PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 239 to my application Therefore I supose he asked me how soon I would be compelled to leave. I then candidly informed him that I was instructed to return to Texas this Fall if I should discover that I could effect nothing by remaining in England or France'during the winter. He then observed that he would be glad if I would not lea'Ve Paris yet-that it was probable his Govt. would wish to make a commer- cial arrangement with Texas-that they would immediately take that matter into consideration. I replied that I would remain with pleas- ure to hear the result of their deliberations on that subject-that it was my intention to make the proposition in a more formal manner provided I saw that his Govt. was likely to delay recognition-that I would not only wait for their descision on that point but that I would remain during the Winter if by so doing I could effect any good for Texas &c &c You will see what has passed more fully in my dispatch 1 which will reach you soon after this as it can come only by the slow mail and this by express. I have_ submitted the commercial proposition but have not yet received an answer Altogether I am of opinion that my prospects of success with this Govt. during the coming winter are pretty good. Indeed I expect them to recognize Texas upon the receipt of their Agents report pro- vided their Alfairs withe Mexico remains unsettled at that time. I shall consequently remain here unless some unfavorable change takes place. Some speculations have been made in the French Newspapers upon the subject of the probable reception & treatment which the French Citizens now residing in Mexico would meet with "in Texas" provided they are compelled to leave Mexico by a long [co] ntinuance of the Blockade or the begi [nn] ing of war between the two countries The French love a little flatery and you can do Texas great good if the Blockade is still kept up or should a war ensue; by issueing a formal proclamation inviting all the citizens of France who are suf- fering in Mexico or are likely to suffer in property or person to come with their effects into Texas where an assylum and hearty wel- come will be given them. If such a thing is done by proclamation or in your Message to Congress 1 or by Congress it will produce a good effect on the French public and will not go unnotic~d by the Govt. because they are a good deal allarmed for the safty of their citizens in Mexico. Yours Truly J Pinckney Henderson P. S. I am sorry that Genl Hamilton was not appointed one of the Agents to sell the Texian bonds. I lately learned from a gentleman in England that Genl. H could have negotiated them at 7½ per-cent in Liverpool. He is well known in England as an iminent financier and statesman and that very fact would have insured the success of anything he touched. He wrote me upon his first arrival in' London
'Printed in Garrison, G. P., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic c>f Texas, II, 1220.
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