<P> An American diplomatic commission was sent to France in July 1797 to negotiate problems that were threatening to break out into war . The diplomats , Charles Cotesworth Pinckney , John Marshall , and Elbridge Gerry , were approached through informal channels by agents of the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand , who demanded bribes and a loan before formal negotiations could begin . Although such demands were not uncommon in mainland European diplomacy of the time , the Americans were offended by them , and eventually left France without ever engaging in formal negotiations . Gerry , seeking to avoid all - out war , remained for several months after the other two commissioners left . His exchanges with Talleyrand laid groundwork for the eventual end to diplomatic and military hostilities . </P>
<P> An American diplomatic commission was sent to France in July 1797 to negotiate problems that were threatening to break out into war . The diplomats , Charles Cotesworth Pinckney , John Marshall , and Elbridge Gerry , were approached through informal channels by agents of the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand , who demanded bribes and a loan before formal negotiations could begin . Although such demands were not uncommon in mainland European diplomacy of the time , the Americans were offended by them , and eventually left France without ever engaging in formal negotiations . Gerry , seeking to avoid all - out war , remained for several months after the other two commissioners left . His exchanges with Talleyrand laid groundwork for the eventual end to diplomatic and military hostilities . </P>
who was the french leader the diplomats were trying to meet with
who was the french leader the diplomats were trying to meet with
Talleyrand
Talleyrand