560
TEX~S STATE LIBRARY
I did not accompany l\Ir. Bee, for reasorn; which I explained, in part, in the inclosed correRpondence. 75 :i\fy commission is at the disposal of the Department of State, whenever demanded. Subsequent to the departrure of 1\Ir. Bee, and without his knowl- edge, I have written to a gentleman of talents and integrity in :l\lexico, beseeching him, should l\lr. Bee succeed in reaching the capital, to aid and assist him with such information as is essential to prevent his being imposed upon by the people with whose• language and manners he is an entire stranger; and to promote the objects of his mission as far UR lies in his power. Here, sir, I might conclude this communication, and disguise with affected indifference, my wounded pride and mortified feeling:s. But this would be scarcely decorous to myself, or respectful to the President of Texas, who, in conferring upon me this commiRsion, '' reposed special trust and full confidence in my honour,'' and I hope will continue to do so. However humiliating to me, I must say a word or two more. If I were that very dangerous and dis- honorable man, which Mr. Bee so gratuitously as.sumeR in his first note, he ought to have considered ho,v impolitic it would be to insult such a person by a gross rmtrage to his pride and self love; for he could "mar his views" in a thousand ways besides that of accompanying him as his Secretary, but this, it seems, never accurred to the deep penetration of l\Ir. Bee; for his letter betrays the remarkable inconsistency_of inadvertently paying a high compliment to my honour and integ'rity, in relying upon them, whilst he affects to doubt them. After all, it is highly probable, that if he had not accused Hammeken, of divulging the secrets of the mission, this ridiculous affair would never have taken place. All my efforts to obtain an interview with l\Ir. H. provrd abortive; he kept out of my way, and finally made his escape in the packet New York, (as l\Ir. Bee afterwards informed me,) although an hour before she sailed I was on boa:rd, and inquired if he had taken passage in her, and wa8 replied to in th~ negative. He may not always be so fortunate. I leave here tomorrow for Charleston, S. C. to recruit my health and finances, and may remain there for some time. · I have the honour to be,
Respectfully, Sir,
Your obt. humb. Srvt. C. C. Sebring. [rubric]
[Addressed 1
[Endorsed]
His Exccly. l\Iirabcau B. Lamar, President of 'l'exas.
CC Sebring
N. Orleans l\fay 1839' Official
'"Nos. 1231--3.
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