^* The negotiations conducted by him while there will be published later by the Johns Hopkins Press under the title, Diplomatic Relations between Mexico and the United States from 1821 to 1829, in the series of Albert Shaw Lectures on diplomatic history. That study will include also most of the contents of this article, but in a modified form.

¹ Adams, Memoirs, VI, 128.

² Adams, Memoirs, VI, 26. It is interesting to notice the magnanimity with which Adams felt he was acting. He says: “In pursuing a generous policy towards him, as an enemy and a rival, I do some violence to my inclination, and shall be none the better treated by him; but I look to personal considerations only to discard them, and regard only the public interests.”

³ Adams to Jackson, Feb. 19, 1823, MS. Department of State, Instructions, IX, 169.

⁴ ’Jackson to Adams, March 15, 1823, MS. Dept. of State, Mexico, Despatches, I. Between the time of Jackson’s appointment and his refusal, Zozaya, the Mexican minister lately arrived in Washington, wrote his government of the choice, and the probability that Jackson would not accept. La Diplomacia Mexicana, I, 104. The date of Zozaya’s note is incorrectly given. Reeves, J. S., Diplomacy under Tyler and Polk, 60, mentions Jackson’s appointment and refusal.

^{5 5} Adams, Memoirs, VI, 227, 233, 234, 241, 243.

⁶ Jackson to Edwards, March 4, 1824, congratulating him on his appointment, Washburne, The Edwards Papers, 222; Rufus King to Edwards, March 4, 1824, ibid., 222; Adams, Memoirs, VI, 245.

⁷ Edwards to Adams, March 9, 1824, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp. I. This shows anxiety to get to Vera Cruz as soon as possible to avoid being on the coast during the rainy, sickly season.

Torrens to Secretario, Washington, 23 de Marzo de 1824, MS. Relaciones Exteriores. In this letter the Mexican chargé told his government of Edwards’ appointment, resignation from the Senate, and proposed route, saying he would probably arrive in July.

⁸ Adams to Edwards, April 22, 1824, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., X, 171; Adams, Memoirs, VI, 296-301; D. P. Cook to Edwards, April 17, 1824, Washburn, The Edwards Papers, 223.

Torrens to Secretario, 5 de Mayo de 1824, MS. Relaciones Exteriores, said it was thought that another minister would be chosen, since it was supposed Mexico would take Edwards’ appointment as an insult.

⁹ Edwards to the President, June 22, 1824, enclosing his resignation of same date and saying he was undecided whether he should accompany it with an explanation of his reasons, MS. Dept. of State, Mex. Desp., I; same to same, same date, in Washburn, The Edwards Papers, 224-229, explains at length his reasons.

An amount equal to a full year’s salary, $9,000, had been advanced to Edwards to purchase an outfit, and the government experienced difficulty in getting him to refund. He finally agreed to repay two thirds, though he said he believed the government had no legal right to claim it. Adams to Edwards, Oct. 9, 1824, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., X, 213; Edwards to Adams, Nov. 10, 1824, MS. Dept. of State, Mex. Desp., I.

¹⁰ lb Adams, Memoirs, VI, 296-395.

¹¹ 11 Adams, Memoirs, VI, 413-415, 484-524; Lyman, Diplomacy of the United States, II, 484.

Obregon to Secretario, 2 de Febrero de 1825, MS. Rel. Ext., says in order to prevent the Mexican appointment from being regarded as a price for purchasing votes, it appeared that the post would be filled at once. He expected the appointment to go to Benton, or to Everett (later appointed to Madrid); but said nevertheless it may be that the project will prevail for sending Mr. Poinsett, a person known in Mexico.

¹² Southard to Poinsett, Navy Department, July 17, 1824, MS. Poinsett Papers, II, Pennsylvania Historical Society.

¹³ Stephen Elliot to Poinsett, Charleston, Nov. 16, 1824, MS. Poinsett Papers, II.

