Ashbel Smith to Henry Daingerfield, July 11, 1843

Summary: Smith wrote to Daingerfield asking him not to leave Paris until Smith arrived. He wanted to get to Paris sooner but he needed to exert his influence in stopping any Texas abolition plans in England. Also informed Daingerfield that Belgium might recognize Texas after Smith met with their ministers in Paris.

3 ST. JAMES STREET LONDON.

July 11, 1843

Hon. H.W. DAINGERFIELD, etc. etc.

MY DEAR SIR

I have this moment received your favour of the 9th.; and I can well understand your wish to proceed to your Post at the Hague; It is not greater than mine to return to Paris and nothing but the importance of our interests which I have needed watching at London would have kept me there so long. I am to day to present Mr Andrews by his request to Mr Addington under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who has expressed to me his willingness to receive Mr Andrews. I have deemed it best to do so as this course puts me in possession of the matters proposed to be treated of with the British Government to wit the abolition of Slavery, and authorises me to make at once a verbal protest agst[sic] all proceedings here in England in these Premises. I saw Mr Andrews on Saturday and learned from him in general that the plan of abolition is maturing though he gave me no additional information touching its details. He is fully aware of my opinion on these matters and of my decided oposition to his project; It is a source of great regret that I cannot have the benefit of your counsels at this time and I must also beg that you will not leave Paris untill my arrival When in Brussells and previously in Paris I had conversations with Leopold and with Count Goblet d' Alviella the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the recognition of Texas by Belgium and I possess some information hereon which you ought to know. Leopold is now in London and will proceed to Paris in a few days where I hope to see him with you Major Samuel Whitney, a friend of yrs is in London, and will accompany me to Paris. DO not leave till the arrival of yours very truly

(Signed) ASHBEL SMITH

Source Copy Consulted: Ashbel Smith to Henry Daingerfield, July 11, 1843, George Garrison, ed., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Annual Report of the America Historical Association for the Year 1908, (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1911), 3 vols., 3: 1110