Anson Jones to Ashbel Smith, September 30, 1843

Summary: Jones responded to Smith's letters and gave him instructions. He told him not to make any official correspondence concerning Texas's declaration of independence until further word came from Europe. Also told him to forget about pursuing loans because finances in Texas have gotten much better. Finally, he praised Captain Elliott for his efforts in mediating between Texas and Mexico and expressed regret that Elliott might have to leave for Britain.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington Septr. 30th. 1843

Hon. ASHBEL SMITH

Charge' d'Affaires of the Republic of Texas etc.

SIR,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your two Dispatches Nos. 43 and 44 under the respective dates of the 31st July and 15th August and a private letter of the 2d Ult.

My last communication to you was of the 20th August and was necessarily very brief on account of the severe illness of myself and of the Clerks in my Office.

Enclosed herewith I have the pleasure to transmit for you information copies of all the correspondence, held between this Government and the Charge' d'Affaires of H B. Majesty since the date of my communication above refered to. Messrs Geo. W. Hockley and S.M. Williams have been appointed Commissioners, to meet and confer with those to be appointed by Gen. Woll in relation to the Armistice and left this place for Matamoros on the 26th Inst.

In my dispatch of the 15th. June last I instructed you to "defer for the present communicating the "Declaration etc." contained in my despatch of the 10th June to the Govts of Great Britain and France, but suggested that it would be well perhaps to let Mr. Guizot and Lord Aberdeen read the entire despatch. My intention was that you should suspend all official action in relation to the matters embraced therein unless it might be simply that of continuing to urge upon those two Governments the active employment of their good offices in promoting a pacification between this country and Mexico. From the tenor of your communication of the 15th Augt. I am induced to suppose that I may perhaps have been misunderstood in relation to this subject, and therefore have thought proper to give this explanation of my intentions

In relation to those parts of your several communications which relate to the subject of the efforts making in Great Britain for the abolition of Slavery in Texas, it will only be necessary for me to say that the Government desires you will keep it advised of every thing of importance connected with this matter which may occur in that country. The subject as you are already aware and as you have very properly stated to Lord Aberdeen, cannot nor will not be entertained in any shape by this government.

It is for the interest of the United State Great Britain and France that the war between Texas and Mexico should be terminated and an enlightened public policy should induce them to embrace the present propitious occasion to attain this object, by a more active employment of their friendly efforts in mediating between the parties.

In reference to the suggestion made by Col. Daingerfield about a new division of our diplomatic representation in Europe, it is only necessary to inform you the consideration of that subject will be deferred by this government untill after the reports of that Gentleman shall have been received, relative to the progress and issue of his mission to Holland, Belgium and the Hanse Towns of Germany.

In your dispatch of the 16th of June you mention that Mr. Bourgeois would write me at the same time in reference to the Loan of One Million of Dollars. As yet however this promised despatch has not come to hand Should the contract with Mr.B. fail no other effort will be made at present by this government to obtain money in Europe. Our finances are now in a very flourishing condition, the exports exceeding the imports, and the ordinary income being sufficient to defray the expenses of the civil list. Texas is independent of the world and at no moment of her political existence were her immediate prospects ever so brilliant as now.

In pursuance of your recommendation Mr. Pierre Brunet has been appointed Consul Gen. of France and his Commission as such is herewith enclosed. You will please obtain his Exequatur thereon and forward the same together with this Commission, and the usual instructions to Mr. Brunet. I also enclose you the commission of Maly E. Dumon as Cons. for Cette. The subject of European Emigration, to this country, becoming a matter of considerable importance, some instructions in relation to the same has been sent to our Consular establishments abroad. Enclosed herewith I transmit you of copy of a letter addressed by this Department to Mr. Lachlan M. Rate, our Consul General for Great Britain, which indicates sufficiently the views of this government on this subject. You will please communicate similar instructions to Mr. Brunet, for his governance and that of our Consular establishment in France.

The conduct of Mr. Rate in the discharge of his Official functions has given entire satisfaction to this government etc. etc.

It is with extreme regret I have received an intimation from Captn. Elliot, that circumstances may soon induce him to leave Texas. The exertions of this gentleman in aiding to effect the present Armistice between Texas and Mexico, his being so very acceptable to the government here, his great capacity and intelligence, his high character, enlarged and liberal views of national policy all combine in indicating him as the most suitable person that could be appointed to fill the station which he now occupies and to subsure the best interests of the country he so ably represents, as well as those of Texas to which he is accredited. In view of these facts I do most sincerely hope the British Government, will continue him here, if practicable If an expression of these views to Lord Aberdeen, will be of any force in inducing him to permit Capt. Elliot to remain here you will make that expression of them, to his Lordship.

This government is not aware however of the views and wishes of Capt Elliot in reference to this subject, and consequently only expresses its own views and wishes upon it.

I have the honor to be,

with the highest respect,

Your Obt. Servant,

(Signed) ANSON JONES.

Source Copy Consulted: Anson Jones to Ashbel Smith, September 30, 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: 1140-1142