Ashbel Smith to Anson Jones, October 30, 1843

Summary: Smith updated Jones on events in Europe related to Texas. The American Minister of Spain advised Smith not to seek recognition from Spain because of its instability but Smith was optimistic that once affairs settled down, Spain would have good relations with Texas because both supported slavery. He also said Texas was no closer to a loan from France and he was not optimistic about it. On the subject of emigration, he said colonists under Mr. Castro left Antwerp for Texas and the English colony already set up in the area would likely fail. Ended his letter by listing the men recommended as consuls.

49[sic] LEGATION OF TEXAS, PARIS

Rue Castiglione no 20, Oct 30, 1843.

Hon. ANSON JONES,

Secretary of State,

SIR,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of despatches from your Department of the 20th August consisting of copies of documents relating to the armistice with Mexico. A letter from Mr Samuel Maas who has just reached England, informs me that he has letters etc., for me from the Government of Texas. I hope to receive them in a few days.

You have doubtless received through the newspapers, accounts of the late revolution in Spain which deprived Gen Espartero of the Regency, and of the generally unsettled state of affairs in that country. I have had some conversations with Mr Washington Irving the American Minister at Madrid who is now in Paris. He is of opinion that the present is not an auspicious moment for attempting to open negotiations for a treaty between Texas and Spain; that it is advisable to wait for a more settled condition of the Spanish Government. The Chevalier Hernandez, the Spanish Charge' d'Affaires at this Court, stated to me that all parties in Spain are determined to maintain slavery in Cuba as it now exists in that Island. In view of this matter and for commercial objects, by reason of the proximity of Cuba to Texas, Spain will probably be disposed to establish friendly relations with our country, and in my opinion a treaty may be negotiated so soon as their affairs shall have assumed some stability.

As connected with the subject of slavery, I will state that I have just received a note from Mr Everett the American Minister at London asking for information relative to any efforts which may be making in England to procure the abolition of slavery in Texas. It is for the purpose of communicating the same to the Government of the U States; whose attention it would hence appear has been directed to this subject.

Mr de Saligny who was empowered on the part of France to conduct the negotiations for a commercial treaty with Texas has been most of the time for some months past absent from Paris in the country. The fact is that the French commercial system is so compli-

cated that it can scarcely be touched without either damaging the public revenues or interfering with some established industry.

Mr Mourgeois's Loan remains as at the date of my last despatches. Monsieur Brunet, our Consul General, himself a banker, observed to me last night, that peace being settled a Loan could be readily concluded on advantageous terms; but that he should scarcely think it advisable to accept a Loan on such terms as could in the mean time be obtained. You are aware that since my arrival in Europe I have not been sanguine of the practicability of a Loan on favorable terms: and I suspect that the negotiations now in progress for taking that of Mons. Bourgeois will be found to be contingent on a definitive peace.

Since the armistice Texas has attracted much larger and more favorable notice especially as connected with emigration.

Mr Castro dispatched on the 26th Instant from Antwerp a ship carrying out colonists for his "concession." He has also chartered two other vessels for the same purpose, to sail from the same port on the 15th and 30th respectively of the coming month. I continue to impress on him the liability of entire failure in his enterprise unless he shall make adequate preparation for the comfortable reception etc. of his colonists on their arrival. In other respects his activity and energy appear deserving of commendation, and I am informed his colonists are persons of good character.

The English Concession situated on Red River will, I fear, prove a failure. The parties are persons of respectability and possessed of adequate means; but some misunderstanding has arisen between them as well as some dissatisfaction with their agent which threaten to arrest their enterprise.

Since the armistice Mr William Pringle and others have undertaken to execute the terms of Mr Kennedy's "concession"; and should the concession in question be prolonged or renewed I feel great confidence they will do so faithfully and efficiently.

Mr Thomas Snowe of Dublin and Mr William Henry Brockett at Newcastle have been recommended by Mr Rate of London for the appointment of Consuls of Texas at those ports respectively. From the highly respectable testimonials in their favor, I cheerfully add my recommendation to that of Mr Rate. It does not seem improper here to state that Mr Rate himself in his capacity of Consul General at London is a very efficient and watchful officer of the interests of Texas as well as a man of very high respectability.

I have the honor to be with great respect,

Your most obedient servant

ASHBEL SMITH.

Source Copy Consulted: Ashbel Smith to Anson Jones, October 30, 1843, 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: 1472-1473