President John Adams Appoints an Officer During the Quasi-War with France in 1798

The years of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars were filled with rich opportunities and dangers for the United States. As a neutral, America’s trade benefitted, but Old World powers challenged her position. France, its former ally, applied political, diplomatic, and military pressure to force the United States into a pro-French alignment. French seizure of over 300 ships led the Americans to respond with force in 1798, under the leadership of President John Adams. On July 7, 1798, Congress rescinded treaties with France, and the Quasi War began. It lasted until 1800.

With a conflict on his hands, President Adams expanded U.S. armed forces. This appointment was part of that program. Document signed, Philadelphia, April 17, 1799. Adams lists the appointee as Thomas Brindley, saying “I have nominated by and with the advice and consent of the Senate do appoint him First Lieutenant in the Sixteenth Regiment of Infantry…to take rank as such the tenth day of January 1799.” Brindley is listed as an officer from Newport, RI in an article entitled “Organization of the Provisional Army of the United States in the Anticipated War with France, 1798-1800.” Some fading to document.