"In the House of Commons," Telegraph and Texas Register, May 9, 1837

Summary: Quoted remarks made by British statesmen concerning Texas. Mr. Hoy attacked American actions on this subject by claiming they were plotting to seize all of Mexico. He also attacked the U.S. for encouraging its citizens to bring slaves into Texas in direct violation of a treaty between Britain and Mexico abolishing slavery in the latter. Other British statesmen, notably Lord Palmerston and Mr. O'Connell, rebutted Hoy's accusations by saying the U.S. had acted with fairness toward Mexico and therefore Britain should not interfere at the present time.

Mr. Hoy again introduced the subject of Texas, by moving for copies of all correspondence between the governments of Mexico and Great Britain, and between those of Great Britain and the United States, from the 1st of March, 1836, having reference thereto. We give a short extract from his speech, to show its general tenor.

"He said that the recent conduct of the United States with reference to that province was a subject of too great importance to be overlooked by the British House of Commons. He believed the American Union to be actuated by a desire of encroaching upon the dominions of adjoining powers in a southern direction. The interests of the British colonies situated in the Caribbean Sea, might become seriously affected in the event of these encroachments being made; and he, for one, never could consent to the United States extending their boundary as to occupy Texas, and ultimately, perhaps, to gain possession of Mexico.--Under no circumstances could he give his sanction to this occupation.

The Americans had said that Cuba was so important an island that no European nation, except Spain, should be permitted to take possession of it. He (Mr. B. Hoy) would say, on the other hand, that the province of Texas was a province so important by its position of the commerce and naval power of this country, as well as to the independence of Mexico, that upon no condition whatever should he allow it to come into the possession of any American power, with the exception of Mexico. When Mexico declared herself an independent state, Mr. Canning had entered into a treaty with that country, by which the Mexicans consented to abolish slavery in every portion of their dominions. This stipulation, with regard to the abolition of slavery, having been mutually agreed to between the contracting parties, Great Britain was bound to co-operate with Mexico, for the purpose of securing the desired abolition. It was, however, quite notorious that an importation of slaves to an enormous extent had been recently carried on from the U. States into Texas.

If a procedure of this nature were suffered to continue, there was nothing binding in treaties, and the immediate abrogation of the treaty in question would be the most proper course to pursue. Could America, he would ask, be presumed unacquainted with the provisions of a treaty which was not made in secret, and of which she thus exhibited her utter disregard? It could not be for a moment doubted that Texas was included in the arrangement; and yet the President of the United States did not think it necessary to prevent his subjects from carrying on the slave trade within the limits of Texas, and even assisting the revolted slaves in every mode which lay within their power. The hon. gentleman then alluded to the President's message to the Senate of the United States, which spoke of "peremptorily demanding an arrangement" from the Mexican government. What was the nature of that demand? They all perfectly well knew that it was to get Mexico to give up Texas in order that the latter might become incorporated with the Southern States, and form a part of the Union.

Lord Palmerston replied, that the honorable gentleman had not made out a sufficient case for the production of the correspondence. He admitted the importance of the subject, but affirmed that the government of the United States had acted in relation to it, with perfect honor and fairness; and maintained that in the present state of the case, there was no ground for the interference of England, or for the production of the correspondence.

Mr. Ward made the amende to Mr. Forsyth, the American secretary of state, whom he had formerly charged with having an interest in Texas lands by which his public conduct had been influenced; but was now bound to say that having received a communication on the subject from Mr. Forsyth, through a mutual friend, he was perfectly satisfied that there was no foundation for the charge.

Mr. O'Connell made a speech, reiterating his often repeated abuse of this country, but admitting that its government "had behaved with common decency in reference to Texas."

Source Copy Consulted: "In the House of Commons," Telegraph and Texas Register, May 9, 1837, p. 3