Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, September 18, 1843
Summary: Van Zandt updated Jones on the question of annexation. Even though his recent instructions had been to suspend such talks, he heard from Secretary Upshur informally that the United States was interested in annexation again. Gave Jones a summary of his meeting with Upshur, in which both parties informally expressed support for annexation but neither side could commit itself because their respective Congresses had not authorized it. As a result, Van Zandt advised Jones that the time was right to pursue annexation again and suggested that the President of Texas should confer the necessary authority for his representatives in Washington to negotiate on that subject.
Dispatch No. 107
LEGATION OF TEXAS
Washington D.C. Sept 18th. 1843
Hon ANSON JONES
Secretary of State
SIR
It has been made known to your Department, in a former dispatch, that in compliance with your instructions of the 6th. of July last, I had communicated, verbally, to the President, and Secretary of State
Begin Page: 208 |
of the United States, the fact, that my former instructions upon the subject of annexation, had been suspended, and that the Government of Texas reserved the question for future consideration. Since I did this, I have not thought it proper for me to urge it again upon this Government. Nevertheless, in every interview, which I have had with the Secretary of State, Mr. Upshur, he has invariably mentioned the question, and dwelt upon its merits at some length; in fact, the announcement to him, that my instructions were suspended, seems to have fired him anew in regard to it. He has frequently inquired whether there had been a change in the views of the Texian Administration upon this subject; to this, I have always replied, in substance, that since my instructions were suspended, I had not been advised of the views of our Government, and could only give him my unauthorized opinion as an individual, which was this, that if the proposition was made to Texas, and with a strong probability the measure would succeed before the Senate of the United States, I thought it would be acceded to, but could not speak with certainty or authority. I further said to him, I did not deem it improper for me to communicate to him, (as he had interrogated me on the point) that portion of your dispatch of the 6th. July last in which you say "It is believed that the settlement of our difficulties with Mexico and the acknowledgment of our independence by that power will very much simplify the question of the annexation of Texas to the United States, and if, after this event, Texas should continue to desire this annexation, a treaty for the purpose would be more likely to succeed, and to meet with favour from the people of the United States, than if, as now that question were embarrassed with a question, and involved the contingency of a war between that Government and Mexico." In our several conversations alluded to, Mr. Upshur frequently remarked with much earnestness of manner, that he hoped Texas would not change her former policy on this subject; that it was the great measure of the administration here, and that he was actively engaged under the instructions of the President, in preparing the minds of the people for it, and in learning the views of Senators on the subject; and so soon as they conceived it safe, they would renew the proposition on their part.
I now proceed to submit for your information and consideration, the substance of a conversation had with the Secretary of State, to day, in relation to this matter. I called at the State Department this morning about the two negroes taken by the Indians from Dr. Joseph Robertson, of which you are further informed in another dispatch that accompanies this of the same date. On meeting Mr. Upshur he remarked, he was exceedingly glad I had called on him, that he was just in the act of addressing me a note requesting an interview. Without waiting to be informed of the object of my
Begin Page: 209 |
visit, he proceeded in substance to say, that his object in wishing to see me, was to make known further his views, and the wishes of the Executive on the subject of the annexation of Texas to the United States, that they now contemplated as early action thereon and that he was desirous I should immediately communicate this fact to your Department, in order that should the President of Texas still desire to conclude such a treaty, the Representative of Texas here, might be immediately clothed with the necessary powers to act upon the proposition, should it be submitted by the President of the United States, which proposition he now confidently believed would be made before the meeting of the next Congress--that from all the facts now before him he believed such a treaty might be safely submitted to the next Senate, and entertaining this opinion he was desirous to act on it as early as practicable. He then stated at some length the grounds of his belief of a favorable action by the Senate of the United States, which were drawn from the views of various correspondents, and the manifestations of public sentiment, in different quarters of the country. I asked Mr. Upshur if some of Mr. Tyler's cabinet were not still opposed to the measure, he replied, that one or two of the gentlemen perhaps might be, but the controlling influence was now decidedly in favour of action upon it. I then remarked to him, that though it might be possible our Government might still desire to make the treaty, yet, I doubted under all the circumstances whether the necessary powers would be given, unless the proposition was positively made, he replied that he could not make it at this time nor would he likely be able to do so in time for me to communicate the fact to your department and obtain an answer before the meeting of Congress, but that he would repeat again what he had said before, that "he confidently believed he would be able to make the proposition before the meeting of Congress, and he hoped, if he did so, that the Representative of Texas here would be sufficiently authorized to act at once." I then told him I would immediately communicate to my Government what he had said to me about the matter, and his wishes in relation to the same; and so soon as an answer was received I would inform him of it. He asked what would be the probable length of time before an answer could be had. I replied, I thought between 30 and 40 days, if not longer, he then asked me if I did not deem the communication of sufficient importance to dispatch a special messenger with it, I replied, that I should not think it necessary unless the proposition was actually made. This he said he could not make, nor did he think it would be proper to do so, unless I had the necessary powers to negotiate; that if the Texian Government was yet in favour of the measure, no harm he thought could result form the conferring of provissional powers, to act in case the negotiation was proposed on their part.
Begin Page: 210 |
I have thus given you the substance of our very lengthy conversation, in order that you may act upon it as advisedly as possible. It will need but few comments, as it explains itself fully. That the Secretary is serious in what he says, I have not a doubt, but whether he will carry out the measures indicated or not, is impossible to tell. My own opinion is that from the situation of political affairs here, it is hard to know what, or whether any move will be made on any particular question, until you have seen the step taken. That the Administration contemplate making the proposal of annexation I believe true. That they will do it is at best uncertain. If the treaty were concluded, and submitted to the Senate, no doubt the debate would be fierce and exciting, but I think it would be advantageous to the treaty, and in the end secure its adoption.
For the great welfare, and prosperity of Texas, I believe nothing could contribute so much as her annexation to the United States, and, believing like views were entertained by our Government and people, up to the time of the receipt of your letter suspending my former instructions, I left untried no means, which I thought calculated to advance or promote this object.
Whether such be the views of the Executive at this time I am of course unadvised; facts and circumstances, known to him, may have changed his former opinions, and altered his policy in relation to this question. I have however given the facts as I understand them--it is not for me to determine what course should be taken by the Government. Whether the provissional powers shall be confered or not, is a matter which can alone be decided correctly, by the Executive with the aid of his advisers at home, who are presumed to know the whole situation of the country, its wishes and policy. Be the determination what it may, I hope no time will be lost in making the same known to me. And here suffer me to remark before closing this communication, that should the two Governments determine to attempt the proposed measure, I am sensible the responsibility of the Agent of Texas must necessarily be great, and his actions require much judgment and deliberation. Should it therefore be the wish of the Executive to confer those powers upon any individual, other than myself, or upon any one in connexion with myself, I will cheerfully acquiese; if confered upon me alone, conscious of their high importance I shall endeavour (if an action be had at all) to discharge the duty in strict compliance with the instructions which may be given by your department.
With the highest sentiments
of the regard I have the honor to be
Your most Obdt Servt
ISAAC VAN ZANDT
Source Copy Consulted: Isaac Van Zandt to Anson Jones, September 18, 1843, 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: 207-210