Based on the passage provided, here are the events arranged in the correct order:
- Adams became President during a time of war between France and Britain, causing difficulties for the United States at sea.
- Adams sent three commissioners to France to negotiate but faced refusal from Talleyrand and the Directory unless a bribe was paid.
- Adams reported the insult to Congress, leading to the Senate printing the correspondence in which the French were referred to as "X, Y, and Z."
- Hostilities began at sea, with American shipping initially defenseless against French privateers.
- By 1800, armed merchantmen and U.S. warships began clearing the sea-lanes.
Please let me know if you need additional assistance!