^{14 14} Adams, Memoirs, VI, 484, 506, 522-524.

Obregon told his government, March 7, that, as he had formerly suggested might happen, Poinsett had been selected and would start early next month. Obregon to Secretario, 7 de Marzo de 1825, MS. Rel. Ext. Same to same, 28 de Marzo and 30 de Marzo, ibid., tell of Poinsett’s departure for Norfolk whence he would sail for Mexico. He was taking for Obregon to the Mexican Foreign Office a number of books and newspapers.

¹⁵ Poinsett’s Report, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Duplicate Despatches from Poinsett. This report covers sixty manuscript pages and is accompanied by an appendix of documents about equal in length. It begins with the Iturbidist movement in February of 1821; tells in considerable detail of the struggles between Iturbide and the legislative body, of the erection of the empire and of the ambition and stubbornness of the Emperor, and of the beginning of the movement against him; and closes in December, 1822.

¹⁶ Poinsett, Notes on Mexico made in the autumn of 1822, accompanied by an Historical Sketch of the Revolution, and Official Reports, 359 pages. See Zavala, Ensayo Historico, I, 241, which pays a tribute to Poinsett’s astuteness in foretelling events. Brown’s History of Texas, I, 81, gives a very incorrect account of Poinsett’s career up to the time of his arrival in Mexico.

¹⁷ Clay to Poinsett, Instructions, March 26, 1825, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., X, 225a Extracts from these instructions containing most of the facts given above are printed in American State Papers, Foreign Relations, V, 908, and VI, 278, and in British and Foreign State Papers, XIII, 485, under the date March 25. The autograph copy of these instructions in the archives of the American Embassy in Mexico bears the date March 25.

Only such portions of Poinsett’s instructions are mentioned above as could have influenced his personal conduct in his relations to the Mexican Government. The instructions intended to govern his negotiations will be studied in connection with those negotiations.

¹⁸ The cipher is as follows: en/26 315 ml/414 co/53 n/115 ee/33 p/118 to/552 no/551 ee/321 pe/318 r/120 eo/521 na/215 de/34 g/17 ra/220 n/115 de/34 e/121 ta/222 le/321 n/115 to/522 n/121. Obregon to Secretario, 30 de Marzo de 1825, MS. Rel. Ext.

C. C. Cambreling wrote Poinsett from New York, March 30, 1825, a friendly facetious letter saying among other things: “Make a good commercial treaty for us and take care that John Bull gets no advantage of you—if anything get the weather gauge of him. •If you can get Texas for some of the lands of the poor Indians of the wilderness you will soon be a great man among us—or if you can contrive to make Cuba independent, protected by the United States, Mexico and Colombia, you have a fair chance and I wish you luck—for it is pretty much everything in political whatever it may be in other matters.” This familiar comment probably reflected pretty closely what his friend knew to be Poinsett’s own sentiments. The latter’s actions with reference to the three matters here specifically mentioned, British influence, Texas, and Cuba, show that these playful injunctions did not fall on deaf ears, though his policy varied in detail from these suggestions.

^{19 2}Poinsett to Clay, Vera Cruz, May 5, 1825, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., I.

^{20 20}The following quotation from the Voz de la Patria, II, nfun. 7, 11 de Febrero de 1830, is typical of the bitterly prejudiced (but then, and for some time previous, generally believed), statements of the character and influence of Poinsett. Reviewing the history of the government during the time of Poinsett’s mission, the writer says: “En este misma aciago dia, un correo estraordinario llegado de Veracruz avis6 que habia desembarcado Mr. Ricardo Joel Poinsett [sic], ministro plenipotenciario de los Estados-Unidos del Norte de America: al saberla el general Wilkinson que se hallaba en Mexico, pregunt6 el que le a,nuncie esta nueva, Z que crimen habria cometido este desgraciado pueblo, que el cielo en su ctilera le mandaba tal hombre Para que le cause las mayores desgracias? Dentro de breve se cumplin este vaticinio.”

