1796-July-02: The French Executive Directory issued an order for French naval vessels to treat American merchant ships as the British treated neutrals.

1796-July-02: The French Executive Directory issued an order for French naval vessels to treat American merchant ships as the British treated neutrals. This decree was a direct response to the belief that Jay’s Treaty had effectively violated the principles of American neutrality. In tandem with this policy, Minister Adet prepared a proclamation to officially suspend diplomatic relations between France and the United States. This suspension was formally published on November 15, marking a severe downturn in the historic alliance between the nations. These actions collectively signaled the transition from traditional diplomacy to the era of the “Quasi-War” in the Caribbean.