present administration, and have no doubt that such Representa- tive would meet with an extremely favorable reception there-This Govt will probably demand from Mexico, in a very few clays, a payment of the demands of the United States against her, for spoliations on commerce &c, and if in that demand, she could act as a mediator between Texas and l\'lcxico, compelling her to ac- knowledge our Independence, we might perhaps, in consideration of such interference & acknowledgment, pay this debt, in prefer- ence to maintaining a long and expensive war with l\'lexico, in which indeed the result must inevitably be favorable lo us, but at the same time, our prosperity be retarded for years, and much money expended-I take the liberty of suggesting these considera- tions Sir, not presuming that they have not already occurred lo your Excellency & perhaps been well considered, but merely to say, that they arc reflections not of my own mind alone, but also assented to by many \vith whom I have conversed on the subject. With regard to the object of my mission to this place, as your Excellency was advised by the Dispatch of the Commis- sioners from the City of New Orleans on the 22nd ulto, I have found a Steam boat of 200 Tons burthcn, one year old, partly coppered, with a low pressure engine of 32 inch cylinder and 6½ feet stroke, which I can purchase for $23,000 perhaps a little less-her armament and equipment \vill cost about S5,000 more, including all the alterations necessary to be put on her, and she can be got ready for sea in about 10 days-I am about negotiating the letters of credit, which the Commissioners have furnished me \vith, & shall make purchase of her and prepare her for sea im- mediately unless otherwise advised. Col. Macomb informs me that he has 250 men regularly armed and equipped and ready to sail, and unless othenvise instructed, I shall receive them as passengers on board said vessel. I have engaged to meet some gentlemen tomorrow, and consult on the practicability of fitting a large steam vessel of about 500 tons, to sail hence in 60 days, with passengers for Texas-If they can contract here for the sale of said vessel in Texas to the Government, they ,viii probably proceed to fit out the same forth- with, and I have concluded to confer with the Commissioners on the subject as soon as possible, and endeavor to have it done-The vessel ,vill cost about $75,000 to the Government, & the owners
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