²¹ Poinsett to Clay, Vera Cruz, May 5, 1825, as cited in note 19; and same to same, Mexico, May 28, 1825, MS. Dept. of State., Mex., Desp., I.

Governor Barragan to Secretario, Vera Cruz, 3 de Mayo de 1825, told of Poinsett’s arrival and said provision had been made for his journey and his lodgment at Jalapa. A reply of 10 de Mayo approves the governor’s conduct. Poinsett to Alaman, Sacrificios, May 4, 1825, gives official notice of his arrival. A reply of 10 de Mayo acknowledges Poinsett’s note, encloses a passport for him to continue his journey to the capital, and tells him that orders had been given providing for the security and comfort of the trip. Alaman to Governor of Puebla, 10 de Mayo, instructs the latter to provide for Poinsett. A reply of 15 de Mayo says the order had been received and complied with, and Poinsett had just arrived. All these are in MSS. Rel. Ext.

²² Poinsett to Clay, May 28, 1825, as cited in note 21.

²³ Poinsett to Alaman, May 26, 1825, and Alaman to Poinsett, 27 de Mayo de 1825, MSS. Rel. Ext.

²⁴ Poinsett to Clay, June 4, 1825, enclosing a copy of the speech of President Victoria to the British charge, May 31; Poinsett’s address of June 1; Victoria’s reply to the last of same date; Wilcocks to Poinsett, May 12, 1825; and Poinsett’s reply to the last of May 15, arranging the reception ceremonies; all in MSS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., I. Poinsett’s address and Victoria’s reply are printed in Bocanegra, Memorias Para /a Historic de Mexico, I, 379-382. A copy of Poinsett’s speech in English with a Spanish translation are in MSS. Rel. Ext. With them is Poinsett’s credential letter dated March 14, 1825, and signed by J. Q. Adams and H. Clay. An account of these receptions in Voz de la Patria, II, nitm. 7, compares Ward with Poinsett, complimenting the latter’s linguistic ability, but casting reflections on his character: “El dia primero de Junio hizo lo mismo Mr. Poinsett, enviado de Norte America: su arenga estuvo mejor dicha que la del de Inglaterra, y mas large, pues poses el idioms espafiol muy regularmente por desgracia nuestra, pare causarnos infinitos males.”

²⁵ Poinsett to Clay, Aug. 5, 1825, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., I. The brief paragraph quoted above telling of the American party appears in the copy of the letter in the volume of Duplicate Despatches but not in the regular volume.

²⁶ Clay to Poinsett, Sept. 24, 1825, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., X, 225. This paragraph is not contained in any of the printed extracts from this letter. This letter of Clay was written before he had received Poinsett’s of August 5. That came to the State Department October 3.

^{27 27} Poinsett to Clay, Oct. 12, 1825, in cipher covering twelve pages, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., I.

²⁸ “ Resignation of Alaman, 23 de Septiembre de 1825, and acceptance of same 27 de Septiembre de 1825, MSS. Rel. Ext. Zavali, Ensayo Histork o, I, 342.

²⁹ “ Poinsett to Rufus King, Oct. 10, 1825, enclosed with Poinsett to Clay, Oct. 12, 1825, cited in note 27.

^{30 70}Poinsett to Secretary of State, March 10, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., IV.

³¹ Tornel, Breve &sena Historico;, 38.

³² Alaman, Historia de Mexico, V, 823.

³³ See Temperley, The Later American Policy of George Canning, American Historical Review, XI, 779-797, the object of which article is to show that this policy “was intended to defeat certain claims and pretensions of the Monroe doctrine.” Much interesting light remains to be cast on this matter of the conflicting interests of England and the United States at the Mexican capital and the conflicting intrigues of Poinsett and Ward, by a careful study of Ward’s correspondence with his government while chargé in Mexico.

