On this Day in History

On This Day in History: July 7, 1798

On July 7, 1798—15 years after the Revolutionary War ended—Congress rescinded treaties with France, initiating a period known as the Quasi-War with its former ally. This undeclared naval conflict, which lasted for two and a half years, was spearheaded by President John Adams and Benjamin Stoddert, the Secretary of the Navy. The war was triggered by France's seizure of over 300 neutral American merchant ships during its French Revolution, following America's adoption of a more pro-British foreign policy.

Despite fears of a French invasion and calls to mobilize the Army, Adams dismissed such concerns, stating, “At present, there is no more prospect of seeing a French Army here than there is in heaven.” Instead, he deployed the Navy to confront the French, enlisting former president George Washington for his military expertise and reappointing him as commander in chief.

The Quasi-War occurred primarily in the West Indies, though some U.S. Navy frigates also ventured to the Far East to protect American commerce from French disruption. The conflict did not escalate into a full-scale war, with casualties estimated at 160 for the U.S. and 100 for France.

During the Quasi-War, the U.S. Navy earned respect as a formidable force, expanding from six vessels to about 30 commissioned ships. American warships captured more than 80 French vessels, with Captain Thomas Truxtun achieving America's first naval victory by capturing the French frigate L’Insurgente with his crew on the USS Constellation.

The Quasi-War concluded with the ratification of the Treaty of Mortefontaine on February 3, 1801, formally ending the hostilitie
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