The Commissioners to Mexico are to begin their peregrinations in about 3 weeks; it is a trading voyage. Capt. Cockburn,[388] who is one and is to have the rank of Commodore and a flag, goes first to Lisbon to pick up Mr. Stewart; then to Cadiz for the Spaniards; to Jamaica for Mr. Morier; and finally to Vera Cruz. From what is said, the expedition seems to be rather a wild goose chase. It is not certain that the Spanish Governt. will accept the offered mediation. When it was originally proposed, they accepted, annexing the condition that if the colonies did not within 15 months fall into their allegiance to the Mother Country, that in that case the English should assist with military force and compel them to submit by subduing them. This condition has not been acceded to on the part of this Governt., but they send out this Commission, without waiting for the final determination of the Govt. of Cadiz, now they know that they are only to be supported in any pacific measures. The man upon whom much depends is Bardachi, a sort of Secretary of State, who, with some abilities and honesty, is full of prejudice against this country, and of an impracticable temper. B. Hoppner is Sec. to the Commission. Frere, who has been living here upwards of a month, to my astonishment expressed himself surprised and offended that he had been neglected by Ld. Wellesley, saying that from his knowledge of Spain he considered himself as the fittest to be employed; boasted of his influence over Bardachi, who owes his place to him, and various other such _absurdities_. I was petrified, it not being possible to acquiesce in the reasonableness of his complaint, or consider it as an injury the not selecting him. APPENDICES APPENDIX A The following lines are taken from Lord Holland’s verses ‘To a lady on her Birthday, Florence, March 25, 1795.’[389] When twice twelve times the rolling earth Brought back the period of her birth, Thus to the Genius of the day A certain Dame was heard to pray: ‘Give me, indulgent Genius, give ’Midst learned cabinets to live, ’Midst curiosities, collections, Specimens, medals, and dissections, With books of every tongue and land All difficult to understand, With instruments of various sorts, Telescopes, air pumps, tubes, retorts, With friends, fair wisdom to pursue, Fontana, Macie, Blagden, Drew.’ * * * * *