Texas Secretary of State: An Inventory of Secretary of State Diplomatic Correspondence at the Texas State Archives, 1831-1832, 1835-1846, undated


Overview
	Creator:	Texas. Secretary of State.
	Title:	Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence
	Dates:	1831-1832, 1835-1846, undated
	Abstract:	Diplomatic correspondence was created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and other nations (the United States of America, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Hanse towns (or Hanseatic League), Spain, the Papal States, Mexico, and the rebellious Mexican state of Yucatan). It consists of correspondence between the Republic of Texas' Department of State and diplomatic and consular representatives, both Texan and foreign, dating 1831-1832, 1835-1846, and undated. This correspondence documents the attempts, both successful and unsuccessful, by which Texas sought recognition, aid, and annexation into the Union.
	Quantity:	6.9 cubic ft., 3 reels of microfilm
	Language:	These materials are written predominately in English with scattered Spanish, French, German, and Latin, throughout.
	Repository:	Texas State Archives

Agency History

The Secretary of State is a constitutional officer of the executive branch of state government, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate for a term concurrent with the governor's (a two-year term at first, a four-year term since 1974). The office was first created by the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in 1836 (Article VI, Section 10), and has been continued by each succeeding Constitution.

The only duty of the Secretary of State specified by the Constitution of 1836 was to receive "returns of all elections for officers who are to be commissioned by the President" (General Provisions, Section 2). The 1st Congress approved a Joint Resolution on December 13, 1836 "defining the duties of the heads of departments of the government." However, the duties of this cabinet (composed of the Secretaries of State, War, Navy, and Treasury, and the Attorney General) were expressed in extremely vague terms, i.e.: "to conform to and execute the instructions of the president, whether general or particular; and to give respectively and collectively, such needful aid and counsel whenever required so to do by the chief magistrate of the republic, as may be requisite to a firm, wholesome and harmonious administration of the government." Much of our knowledge of what the Secretary of State did during the Republic period derives from the existing records themselves. Although never so stated in law, obviously a major function of the Secretary of State under the Republic of Texas was diplomatic, a function unique to Texas' history as an independent nation.

During the next nine years of the Republic's existence, Congressional acts added little in the way of explicit duties: to receive from the chief justices of the county courts "a description of their county boundaries, and such other information and observations relative to the same, as they may conceive conducive to the convenience of their citizens" (December 17, 1836); to furnish Texan consuls with instruction for the proper regulation of foreign trade (December 18, 1837); to contract for the printing of the laws and journals of the Republic of Texas, and to arrange for their distribution (December 18, 1837 and later dates); to contract for the translation and compilation of Republic laws into Spanish ( "the Castilian language") (December 18, 1837 and January 12, 1842); to become the depository for a Library purchased for the Republic of Texas (January 24, 1839); to create a Patent Office, as a bureau of the office of Secretary of State, and to grant patent rights "for any new and useful art, machine, instrument or composition of matter, liberal arts, sciences or literature, books, maps or charts, or any new and useful improvement of the same . . . invented or discovered" (January 28, 1839); to draw from the war department funds appropriated to run a boundary line between the Republic of Texas and the United States (November 26, 1840); to assume the duties of the Postmaster General, appointing and supervising a clerk for a bureau called the "General Post Office," and to receive from the former Postmaster General all records of the abolished Post Office Department (January 18, 1841); to issue writs of election to fill certain vacancies in counties (December 7, 1841).

Except for its diplomatic duties, most of the functions of the Secretary of State under the Republic were apparently continued during the period of early statehood following annexation. An act of the 1st Legislature (approved May 9, 1846) "to define the duties of Secretary of State" included the following: to maintain a register of all official acts of the governor, and to provide the same to the legislature when required (this duty had also been spelled out by the first state Constitution, 1845); to keep a complete register of all officers appointed and elected in the state; to commission all such appointed and elected officers when not otherwise provided for by law; to record depositions and affirmations required by law to be made by resident aliens wanting to hold real estate in Texas; to arrange and preserve all books, maps, parchments, records, documents, deeds, conveyances, and other papers belonging to the State, that have been or may be properly deposited there, and sealed with the state seal (which copies shall be considered admissible as evidence in the state's courts of law); to attend every legislative session to receive bills which have became laws, and to bind and maintain such bills and enrolled joint resolutions in the office of the Secretary of State; to deliver a certified copy of these laws (with indices and marginal notes) to the public printer, and to edit and correct them after printing; to distribute the printed laws and journals to a list of state, local, and federal officials specified; and to furnish forms to county election officials for election returns, and to receive certified election returns from these officials for members of the legislature (this last duty included in "an act regulating elections," approved May 11, 1846).

