Oh look! There's an American ship! Let's steal it!!
The XYZ affair
Give us $250 to meet Talleyrand! Um yeah we also want $10 million
Stop attacking us!!
President Adam's response
Fine! I will steal 80 of their ships. Then I will make peace with them!
France steals over 300 American ships that were sent to trade with Britain.
John Adams sends three delegates to make peace with France. France sends three unnamed spies that want with high demands. The spies wanted the delegates to pay $250 to meet Talleyrand, and a $10 million loan.
Adams stole 80 of France's ships in return, and France stopped stealing America's ships. Then, John Adams made peace with France, not war.