Buenos Ayres, June 25th, 1842.
My dear M. de Vidal,—Would you have any objections to have the treaty copied immediately?
I have motives so strong not for coming back to Buenos Ayres, but for being able to return at the moment when it becomes necessary, that I should impart them to you, which I cannot well by this conveyance.
I will answer for your concurrence with me in this desire to be ready, at a moment's notice, to come back here.
Another motive, which is a very secondary one, and that is, having no steward at this moment, the one who was with me for six years having left me to set up a coffee-house. I cannot bring my establishment with me, even if I had a house to go to at Monte Video, and therefore I am obliged to live at the Consul's, which is a great inconvenience to him, and consequently very disagreeable to me; but, as I have said, this is a trifling consideration, which may be got over very easily. Again, Mr. Hood may come by the next packet—where shall I go then?
All these considerations, put together, make me very anxious, not so much to get through the treaty, for the sake of concluding it, as to be ready, when circumstances require my departure, to come back here.
Ever, my dear M. de Vidal, your faithful and sincere friend,
J. H. MANDEVILLE.