An act of February 11, 1854 created a Board of Commissioners composed of the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, and the Attorney General, "to superintend the arranging and filing of the archives of the late Republic of Texas and of the State Legislature, and also the recording of the Journals of the said Congress and State Legislature ... to be deposited in the General Land-office of the State." An act of December 14, 1863 made the Secretary of State "the custodian of the records of the Senate and House of Representatives." And an act of March 25, 1887 provided that "the entire archives of the late Republic of Texas, ... together with the records, books, and journals of said Congress" would be "deposited in the Office of the Secretary of State," and "declared to be Archives of said office."

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Scope and Contents of the Records

Diplomatic correspondence was created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and other nations (the United States of America, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Hanse towns (or Hanseatic League), Spain, the Papal States, Mexico, and the rebellious Mexican state of Yucatan). It consists of correspondence between the Republic of Texas' Department of State and diplomatic and consular representatives, both Texan and foreign, dating 1831-1832, 1835-1846, and undated. This correspondence documents the attempts, both successful and unsuccessful, by which Texas sought recognition, aid, and annexation into the Union.

The letter books contain copies of both incoming and outgoing correspondence, and document negotiations for loans, and treaties of commerce and recognition, particularly a treaty with Mexico. U.S. diplomatic correspondence discusses Indian affairs, recognition and annexation of Texas by the United States, negotiations for loans, settlement of claims between the two countries, negotiations for duties, extradition, boundaries, and general information on relations with the United States and activities there as reported by the commissioners. English diplomatic correspondence discusses instructions from the Secretary of State to Texas representatives and their reports of activities back to him, claims against Texas for captured British vessels, commercial agreements, recognition of Texas independence, relations with Mexico, protection of British subjects in Texas, slavery and the slave trade, the Texas blockade of Mexican ports, and Texas' annexation to the United States. French diplomatic correspondence discusses instructions of the Department of State to its agents, letters of appointment, attempts to obtain commercial treaties, recognition of Texas independence by the French government, negotiations for a treaty of recognition with Spain, attempts to have France negotiate a treaty of peace and recognition between Texas and Mexico, and establishment of regular mail service between France and Texas. Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Hanse towns, and Spain discusses the recognition of Texas in these countries and Texas' attempts to obtain treaties of amity and commerce. Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Mexico discusses attempts to negotiate a treaty with Mexico, Mexican invasions of Texas, Texas prisoners in Mexico, negotiations with Yucatan for use of the Texas Navy, and the treaty of peace between Yucatan and Mexico; also, a few documents relate to domestic affairs, particularly Indian relations and the depreciation of Texas currency. Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Yucatan includes the treaty by which Texas agreed to furnish naval support to Yucatan's revolution.

Correspondents include Republic of Texas Secretaries of State Samuel P. Carson, Stephen F. Austin, James P. Henderson, Robert A. Irion, Barnard Bee, James Webb, David G. Burnet, Abner S. Lipscomb, Joseph Waples, Anson Jones, Ebenezer C. Allen, and Ashbel Smith; Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar; Texas Minister to the United States Richard G. Dunlap; Texas chargés d'affaires to the United States James Reily, Joseph Eve, Isaac Van Zandt, and Charles H. Raymond; Texas Commissioners to the United States William H. Wharton and Memucan Hunt; Texas chargé d'affaires to France George S. McIntosh; Texas chargé d'affaires to the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Hanseatic League, W. Henry Daingerfield; Texas diplomatic agent to Mexico James Treat; Republic of Texas financial agent James Hamilton; Texas Commodore Edwin W. Moore; U.S. Secretaries of State John Forsyth and John C. Calhoun; U.S. chargé d'affaires to the Republic of Texas Andrew J. Donelson; U.S. Senator Silas Wright Jr. (who supported Texas annexation); British Foreign Secretaries Viscount Palmerston (Henry John Temple) and the Earl of Aberdeen (George Hamilton Gordon); British chargé d'affaires to Texas Sir Charles Elliott; British minister to Mexico Richard Pakenham; French Foreign Ministers Count Molé (Louis Mathieu), and Francois Guizot; French chargés d'affaires Alphonse de Saligny and Jules Edouard de Cramayel; Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna; Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs Joaquin G. Rejon; and Colonel Martin F. Pereza of the Yucatan.