^{34 34}Poinsett to Clay, Jan. 4, 1826, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., I.

^{35 35}Poinsett to Rufus King, Oct. 14, 1825, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., I.

³⁶ Poinsett to Clay, Aug. 26, 1826, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., II. In this he said there was a third party called Los Piadosos, opposed to all Masonic influence, but that it received almost no support. In January he had written that Masonry was flourishing and that, except the President, all the cabinet and all the leading men in the country were Masons, even some of the higher clergy being members.

³⁷ Poinsett to Clay, Oct. 21, 1826, nearly all the facts here given being in cipher, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., II.

³⁸ Poinsett to Clay, Nov. 15,1826, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., II.

³⁹ Poinsett to Clay, July 8, 1827, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., III.

⁴⁰ Zavala, Ensayo Historic°, in, 346. This was published in 1831. Ibid., 385, says, “los peri6dicos del otro bando le acusaban de haber faltado a la primera obligation de un ministro extrangero, que es la de no mezclarse en las cuestiones interiores del pais en que egercen su mision, y en donde no estan de consiguiente sugetos a las leyes comunes. La acusacion en el fondo era injusta.” Ibid., 339, pays a glowing tribute to Poinsett’s ability and acknowledges his uninterrupted friendship, which shows of course that he is a prejudiced witness.

⁴¹ Tomei, Breve Reseña, 45.

⁴² “ Accounts bitterly condemning him are: Alaman, Historia de Mexico, V, 822, 824; Bocanegra, Memories Para la Historia de Mexico, I, 382, 389-395; ibid., II, 13, 17—22; Rivera, Historia de Jalapa, II, 366-369; and Zamacois, Historia de Meiico, XI, 620.

H. H. Bancroft, History of Mexico, V, 32, quotes Zavala and exonerates Poinsett.

Romero, Mexico and the United States, 349, says, “it seems that while he desired the success of the Yorkinos, he was not the founder of that lodge.” Robinson, Mexico and her Military Chieftains, shows his lack of accuracy by saying, p. 146, “Mr. Poinsett, it may be presumed, never had any connection with either branch of the order in Mexico.” McMaster, History of the People of the U. S., V, 540, states correctly but briefly the part Poinsett took in organizing the lodges. Yoakum, in Comprehensive History of Texas, I, 124, gives a brief and substantially correct statement.

⁴³ “ “Manifesto of the Congress of Vera Cruz to the Mexican Nation,” June 19, 1827, translation covering 26 manuscript pages, enclosed with Poinsett to Clay, July 8, 1827, MSS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., III. A copy printed in Spanish is in the volume of Duplicate Despatches. It declared also that many Iturbidists were members of the York lodges and their purpose was to bring about the return of the empire with Iturbide’s son at its head. This Poinsett considered too absurd to need argument. It is a fact that Iturbidists later cooperated with the Yorkinos; but that was probably due to the fact that the Bourbonists cooperated with the Escoceses.

⁴⁴ Poinsett’s “ Exposition of the Policy of the United States toward the Republics of America,” dated July 4, 1827, enclosed with Poinsett to Clay, July 8, 1827, MSS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., III. A copy printed in Spanish is in the volume of Duplicate Despatches. It is also on the market in pamphlet form, though rare. English translations of it were printed in various newspapers of the United States at the time. The manuscript copy covers 16 pages.

⁴⁵ Poinsett to Clay, July 8, 1827, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., III. This letter covers 20 manuscript pages. Much of it is occupied with a review of the origin, composition, and principles of the Scottish party, and of the part he had taken in the organization of the York Masons, and the political activities of the Yorkinos to counteract that of the Escoceses. See above.

Rivera, Historic de Jalapa, II, 426, gives a brief study of the Vera Cruz Manifesto and the attendant rebellious movements in the State of Vera Cruz; most of the other Mexican historians cited in notes 40—42, above, discuss the manifesto.

