26 MEMOIR OF 



Mr. Maclure had fervently desired and fully ex- 

 pected to revisit Philadelphia ; but early in the year 

 1839 his constitution suffered several severe shocks 

 of disease, and from that period age and its varied 

 infirmities grew rapidly upon him. Under these 

 circumstances he became more than ever solicitous 

 to return to the United States, to enjoy again the 

 companionship of his family and friends, and to end 

 his days in that land which had witnessed alike his 

 prosperity and his munificence. 



He made repeated efforts to accomplish this last 

 wish of his heart; and finally arranged with his 

 friend Dr. Burrough, then United States Consul at 

 Vera Cruz, to meet him at Jalapa with a littera and 

 bearers, in order to conduct him to the sea-coast. 

 Dr. Burrough faithfully performed his part of the 

 engagement ; but after waiting for some days at the 

 appointed place of meeting, he received the melan- 

 choly intelligence that Mr. Maclure, after having left 

 Mexico and accomplished a few leagues of his jour- 

 ney, was compelled by illness and consequent ex- 

 haustion to relinquish his journey. 



Languid in body, and depressed and disappointed 

 in mind, Mr. Maclure reluctantly retraced his steps; 

 but being unable to reach the capital, he was cordially 

 received into the country-house of his friend Valen- 

 tine Gomez Farias, Ex-President of Mexico, where 