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Organization of the Records
	The bulk of these records were originally a part of a larger group of records in the Office of the Secretary of State called "Diplomatic, domestic, and consular correspondence." There has been considerable rearrangement of the records over the years.
	These records have been organized into series by the State Archives staff. The records are organized into seven series:

		Diplomatic correspondence--letter books and indexes, 1836-1846, 2.03 cubic ft. on 3 reels of microfilm
		United States diplomatic correspondence, 1831-1832, 1835-1846, 2.62 cubic ft., part of one reel of microfilm
		English diplomatic correspondence, 1837-1846, 0.91 cubic ft.
		French diplomatic correspondence, 1838-1846, 0.5 cubic ft.
		Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Hanse towns, Spain, and the Papal States, 1842-1846, 0.18 cubic ft., part of one reel of microfilm
		Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico, 1835-1845, undated, 0.66 cubic ft.
		Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Yucatan, 1840-1842, fractional

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Letter books are restricted due to their physical condition, so researchers must use microfilm.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

Technical Requirements

Microfilm readers are available in the Genealogy Section, Room 110 (which is closed on Mondays), and also in Room 300 of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building (Monday-Friday).

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Index Terms
	The terms listed here were used to catalog the records. The terms can be used to find similar or related records.
	Personal Names:
		Austin, Stephen F. (Stephen Fuller), 1793-1836.
		Burnet, David Gouverneur, 1789-1870.
		Carson, Samuel Price, 1798-1838.
		Wharton, William H. (William Harris), 1802-1839.
		Henderson, James Pinckney, 1808-1858.
		Lipscomb, Abner Smith, 1789-1856.
		Hunt, Memucan, 1807-1856.
		Irion, Robert A.
		Forsyth, John.
		Jones, Anson, 1798-1858.
		Dunlap, Richard G., d. 1841.
		Reily, James, d. 1863.
		Waples, Joseph, 1798-1846.
		Eve, Joseph, 1784-1843.
		Van Zandt, Isaac, 1813-1847.
		Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850.
		Allen, Ebenezer, d. 1863.
		Raymond, Charles H., b. 1816.
		Donelson, Andrew Jackson, 1799-1871.
		Hamilton, James, 1786-1857.
		Smith, Ashbel, 1805-1886.
		McIntosh, George S.
		Dubois de Saligny, A.
		Cramayel, Jules Edouard de.
		Molé, Louis Mathieu, Count, 1781-1855.
		Guizot, (Francois), 1787-1874.
		Daingerfield, William Henry, 1808-1878.
		Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de, 1794?-1876.
		Lamar, Mirabeau Buonaparte, 1798-1859.
		Bee, Bernard E., 1787-1853.
		Wright, Silas, 1794-1847.
		Pakenham, R. (Richard)--1797-1868.
		Webb, James, 1792-1856.
		Treat, James, d. 1840.
		Moore, Edwin Ward, 1811-1865.
		Peraza, Manuel F.
		Rejon, Joaquin G.
		Palmerston, Henry John Temple, Viscount, 1784-1865.
		Aberdeen, George Hamilton Gordon, Earl of, 1784-1860.
		Elliott, Charles, Sir, 1801-1875.
		Pierson, V.
		LaBranche, Alcee Louis, 1806-1861.
		Bryan, William.
	Corporate Names:
		Texas. Dept. of State.
	Subjects:
		Treaties.
		Postal service--Texas.
		Postal service--France.
		Devaluation of currency--Texas.
		Indians of North America--Texas--Government relations.
		Extradition--Texas.
		Extradition--United States.
	Places:
		Texas--Diplomatic and consular service.
		Texas--Foreign relations--United States.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Great Britain.
		Texas--Foreign relations--France.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Belgium.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Netherlands.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Spain.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Mexico.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Mexico--Yucatan.
		Texas--Foreign relations--Treaties.
		Texas--Politics and government--To 1846.
		Texas--Politics and government--1835-1836.
		Texas--Annexation to the United States.
		Texas--Commercial treaties.
		Texas--Boundaries.
		United States--Foreign relations--Texas.
		United States--Boundaries.
		Great Britain--Foreign relations--Texas.
		France--Foreign relations--Texas.
		France--Foreign relations--Treaties.
		France--Commercial treaties.
		Belgium--Foreign relations--Texas.
		Netherlands--Foreign relations--Texas.
		Spain--Foreign relations--Texas.
		Spain--Foreign relations--Treaties.
		Mexico--Foreign relations--Texas.
		Mexico--Foreign relations--Treaties.
	Document Types:
		Correspondence--Texas--Diplomatic and consular service--1835-1846.
		Reports--Texas--Diplomatic and consular service--1835-1846.
	Functions:
		Developing diplomatic relations.

