British Relations with Texas Prior to Its Annexation by the United States (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Texan, American, and English Views as to the International Position of Texas in 1836-1837 The earliest diplomatic communication from the Republic of Texas to the United States contained a proposition for annexation and at the same time the intimation that "delay might defeat it, as Texas was about forming treatie: with foreign powers." Within a few weeks after the recognition of the independence of Texas by President Jackson's appointment, March 3rd, 1837, of a charge d'affaires to that republic, General Memucan Hunt, originally from North Carolina, was introduced to the president by Secretary Forsyth as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Texas and it was through him that annexation was first formally proposed.1 In his communication Hunt sums up v/ell the arguments for immediate action on the part of the United States. The letter, dated Aug. 4, 1837, is as follows:3 " The Undersigned will not conceal from - - - his apprehension that any delay in the conclusion of the Treaty of Annexation may be fatal to its ultimate accomplishment. Diplomatic relations with Foreign Powers 'Morphis. History of Texas, p. 366. 3Ibid. p. 365. British State and Foreign Papers for 1836-1837. p.1400. are now in the progress of being established; and the result of these interchanges will be Commercial Treaties, involving difficulties which may be insurmountable in any subsequent arrangement of th" question; and therefore the Undersigned is especially instructed to urge - - ? the immediate discussion and negotiation of a Treaty of Annexation. Texas is not disposed to yield to any Foreign Nation the priveliges of her coast; involving the command of the Gulf of Mexico nor can she concede them to the United States unless in a treaty of Union. As an independe...