97
PAPEUS OF ~lIRAllEAU BUO)<APARTE hDL\R
when he assureJ me that they would greatly facilitate him in reconciling some of the members of the Convention to the treaty, I yielded my asse:rit to his using them; with the express understanding that they were my own individual and unauthorized opinions merely, to which my government was in nowise to be compromitted. Whether my inter- pretations and constructions are right or wrong our·government must judge. They were, howeYcr, giYen in good faith, and I believe pro- duced some good effect At least they can do no harm, with the strong disclaimer which I have appended to the :Minister's Memoir. - This document, with an accompanying letter, and my reply to the saine are marked Nos. 8, 9 and 10. See also a letter about the ~Iississippi No. 11. I flattered myself at one time of being able to forward the ratification of the treaty by the present steamer: and the hope of effect- ing this caused me to delay the preparation of my despatches until the last moment; which must be my apology for their unsatisfactorily char- acter though disappointed in my expectations in this respect, I do not doubt of ultimate success. Indeed I feel almost confident that the treaty will be ratified by the next steamer in spite of the prevailing fears that, instead of its closing, it will only open the door to Filibus- tering. This is the great dread of the nation There is in all this country a deep seated terror, that, when the Americans are admitted into it, the natives will be thrust aside - their nationality lost - their religion destroyed - and the common classes be converted into hewers of wood and drawers of water. I have laboured hard to allay these apprehensions, by arguments and consid- erations of every class and kind, which it would be useless to recapit- ulate in this communication. I think, however that my everlasting talk amongst them, and kind assurances, have not been without their good effects There is at this time a better state of feeling towards the United States than has ever existed; and in Mr Buchanan personally the public confidence is unbounded. They seldom speak of him as President of the United States; but separating him from his office, call him by name and hail him as friend. The ratification of the treaty has been an object of such paramount consideration with me, that I have not as yet been able to take up the claims of our citizens for the injuries and persecutions which they have received from the Military and civil authorities of this country. I have also thought it best not to occupy the attention of the government with disagreeable matters during the pendency of the treaty. As soon as the fate of this is decided, I shall then take up the subject of reclamations, and urge our just demands with proper diligence. I have not been altogether idle upon having already exam- ined a few cases and collected information upon various others. Since writing the above, and just as I was on the eve of closing this despatch, I have been confidentially informed that the President says that the Congress will adjourn very soon in order to avoid any action on the treaty for the present, and that it will re- assemble before the expiration of the time allowed for the ratification of the treaty. - I have no time now to inquire into the matter; but within the last two days various persons have arrived here and among them several foreigners who are in continual communication with the
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