What is the object of the preposition in the following sentence ? wearing high-top boots, terry waded through the river

Washington said that the united states would be "friendly and impartial" in regard to foreign conflict. what was his reason behind this statement? a jefferson and washington had determined the u.s. was too weak to wage war. b the u.s. had a treaty with both england and france, and was thus required to remain neutral. c france asked for the united states to stay out of the war, due to trade relationships. d a special envoy from england asked for strict neutrality on behalf of the united states.