Netherlands, and by His Majesty the King of Belgium, with the first of whom I have concluded a Treaty of Navigation and Commerce, and with the last have agreed on the project of a similar convention. I now present myself to Her Majesty's Government for a like purpose, and cannot but express the sincere pride and gratification I should feel, if in conjunction of your Lordship, I could be in any degree instrumental in extending, and confirming those friendly relations, which are destined to exist between the citizens of the Governments we respectively represent, whose intercourse must be cemented by the reciprocal benefits of a lucrative commerce, and by the sympathies of a common origin, Religion, Language, Literature and Laws. I have the honor to be, with distinguished consideration and respect, Your Lordships. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th Instant, announcing that you have been charged by the Republic of Texas to make an application to the British Government, with a view to obtain the Recognition of the Independence of Texas by Her Majesty, and that you are empowered to negotiate a Treaty of amity and commerce between Great Britain and Texas. * * *b I have to state to you in reply, that [Also inclosed in this letter was Hamilton to Palmerston, October 20, 1840.c] HAMILTON TO LAMAR.d MY DEAR SIR: LONDON Jan'y 4th 1841 I regret that I am unable to inform you, that the loan is negotiated. But unfortunately the severe pressure in the money market yet continues. France is yet in a disturbed State, whilst she, together with all the large continental powers are about to come into the market with heavy Loans, which [exerts?]e a most depressing influence on our negotiations. But above all, the last Steamer brought out the intelligence that Mr Treat had entirely failed in his negotiations, and a See Records of Department of State (Texas), Book 41, pp. 458-459. For this letter, see Calendar. d See Records of Department of State (Texas), Book 41, pp. 500–502. that Mexico was about to commence [to wage war] promptly and effectually against Texas-Although I knew that the last was entitled to very little consideration; yet we are unable to persuade Bankers, who are the most nervously sensitive beings on the face of the earth, of this truth, and hence the hope I cherished, that by the first of January we should be able to do something effectual, is yet deferred. When I tell you that not one American Loan, has been negotiated in Europe this whole season, that the rate of interest on British securities is 6 per cent, and that money can be used at the rate of 10 per cent on private bills, I leave you to judge what a most unpropitious state of things we have had to contend with. But we have made so, but hard progress towards the ulterior accomplishment of our object. We have secured the active interest of the best powers here and on the continent in our negotiation, who have promised to take the operation in their hands and under their earnest consideration the moment the market opens. Mr Burnley and myself have opened a Treaty with a large and most respectable Banking House here, for an advance on our bonds, stipulating that they shall have the agency of the Loan, whenever in their opinion they think it can be placed, without a sacrifice in the market. We are in treaty likewise with Mr Jaudon the agent of the Bank of the United States, to procure the guarantee of the Bank on the pledge of our Bonds for the advance, the last of which, from the friendly disposition [of the] Bank, we think we shall without failure accomplish. I deeply regret, that a decision cannot be obtained in time to enable Mr Burnley to convey the intelligence; but he goes out under the following circumstances of urgent policy and necessity. Our Bankers, both here and in the continent, tell us emphatically that nothing could have a more propitious influence, whether in the negotiation of the Loan, or the procurement of an advance on the bonds, than that one of us should forthwith repair to Texas, enforce the necessity of the prompt ratification of the Mediation Treaty, and inculcate the indispensable necessity of Texas abstaining from all hostile movements on Mexico, until her decision is ascertained on the recent Treaty I have concluded with Great Britain. Indeed we are assured that whilst nothing would destroy all hope of a successful negotiation of the Loan, so soon as an offensive movement on Mexico, nothing at the same time would cause a more favorable influence, than to have it affirmed that Mr Burnley had proceeded forthwith to sustain the counsels of peace. In a conversation I had with Lord Palmerston he concurred in these views and thinks if Texas should deem it expedient to have a Plenipotentiary near Mexico, that Mr Burnley, who is familiar with • Hamilton's handwriting is very difficult to read, and the copyist has evidently failed to read it correctly here. Conjectures as to what was really meant by Hamilton are too uncertain to be of any real value. our whole negotiation, who has likewise been in direct communication with the Mexican Bondholders, of all persons is the best qualified individual to undertake such a mission. He has therefore acted on the presumption that Your Excellency would concur in these views, and in the event of your sending an Envoy to Mexico to watch the movements of that Government in case they were prepared to treat that Mr Burnley might be on the spot, with the means of enlisting the good offices of Mr Pakenham. He has enclosed a letter to this gentleman in the communication I herewith transmit you, as strong a despatch in favor of Mr Burnley as he could well indite. My plan, in consultation with Mr Burnley, is, that he should be furnished with plenary powers, to treat with Mexico on the basis of my London Treaty; but go down privately to Mexico in an American Merchant vessel from New Orleans as an American citizen, being provided with a passport for this purpose, by the Government at Washington, to place himself in confidential intercourse with Mr Pakenham, and at any moment that gentleman may advise him, that the Mexican Government are prepared to accede to the London Treaty, to close at once, under such instructions as he may receive at Austin. In the mean time I will remain, strain every nerve to command success; and if in the present month I obtain an advance, I will send out the necessary