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

aware that the general well-being of the country might be more important than an
individual colonial interest, at least in the Republic of Texas. 203 Additionally, in 1844
Leopold was informed by its ambassador to the United States that a steamship line was
to be established between one city in the United States and one city in Europe, and
Antwerp was high on that list. Simply put, other interests had priority.
In terms of Britain, her majesty’s government was expressing increasing
displeasure with what the cabinet and Palmerston considered Belgium’s interference in
their imperial plans. The question of Belize and the Nicaraguan canal project were too
close to Santo Tomas and, despite an earlier lack of concern, resulted in several strong
messages to Belgium from the Foreign Office voicing its deep concern with these
Belgian activities. 204 Again Belgium simply had too much too lose. 205 Leopold’s hope
that the possibility of a war between the United States and Britain over the Oregon
border ended with the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty between the two
countries on August 9, 1842. Additionally, there was the increasing likelihood of the
annexation of Texas by the United States .
201
“Mexico entered the controversy by pointing out that she was about to liberalize her trade
relations with Belgium, but would not do so if Belgium persisted in her dealings with Texas”, Laurent,
557.
202
Laurent, 560-1.
203
Laurent, 100.
204
Laurent, 557. Referring to a dispatch from Van de Weyer in London to Leopold, 1 April
1842.
205
“Belgium, in the Texas affair, does not have all the liberty of action she desires.
Considerations such as the pending negotiations with the Mexican and American Governments dictate the
avoidance of potential evils… abandoning any measures with Texas completely” quoting the Belgian
Foreign Ministry to the Chamber of Deputies, 18 May 1844. Laurent, 560.
101