only awaiting an opportunity to rise against the government, and, therefore, dared not enter into any formal arrangement in respect to trade relations and an armistice which might embarrass him with the Centralist authority.[24] The Texan commissioners were requested by Carrasco and Arista to make their written communications "as mild and conciliating as the nature of things would permit," and were assured that their letters would be transmitted to Mexico City. Carrasco flatly told them that "it would be impossible openly and publicly to concede" to their propositions, "but that whilst a secret negotiation might take place in which all our propositions and plans might be carried out," they reported, "Still . . . the answer which appeared to the world, and more especially that which would be sent to government authorities at Mexico, should contain a flat and positive refusal of all our propositions." The high authorities in Mexico wished to appear "most inverterately opposed to any thing like conciliation with Texas," and the reception of any Texan agent, no matter in what capacity he might go, would be considered a high crime in the eyes of the government. Reported Van Ness and Morris,
24. Cf. John W. Bradley to J. G. Chalmers, San Antonio, Aug. 3, 1841, in Domestic Correspondence (Texas), 1836-1846, ms. 25. C. Van Ness and John D. Morris to Samuel A. Roberts, San Antonio, Sept. 30, 1841, in Smither (ed.), Journals of the Sixth Congress of the Republic of Texas, III, 258. |