John Steele writes to McHenry that he disagrees with the administration's view of the Jay Treaty, arguing that the federal government had agreed to stay neutral in the conflict between Britain and France and was now violating that neutrality. Steele takes particular offense with the treaty's terms that America must comply with Britain's anti-French maritime policy. Steele also believes that because one of the duties of the House of Representatives is to regulate commerce with foreign nations, the House must approve of the treaty before it goes into effect.