and her former colonies but also rendered meaningless certain agreements then in existence between France and the United States. France showed her displeasure with her former ally by preying on American ships on the high seas. The French seized a large number of American vessels, and the sailors were beaten and imprisoned and the ships sold. Loss to American merchants soon reached $55 million, and public indignation was at a high pitch.
John Adams succeeded George Washington as President and immediately denounced the conduct of France. He ordered all American merchant ships to be converted into warships. At the same time, he hoped that open conflict with France could be avoided, so he sent a special mission to Paris consisting of Pinckney of South Carolina, Gerry of Massachusetts, and John Marshall of Virginia, all of whom had distinguished themselves during the American Revolution. Pinckney had served General Washin
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