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Related Material


	The following materials are offered as possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
	Texas State Archives

		Texas Secretary of State consular correspondence, 1836-1850, 1873-1875, bulk 1836-1846, 2.12 cubic ft.
		Texas Secretary of State treaties between the Republic of Texas and other nations, 1839-1844, 0.24 cubic ft.
		Texas Secretary of State general correspondence, 1822-1845, 1860, 5.39 cubic ft.
		Texas Secretary of State records relating to the Joint United States - Republic of Texas Boundary Commission, 1837-1843, 0.47 cubic ft.
		Texas Secretary of State records relating to passports, 1836-1845, 1858, 0.37 cubic ft.
	Texas State Archives: Manuscript Collections
		Great Britain, Foreign Office records, 1837-1847, 0.75 cubic ft. [There is no finding aid for this unprocessed collection. Call numbers are Boxes 2-23/755 and 756.]
		Louis Lenz collection, 1839, 1846, fractional [12 items, photostats of correspondence relating to recognition of the Republic of Texas by France] [There is no finding aid for this unprocessed collection. The call number is Box 2-23/967.]
	Publications
		Garrison, George (ed.), Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, Washington, Government printing office, 1908-1911, 3 volumes.
		Binkley, William C. (ed.), Official Correspondence of the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, New York, D. Appleton-Century Co., 1936, 2 volumes.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item and cite the series), Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession numbers: 1904/001, 1905/001, 1905/005

These records were transferred to the Texas Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History (the predecessor of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission) by the Texas Secretary of State on May 25, 1905; October 31, 1905; and November 22, 1905.

Processing Information

Archives staff, dates unknown

Appraisal Information

These records were appraised as archival by an in-house appraisal of Secretary of State (Republic of Texas) records on January 16, 1998.

Other Formats for the Records

The letter books have been microfilmed (3 reels), for purposes of preservation. However, the microfilm is not available either for purchase or through interlibrary loan.

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Detailed Description of the Records

Diplomatic correspondence--letter books and indexes, 1836-1846,
2.03 cubic ft. on 3 reels of microfilm

Letter books were created to preserve copies of incoming and outgoing diplomatic correspondence, which constituted the working files documenting the day-to-day diplomatic business of the Republic of Texas with all other nations. These are five letter books containing copies of correspondence between the Department of State and Texan and foreign diplomatic and consular representatives, dating 1836-1846. Subjects discussed focus on relations between Texas and various foreign countries, including negotiations for loans, and treaties of commerce and recognition, particularly a treaty with Mexico. Three of the volumes contain copies of incoming correspondence, 1836-1846 (with indexes in two of them); two of the volumes contain copies of outgoing correspondence, 1839-1846 (one of which has an index).

Historical notes

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Diplomatic correspondence--letter books and indexes, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Incoming correspondence, 1836-1846

Reel

3494

Letters received from Texas and foreign legations, and from officers of foreign governments, November 22, 1836-December 20, 1841

[contains index by sender]

Reel

3495

Letters received from Texas and foreign diplomatic and consular representatives, January 4, 1841-April 17, 1844

Reel

3497

Letters received from Texas legations and officers of foreign governments, October 16, 1844-January 6, 1846

[contains name index]

Outgoing correspondence, 1839-1846

Reel

3495

Letters sent to Texas commissioners and foreign governments, August 9, 1839-August 31, 1841

[chiefly relating to negotiations for loans and treaties of recognition, and particularly a treaty with Mexico]

Letters sent to Texas and foreign consular and diplomatic representatives, December 16, 1841-February 4, 1846