⁴⁶ “ Adams, Memoirs, VII, 312.

⁴⁷ Obregon to Secretario, 13 de Septiembre de 1827, MS. Rel. Ext.

⁴⁸ Clay to Poinsett, Nov. 19, 1827, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., XII, 36.

⁴⁹ “ Zavala, Ensayo Historico, I, 354. In the preceding seven pages he reviews the party strife. The tone of these newspaper criticisms of Poinsett and the government supposed to be dominated by him is indicated in the following extracts from the Voz de la Patria, II, num. 8, 15 de Febrero de 1830: “No afligan menos in Patria los males politicos que ya comenzaban fi manifestarse, y cuyo origen fontal se debe casi esclusivamente A la instalacion de las logias de los yorkinos en Mexico. * * * Poinsett, el regulador y irbitro de este establecimiento, de que se ha llamado Sumo Pontifice, muy luego procure sacar todo el partido posible para llenar sus objetos principales; a saber, destruir nuestra Repfiblica, y engrandecer la del Norte America, por ser on [en] su concepto incompatible la existencia de ambas. * * * La mano artera de Poinsett, movia a su placer los hilos de esta trama: este hombre insidioso de la humanidad, y cuyo nombre hate temblar a las republicas de Chloe y Buenos-. Aires, de donde fue lanzado como una mala y &Alma bestia.”

⁵⁰ Aviraneta, a European Spaniard traveling in Mexico, was told in Vera Cruz “que el Mercurio es un periÓdico subencionado por Poinssete [sic] enviado de los Estados Unidos: es un periÓdico yorkino, para promover la espulsion de los comerciantes y proprietarios Espanoles del territorio del república, y substituir la influencia del pueblo Yanki.” See Aviraneta é Ibargoyen, Memorial Intimas 1825–1829, in D. Luis Garcia Pimentel, Documentos Historicos de Mejico, III, 45. Ibid., 58 says: “Los escritores del Mercurio son hombres vendidos al oro que desparrama Poinsset [sic] á manoS llenas, entre los incautos mejicanos.” Martinez, Sinopsis Historica de las Revoluciones, I, 58, gives a brief outline account of the party struggles.

⁵¹ Poinsett to Clay, Nov. 10, 1827, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp.,

⁵² Poinsett to Clay, Dec. 8, 1827, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., III. He said an act for the expulsion of the Spaniards was before the lower house of the National Congress and would probably pass.

⁵³ Poinsett to Clay, Jan. 9, 1828, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., III. The most radical Yorkinos wished to execute the rebels. The Escoceses wished to proclaim an amnesty for all. Wisely a middle course was pursued and they were allowed to go into exile, and ultimately to return. See Bancroft, History of Mexico, V, 37-40; Rivera, Historia de Jalapa, II, 450; Alaman, Historia de Mejico, V, 836–839.

⁵⁴ Poinsett to Clay, Feb. 9, 1828, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., III.

⁵⁵ Looking back, after Poinsett’s departure, on the period of party strife during his mission, the Voz de la Patria, II, núm. 14, 11 de Marzo de 1830, says: “Poinsett mandaba á Victoria, como á un pilhuanejo, y éste no, queria oir mas voz que la de Poinsett, * * * Poinsett llevaba adelante su influjo, y sacaba de el todo el partido posible. Figurábase ser algun dia el arbitro de la Nacion.”

Ibar’s Muerte Politica de la Republica, núm. 11, 20 de Mayo de 1829, speaks of “las miras ambiciosas de ese ministro estrangero, agente pagado por el gabinete de Norte-América para remacharnos las cadenas de la esclavitud.”

⁵⁶ This account of the campaign, the election, and the results, is taken entirely from Poinsett’s letters to Clay running throughout the nine months, as follows: July 16, 1828; Sept. 17, 1828; Sept. 25, 1828; Oct. 22, 1828; Dec. 10, 1828; Dec. 17, 1828; Dec. 24, 1828; Dec. 27, 1828; Jan. 8, 1829; Jan. 10, 1829; Jan. 23, 1829; Jan. 31, 1829; March 3, 1829; April 3, 1829; and April 15, 1829. MSS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV.

