The French government determined to secure American aid by persuasion, if possible, otherwise by threat.

The Directory indiscreetly appealed from the American government to the American people, forgetting that in representative governments these are one.

Nor was the precedent cited in defense of this unusual proceeding--namely, the appeal of the American colonists to the people of England, Ireland, and Canada to take part in the struggle against the British government--pertinent; for that was an appeal to sufferers under a common yoke.
The enthusiasm awakened in France by the dramatic reception of the American flag, presented by Monroe to the French Convention, was somewhat dampened by the cooler manner with which Congress received the tricolor, and was entirely dashed by the moderation of the reply of the House to Washington's message.

The consent of the House to the appropriations to carry out the Jay Treaty decided the French Directory to suspend diplomatic relations with the United States.

The marvelous successes of Bonaparte in Italy over the Austrian army encouraged Barras to bolder measures.