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In October, 1797, Marshall, Pinckney and Gerry were dispatched to France to treat with Talleyrand and endeavor to restore harmony and a good understanding, and commercial and friendly intercourse between the two republics. They had great difficulty in obtaining an interview with Talleyrand, being met instead by the latter's special agents, Hottinguer, Bellamy and Hauteval. In dispatches to the home Government the United States Commissioners designated these agents respectively as "X,", "Y" and "Z," and hence the name. The special agents suggested that the Americans propose to Talleyrand the loan of a large sum of money by the United States, or that the latter Government accept the assignment from France of an extorted Dutch loan, and that one of the envoys return to America to arrange matters. The Commission indignantly refused these proposals, and "broke up in 1798, having accomplished nothing definite. The envoys' report of their negotiations aroused intense feeling against France in the United States.