AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, 1795-1815
I. The Federalists
A. JAY TREATY
1. British to withdraw from forts on American territory.
2. U.S. ships permitted to trade with British East Indies.
3. West Indies opened to American vessels under 70 tons burden IF Americans cease transporting such staples as cotton, sugar, molasses, etc. (NOTE: THIS PORTION WAS REJECTED BY THE SENATE)
4. Referred problems of debt settlement, disputed northeastern boundary, and illegal maritime seizures to joint commissions.
5. Gave Britain Most Favored Nation status in U.S. trade.
6. Said nothing about:
a. British intrigues with Indians.
b. Loyalist claims.
c. Claims for slaves carried off by British during Revolution.
d. Impressment.
7. Much opposition, especially over restrictions on West Indian trade and failure to deal with impressment.
8. Negotiated in 1794. Ratified 1795. Appropriation approved 1796.
B. PINCKNEY TREATY -- with Spain -- 1795
1. Spain recognized 31st parallel as US southern boundary.
2. Americans got free navigation of the Mississippi River.
3. Americans got right of deposit at New Orleans for three years.
C. THE FRENCH MESS
1. Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793.
2. French interference with American shipping, begins in 1797.
3. XYZ Affair, 1797.
4. 1798-1800 - Undeclared naval war with France.
a. Army raised.
b. Department of the Navy established. Navy built up.
c. Unilateral breaking of the treaty of 1778.
5. CONVENTION OF 1800
a. Formally abrogated 1778 treaty.
b. Peace with France.
II. The Jeffersonians
A. 1801-1805 -- War with the Barbary Pirates
1. Jefferson refused to pay increased tribute.
2. Pasha of Tripoli declared war.
3. Jefferson sends navy without declaration of war. KEY PRECEDENT.
4. Peace favorable to US in 1805, but payments continue until 1816.
B. THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
1. 1800 - Spain gives Louisiana territory back to France in TREATY OF SAN ILDEFONSO.
2. Jefferson tries to buy New Orleans -- note the issue of Navigation of the Mississippi and Right of Deposit.
3. $2-10 million offered for N.O. and W. Florida.
4. Napoleon sells entire territory for about $15 million.
5. Doubles territory of U.S.
6. Violation of strict construction. No authorization for such a purchase in the constitution.
7. Exact boundaries not defined.
C. Commerce, Neutral Rights, and Sanctions
1. Intermittent war between France and Britain led to America's being caught in the middle.
2. France tried to allow Americans to carry commerce between France and her West Indian colonies, but Britain enforced her RULE of 1756: trade not legal in time of peace cannot be made legal in time of war.
3. Americans used "broken voyage" to evade Rule of 1756.
4. Britain responds with doctrine of "continuous voyage". Seizures and impressment increase (ESSEX CASE).
5. 16 May 1806 - British Order in Council declares blockade of Europe from Brest to Elbe River.
6. 21 Nov 06 - Napoleon issues BERLIN DECREE, declaring blockade of British Isles, forbidding all commerce with them, and authorizing seizure of violating vessels and cargo.
7. 7 Jan 07 - British Order in Council -- All shipping involved in coastal trade with France and her allies is prohibited.
8. 11 Nov 07 - British Order in Council -- only those ships which have passed through a British Port, cleared, and paid duties would be permitted to call at still-open ports on the Continent.
9. 17 Dec 07 - Napoleon's MILAN DECREE declared that all vessels searched by British or obeying the orders in council would be seized.
10. 22 June 07 - CHESAPEAKE AFFAIR
11. Dec, 1807 - EMBARGO. No U.S. Trade with Foreign ports.
12. March, 1809 - NON-INTERCOURSE ACT
a. Repealed Embargo
b. No trade with France or Great Britain
c. Presidency may resume trade with either upon cessation of violations of Neutral Rights.
13. May, 1810 MACON'S BILL #2 -
a. Trade reopened with France and Britain.
b. If either revokes its edicts or ceases violations, non-importation may be resumed against the other.
c. Napoleon claimed that he had made the requisite repeal. He had not, but Madison believed him and resumed non-intercourse with the British.
14. 16 June - 1812 -- British announced suspension of orders in council
1 JUNE Madison requested declaration of war
4 JUNE House passed declaration
18 JUNE Senate, unaware of British actions, passed declaration.
D. 1810 - Annexation of West Florida
a. Jefferson claimed W. Florida was included in La. Purchase. Spanish said no.
b. Infiltration into area by settlers from Southern states.
c. 1810 - Revolution. American settlers declared an independent Republic.
d. Madison proclaimed US possession.
e. 1811 - Congress secretly authorized taking of East Florida should the occasion warrant.
f. During War of 1812, US occupied Mobile district, and kept it after the war.