Disclosure, the X, Y, Z Letters, and the Quasi-War

Adams had no substantive word from the commissioners until March 1798, when the first dispatches revealing the French demands arrived. The name of the affair derives from the substitution of X, Y, and Z for Hottinguer, Bellamy, and Hauteval in documents released by the Adams administration. Congress authorized twelve frigates and other military appropriations, nullified the 1778 Treaty of Alliance on July 7, 1798, and two days later authorized attacks on French warships. The episode led to the undeclared Quasi-War of 1798–1800, and "Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute" became a popular Federalist slogan.