1796-January-12: French minister Pierre-Auguste Adet requested that the United States government block the sale of flour and cavalry horses to British-contro…

1796-January-12: French minister Pierre-Auguste Adet requested that the United States government block the sale of flour and cavalry horses to British-controlled ports. The U.S. government refused the request, maintaining that the responsibility for stopping contraband fell upon the belligerent power affected. Adet viewed this refusal as further evidence of an American bias toward Great Britain following the controversial Jay’s Treaty. This diplomatic friction demonstrated how the United States utilized its neutral status to maximize profits from both sides. The incident contributed to the growing sense of “betrayal” felt by French officials regarding their former ally.