1796-Early: French consul Charbonnat Duplaine warned his government that Jay’s Treaty was likely a preliminary step toward an Anglo-American alliance.

1796-Early: French consul Charbonnat Duplaine warned his government that Jay’s Treaty was likely a preliminary step toward an Anglo-American alliance. The French foreign minister dismissed this immediate threat, believing any administration proposing such an alliance would be “crushed by the people.” He nevertheless recommended that France strengthen its Caribbean defenses and establish a military presence on the Mississippi River. Minister Adet added a warning that France should proceed with caution to avoid a total rupture with the United States. He argued that a complete diplomatic break would lead to the eventual starvation of the French colonies.