They adopted commercial regulations designed to cripple and destroy our foreign trade.
They passed an ordinance authorizing, in certain cases, the seizure and confiscation of American vessels and cargoes.

They refused to receive Mr.
Pinckney, the American minister, and ordered him peremptorily to leave France.
Mr.Adams convened Congress, by proclamation, on the 15th of June, 1797, and in his message laid before that body a lucid statement of the aggressions of the French Directory.

Congress made advances, with a view to a reconciliation with France.

But failing in this attempt, immediate and vigorous measures were adopted to place the country in a condition for war.

A small standing army was authorized.