Shortly after Adams was inaugurated, Hamilton sent him a detailed letter filled with policy suggestions for the new administration. Adams dismissively ignored it.[193]

Failed peace commission and XYZ affair
Main article: XYZ Affair
A political cartoon depicts the XYZ Affair – America is a female being plundered by Frenchmen. (1798)
Historian Joseph Ellis writes that "[t]he Adams presidency was destined to be dominated by a single question of American policy to an extent seldom if ever encountered by any succeeding occupant of the office."That question was whether to make war with France or find peace.[194] In Europe, Britain and France were at war as a result of the French Revolution. Hamilton and the Federalists strongly favored the British monarchy against what they denounced as the political radicalism and anti-religious frenzy of the French Revolution. Jefferson and the Republicans, with their firm opposition to monarchy, strongly supported the France overthrow of the king.[195] The French had supported Jefferson for president in 1796 and became belligerent at his loss.[196] Adams continued Washington's policy of staying out of the war. 