credits to meet Mr Burnley in New Orleans, that he may draw for the immediate relief of the Government of Texas. I can only tell you, that I am in constant and favorable communication with the most powerful and most influential and respectable Houses in Europe. But if I fail in the next fortnight in negotiating the advance, I will proceed to Paris, open a negotiation with Banker Rothchilds, and make a strong appeal to the good faith and magnanimity of the French Government. Depend upon it my good Sir, I have nailed my colors to the mast and will not abandon my trust until all hope is utterly extinct. I will then repair to Texas and Join with you counsels that shall take resolves rather from courage than despair. With a pacification with Mexico, we could negotiate our Loan in a fortnight; but this she has the means to withhold; but how long she may sullenly withhold, will be a question which must be discussed, when I assure you the Loan can not be negotiated; but I believe in spite of all difficulties, that we can, with a little more perseverance and patience. I cannot close this letter, without adverting with the sincerest gratitude and acknowledgements of the distinguished services of Mr Burnley in the cause of Texas. He has contributed by his writings and conversation largely to make her be known in Europe, and has aided me most essentially by his advice in every step I have taken in my diplomatic negotiations. If he goes out to your side of the waters it is to transfer himself to a new and more important sphere of usefulness, from which, understanding the whole subject, he may aid me in my movements here. You may rely on his probity, talent, address, courage, and entire devotion to the Republic, and from his intimate acquaintance with public opinion here, is of all men the best qualified for the confidential trust to which with every confidence I have ventured to suggest your Excellency in case of necessity you should call him. I did not apprise you of the slave trade convention which I had to conclude with Lord Palmerston to ensure recognition, because I was fearful unattended by those explanations Mr Burnley might afford it, would be liable to misconstruction. Referring you to my letter to the Secretary of State, and my correspondence with Lord Palmerston, I have only to add that I am sure you will concur in the necessity of my acquiescing in such a convention, when Mr. Burnley shows you the opinion of the Solicitor of the Bank of England, who advised us, that no valid contract could be made in the security of the bonds of an unrecognized Government. This of course made the recognition of England a measure of indispensable importance. But when you read the Treaty and see after all, the right of search is to be exercised on Texan Vessels under your own warrant, that they are to be brought into your own ports for adjudication, and that the coast of Texas is to be exempt from visitation— I hope you will perceive not the slightest objection to giving to the Treaty your high sanction. I have no hesitation in assuring you of how much injury the rejection of the Treaty would do Texas in public opinion in Europe, whilst its ratifications would be equally beneficial. I am happy to inform you, that your Message has been re-printed in several of the London papers with the highest approbation. Indeed Texas is becoming an object of universal interest, which I think a propitious argument that she will be soon in good credit. I deeply regret to hear of your Excellency's ill health. I hope sincerely that Mr Burnley may find you convalescent, and that your life may be long spared in happiness usefullness and honor. I must beg that this letter may not go into the public prints— of course it is at the disposal of yourself for all other purposes. Lord Palmerston of course would not like the reference I have made to him should be made public. In conclusion allow me to assure you of the great esteem with which I am Respectfully and faithfully Yours His Excellency MB LAMAR J. HAMILTON Prest Republic of Texas [Private.] BROADLANDS 2nd Jany 1841 MY DEAR SIR. As I think it possible, that in the present State of the negotiations between Texas and Mexico Mr Burnley may upon his return to Texas be employed in Mexico as Negotiator on the part of Texas; I take the liberty of sending you the enclosed note, to introduce Mr Burnley to Mr. Pakenham, our Minister in Mexico; and I have in that note requested Mr. Pakenham to place himself upon a footing of confidential intercourse with Mr. Burnley, and to afford him all proper assistance in the negotiation with which he may be charged. SIR. Herewith you will receive through Mr Ikin the Treaty of amity and commerce between this Government and that of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, as also the Treaty with the King of Holland and likewise the conventional Treaty having for its object, the mediation of England in a settlement of our protracted and embarrassing difficulties with Mexico: all of which have received the Constitutional sanction of this Government, and only await a proper exchange of ratifications to give to them that validity, and usefulness contemplated by the respective contracting powers. Accompanying those are transmitted your Commission as Minister plenipotentiary, and Envoy extraordinary near the Court of St James, together with the necessary letters of Credence to facilitate you in affecting a speedy exchange of ratifications of the respective Treaties. The President instructs me to urge you to avail yourself of the earliest opportunity in concluding all the formalities essential to the entire validity of those Treaties, as it is deemed that it will have a salutary effect on our relations foreign and domestic. The President likewise instructs me to intimate to you, that it would perhaps be premature to open any negotiations with the English bond holders, for a sale of land in Commutation of the debt this Government may assume under the Treaty, until the views of the Government of Mexico are definitely known. In the absence of Gen. Lamar, and the press of business incident to the adjournment of Congress, the President has not had time to a See Records of Department of State (Texas), Book 38, pp. 160-161. That is, Vice-President Burnet, who was discharging the functions of president in the absence of Lamar. See next letter of same title and date. |