Existing comment:
1793
War Between Britain & France
France declared war on England in 1793. Although France had been America's ally during the Revolution, commerce with Great Britain was important to the United States.
Washington issued a "Proclamation of Neutrality." It failed.
He then sent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Jay to England to negotiate a treaty that avoided war and facilitated ten years of peaceful trade with Britain.
The "Jay Treaty" angered France and bitterly divided Americans. British army units withdrew from forts in the Northwest Territory in exchange for the collection of pre-Revolutionary War debts owed British creditors. |