British Interests and Activities in Texas, 1838-1846 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. 1844, January To June. The Calhoun-pakenham Correspondence. Aberdeen's Plan To Prevent Annexation. The year 1844 witnessed England's most direct effort to prevent Texan annexation to the United States, and in the early months the outlook for ultimate success seemed promising. Early in the year Elliot twice wrote to Aberdeen that any immediate danger of annexation was over,1 and his letters evinced his now restored confidence in the probabilities of peace and independence for Texas. He assured Aberdeen that the president of the Texan Republic was just as anxious as ever to maintain the independence of the State. Shortly after this, Elliot was compelled by the illness of his child to leave Texas again, and save for a brief return in the month of April he was not present at his post until late in the year. He journeyed to Virginia, and there, in the vicinity of Washington, was able to be in close touch with Pakenham, the new British minister in Washington, and could keep himself informed of the events at the United States capital.2 'F. O. Texas, 9, Elliot to Aberdeen, January 15, and February 17, 1844. 3 Copies of all the important correspondence between Aberdeen and Pakenham were sent to Elliot, and thus are to be found in the documents of Elliot's consulate in Texas. These documents were all removed to London when Texas finally ceased to be an independent republic. Although the cessation of hostilities between Mexico and Texas was regarded by the foreign office in London as a step gained, the satisfaction was short-lived owing to the American proffer of annexation which so promptly followed it. Still, while the Texan refusal to act until the United States Senate should formally sanction the offer was reassuring, diplomatic affairs moved rapidl...