[contains index by addressee]

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United States diplomatic correspondence, 1831-1832, 1835-1846,
2.62 cubic ft., part of one reel of microfilm

United States diplomatic correspondence was created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and the United States of America, in which Texas sought recognition, aid, and annexation into the Union. These are chiefly letters received by the Department of State from commissioners and agents to the United States, and copies of letters to the Secretary of State and commissioners to others. Also included are some commissions and appointments and correspondence of the Department of State with U.S. representatives to Texas. In addition, there are two volumes containing letters and dispatches sent by the Texas Legation in Washington, D.C. (1839-1845). Overall dates covered are 1831-1832 and 1835-1846. Subjects covered include instructions of the Secretary of State to commissioners and instructions of commissioners to agents appointed by them. Also discussed are Indian affairs, recognition and annexation of Texas by the United States, negotiations for loans, settlement of claims between the two countries, negotiations for duties, extradition, boundaries, and general information on relations with the United States and activities there as reported by the commissioners. Correspondents include Stephen F. Austin, David G. Burnet, Anson Jones, William Bryan, Samuel P. Carson, William H. Wharton, James P. Henderson, Robert A. Irion, Memucan Hunt, Abner S. Lipscomb, John Forsyth, Alcee L. LaBranche, Richard G. Dunlap, James Reily, Joseph Waples, Joseph Eve, Isaac Van Zandt, John C. Calhoun, Ebenezer C. Allen, Charles H. Raymond, and Andrew J. Donelson.

Historical notes

During the Texas war for independence, Texas attempted to gain U.S. aid in their cause. Following the defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and the ratification of the Constitution of 1836, the Republic of Texas proceeded to treat for recognition by the United States, for the exchange of diplomatic representatives, and (after an election in September 1836) for annexation. On November 16, 1836, the Congress of the Republic of Texas approved a Joint Resolution for sending a minister to the United States of America. The first chargé d'affaires from Texas was William Wharton, who assumed that office in Washington upon recognition of Texas independence by the United States in early 1837; previous to recognition, he had acted under a commission as minister extraordinary to treat for it.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), United States diplomatic correspondence, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

Folder

2-9/10

July 25, 1827-April 30, 1836

May 1-November 30, 1836

Box

Folder

2-9/11

December 1, 1836-February 28, 1837

March 1-August 31, 1837

September 1, 1837-February 28, 1838

March 1-July 31, 1838

August 1, 1838-March 13, 1839

March 14-May 31, 1839

10.

June 1-December 31, 1839

11.

January 1-April 30, 1840

Box

Folder

2-9/12

12.

May 1, 1840-November 30, 1841

13.

December 1, 1841-May 30, 1842

14.

June 1-September 30, 1842

15.

October 1, 1842-January 31, 1843

16.

February 1-May 30, 1843

17.

June 1, 1843-January 31, 1844

18.

February 1-August 31, 1844

19.

September 1, 1844-undated 1844

Box

Folder

2-9/13

20.

January 1-June 30, 1845

21.

July 1, 1845-March 25, 1846

Oversize correspondence, 1836-1844

[Outsheets in the boxes listed above will direct the researcher to oversized items in the following containers.]

Oversize

Folder

Box 20

November 18, 1836-February 20, 1837

April 15-May 25, 1837

July 11-August 2, 1837

September 18, 1837-February 3, 1838

10.

March 3-7, 1838

Oversize

Folder

Box 21

September 25, 1838-March 19, 1839

January 10-April 21, 1840

August 25-Deceember 16, 1840

May 8, 1840-May 4, 1842

June 24, 1842-January 25, 1843

January 10-April 21, 1843

August 4, 1843-January 2, 1844

Letter books, 1839-1845

Reel

3497

Letters and dispatches sent by the Texas Legation in Washington, D.C., 1839-1845:

May 7, 1839-August 10, 1844

[contains index by subject and addressee]

August 16, 1844-November 8, 1845

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English diplomatic correspondence, 1837-1846,
0.91 cubic ft.

