PAPERS OF ~lm.IBE.\U Buo .\PARTE LAMAR eating ,vith the governors .and· various generals I found there, treat- ing with first one and then another on matters regar9-ing the funds and arms which we were trying to get. I found them all attentive to our just cause. They made me many offers and aided me to reach their government. The rest of the people, principally in Ken- tucky and Tennessee, but did not even want·me to'proceed, wishing me to remain there, and saying that they would make up a considerable army of ·volunteers, with which, under my command, we would in- vade the provinces of l\Iexico and sweep before us all the oppressors of our liberty. But as I did not consider this wise, I continued until the middle of December, when I arrived at the capital of the coun- try which is the City of Washington in the State of Virginia. The day after my arrival I ~,·ent to the Department of State. I was received by the D.epartment of ,var with the greatest apprecia- tion and respect. The conversation ranged along various political matters, and afterwards a large map was unrolled and I was asked by what route I had come. When I pointed out my ~oute, they were filled ,vith admiration and said that up to that time no one had made so long a journey by land through so many dangers and difficulties, and· they were of the opinion that no one would repeat it thereafter. (I.had travelled over about fourteen hundred leagues of land). They were persuaded, they said, that the desire for liberty made men overcome ·tl;te greatest obstacles, and I could be certain of the great merit.w.hich.I had acquired by this journey, and further- more, that in order to ~Ip me.that government \V:l.S ready to state that I was the first of the independents of Mexico who had under- • taken to _open the door of a powerful nation which was closed·to us, and without w;hlch important achievement that nation would have looked upon us ,vith indifference. · I was then told that I was uncter the protection·of that gov~rnment, that I had only to ask what was necessary for my kind treatment, and anything else I should desire, in order to get it. Orders were at once given to the second sec- retary to go to the hon e of Mr. David and tell him to supply me witb all -that was necessary for my coµifort, and i~ I did not wish to sit at the table where the member.I> of Congress and others ate, that I should be served in my own room. The next day I went· to the Department of State:· r told the Iinister the reasori I had not come supplied with .the necessary credci1tials. I told him of the plan I had made in Natitoches, and of Captain Menchaca 's return for the purpose of putting it into execution. He, \YRS pleased with thi , and said that "it was very expedjent ,for ine to remain in this country until I should rece'ive an answ,er from the government which I expected Menchaca to form in V:uaI', or-from another which should be established in some part of the kingdom. Ile said, moreover, that this government should be established upon a mountain, for thus had the Americans done when they fought for their independence; and if we did not do this, we wo~ld"not have representati n in any government; but that regardless of this, and because I w recognized as a representative of the lexican independents, I need have no delay in fulfilling my commission, which I would be able to do as I pleased, for I was in a free country. The first secretary ,vas at once ordered to allow
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