On July 7, 1798—15 years after the Revolutionary War ended—Congress rescinds treaties with France and starts two and a half years of what is called the Quasi-War with its former ally.
President John Adams and Benjamin Stoddert, secretary of the Navy, led this undeclared naval war, triggered by France’s seizure of more than 300 neutral American merchant ships during its French Revolution. The U.S. had been pursuing a more pro-British foreign policy, which infuriated rival France.
Some Americans wanted to mobilize the Army, in fear of a French invasion. But Adams said: “At present, there is no more prospect of seeing a French Army here than there is in heaven.” So, Adams deployed the Navy to confront the French. He turned to former president George Washington for his military expertise, and re-installed Washington as commander in chief.
The Quasi-War took place mostly in the West Indies. But some U.S. Navy frigates also sailed to the Far East, where French ships were disrupting American commerce. It never escalated into a full-fledged conflict between America and France. Casualties were light, with an estimated 160 for the U.S. and 100 for France.
During the conflict, the Navy gained respect as a powerful force. It grew from a mere six vessels to about 30 commissioned ships. American warships captured more than 80 French vessels during the Quasi-War. Captain Thomas Truxtun commanded a crew on the USS Constellation that captured the French frigate L’Insurgente, which marked America’s first naval victory.
On February 3, 1801, the Treaty of France—signed at Mortefontaine in September 1800—was ratified, ending the Quasi-War.
