Country Support Quotes
France and England were at war. Each country seized American ships that were trading with their enemy. Many Americans clamored for war which President Jefferson wished to avoid. He got Congress to pass the Embargo Act which prohibited trading with either of the warring countries. However, some American traders did not obey the law and traded anyway. Napoleon needed money badly so instead of paying the captains of the ships for the goods, he just seized the goods and sold the ships. The U. S. Ambassador to France confronted Napoleon who demonstrated an ability to twist logic and morality that is rare.