⁵⁷ Poinsett to Clay, March 10, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV. In this long letter covering 42 pages, commenting further on the persons and principles involved in the recent revolutionary events, he said that Pedraza was a political turncoat; he had fought during the war for independence in the Spanish service against the insurgents; he went as a deputy to the Cortes; on his return he became a minister of Iturbide; afterward he was a leader in the overthrow of Iturbide and an adherent of the Scottish party; on the discovery of the plot of Friar Arenas and the connection of the Scottish party with it, he deserted that party and won popularity in the punishment of those conspirators and in assisting to overthrow General Bravo; he became Secretary of War; when it was desired to divide the York party he was chosen as the instrument, having friends in all of the opposing factions. His success in the election was due to the fact that some of the State legislatures had been chosen while the Scottish party was in the lead. The senate and supreme court of the federal government were also still of that faction. He believed if the reactionary factions had used their advantages with moderation they could have retained power; but their persecution drove Santa Ana, Zavala, and others to take refuge in revolution.

Poinsett defended the army that took the City of Mexico by assault, and said the cruelties that had been attributed to it were greatly exaggerated. He blamed the government for not having prevented the attack on the city by a vigorous defence at first, and in the absence of that by accepting the proffered opportunity to capitulate before the attack.

The opposition of the recent revolutionists to the Spaniards, he said, could be explained by reviewing the political interference of the Spaniards, who had been uniformly trying to restore Spanish control. The Senate still refused to pass a law expelling the Spaniards as the revolutionists demanded, because the Spaniards had uniformly supported the Scottish party, which still prevailed in that body. He feared this might cause some further disturbance.

For reviews of the election of 1828 and the revolution following, see Bancroft, History of Mexico, V, 40–45; Zavala, Ensayo Historico, II, 101-148; Alaman, Historia de Mejico, V, 839–843; Zamacois, Historia de Mejico, XI, 671-715. Zavala’s account is of course prejudiced in favor of the revolution, in which he was one of the chief leaders.

⁵⁸ Ibar, Muerte Politica de la Republica Mexicana, núm. 15, 6 de Junio de 1829; ibid., núm. 19, 24 de Junio de 1829; ibid., núm. 1, 11 de Marzo, núm. 6, 23 de Abril, and núm. 26, 18 de Julio de 1829. The last declares that it is also said with some reserve that Poinsett was a paid agent of the Madrid government to assist in the Spanish reconquest.

⁵⁹ Poinsett to Van Buren, July 15, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., IV.

⁶⁰ “ Manifesto of the Legislature of the State of Mexico,” Tlalpam, 31 de Julio de 1829, MS. Rel. Ext. A translation of this is enclosed with Poinsett to Van Buren, Aug. 7, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV. A pamphlet containing the same printed in Spanish also accompanies.

⁶¹ Poinsett’s reply, Aug. 2, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV, enclosed with Poinsett to Van Buren, Aug. 7, 1829. The English translation covers 26 pages. The same printed in Spanish accompanies.

⁶² Poinsett to Van Buren, Aug. 7, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., IV.

Zavala, who was in the ministry of Guerrero at the time of the legislative attacks, but who resigned soon after, says that behind all these could be seen the hand of two other ministers, Herrera and Bocanegra. The timid and uncertain policy of Guerrero, who was aware of their plans, he says, enabled them to do this. Zavala, Ensayo Historico, II, 197. Ibar, Muerte Politica, núm. 32, 8 de Agosto de 1829, said:

“ ¿Quién fue el que mandó asesinar á nuestro enviado a los Estados-Unidos del Norte, al virtuoso Obregon? Poinsett. Conocidas son las intrigas de este ministro infame, y hoy se han presentado á todo luz.”

