Ashbel Smith to Anson Jones, July 31, 1843

Summary: Smith updated Jones on European affairs concerning Texas. Mr. Andrews, an anti-slavery Texan, was in England gathering support for abolition, which would further England's goal of emancipation around the world. Smith met with Lord Aberdeen and stated emphatically that Texas would not surrender its slaves because to do so would be dishonorable. He outlined for Jones all the proposed plans for Texas abolition and how each would not work, especially since most potential emigrants were more worried about war than slavery. On the continent, news was brighter because France was backing away from demanding abolition, peace between Texas and Mexico increased Texas's standing in Europe, and England's influence in Spain was declining.

LEGATION OF TEXAS, PARIS

July, 31, 1843

Hon ANSON JONES

Secretary of State,

SIR,

I reached my post in this city the 24th Instant on my return from London.

Previously to leaving London, I had a long interview on the 20th Instant with the Earl of Aberdeen Secretary for the Foreign Department, concerning the affairs of Texas. I think it proper here to state that I had reason to be pleased with the full and frank manner in which his Lordship discussed the affairs in question. As a matter of course, he treated the subject mainly and almost exclusively in reference to British policy and interests.

Some time before this interview with Lord Aberdeen, Mr J. P. Andrews whom I have mentioned in former despatches as being in London on an abolition mission requested me to present him to Mr Addington. After some reflection I consented to do so, the introduction being in no degree official, as I stated to Mr Addington, and as this course put me fairly in possession of the abolition schemes which had already been presented to the British Government. On this occasion I expressed my utter dissent from and opposition to all operations then carrying on in London, having for their object the abolition of Slavery in Texas.

In my interview with Lord Aberdeen on the 20th Instant, I stated that Mr Andrews' coming to London about abolition was his individual act wholly unauthorized by the Government of citizens of Texas; that tho' there might be some individuals in our country disposed to abolish slavery, I had no reason to believe they were numerous; but on the contrary that I had reason to think no disposition to agitate this subject existed either on the part of the Government or any respectable portion of the citizens of Texas. I also stated to Lord Aberdeen that I was informed representations would be sent out to Texas based on statements made by members of the Antislavery Convention who had called on his Lordship touching this matter, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government would afford in some way the means of reimbursing or compensating the slave owners, provided slavery were abolished in our country. I inquired what ground there was for these assertions.

His Lordship replied in effect, that it is the well known policy and wish of the British Government to abolish slavery every where; that

its abolition in Texas is deemed very desirable and he spoke to this point at some little length, as connected with British policy and British interests and in reference to the United States. He added, there was no disposition on the part of the British Govt to interfere improperly on this subject, and that they would not give the Texian Govt any cause to complain; 'he was not prepared to say whether the British Government would consent hereafter to make such compensation to Texas as would enable the Slave holders to abolish slavery, the object is deemed so important perhaps they might, though he could not say certainly.' I here remarked to his Lordship, that any compensation received by Texas from a foreign power for the abolition of slavery would be derogatory to our national honor and degrade and disgrace us in the eyes of the world. He observed such things can be so done as not to be offensive etc., but I believe his Lordship was of my opinion.

Lord Aberdeen also stated that despatches had been recently sent to Mr Doyle the British Charge' d' Affaires at Mexico, instructing him to renew the tender of British Mediation based on the abolition of slavery in Texas, and declaring that abolition would be a great moral triumph for Mexico. Your Department will not fail to remark that this dispatch to Mr Doyle appears to introduce a new and important condition into "mediation."

Lord Aberdeen also repeated an opinion he has heretofore expressed that the mediation of foreign Powers as hitherto presented, offered no hopes of success.

Other subjects connected with the affairs and relations of Texas were discussed at some length but they do not require to be mentioned here.

At the close of the interview I mentioned again to Lord Aberdeen that Texas will not make any change in her institutions concerning slavery. His Lordship requested I would communicate to the Government such opinions as he had expressed, to the exclusion of such as the enthusiastic imaginations of the antislavery conventionists might attribute to him. He inquired whether he should continue to see these persons on this subject. I could not answer his Lordship, as they have no connection with the Govt of Texas.

The British Government greatly desire the abolition of slavery in Texas as a part of their general policy in reference to their colonial and commercial interests and mainly in reference to its future influence on slavery in the United States. I do not attribute to them any sinister purposes towards Texas in this matter; British policy in relation to slavery is declared to the world, and the good or ill consequences to Texas are not taken at all into consideration.

