I have the honor to enclose you a copy the continued correspondence between the Secretary of State of the United States and myself relative to Commodore Moores conduct while in New York. I also send you the additional evidence furnished me by the Secretary of State touching the same." You will see that I have changed the tone of my communication which I considered warranted by the testimony. An attempt to justify error, is only an aggravation of the offense. I have the honor to be most Respfully Acting Secy of State of the U. States. The undersigned Minister of the Republic of Texas, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the note of the Secy of State of the United States of the 23rd Inst. in answer to his of the 16th. inst. Genl Dunlap was very happy to receive the explanatory note of the Secy of State of the 23rd. instant, not that he entertained the opinion that there existed any feelings of unkindness or inhospitality with the President of the United States towards the Republic of a February 3, 1840. February 4, 1840. A. L. S. See Dunlap to Burnet, February 5, 1840. Of the numerous enclosures, only Dunlap to Forsyth, January 27, 1840; Forsyth to Dunlap, February 3; and the reply, February 4, are here given. Cf. Dunlap to Burnet, January 27, 1840, note 2. • See Records of the Department of State (Texas), Book 41, p. 258. Texas, but that he feared that the terms and character of the first communication of the Secretary of State relative to the imputed conduct of Commodore Moore might be liable to misapprehension which he should sincerely regret. Genl. Dunlap is aware than an unwavering fidelity to all her foreign obligations is not one of the least distinguishing traits in the diplomatic character of the Government of the United States, and it is upon this, more than upon the common origin of the citizens of the two countries, that his Government so confidently relies for the perpetuation of that friendship and good will which so uninterruptedly characterized the whole action of the two Governments towards each other. Genl. Dunlap has the honor to submit to the Secy of State of the United States a copy of a letter from Commodore Moore to him of the 20th inst in which he disclaims having enlisted any seamen in violation of the act of Congress. The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer renewed assurances to the Secretary of State of the United States of his very distinguished consideration. Copy R. G. DUNLAP DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington [City,] 3d February 1840 The undersigned Secretary of State of the United States has had the honor to receive the note of General Dunlap, Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of Texas, of the 27th ult. communicating a copy of a letter from Comodore Moore to General Dunlap in which the latter asserts that he had observed most scrupulously the neutrality of the United States. It is unnecessary to remind Genl Dunlap how directly this assertion is at variance with the information conveyed by the papers which accompanied the note of the undersigned to him of the 15th. ult. It is also contradicted by information received at the Navy Department respecting other enlistments made by Comodore Moore. As it is understood however that he has of his own accord left the waters of the United States with the vessel under his command, he has thereby released this Government from the necessity of doing more than to give the Texan Government, in the documents herewith and heretofore communicated through its Legation at Washington ample means of comparing his declarations with the information laid before the Government of the United States. The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to General Dunlap renewed assurances of his great consideration. JOHN FORSYTH To R. G. DUNLAP Esqr etc etc etc [Copy] TEXAN LEGATION Washington Feby 4th 1840 The undersigned Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of the Republic of Texas has had the honor to receive the note of the 3d inst of the Secretary of State of the United States in answer to his of the 27th Ult, with copies of letters and affidavits charging Comodore Moore of the Texan Navy, with attempting to enlist and ship American Seamen at the Port of New York, after his assurances, that he had not and would not violate the neutrality of this Goverment. The undersigned will, without delay, advise his Goverment of the communication of the Secretary of State of the 3d inst. with the evidence upon which it is founded The undersigned is well assured that his Goverment will disapprobate, the imputed conduct of Comodore Moore in a manner becoming the honor and fidelity of the Republic, whenever it shall assume a conclusive character, confirmatory of the allegations against him, should this Goverment think it necessary to press matters to such a result. The history of the origin and settlement of Texas naturally suggest that her citizens, cherishing no sentiment alien to the Goverment and citizens of the United States, may do acts unaccompanied with any criminal intent which if done by the officers or citizens of a nation having no kindred ties, but foreign in character as well as in national position, would wear a very different aspect, and merit much less forbearance The undersigned does not wish to be understood by the Secretary of State as claiming justification for acts that are wrong and forbidden by national obligations, from that congenialty of character and indiscriminate feeling of good will, which so naturally prevails among the citizens of the two goverments, and which so inoffensively, renders it so very difficult for a Texan to realise to himself that he is not still a citizen of the United States. The undersigned merely alludes to this natural complexion of the case that it may suggest itself to the Secretary of State, that there is a propriety in justice in both our national and domestic relations which requires that the State and condition of the question should be first well understood, with the mitigating causes and motives which superinduced it before a satisfactory judgment can be given This state of things promises, that the relations of the two Goverments being based on the happiest elements of friendship will endure, while public virtue shall cherish conventional obligations and free institutions, and at the same time appeals to an honorable fidelity and a generous forbearance for the correction of errors not founded on any national hostility. The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to tender to the Secretary of State renewed assurances of his distinguished consideration. R. G. DUNLAP The papers in relation to the demand of Stephen T. Mason Govenor of the State of Michigan, of one Philo S. Rawson charged with several crimes, the nature of which is fully detailed in said papers, will be handed to you by Mr Charles A Stewart. The Govenor of Michigan relying upon the comity of Nations in the absence of positive treaty stipulations, has made a direct application to the President of this Republic for the delivery of said Rawson, as I am aware that his Excellency the President will not comply with the requisition of the Govenor, unless the demand be made through me, I have in furtherance of the views of Governor Mason, to request that Philo. S. Rawson now in Texas, be apprehended and delivered to Messrs. Charles H. Stewart and James Sanders duly authorized to receive and convey him to the State of Michigan, there to be dealt with according to Law. With renewed assurances of my distinguished consideration, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obdt. Servant ALCÉE LA BRANCHE See file for papers relative to the above case of P. S. Rawson SHEPARD TO LA BRANCHE. DUNLAP TO BURNET. SIR, TEXIAN LEGATION Washington Feby 24 1840 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of January 10th Ulto with its enclosure, asking remuneration from a See Records of the Department of State (Texas), Book 41, p. 273. the United States Government for property stolen, by the Cherokee Indians of the United States, from the Citizens of Texas, which I have this day, under your instructions submitted to that Government. I avail myself of this occasion to offer you renewed assurances of my high consideration. On the 19th of December last, I had the honor to lay before the Acting Secretary of State the case of J. Shepard Master of the Schooner Robert Center, and received from him the assurance that a special Court of Admiralty would be held immediately after the adjournment of the supreme court, to act upon the matter. I have to call your attention again to the subject which is one of peculiar hardship; and to enclose to you a copy of another letter addressed to me by Capt. Shepard. Will you be pleased to enquire into the cause of this delay and to provide against further procrastination so as to relieve the Schooner from a detention which is so detrimental to her owners. I avail myself of this opportunity of assuring you of my distinguished consideration and esteem. Hon. A. S. LIPSCOMB Secretary of State a February 24, 1840. Austin. ALCÉE LA BRANCHE See Dunlap to Lipscomb, March 27, 1840. |