Charles Elliot to Anson Jones, January 4, 1844
Summary: Elliot requested Jones to revise the treaty between Texas and Britain suppressing the slave trade. Whereas the treaty had earlier stipulated that any slaves found on Texas ships would be confiscated and transferred to Africa, Elliot wanted British ships to be able to send them to Trinidad or Demerara instead so that the freed slaves would not have to suffer a long journey. Included a declaration for Jones to sign to that effect if the Texas government agreed.
NEW ORLEANS Jany. 4th 1844.
The Undersigned Her Britannic Majesty's Charge' d' Affaires to the Republic of Texas has the honor to acquaint Mr. Jones that it is the wish of Her Majesty's Government to be enabled, with the consent of the Government of Texas, to send to Trinidad or Demerara any negroes who may be captured on board Texian vessels on the Coast of Brazil, under the treaty between Great Britain and Texas for the suppression of the African Slave Trade, instead of sending them, as stipulated by the 16th. Article of that treaty, to one of Her Majesty's settlements on the Coast of Africa.
This arrangement already exists in the case of slave vessels, (sailing under the flags of other Powers, with which Great Britain has treaties,) captured on the Coast of Brazil. And it should be stated that it is founded on the consideration that the return of the negroes to the African settlements from that distance would be attended with additional expense, and of course with additional risk and confinement to the people.
Her Majesty's Government is sensible that the case of a Texian Vessel engaged in this traffic on the Coast of Brazil, or it may be added elsewhere, is not likely to present itself. But in the improbable event of such a contingency, they are desirous of having the same faculty as has been consented to by other Powers, and in the hope that the Government of Texas will acquiesce in these views, the Undersigned has the honor to transmit for the consideration of the President the draft of a declaration recently forwarded to him by the Earl of Aberdeen.
The Undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to renew to Mr. Jones the sentiments of regard and high consideration with which he has the honor to remain
His Most faithful
and obedient Servant--
CHARLES ELLIOT
To
The Honorable
ANSON JONES
etc. etc. etc.
Washington on the Brazos.
Whereas by the 16th. Article of the Treaty concluded at London on the 16th. November 1840, between Her Majesty and the Republic
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of Texas for the suppression of the African Slave Trade it is stipulated that Slaves found on board Texian Vessels detained on the Coast of Brazil shall be carried or sent at once by the Commander of the capturing Cruiser to one of the British settlements on the Coast of Africa; and whereas it has been considered expedient by the Government of Her Britannic Majesty that British Cruizers should be enabled to carry or send to Trinidad or Demerar slaves so captured, instead of carrying or sending them back to the Coast of Africa as aforesaid; and whereas there exists on the part of the Republic of Texas no objection to Slaves so captured being so disposed of; We, the Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Charge' d' Affaires in Texas and the Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas being duly authorised by our respective Governments hereby agree and declare that notwithstanding the above cited stipulation of the 16th. Article of the Treaty above mentioned, the Commanders of British Cruisers, duly authorised under that treaty, may carry or send to Trinidad or Demerara Slaves found on board Texian Vessels captured on the Coast of Brazil.
In witness whereof we have signed this declaration, and have hereunto affixed the seals of our Arms.
Done at Washington the 16th. day of February A. D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty four.
CHARLES ELLIOT.
ANSON JONES
Source Copy Consulted: Charles Elliot to Anson Jones, January 4, 1844, 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., 3: 1147-1148