⁶³ Van Buren to Poinsett, Oct. 16, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Instructions, American States, XIV, 141.

⁶⁴ Guerrero to Jackson, [July 1, 1829], MS. Dept. of State, Notes from Mexican Legation, I, enclosed with Montoya to Van Buren, Oct. 17, 1829. The Spanish original of Guerrero’s letter accompanies this translation.

⁶⁵ Secretario to Montoya, 1 de Julio de 1829, MS. Rel. Ext.

⁶⁶ P. S. Oct. 17, to Van Buren to Poinsett, Oct. 16, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., Am. Sts., XIV, 141; Jackson to Guerrero, Oct. 17, 1829, MS. Rel. Ext.

A postscript of Oct. 17, attached to Van Buren to Butler, Oct. 16, indicates that Jackson and Van Buren thought the attacks on Poinsett due to the failure of the Mexican Government to protect him adequately rather than to his actions. House Docs., 25th Cong. 2d sem, No. 351, p. 52.

Jackson’s reasons for recalling Poinsett, quoted from the Jackson MSS., are printed in Reeves, Diplomacy under Tyler and Polk, 68.

⁶⁷ Van Buren to Poinsett, Oct. 17, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Instr., Am. Ste., XIV, 148. When Poinsett was embarrassed by learning that his draft had been protested, he said he regretted that this had been thought necessary, since he would have made good the difference with pleasure if he had known the Department wished. He explained how he had been drawing for his salary and why he had done so, and closed by saying he will “be perfectly content with the decision of the Department with respect to the draft for £100 on London provided the government will refund the amounts for which I have given them credit, on account of the favorable state of exchange between Mexico and the United States.” Poinsett to Van Buren, Dec. 9, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Deep., IV.

⁶⁸ Montoya to Secretario, 19 de Octubre de 1829, MS. Rel. Ext.

For brief discussions of Poinsett’s recall, see McMaster, History of the People of the United States, V, 549; Bancroft, History of Mexico, V, 81; Bocanegra, Memorias,I, 382 and II, 23; Zamacois, Historia de Mexico, XI, 810; Zavala, Ensayo Historico,II, 197; Mayo, Political Sketches, 95.

⁶⁹ Van Buren to Butler, Oct. 16, 1829, House Docs., 25th Cong. 2d sess., No. 53, p. 51. It should be mentioned that Butler’s conduct in Mexico was worse than Poinsett’s, his motives less pure, and that his recall was also demanded.

⁷⁰ Poinsett to Van Buren, Dec. 9, 1829, acknowledging receipt of his recall, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV.

⁷¹ Poinsett to Van Buren, Nov. 4, 1829, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV. This says he had asked the commander of the United States squadron in the West Indies to send a warship to the Mexican coast to take him from the country.

⁷² Poinsett to Van Buren, Dec. 26, 1829, saying he had taken leave the preceding day and expected to depart January 2, 1830, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV.

A new revolution had overthrown Guerrero, who had taken flight, and Vice President Bustamante took control. Poinsett to Viesca, 15 de Diciembre de 1829, asked an audience to present his letter of recall. Secretario de Relaciones to Poinsett, 24 de Diciembre, in reply appointed December 25. Poinsett left Mexico January 3, 1830, and arrived at New Orleans February 2. Poinsett to Van Buren, New Orleans, Feb. 3, 1830, MS. Dept. of State, Mex., Desp., IV.

⁷³ Provisional President to President of the United States, 31 de Diciembre de 1829, MS. Rel. Ext. Accompanying this is Secretario to Poinsett, 31 de Diciembre, granting the privilege to leave and assigning an escort.

About the middle of December a circular letter was sent by the central government to the governors of the States telling of Poinsetti’s recall. This and congratulatory replies to it from fifteen State governments are in an expediente in MSS. Rel. Ext.