83
PAPERS OF l\IiRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
----- I believe you are fully aware that until the former was compleated I did not intend to bring forward the negociation confided to l\Ir. Burnley & myself,-because I could not entertain any hope of success before this event.- But circumstances have supervened in re- lation to the present financial condition of England which make it quite impolitic, to bring at present our Loan forward. This you can better understand, when I tell you, that l\Ioney is only [ ?] worth a change in London 10 pr. Cent, on the best english securities. You may suppose it is not now to be borrowed on those of a foreign Nation scarcely at any price.- This extraordinary Revulsion which has taken place in consequence of the very unfavorable Harvest of the last year having caused the export of about seven l\Iillion of Bullion, which with the consequent unfavorable exchanges against England has like- wise led to such an unprecendented scarcity of :Money that the Bank of England has had to borrow 2 Millions Sterling of the Bank of France.- ---- I have no doubt_ however that the tide will turn by the middle of Sept, and things gradually become better.- Our friends who will have the negociation of the Loan at least think so, and that our Bonds may be sold between Oct & January- In the mean time we shall endeavour and I think with success obtain another advance on our Bonds through their instrumentality as will meet all the wants of your Government until the whole Loan is taken up.- ----- Now a word in relation to Genl. Hendersons negociation. I was pained to find that before my arrival he was under an impression that my association with him resulted from some want of confidence in your Government in his ability to conduct the negociation but I have satisfied him to the contrary, and that my relation was to be a private one to his mission, & mainly with the view of aiding my own negociation- Indeed if I had had plenipotentiary powers rati- fied by your Senate I would not in the state I found the negociation in would have precluded my official participation in it,-for Genl. Henderson has managed it with such ability & discretion, that there does not exist the smallest necessity for any public interference of mine in the smallest degree. I am privately engaged in aiding his views in every possible manner in my power. Saligny has proved a stanch friend to Texas, and Mr. Pontois to whom l\farshal Soult, has confided the negociation with Genl. Henderson, has expressed & I know enter- tains the best dispositions for us.- There are only two or three points now to adjust & recognition and a Treaty of Commerce & Alli- ance will be effected This event will I am sure be consummated by the first Sept or in a few Days after. 32 - I am moreover happy to add that l\fr. Pontois has induced the l\finister of Belgium here to say that his Government will recognize Texas the moment an agent is accredited to negociate a Treaty.- The Moment Genl. Henderson concludes his Treaty. we will both repair London & see what can be done with the Court of St. James.- If I see an immediate prospect of negociating our Loan I shall leave the negociation in the hands of our Bankers and after obtaining an advance on the Bonds I will re-
112This treaty was concluded September 25, 1839.
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