent back to their government a serf series e of dispatches describing their reception and nd the he french proposals president adams after seeing these dispatches sent word to congress that no agreement with prince france was wa in sight tind that no terms compatible with the safety the file honor or the essential interests of the nation could be obtained copies of the dispatches were forwarded to congress at ar 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 lve proposals hence the papers were called the X Y Z correspondence tile the revelations elat ions contained lo id the dis dispatches dispatched s caused a great sensation and preparations were begun for war with prance france some conflict indeed ild did break out upon the sen sea later however a satisfactory relationship was established between the two countries |
