J. Pinckney Henderson to R. A. Irion, January 30, 1838

Summary: Henderson forwarded to Irion the former's letter to Lord Palmerston requesting England to open her ports to Texas ships. He argued that such a move would save Texas cotton planters tons of money because up to now, they only way they could trade with England was through the United States. By opening their ports, the British could get direct access to Texas cotton. In the same letter, Henderson gave some reasons why Britain should recognize Texas independence; the most important of which was that the U.S. had already done it.

Legation of Texas

Despatch No. 5

LONDON, January 30th. 1838

To the Honorable R. A. Irion

Secty. of State

SIR

In despatch No. 4. I mentioned that I had addressed a communication to Lord Palmerston upon the subject of opening the Ports of Great Britain to all vessels beloning to Citizens of Texas, or having clearances from her Customhouses--which was as follows

LONDON, No. 166 ALBANY ST. REGENTS PARK

December 29th. 1837

MY LORD

The Undersigned Agent of the Republic of Texas, has already had the honor in a personal conference to express to Lord Palmerston Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the wish of the Government of Texas to open without further delay, a direct trade between the two Countries; and having received from Lord Palmerston an intimation of the propriety of submitting such a

proposition in writing, the Undersigned has the honor to make the following proposal. He requests that the Ports of Great Britain be opened to all vessels sailing under the flag of the Republic of Texas, and which shall have clearances from any of her Customhouses; and also that the vessels of all other Nations in amity with Texas and Her Majesty's Government, and having clearances from any of the Customhouses of Texas, be admitted into the Ports of Great Britain, upon such terms as are consistent with the laws and regulations of Her Majestys Government in such cases. The Undersigned has been influenced to make this proposition on the part of his Government to open the trade between the two Countries, during the pendency of the consideration of the request which he has heretofore had the honor to make of Her Majestys Government to recognize the Independence of Texas, by the sincere desire which the Government and People of Texas entertain in this regard, and which is strengthened by the conviction of the great advantages which [would] result to the People of both countries from such a measure. Lord Palmerston is aware, that the principal article which Texas now has for exportation, is Cotton. This materiel is at this time ready in that Country for market. The Merchant and Planter cannot as things now are, dispose of it in any other Market than the United States, where they are compelled to pay a heavy duty; and in return for which they purchase in the United States and carry to Texas goods chiefly manufactured in England, upon which the consumer in Texas is compelled to pay the double duty of Texas and the United States in addition to the Commissions and profits of each Merchant and Carrier through whose hands the goods pass. It is not without feelings of anxiety and gratification that the Undersigned looks forward to the opening of this intercourse between the People of the two Countries, heightened by the just expectation, that such a measure will be the means of speedily convincing the People of England, that it is their interest to cultivate a friendly intercourse with Texas; and of satisfying the Government, that Justice demands that they should recognize her Independence, by exhibiting to the one her immense resources, and to the other, her ability to maintain her present Independent position.

The Undersigned deems it unnecessary to accompany the above request with a statemnt of the grounds upon which Texas founds her claim to recognition by other Nations, inasmuch as they have been fully set forth in the communication which he had the honor of addressing to Lord Palmerston on the 26th. of October last; and for the better reason, that the question of Independence is not necessarily involved in the present proposition. The Undersigned regards it as sufficient for the present purpose to remind Lord Palmerston, that the present Government of Texas has been in possession of the sovereignty of that Country for more than two years--that during

the whole of that time (with the exception of a few months in its commencement) they have remained undisturbed by Mexico.

While Mexico could reasonably entertain the expectation of maintaining the War with Texas and Re-establishing her authority in that country, She might have had some reason for objecting to other Nations recognizing the Independence of that country; but even then after she had lost all authority and control over the revolted country, and left it in the hands of those who had assumed the reins of the Government, she could not reasonably object to other countries carrying on a trade with Texas. The Undersigned takes pleasure in informing Lord Palmerston, that British ships are now admitted by the laws of Texas into her Ports on the same terms as the most favored Nations. Lord Palmerston will remember that Texas not only asserts her right to be regarded as an Independent Nation, but she has been acknowledged as such by one of the most powerful and prudent Governments on Earth--A Government too which from its situation is better able than any other to judge correctly of the ability of Texas to maintain her Independence. Some respect is due to the opinion of that Government, which the Undersigned feels assured Her Majestys Government will readily yield. The Undersigned flatters himself that Lord Palmerston will see the necessity of giving the above request his earliest attention, and of communicating to the undersigned, the determination of Her Majesty's Government upon the subject, in order that he may forthwith inform his Government of the same, and in order that the People of Texas may take advantage of the measure, during the present season.

The Undersigned takes this opportunity of again renewing to Lord Palmerston the assurance of his high consideration

J PINCKNEY HENDERSON

To the Rt. Honble. Lord Viscount PALMERSTON,

Her Majestys principal Secty of State for Foreign Affairs.

Source Copy Consulted: J. Pinckney Henderson to R. A. Irion, January 30, 1838, 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., 3: 843-845