Copy. Ashbel Smith to Isaac Van Zandt.

Confidential

Paris Place Vendome

January 25, 1843

Sir

I never omit writing to our Government by

the Liverpool and Boston Steamers. Some of my

despatches are surely of considerable importance;

yet from the tenor of the news from Texas, it

appears that several of them have not been re-

ceived.

The present letter will treat of a matter

in my opinion of much importance. I regret

that I cannot enter as fully into details on

one portion of it as I desire.

You are of course aware of the Treaty whereby

England agreed to use its good offices in mediating

a peace between Texas and Mexico, and of the

utter failure of that mediation.

You are also doubtless aware that I was instruc-

ted to invite the Govt of France to act in concert

with England and the United States in making

a joint representation to Texas and Mexico

—that France acceded to that invitation with

alacrity and every manifestation of friendly

spirit, and instructed its Ambassador at London

to present this subject to the British Govt; and

that the British Govt positively refused to act

in concert with France and the United States

in this matter.

The French Govt on