EARLY BELGIAN COLONIAL EFFORTS - The University of Texas at ...

commercial relations with the Republic, because of the sensitivity of the slave issue,
while it simultaneously attempted to expand its own commercial interests. 190
The institution of slavery had clearly been transplanted from the United States .
The majority of settlers who came to Texas arrived from the agricultural southern states
where slavery was the predominant means of labor, especially in the cotton industry,
which seemed to have a special future in the Republic. Pirson took no written position
on the slavery issue other then his observations of its existence in Texas, but he was
clearly aware that the issue was one that was creating great difficulties in the Republic’s
relations with Europe, especially Britain. 191 The troubled history of the Republic’s
attempt to gain financial stability through international recognition and treaties as a
result of the slavery issue continued until the eve of its absorption into the United
States. 192 Pirson understood that both Britain and Belgium had stated their national
opposition to slavery. Despite this fact, Pirson made only casual references to the
“Negro population,…prices commanded by ‘Negro’ workers, … the average number of
Negroes on small plantations.” 193 Although he displayed some sensitivity on the issue,
he failed to specifically address it or the potential difficulty this issue might create
should a Belgian colony or even a commercial treaty become a reality.
190
The third treaty between Britain and the Republic of Texas had provided for the elimination of
slavery in Texas. This was not welcomed once it was received back in Texas and caused a renegotiation
of the terms.
191
Pirson to de Briey, 10 March 1842, AMAE 2013 and BL.
192
A translation of portions of the town records in the German city of Bremen, from German to
English by Joseph W. Schmitz reflects comments by Texas ambassador William Henry Dangerfield while
in Bremen in his attempt to secure a commercial treaty “another man in my place would have left the
Hague right away but I love the Germans and their character and I don’t let them drive me away by the
swollen headedness and boasting of such people like our half-Negroes and half-Indians of our neighbors.“
Statements such as these in the anti-slavery atmosphere that existed in Europe surely made matters much
more difficult for the Republic. AMAE 2013 and BL, 378-380.
97