The article profiles Joel R. Poinsett, U.S. diplomat to Mexico. The author discusses Poinsett's unpopularity among the Mexican people and government and criticism of him by U.S. historians. He comments that there is a lack of evidence proving that Poinsett was responsible for diplomatic problems, such as the failure of a treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, and suggests his education conflicts with his reputation in Mexico. Ponsett had been instructed to support Mexican independence and oppose English interference in Mexican affairs. The author suggests English influence with the Mexican government and opposition to democracy by monarchists and aristocrats resulted in Poinsett's poor reception. Poinsett intervened to support the Mexican constitution and promote freemasonry.