Napoleon’s Troublesome Americans: Franco-American Relations, 1804-1815

In this most welcome book, Peter P. Hill charts in even-handed detail the comings and goings of Franco-American diplomacy. He produces a vision of worlds driven as much (if not more so) by commercial priorities rather than by ideological, emotional entente. Napoleon may not have treated American shipping as badly as Britain did, but the fact that he did brought Congress within two votes of declaring war on France. Indeed, Secretary of State Monroe almost despaired of Napoleon's continued refusal to grant reparations or release captured vessels. American politicians and traders were not (Hill contends) naive and innocent neutrals but clearly recognised the financial davantages of supplying the British army in Spain. American diplomatic fumblings and neutrality more frequently harmed France, not Britain. A fascinating read!

Further details regarding the book can be found on the website of Potomac Books Inc.

Peter P. Hill is professor emeritus of history at The George washington University and the author of several books, including French Perceptions of the Early American Republic, 1783-1793
 
Contents
Introduction
1. John Armstrong's unpromising beginning
2. Napoleon quashes the Florida job
3. Anglo-French depredations begin, 1806-1807
4. Napoleon takes exception to Jefferson's embargo
5. Napoleon captures American ships
6. Tightening the Continental System
7. Diplomacy shifts to London
8. Fleeting hopes for conciliation
9. Bad faith
10. Macon's Bill
11. Napoleon turns to licensing; Madison accepts the Cadore letter
12. Maritime issues and the struggle over Florida
13. Seurier, American complaints, and the undoing of Augustus Foster
14. Madison's French initiative
15. Joel Barlow proposes a commercial treaty
16. Spring 1812
17. Co-belligerency and diplomatic breakthrough
18. Will Congress declare war on both belligerents?
19. A summons to Vilna
20. Serurier reports on wartime Washington
21. America looks for peace
22. End of an era
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index