"British Parliament," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, October 7, 1843

Summary: Summarized the speeches made by several British statesmen on the question of Texas slavery, especially by Lord Brougham. Brougham hoped for the complete abolition of slavery in Texas, since he thought such a move would ultimately end slavery in all of the United States. He thought the best way to accomplish this was to get Mexico to recognize Texas independence and urged the British government toward that end. The Earl of Aberdeen replied with vague statements about Britain succeeding in stopping the overseas slave trade in Texas but nothing really specific about Brougham's request.

Texas.--In the House of Lords, on Friday the 18th August, Lord Brougham introduced the subject of Texas and Texian Slavery in the following manner, as reported in the London Morning Chronicle of the morning of the 19th.

Lord Broughham said that seeing his noble friend at the head of the foreign department in his place, he wished to obtain some information from him relative to a state of great interest at the present time, namely, Texas. That country was in a state of independence de facto, but its independence had never been acknowledged by Mexico, the state from which it was torn by the events of the revolution. He was aware that its independence had been so far acknowledged by this country, that we had a treaty with it. The importance of Texas could not be underrated. It was a country of the greatest capabilities, and was in extent fully as large as France. It possessed a soil of the finest and most fertile character, and it was capable of producing nearly all tropical produce, and its climate was of a most healthy character. It had access to the Gulf of Mexico, through the river Mississippi, with which it communicated by means of the Red River. The population of the country was said to exceed 240,000. but he had been assured by a gentleman who came from that country, and who was a member of the same profession as himself, that the whole population, free and slaves, white and colored, did not exceed 100000; but he was grieved to learn that not less than one fourth of the population, or 25,000 persons, were in a state of slavery. This point led him to the foundation of the question which he wished to put to his noble friend. There was very little or no slave trade carried on with Texas from Africa directly; but a large number of slaves were constantly being sent over land to that country. Although the major part of the land in Texas was well adapted for white labor, and therefore for free cultivation, still the people of that country by some strange infatuation, or by some inordinate love of immediate gain, preferred slave labor to free labor. As all access to the African slave market was shut out to them, their market for slaves was the United States, from whence they obtained a large supply of negro slaves. The markets from whence they obtained their supply of slaves were Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, which states constantly sent their surplus slave population, which would otherwise be a burden to them, to the Texian Market. No doubt it was true, as has been stated that they treated their slaves tolerably well, because they knew that it was for their interest to rear them, as they had such a profitable market for them in Texas. This made him irresistably anxious for the abolition of slavery in Texas, for if it were abolished there not only would that country be cultivated by free and white labor, but it would put a stop to the habit of breeding slaves for the Texan market. The consequence would be that they would solve this great question in the history of the United States, for it must ultimately end in the abolition of slavery in America. He therefore, looked forward most anxiously for the abolition of slavery in Texas, as he was convinced that it would ultimately end in the abolition of slavery, throughout the whole of America. He knew that the Texans would do much if Mexico would be induced to recognize their independence. If, therefore by our good offices, we could get the Mexican government to acknowledge the independence of Texas he would suggest a hope that it would terminate in the abolition of slavery in Texas, and ultimately the whole of the Southern States of America. The abolition of slavery in Texas must put an end to one of the most execrable crimes--for he would not designate it by the honorable name of traffic--that could disgrace a people namely the rearing and breeding of slaves, or the being engaged in the sale of our fellow creatures. He, therefore hoped that his noble friend would have no difficulty in letting him know whether he could give any information as to the state of the negotiations on this subject, or as to the nature of the instructions that had been given to our minister in that country. If the production of such documents in the furnishing such information was not suitable at the present moment, he would not press his noble friend could confirm his statement and he trusted that the government would not loose[sic] any opportunity of pressing the subject, whenever they could do so with a hope of success.

The Earl of Aberdeen in reply said, that he could state that not only had this country acknowledged the independence of Texas, but also that we had a treaty of commerce, and a treaty for the abolition of the slave trade with that power. He did not believe that there was any importation of slaves into Texas by sea, but it was true that there was a large importation of slaves from the United States into that country. Immediately on the negotiations being entered on with Texas, the utmost endeavors of this country were used to put an end to the war which prevented the full and entire recognition of the independence of Texas by Mexico. Their endeavors had met with very great difficulties, and he was unable to say that there was an immediate prospect of obtaining the recognition of the independence of Texas on the part of Mexico; but it was with great pleasure that he was able to say that probably the first step to this had been obtained, namely, that an armistice had been established between the two powers, and he hoped this would lead to the absolute acknowledgement of the independence of Texas by Mexico. The armistice was an important step to obtain, and he need hardly say that every effort on the part of her majesty's government would lead to that result which was contemplated by his noble friend. He was sure that no one was more anxious than himself to see the abolition of slavery in Texas; and if he could not consent to produce papers or to give further information, it did not arise from indifference, but quite a contrary reason. In the present state of the negociations between the two countries in question, it would not contribute to the end they had in view if he then expressed any opinion as to the state of those negotiations; but he could assure his noble friend that, by means of urging the negotiations, as well as by every other means in their power, her Majesty's ministers would press this matter.

Lord Brougham observed that nothing could be more satisfactory than the statement of his noble friend, which would be received with joy by all who were favorable to the object of the antislavery societies.

Source Copy Consulted: "British Parliament," Civilian and Galveston Gazette, October 7, 1843, p. 2