PAPERS OF l\fmABE.\U BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 23 utmost secrecy, as this was the only way to succeed. After some days of work we had many troops enlisted and assembled to march. I then gave an order for the collection of funds into our treasury. Some thousands were collected, but not enough, as some of the sub- scribers had difficulty in selling property to complete the amount they had promised. 'l'hc time was passing and some grew vexed and did not observe the secrecy which was so necessary, whereupon it began to be made public and the subscribers becoming frightened deter- mined to delay matters after that. Since then it has not been possi- ble to do anything on account of the many contrary happenings which have occurred, the most potent being the invasion of this city by the British army. Desiring before this to extend my negotiations to other cotmtries, I deemed it wise to put my plan into execution, and as a boat was ready to fet_ out for Puerto Principe in the Republic of Haity, a French·colony, I thought it well to appoint an agent vested with the necessary powers to go to General Pcttion, to whom I write, in order to obtain some troops. from him to be transported in his vessels to the Port of Matagorda, and also to make a small loan of eighty or one hundred ·thousand pesos with which to send out the troops who are at my command here. Knowing at this same time that there was ai1 English ~gent in Puerto Principe, I thought it wise to give my agent the necessary instructions in 01·der that he might ex- tend negotiatiw1s regarding l\fexican affairs to this employee of tlie English government, and by these means find out whether the English government will be disposed to favor the great cause of :Mexico. After four.months the vessel returned, and I received an answer from General Pettion ·and from my agept. The General gives me a very plausible reply, saying that he recognizes my, <'nvoy -a-s an agent of the independent government of l\Iexico, 1mder which name I had sent hinl; that he continues to exercise the duties of his office; and that as for himse1f, he is disposed to favor our government. illy agent gives me the most specious news, telling me how well he is received and protected by all the author- ities, and how enthusiastic all are to come and fight under my com- mand for our independence; and finally, he assures me that things are going to turn out better than I ask and desire; and thanks me for having undertaken such a happy project. In regard to the nego• tiations with the English agent, they appear to me even more inter- <'sting; for he tells me that he was very much rejoiced that I should have addressed myself to his Government. He gave me to under- stand that he had instructions from his Government to protect any envoy of the Mexican independents who might come to that island, and he assured my agent that his Government was entirely decided to favor us. He said he well knew that his Government had deter- mined to favor the cause of l\fexican independence from the begin- ning of the :Mexican rev.olution, but that unexpected events between France and Sp.ain had obliged his Government to take sides with Spain against ]:ranee, but that this obstacle no longer existed, and his Government desired to put their first plan into effect. He thought that if I would go to London in person, it would greatly strengthen
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