Ashbel Smith to Henry Daingerfield, July 6, 1843

Summary: Smith gave his opinion on proposals in England to encourage abolition in Texas. He told Daingerfield that the most talked about plan was to convince Texans that if they abolished slavery, a huge influx of immigrants would arrive from Europe. Smith believed, however, that no such influx would occur and so advised the Texas government not to accept any proposals for ending slavery at that time.

3 ST. JAMES STREET LONDON

July 6th. 1843

Hon. HENRY WM. DAINGERFIELD

etc. etc. etc.

DEAR SIR

I have this moment received and run my eye over the package you sent me embracing your own very acceptable letter. My Desire to join you in Paris is very great, and I expect confidently to do so in the course of the next week. No private considerations would have detained me in London to the present time. While matters of so much public importance to our Country as the adopting of means in England to abolish Slavery among us have been occupying the attention of influential persons here including members of this Government I have been unwilling to leave London, and especially as the principal inducement which will be held out from Europe to our citizens for this purpose is and will be the immense influx of European emigrants into Texas upon the abolition of Slavery. Before taking so important a step we ought not only to look at the value of the proposed advantages but be also assured that those advantages will truly accrue. I have made careful inquiries concerning the emigration we may reasonably expect from Europe upon the abolition of Slavery. Intelligent Gentlemen themselves abolitionists though not committed to the busy and meddling projects ever in agitation here have assured me that even under the circumstances in question, they do not believe we should receive any considerable augmentation from this Country. This view and opinion and various others of the same General tenor I have communicated to Mr Andrews with whom I have had several full conferences. There are other important points connected with this subject on all of which I desire a full consultation with you. I have been and am willing here in Europe to consider every proposition upon or concerning Slavery though I need not intimate to you that I am not at all in favour of any plan of abolition yet proposed. Adding that I have many things to confer with about and being well aware how impatient you must needs be at Paris, I trust you will nevertheless contrive to spend your time agreably untill my arrival next week. In regard to Barnards application I am quite of your opinion though I think he made the same previously to your reaching Europe.

with great regards very truly and faithfully yours

(Signed) ASHBEL SMITH.

Source Copy Consulted: Ashbel Smith to Henry Daingerfield, July 6, 1843, 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: 1109