Ashbel Smith to His Excellency Edward Everett, October 31, 1843

Summary: Smith responded to Everett's enquiry. He said he could not divulge the precise plans that were under consideration in England but did summarize remarks made by Lord Aberdeen to the effect that Britain was anxious for abolition in Texas. Also said he was not sure if he was authorized to divulge his letters so he would send information to Isaac Van Zandt in Washington, who would in turn send to Everett whatever was appropriate.

PARIS October 31, 1843

MY DEAR SIR,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 24th Instant, concerning the negotiations mentioned by Lord Aberdeen in Parliament as being in progress between the Governments of Great Britain and Texas, for the abolition of Slavery in the latter country.

It is not in my power to inform you of the precise character and present state of the negotiations in question, as I have not been charged with the conducting of it. The British Government have naturally employed their Representative in Texas, Captain Elliott, as the medium for presenting any propositions to the Texian Government.

In June last several persons British subjects and others being a Committee of the General Antislavery Convention, waited on Lord Aberdeen for the purpose of asking the cooperation of the British Government to effect the abolition of slavery in Texas. In the verbal report made by the Committee to the Convention of their interview with the Earl of Aberdeen, they stated that his Lordship assured them "Her Britannic Majesty's Government would employ all legiti"mate means in their power to attain so great and desirable an object "as the Abolition of Slavery in Texas;" and that he used other expressions of the same purport. I happened to be present at this meeting which was public and heard the above statement made. One of the Members of the Committee who did me the honor to call at my lodgings, stated to me, that in their interview with Lord Aberdeen, his Lordship made observations which warranted them in saying that the British Government would guarantee if necessary the interest of a Loan which should be raised and applied to the abolition of slavery in Texas, but not of a Texian Loan for any other purpose whatever. In consequence of these statements I asked an interview with Lord

Aberdeen, and I afterwards addressed a written communication to his Lordship on this subject. It has appeared to me to admit of question how far it would be proper to communicate what his Lordship then said or to furnish copies of my note to him, and of his reply thereto, until the Texian Government shall deem it best to make these pieces public. Besides I do not know whether they would come within the limits of your inquiry. As however I appreciate most highly the motives that dictated your letter, and as I regard the efforts now making in England to procure the abolition of slavery in Texas as of the highest importance to my country and, though possibly in a less degree, to the United States which have a joint interest in this matter with Texas by reason of the proximity of the two countries, I shall transmit to Mr Lachlan M Rate, Texian Consul General at London copies of my note to Lord Aberdeen on this subject and of his Lordship's reply thereto with the request that Mr. Rate will call on you and submit, if desired, the same to your perusal.

I have written to my Government full accounts of the interview alluded to with Lord Aberdeen and of such other facts relating to the efforts making in England for the abolition of slavery in Texas as on diligent and scrupulous inquiry I could ascertain. I will transmit by the next steamer copies of these accounts to Mr Van Zandt, the Texian Charge' d'Affaires at Washington who will make such use of them as in his discretion he shall deem best. This course will, I trust, fully answer the object of your letter.

I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, with the highest respect,

very truly and faithfully

Yours

signed-- ASHBEL SMITH.

Source Copy Consulted: Ashbel Smith to His Excellency Edward Everett, October 31, 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: 1145-1146