DIPLOMATIC DIFFICULTIES. 



311 



the same night by the courier from Mexico were bur- 

 dened with accounts of an invasion of that country by 

 the Texans. I had before received a piece of infor- 

 mation that was new to me, and of which it was con- 

 sidered diplomatic that I should profess ignorance, viz., 

 that, though not so avowed, the Texans were support- 

 ed and urged on by the government of the United 

 States. We were considered as bent upon the con- 

 quest of Mexico ; and, of course, Guatimala would 

 come next. The odium of our ambitious pretensions 

 increased the feeling of coldness and distrust toward 

 me, arising from my not having attached myself to the 

 dominant party. In general I was considered as the 

 successor of Mr. De Witt. It was known among poli- 

 ticians that proceedings were pending for the renewal 

 of a treaty, and that our government had a claim for 

 the destruction of property of our citizens in one of the 

 revolutions of the country; but some imagined that the 

 special object of my mission was very deep, and in fa- 

 vour of the party at San Salvador. When Mr. Savage 

 returned without any passport, suspecting that there 

 was an intention to embarrass me and make me lose 

 the opportunity of going by sea, I went immediately to 

 the Government House, where I received the same an- 

 swer that had been given to Mr. Savage. I requested 

 another, but the secretary of state objected, on the 

 ground that none could be made out on that day. 

 There were several clerks in the office, and I urged 

 my pressing necessity, the actual departure of Captain 

 De Nouvelle, my seasonable application, and the prom- 

 ise that it should be sent to my house. After an un- 

 pleasant parley, one was given me, but without assign- 

 ing me any official character. I pointed out the omis- 

 sion, and the secretary said that I had not presented 



