a.They feared that the French presence would prevent US expansion in the West.
Explanation:
When Spain signed a secret treaty with France in 1801, returning Louisiana Territory to France, Americans became worried. With it, France controlled more territory than any other European power. During that time, the Americans had been moving West into Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys, but to do it they needed to access the Mississippi River that was French Territory. If France decided to dominate the territory, it would become harder for the US to expand to the West.
