In the 1790’s the French’s self-made revolutionary government had problems keeping wars going (financially)
Due to anger towards the United States for signing Jay’s Treaty French elites Gave permission to raid merchant ships, which obviously did not put a smile on Adams face. Adams sent 3 trusted individuals (Elbridge Gerry, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Marshall) to France to find a solution other than raiding merchant ships.
When they arrived they found it was impossible to get in touch with the French Prime Minister.