English diplomatic correspondence was created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and Great Britain. This series consists chiefly of correspondence with Texas representatives in England and with British secretaries of state for foreign affairs, Lords Palmerston (1830-1841) and Aberdeen (1841-1846), covering the years 1837-1846. Subjects covered include instructions from the Secretary of State to Texas representatives and their reports of activities back to him, claims against Texas for captured British vessels, commercial agreements, recognition of Texas independence, relations with Mexico, protection of British subjects in Texas, slavery and the slave trade, the Texas blockade of Mexican ports, and Texas' annexation to the United States. Correspondents include Lords Aberdeen and Palmerston, James Hamilton, Ashbel Smith, James P. Henderson, Richard Pakenham, and Charles Elliott. Approximately two-fifths of the original English diplomatic correspondence has been dispersed over the years to other series, including many of the papers relating to Mexican affairs, which were placed in the series Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico. At some time transcripts from the British Public Records Office of correspondence between the Foreign Office and its representatives relating to Texas were added to the file. These have since been removed and placed in a manuscript collection called "Great Britain, Foreign Office records."

Historical notes

Following the defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and the ratification of the Constitution of 1836, the Republic of Texas proceeded to treat for recognition by other nations and for the exchange of diplomatic representatives. On June 5, 1837, the Congress of the Republic of Texas approved a Joint Resolution requesting the President to appoint a secretary of the legation to the embassy to England. Diplomacy with England eventually resulted in three treaties, one of commerce and navigation, one obligating England to mediate with Mexico for Texas independence, and one allowing England to suppress the foreign slave trade.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), English diplomatic correspondence, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

File

2-9/9

June 20-November 22, 1837

January 5-December 26, 1838

April 16-December 26, 1839

January 5-December 3, 1840

January 4-November 3, 1841

January 11-August 30, 1842

September 8-December 30, 1842

Box

File

2-9/10

January 17-June 28, 1843

10.

July 2-December 23, 1843

11.

January 4-December 23, 1844

12.

January 8-February 4, 1846

Oversize correspondence, 1837-1842

[Outsheets in the boxes listed above will direct the researcher to oversized items in the following container.]

Oversize

Folder

Box 20

October 14, 1837-March 8, 1838

April 12, 1838-August 30, 1842

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French diplomatic correspondence, 1838-1846,
0.5 cubic ft.

French diplomatic correspondence was created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and France. This series consists chiefly of correspondence between the Department of State and agents of the Republic of Texas in France, and French chargé d'affaires in Texas, Alphonse de Saligny (1840-1842, 1844-1846) and Jules Edouard de Cramayel (1842-1844). Also present are copies of correspondence between French foreign ministers Louis Mathieu, Count Molé (1836-1839), and Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot (1840-1848); and Texan representatives and the Texas Department of State. Dates covered are 1838-1846. Subjects covered include instructions of the Department of State to its agents, letters of appointment, attempts to obtain commercial treaties, recognition of Texas independence by the French government, negotiations for a treaty of recognition with Spain, attempts to have France negotiate a treaty of peace and recognition between Texas and Mexico, and establishment of regular mail service between France and Texas. Correspondents, in addition to those previously listed, include Ashbel Smith, James Hamilton, James P. Henderson, Robert A. Irion, George S. McIntosh, and Anson Jones. A small number of letters have been added at some time, from another file transferred in 1905 as "Miscellaneous French manuscripts," as well as from the Secretary of State records series called Domestic correspondence.

Historical notes

Following the defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and the ratification of the Constitution of 1836, the Republic of Texas proceeded to treat for recognition by other nations and for the exchange of diplomatic representatives. On June 5, 1837, the Congress of the Republic of Texas approved a Joint Resolution requesting the President to appoint a commissioner and minister to France. The Republic of Texas signed a commercial treaty with France in September 1839, making France the first European nation to recognize Texas independence.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), French diplomatic correspondence, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

Folder

2-9/15

June 2-November 23, 1838

January 26-October 6, 1839

January 4-December 30, 1840

January 31-March 31, 1841

April 4-December 27, 1841

January 16-December 30, 1842

January 11-April 27, 1843

May 17-October 30, 1843

10.

January 29-December 9, 1844

10.

March 4-July 14, 1845

10.

