J. S. Mayfield to Barnard Bee, March 22, 1841

Summary: Mayfield continued to urge Bee to meet with the United States ministers about relations between the U.S. and Texas. He specifically wanted Bee to get a treaty of Amity and Commerce signed, work out the exact borders between the two countries, regulate the movement of slaves, and deal with Indian incursions. He also requested Bee to forward the correspondence between John Q. Adams and Don de Onis to Judge Webb, since the latter was going to Mexico and needed the correspondence to stipulate the boundary lines between Texas and Mexico.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

City of Austin March 22nd. 1841

SIR

Your Note of the 26th of January the last dispatch received from the legation, was received about the first Inst. when the return of Gen. Lamar to the Seat of Government and resuming the functions of Chief Magistrate induced me to defer addressing you any further instructions. His views were known upon the subject of opening a negotiation with the Government of the United States: for forming a definite treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation; and embracing such other objects as may mutually interest both Nations. It is the wish of the President that you should, without delay represent in the most respectful and urgent manner to the Government of the United States the importance of an early Negotiation relative to the several objects contained in my former note, in which the several matters now under consideration and discussion between the two Governments may be embraced, and definitively adjusted upon the principles of entire reciprocity. It is moreover the Presidents earnest desire, that should the Government of the United States; accede to the proposition to open a Negotiation at this time; that it should take place at this Capital, as early in the summer as practicable; and that the Minister resident here may be charged with the same, should he not be superseded by another appointment.

You will therefore direct your attention sedulously to this object and independent of any suggestions that have been made, use such other and further reasons, as your judgment may dictate the most likely to secure this end. It is important to the United States as well as to Texas that our relations should be more accurately determined; at least so far as our commercial intercourse and Indian relations are concerned. In the first respect by properly regulated treaty stip-

ulations, many of those apparently unimportant causes, but of frequent source of contention and which sometimes ripen into motives for disturbing the harmony of the two Governments, could be wholly removed; and all local or political jealousies, and animosities engendered, or arising on our respective frontiers obviate or allayed: To wit, the right of ingress and egress with the Slaves or body Servants of the citizens of either Government should be established. And by such regulations any conflict of jurisdiction, or violation of the due exercise of it upon the final establishment of the boundary line could be provided against, and means of punishment provided if infringed. The obligations of the respective Governments relative to the Northern Indians would be more specifically settled, in the event of a disposition being manifested by any of their tribes to disturb the peace and harmony of either of the two Governments.

Our respective frontiers might be prevented from becoming the seat of an extensive system of smuggling alike injurious to the morals of the citizens and the true interests of both Governments.

These hints are thrown out, that you may fortify yourself with some arguments that might not otherwise occur to your mind; and doubtless you will be able to urge other and more cogent ones than here indicated; for relying upon your zeal and the lively interest you have ever manifested for your country, it is confidently expected that you will not fail to impress upon the Government of the United States the necessity of an early negotiation on this subject.

For whatever motives of policy or reasons may have existed heretofore to suffer our relations to rest upon the doubtful and contested interpretation of the treaty with Mexico and the treaty of recognition; our position has materially changed; being, as we are, on the eve of carrying into execution our treaties of Amity, commerce etc. with England and Holland, which may be found to change in some points our former relations with the United States. Judge Webb will leave in a few days for Mexico. If you can procure the correspondence between Mr Adams and Don de Onis relative to the boundary in 1818-1819. It is desirable you should send it to him at Vera Cruz.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you assurances of my high consideration and esteem. Respectfully your Obedient Servant.

J S. MAYFIELD

Hon.

BARNARD E BEE

Washington City.

Source Copy Consulted: J. S. Mayfield to Barnard Bee, March 22, 1841, 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., 2:77-78