J. Pinckney Henderson to David Burnet, August 5, 1839

Summary: Henderson sent Burnet a copy of a letter given to him by Lewis Cass detailing the latter's opinion on what Texas should do to gain recognition. Cass said Henderson should approach the Belgians, whom he thought were favorable to Texas, and their recognition would in turn encourage France to follow suit. Since England was reluctant, the Texas government should obtain recognition from every other European power as soon as possible so that England would be swept by the tide of European public opinion.

Legation of Texas

Despatch No. 7

PARIS August 5. 1839.

To the Honorable

The SECRETARY OF STATE

SIR

I have the honor herein to send you the Copy of a letter which I have just received from Genl. Cass the Minister of the United States at this Court. Hearing that the King of the Belgians had arrived in Paris a few days since, and believing that it would be advantageous to Texas to obtain recognition by his Government and to form a commercial treaty with it, I Requested Genl. Cass to mention the subject to him, if he should have an opportunity without intimating to His Majesty that I had requested him to do so, inasmuch as I had no authority from my Government to apply to him for that purpose. The Result of that enquiry by Genl. Cass you will learn best by the following letter

[Confidential]

Legation

des Etats Unis

PARIS 3d August, 1839

DEAR SIR In addition to what I mentioned to you verbally, that instructions were now making out in the Department of Foreign Affairs, authorizing Mr Pontois to enter into negotiations with you for the formation of a Treaty, and the recognition of your Inde-

pendence, there is another circumstance which I think it is best to state to you in this letter. I had on Sunday evening last a long conversation with the King of the Belgians respecting Texas, in which he evinced much knowledge of the Country and seemed sensible of its importance. I am well satisfied from the tenor of his remarks that he has been looking with interest to your Condition, and is aware that a commercial intercourse between Texas and Belgium may be highly-useful.

Mr Pontois to whom I mentioned this circumstance, told me, there was no doubt, but that the recognition by France would be immediately followed by that of Belgium. Under these circumstances it appears to me, that if you have not already received from your Government, the full powers necessary to enable you to enter into negotiation with the various European States, you had better apply for them without delay.

The singular declaration of Lord Palmerston in the House of Commons respecting the difficulty in the way of your recognition by England, makes it doubtful whether the English Government have the real intention to act favorably upon the Subject within a reasonable period. There is something in his allusion to the Slave Trade carried on by Texas which I cannot understand; especially as it is well known you have no concern with any such trade, and as the true objection is to that feature of your internal administration which admits slavery, and with which other Nations have not the right and ought not to assume the priviledge of interfering.

In this state of things it is your interest to procure the Recognition of the other European States as fast as possible, in order that England may yield to the public opinion of Europe what perhaps she would not yield without considerable delay to your application only.

This letter is confidential, but if you think it necessary, you are at liberty to send a Copy to the Secretary of State of Texas, enjoining him to communicate its contents to the President only.

I am dear Sir

With great regard, respectfully

Your obedient Servant

(Signed) LEW. CASS.

General Henderson

Minister of Texas

Source Copy Consulted: J. Pinckney Henderson to David Burnet, August 5, 1839, 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: 1265-1266