January 14-February 10, 1846

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Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Hanse towns, Spain, and the Papal States, 1842-1846,
0.18 cubic ft., part of one reel of microfilm

The documents in this series were created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and Belgium, the Netherlands, Hanse towns, Spain, and the Papal States. These records consist of correspondence of the Secretary of State primarily with Texan representatives to Belgium, the Netherlands, the Hanse towns (or Hanseatic League), and Spain. Also included is a letter book of correspondence of William Henry Daingerfield, Texas chargé d'affaires to the Netherlands, Belgium, and the Hanseatic League, dating January 20, 1843-August 27, 1845. Overall dates covered are 1842-1846. Subjects concern the recognition of Texas in these countries and Texas' attempts to obtain treaties of amity and commerce. Also present are a few letters of credence. Correspondents include James Hamilton, V. Pierson, Ashbel Smith, W. Henry Daingerfield, and others.

Historical notes

Following the defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and the ratification of the Constitution of 1836, the Republic of Texas proceeded to treat for recognition by other nations and for the exchange of diplomatic representatives. Secretary of State J. Pinckney Henderson signed a treaty of recognition and commerce with the Netherlands in September 1840. Belgium likewise recognized Texas independence in 1841.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Correspondence relating to the diplomatic relations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Hanse towns, Spain, and the Papal States, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

Folder

2-9/16

Belgium, Netherlands, and Hanse towns, July 5, 1842-February 3, 1846

Spain, February 16, 1843

Papal States, July 18, 1840

Reel

3497

Copybook of correspondence of William Henry Daingerfield, Texas chargé d'affaires to Netherlands, Belgium, and Hanseatic League, January 20, 1843-August 27, 1845

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Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico, 1835-1845, undated,
0.66 cubic ft.

Documents in this series were created in the course of attempting to conduct diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and the Republic of Mexico. This series consists chiefly of correspondence between the Secretary of State and Texas commissioners to Mexico; and with diplomatic representatives to Great Britain relating to negotiations with Mexico. Also present is some correspondence of the President with Mexican officials. Dates covered are 1835-1845 and undated. Subjects concerned include attempts to negotiate a treaty with Mexico, Mexican invasions of Texas, Texas prisoners in Mexico, negotiations with Yucatan for use of the Texas Navy, and the treaty of peace between Yucatan and Mexico. A few documents relate to domestic affairs, particularly Indian relations and the depreciation of Texas currency. Correspondents include David G. Burnet, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, James Webb, James Treat, Richard Pakenham, Barnard Bee, and Silas Wright. At some point a small number of documents were transferred from this series to the series Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Yucatan.

Historical notes

Following the defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto and the ratification of the Constitution of 1836, the Republic of Texas proceeded to treat for recognition by other nations and for the exchange of diplomatic representatives. Since the Mexican government rejected the Treaty of Velasco, which Santa Anna had signed in 1836, Texas was still considered a rebellious territory, considerably complicating attempts at diplomacy between the two.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

Folder

2-9/13

September 30, 1835-June 30, 1839, undated

July-December 31, 1839

January 1-February 29, 1840

March 1-June 30, 1840

Box

Folder

2-9/14

July 1-October 31, 1840

November 1, 1840-June 25, 1845

Oversize correspondence

[Outsheets in the boxes listed above will direct the researcher to oversized items in the following container.]

Oversize

Folder

Box 21

Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico

10.

Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico

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Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Yucatan, 1840-1842,
fractional

The documents in this series were created in the course of conducting diplomacy between the Republic of Texas and the rebellious Mexican state of Yucatan. This series consists of correspondence of the Secretary of State, the President, and Edwin W. Moore, Commander of the Texas Navy, with the Secretary of War and Marine of the State of Yucatan. The treaty of the Republic and Yucatan, by which Texas agrees to furnish naval support to Yucatan's revolution, is also included. Photostats and typed copies of letters are included with the original documents. Dates covered are 1840-1842. Correspondents include Commodore Edwin W. Moore, Colonel Martin F. Pereza, Joaquin G. Rejon, and Pedro Lumas. This series was not originally part of Diplomatic correspondence, but was created at an unknown date by removing materials from two series-- Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Mexico, and "Miscellaneous manuscripts and documents written in Spanish, French, and German."

Historical notes

In 1841, the state of Yucatan revolted against the Republic of Mexico. Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar entered into a brief alliance with the rebel state, involving Yucatan promises to maintain the Texan navy. The rebellion soon ended, however.

Arrangement

These records were arranged by the State Archives staff chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Correspondence relating to diplomatic relations with Yucatan, Texas Secretary of State diplomatic correspondence. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Box

Folder

2-9/16

August 28, 1840-December 16, 1842

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