The abolition of slavery in Texas would not have any good effect in promoting emigration from Europe. Emigrants would wait for

years to see what relations are to subsist between Texas and the adjoining slave holding States, after abolition; and the agitation of this subject among us would have a pernicious influence upon any anticipated European emigration, which would more than counterbalance any advantages likely to result form its accomplishment.

I am clearly of opinion founded on conversations had with members themselves of the British Anti-Slavery society, as well as with other persons, that the most we could look for from this class of individuals in England would be a glorification in one of their Exeter Hall reports and annual notices of our progress in abolition afterwards; and that no substantial good whatever would accrue to the country. I am induced too to believe that the purpose is entertained by some of that body to lead Texas by intimations of promises, to take steps in reference to slavery from which we cannot well recede. It is proper to add that the Anti Slavery society does not enjoy in any considerable degree the respect and confidence of the British public.

It is an important fact in connection with this subject that the marriage of the Prince de Joinville with the Princess Francisca of Brasil changes, as I have been well informed the feelings and policy of the French Government in relation to slavery, and that they will dissever themselves from that crusade which Great Britain has been waging against slavery in favor of her commercial and colonial interests

Allow me to impress most respectfully on our Government that in order to procure an European emigration we must look to peace with Mexico and not to the abolition of slavery . Persons here desirous to remove to our country are afraid of war, not of negro slavery. The class of persons in England likely to emigrate care very little about this institution, and those of the continent care still less.

Allow me also to express my deliberate conviction that the vague promises which Mr Andrews will send or carry to Texas will prove false and illusory. Texas must depend upon honesty and industry for a good reputation abroad. The sacrifice of one of her institutions to buy good opinions here would be fruitless; and if paid for by Great Britain must render us contemptible even in that country which makes the purchase.

I saw Mr Guizot on my return to Paris a few days since, when he said to me he saw no reason to hope for peace between Texas and Mexico through the mediation of foreign Powers.

Day before yesterday the mail of the Great Western Steamer arrived bringing the President's Proclamation as copied from a New Orleans newspaper, of the cessation of hostilities. i forthwith sent a copy to Mr Guizot. From the frank and explicit observations of Lord Aberdeen I know he did not, any more than Mr Guizot, anticipate this glorious news. It has had a favorable effect on Mexican

Bonds in London which have already risen upwards of 10 per cent and are advancing in value. This circumstance must strongly dispose the Bondholders there in favor of peace on a permanent basis. If the armistice shall result in permanent peace the most solid advantages will forthwith accrue to Texas. International relations can be readily established with the different Powers of Europe, and emigration and commerce will be directed immediately to our country. Under such circumstances the agitation of abolition would impede emigration hence, as showing our institutions to be still unsettled and as likely to put us in an unfriendly or hostile attitude towards the neighboring states on the North.

It has been mentioned to me, but I do not permit myself to credit the assertion, that Mons. de Cramayed has given very unfavorable accounts of us to his Govt. There is however some reason to apprehend that unfriendly representations of us have been transmitted to this country. One Mr Guilbo, Vice Consul I believe at San Antonio, I was told has written very unfavorably of us.

I saw King Louis Philippe this evening he congratulated us cordially on the establishment of peace and wished us much prosperity. His remarks were not only kind but showed that he understood our country and watched its progress.

My former despatches have represented the internal condition of Spain as so unsettled that it has not seemed advisable to attempt to open negotiations with that country. A revolution has just been accomplished there so far as affects parties, whereby Espartero the Regent seems to have lost his power and to have very little prospect of regaining it. The influence England was supposed to possess in Spain appears for a time at least, to be destroyed.

Col Daingerfield is now in Paris. He will leave in a few days for his post. His stay here has been prolonged by waiting for my return from London where the public interests detained me longer than I had anticipated.

Touching the Colonization Contracts I will state:

The Red River Company seemed to be on the eve of commencing efficient operations when I left London.

Mr Castro is absent from Paris making arrangements with reference to emigrants. There is reason to think he will find some obstacle in the opposition of the French Government, to which he is not acceptable.

Mr Bourgeois has not yet commenced operations.

I have the honor to be

Very respectfully

your most obedient servant

ASHBEL SMITH.

Source Copy Consulted: Ashbel Smith to Anson Jones, July 31, 1843, 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: 1116-1119