Anson Jones to Charles Elliot, February 16, 1844

Summary: Jones replied to Elliot saying the Texas government gladly approved the request by Britain to allow British ships to take slaves found on Texas ships to Trinidad.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington Feb. 16th 1844

The undersigned Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note which Mr. Elliot

H.B.M. Charge' d' Affaires addressed him on the 4th Ulto. acquainting him with the wish of Her Majesty's Govt. to be enabled with the consent of this Government to send to Trinidad or Demar[a]ra any negroes who may be captured on board Texian Vessels on the coast of Brazil under the Treaty between great Britain and Texas for the suppression of African Slave Trade

In reply the undersigned has the pleasure to state to Mr. Elliot that no objection exists on the part of this government to the proposed arrangement, but on the contrary it is believed the proposed modification to the 16th Article of said Treaty will be advantageous to all parties who may hereafter become affected by the stipulations therein contained In accordance therefore with the request of Mr. Elliot the undersigned will on the part of this government, sign the declaration forwarded by Lord Aberdeen and accompanying Mr. Elliot's note

The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to Mr. Elliot H.B.M.'s Charge' d' Affaires the assurances of high consideration and respect with which he has the honor to remain

His Most Obedient Servant

Signed ANSON JONES

To

Capt C. Elliot

H.B.M.'s Charge' de Affaires

etc. etc. etc.

Source Copy Consulted: Anson Jones to Charles Elliot, February 16, 1844, 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., 3: 1148-1149