175
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LA.MAR
into sober, second thought, I doubted the propriety and right of mak- . ~ng such a communication in my individual capacity; and at the same time felt, that it was not a suitable document for official correspond- ence - especially on account of its manner - and of consequence I retained it in my own possession. Nevertheless, as the Minister and myself were on good terms, I ventured to have certain portions of it read to him; believing that he would duly consider the argument with- out cavilling at the language, or perverting my motives. When the reading was over, he requested that the same might be read to some of the Members of the Assembly; for he thought it would aid him - as he said - in getting the Treaty through that body. The reading took place accordingly; and it may be proper to state, that all who were then present on that occasion, some three or four days afterwards, cast their votes in favor of ratification. - None of that portion of the letter which relates to France and England, and to the interference of foreigners - although composing the most essencial part of the argu- ment - was read, either to the Minister or to his friends assembled. I deemed most advisable at that moment to withhold it. On reperusing the document, five .months after its date, I find it full of verbosity and repetitions; and a little more latitudinarian in its views and expres- sions than I had supposed. - - Still I think it best to send it as orig- inally written - without any retouching; except the correction of some verbal errors, and the omission of one or two redundant passages - one especially in allusion to Costa-Rica. - The document, as a matter of course, is a mere nulity; and can have no other value, than to shew, that in spite of all the endeavors of this Government to conceal its policy from me, and to keep me involved in darkness, I have been able to read its thoughts, feelings, motives and designs as plainly as if each one of its members had had a glass-window in his breast. - Subsequent events have demonstrated the truth and justice of every word I have ·uttered respecting their bad faith, malice and conspiracies; - - and so exactly have their acts and policy tallied with my anticipations, that the letter seems to have been written after the events; - not in the foresight of what they were meditating; but as a commentary upon what they had already done. - - As the document was never de- livered; an contains only my individual views and opinions, unofficially expressed, I consider my Government as in no wise compromitted by it; - and under this impression I place it at the disposal of Your Department. -
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully Your Obt. Servt. -
Mirabeau B. Lamar.
To the Hon.
Lewis Cass
Secretary of State, Washington City, D C.
United States of America.
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