PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 143 



enlist the liberality of the viceroy, and induce him to aid and show 

 his appreciation of the enterprise, by a present from a good stock, 

 (which act would not only have been gratifying to us, as an ad- 

 dition to our collection, but would have been so to you, as a proof 

 of the friendly relations existing at this time between the two gov- 

 ernments,) yet I do not think we are at all called upon to accept the 

 present animals on any terms whatever, and I am certain that his 

 highness would feel mortified if he was compromised by our doing so. 



It is a delicate thing to refuse an official present from high au- 

 thority. If it was one or two camels we might receive them, and 

 get rid of them at some future time ; but we have a certain amount 

 of responsibility resting on us that prevents us from taking into con- 

 sideration anything but the success of the task imposed on us. And 

 I have less objection to decline receiving the dromedaries, feeling 

 convinced, as I do, that his highness is not cognizant how his orders 

 are carried out. 



No doubt you will feel disappointed, as well as Major Wayne and 

 myself, but as you have done all you could in the premises to forward 

 this matter, you can rest satisfied with that, and can have the grati- 

 fication of hereafter seeing the affair properly represented to his 

 highness. 



To us the only disappointment is in not being able to obtain the 

 number of animals we came for ; for we would much rather purchase 

 any time than have presents made to us. 



In the first place, we could get better stock ; and in the second 

 place, relieve ourselves from tedious formalities, and the government 

 from resting under doubtful obligations. 



You would confer a favor (if diplomatic etiquette does not forbid) 

 by taking a look at the dromedaries in question. I do not want you 

 to suppose for an instant that I am unreasonable, or have come to 

 any other determination than you would come to yourself. 



I think you will agree with me, that " we have touched pitch and 

 been defiled." 



One look at the dromedaries I saw this morning will convince you 

 that a surer way of defeating our object could not be offered ; and an 

 acceptance on our part of his highness' present would be an ill per- 

 formance of our duty, for which we could offer no reasonable excuse 

 to our government. 



I am thus particular in making to you this full and official com- 

 munication, as I am sure that you would desire such detailed state- 

 ments of facts as would enable you hereafter to show his highness the 

 grounds on which we were obliged to decline his present. 



Very respectfully, your obedient, &c., 



DAVID D. PORTER, 



Lieutenant Commanding . 



Edwin De Leon_, Esq., 



Consul General, dtc, d:c., Alexandria.. 



