Treat was a businessman and Texas diplomat. He was born in Connecticut in 1792 and engaged in various activities in New York, his home, as well as Mexico and Central America. He was a shareholder and partner in the New Washington Association land speculation project headed by Samuel Swartwout and James Morgan. After Texas gained independence, Treat offered his services to negotiate a peace treaty and recognition from Mexico, believing his contacts and experiences there positioned him to be successful. President Lamar appointed Treat as a special agent to Mexico, and Treat spent almost a year in Mexico but was not able to secure any resolution for peace. Treat died of illness on his voyage back from Vera Cruz to Galveston.
