James Madison at one stage considered war with France rather than Britain. A United States able to contribute ships of the line would have looked more attractive as a coalition partner during the Napoleonic Wars. Britain wanted some French colonies removed from French control without necessarily annexing them or handing them to another European rival. An American ally with credible naval force might therefore have received opportunities that were politically unavailable to European powers. This remains a possibility rather than a prediction and illustrates how force structure can change diplomatic options before a battle occurs.
Notable Point · 1:15:06-1:16:30
A battle fleet could have made America a useful ally against France
Madison considered conflict with France, and American ships of the line might have opened alliance and colonial possibilities unavailable to a frigate-only navy.