The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-24
Letter to the Texan Secretary OF state from
the British Charge DAnaires.

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the British Charge D'Anaires.
GALVESTON, April 8, 1874.
TO the Hon. Amsom Jones, &c. &c., Washington
The undersigned, Her Britannia MaJesty's Charge
d'Affaires to the Republic of Texas, has had the
honor to receive Mr.. Jones's note OF the 10Th ut,
IN reply 10 his own of the 22d idem; and he offers
his acknowledgements for this statement OF the
situation ct circumstances, which shall be trans
mllted to Her Majesty's Government without delay
In the mean time, however, he considers 1t rlghl
to remark that he does not believe Her Majesty 5
Government have formed the same opinion as this
Government upon the disposition Of Mexico TO
any amicable settlement with Texas, upon reasona-
Bile and admissible terms Indeed he is disposed to
think that Her Majesiy's Government had become
sanguine that different state OF feeling was
growing up in that quarter, and he ascrlbes any
cent appearances to the contrary to the lndisposi
ton of Mexico, to the annexation OF Texas to the
United States Thus impressed, ne believes that
Mexico would have consented to terms of armistlce
more acceptable to this Government, if it had not
been thought prudent to avoid truce of conve-
nient duration for the conduct OF negotiations al
another point, having IN view combination, natu
rally so i'll liked at Mexico as the annexation OF
Texas to the United States He will merely further
remark of the truce agreed upon, between the
Commissioners OF Texas and Mexico, that II 1t had
contormed with the policy OF this Government, to
avail themselves of that opening, he entertalns the
opinion that it might have been improved into a
convenient form and duration.
OF the detention OF the Texan prisoners In Mexl-
co, which has been noticed by Mr.. Jones as an o.
ther proof of the ndspositlon OF the Government
of Mexico to amicabe settlement, the undersigned
will freely admit Speaking tor hlmselD that he
thinks the Government of Mexico ought to have
released those prisoners. But he Is bound to con-
Tess with equal frankness that he has reason to
think the Mexican Government will be able to ad-
duce snotives for their conduct in this particular,
which may account for ii, without resOrting to a
general lndisposltion to ad Just with Texas upon
peaceful and honorable terms as the ground of the
continued detention of these unhappy men.
The temporary interruption of the official inter-
course between Her Majesty Charge d'Attares at
Jones another event of discouraging charac-
ter. The undersigned can only say upon that
point, that he is sure Her Majesty's Government,
would not have delayed TO communicate their ap-
prehensions to the same effect to the Government
of Texas, if they had participated in them tor a
moment.
Weighing all the circumstances of the case as
carefully as he can, the undersigned will take the
liberty here, to express the belief, that at period
of the interpostiOn of Her Maiesty's government
for the settlement of the dispute between Texas
and Mexico, could 1t ever have appeared to them
that there were better founded hopes OF an early
when, as Mr.. Jones observes, the door to annexa.
ton to the United States was Unexpectedly opened
to the people of this country.
The approach In that sense was most probably
unexpected to Mexico too, for it came when there
was state of known truce between the parties,
when Texan Commissioners Respectfully received)
were actually in the Mexican territory and whilst
negotiations, first for an armstice, and then for q
peace, were known to be in contemplation, and In
point of fact in progress,
The lntimatiOn of such proposal to the Govern
ment of Texas, by the Government of the United
States, would of course become known to the Gov
eminent of Mexico about the same time, and made
under the state of circumstances then existing, II
can hardly be source of surprise that it produced
the disturbing effect which has followed.
The undersigned thinks he could not discharge
hIo drItu ~ ha ftad CT hnp
that the Government and people OF Texas will moi
make the intellectually heavy sacrifice of THEN
separate national existence, under the impression
that the prospect of amicable settlement with Mexi
CO has passed away. He believes that there Is nj
good ground for such an impression, and he is also
of opinion that is still in the power OF the Govern
ment OF Texas, TO reneW the negotiations with
Mexico upon hopeful basis, by reassuring thai
Government upon point, to which 1t is justly en-
Titled to expect complete reinsurance, before friend
ly negotiations with Texas are set on foot.
The undersigned cannot refrain from observing
that there is no want of evidence in the press o.
the United States, that very eminent and practiced
statesme In that country, are firmly opposed to the
annexation of Texas to that Union either at all,
at least under any other condition than the consent
OF Mexico, peacefully obtained Neither does II
that these opinions are shared by large part OF the
people of that confederacy. The undersigned
trusts that his own sincere desire, Tor the ndepen
dence and prosperity of Texas, will be the excuse
for abiding to these considerations, on which how
ever, he has no intention to dwell.
He will close this note with the renewed declara
ton of the desire of Her Majesty's government, To
be helpful in the adjustment of this dispute upfn
terms of honor, justice, and advantage, both to
Texas and Mexico, and with the expression OF the
opinion of Her Majesty's government that the pre-
servaion of their independence is the best security
of the people of Texas. for their ultimate prosperi
ty, both political and commercial
The health of the Undersigned ls still in very
broken condition, ESQ much so that he writes with
dficulty.) But he will wait at New Orleans, or IN
its immediate neghbOrhood, as long as he safely
can, and will be happy to receive any communities.
tons which the government OF Texas may do HIM
the honor to forward to him, through the channel
he has already indicated to Mr.. Jones.
He avas himself OF this occasion to convey t.
Mr.. Jones renewed assurances OF the regard and
distinguished consideration with which he has the
honor to remain,
His most obedient and faithful servant,
(Sgned) CHARLES ELLIOTT.