Barnard Bee to Samuel Roberts, August 5, 1841
Summary: Bee told Roberts that, after talking with Daniel Webster, he believed it was unlikely to get a treaty with the United States dealing with slavery. The only recourse he could see was to persuade the U.S. Congress to pass legislation on the subject.
LEGATION OF TEXAS
Washington August 5th 1841.
The Hon SECRETARY OF STATE
SIR: Although in my late communication to you I did not deem it practicable to enter into Treaty stipulations relative to "body servants"--yet it is proper that I should say, Mr Webster thought it highly probable by my having an interview with the Attorney General such a construction could be put upon the law of 1807 (and believes) as would warrant an individual having his servant, as he could not conceive the law meant to do more than interdict the Slave trade. I have been very unwell and have not yet seen Mr Crittenden; but I have examined the law, and am satisfied that the only mode by which we can attain our object, and a very reasonable one,--is by getting a special act of Congress upon the subject; and I shall make it my duty to attend to it, tho' not at this session. I forward a communication from General Hamilton,--and I will add the conclusion of his letter to mine
"Continue to write to me, altho[sic] I have not the smallest doubt I
"shall leave in September when I hope for a triumphant close of all
"my labors"
I am with great esteem
Yours BARNARD E. BEE
Source Copy Consulted: Barnard Bee to Samuel Roberts, August 5, 1841, in George Garrison, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1908, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1911), 3 vols., 2:513