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A Foreign Policy of Abolitionism: Great Britain’S Use Of A FOREIGN POLICY OF ABOLITIONISM: GREAT BRITAIN’S USE OF FOREIGN POLICY TO END THE ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE A Dissertation by CHARLES ROBERT MCCOY Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Brian Rouleau Co-Chair of Committee, April Hatfield Committee Members, Rebecca Hartkopf Schloss Laura Mandell Head of Department, David Vaught December 2017 Major Subject: History Copyright 2017 Charles Robert McCoy ABSTRACT In January 1808, the United States and Great Britain officially abolished their slave trades. However, Britain took the lead in policing the Atlantic slave trade by developing a “foreign policy of abolitionism.” This foreign policy led to almost six decades of tension over enforcing anti-slaving laws and policing the trade, but if the foreign policy of abolitionism threatened Whitehall’s primary foreign policy objectives of extending British influence and markets, or, jeopardized its preexisting diplomatic relationships, abolition of the trade would be relegated to an auxiliary position. By 1842, Great Britain successfully achieved a “right of search” clause with the Texas Republic in an attempt to end Texas’ involvement in the slave trade. British officials, however, appeared unbothered by the “other slavery” in Texas, which included the intricate process of enslaving individuals among Native American groups. Instead, they focused on ending the African slave trade. During the late 1830s and early 1840s, due to continued evasion of Anglo-Spanish anti-slaving treaties, Whitehall sent David Turnbull—and ardent abolitionist—to Cuba. It was there that the foreign policy of abolitionism reached its limit when Turnbull’s abolitionist actions threatened Britain’s larger foreign policy objectives. Therefore, Turnbull lost his position as Consul. Although the United States abolished its slave trade in 1808, it did not initially sanction the deployment of an official naval squadron to hunt slavers off the coast of Africa. More importantly, the U.S. government refused to allow the British Navy the right to search American ships suspected of slave trading. Because of this, slavers used ii American colors to avoid British search, but by 1839 Whitehall had grown tired of these abuses. Several international incidents led to the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which, officially committed the United States to policing the slave trade. Because scholars have neglected the ways in which abolitionists projected their values abroad through foreign policy, this dissertation reexamines debates between Whitehall and those countries Great Britain successfully or unsuccessfully compelled into signing anti-slave- trading treaties, along with conversations from Britons and citizens in those nations. These communications illustrate the priority Britain placed on ending the slave trade during the nineteenth century. iii To Grandma All the gods, all the heavens, all the worlds, are within us. They are magnified dreams, and dreams are manifestations in image form of the energies of the body in conflict with each other. —Joseph Campbell iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS As historians, we tell stories. Those narratives involve individuals or groups of them who changed history. On some occasions, those individuals even change our own trajectories. Therefore, I believe it is fitting that I have a short story of someone who changed my life monumentally. The summer before I began high school, my grandmother asked: “Where do you want to go to college?” I responded: “Grandma, I think Harvard would be great!” Of course, the next day she took me to the library to research the school. Obviously, I did not go to Harvard, but it was her encouragement and faith in my capabilities that pushed me to overcome all obstacles that were placed in my path. At Texas A&M University-Commerce, I must thank Dr. William Kuracina, who served as my thesis advisor. It was he who nurtured a young scholar and gave me the best advice. Specifically, he said that every step in the process of earning a PhD is just another “hoop” and that those hoops “build character.” Dr. JoAnn DiGeorgio-Lutz must also be thanked. It was she who opened my eyes to the wider world by taking me to Cambodia and Vietnam. That trip and their mutual encouragement forever changed my life. At Texas A&M University, I found individuals that I will call my friends for the rest of my life. Those individuals pushed me to reevaluate my preconceived ideas on several occasions. While it is impossible to thank everyone, there is a few that standout. Specifically, Ted Banks who, although no longer an Aggie, became a person in which I v could confide. Andrew Brown who, even though from California, has embraced the Texas spirit and always has something ridiculous to say. Dr. Brad Cesario who embraced my craziness and was crazy enough to take me on a road trip to Chicago. Shane Makowicki who, while outlandish at times, is one of the most kind, understanding, and, most of all, positive individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of calling a friend. Hillary Anderson who became one of my confidants on issues great and small. Lastly, I must give special thanks to David Cameron. He is a man that I’ve come to admire in both academy and in life. David’s devotion to his academic work and, more importantly, his family has inspired me beyond compare. I strive to be half the man he is. Undoubtedly, my greatest debt is to my dissertation committee, Drs. Brian Rouleau, April Hatfield, Rebecca Hartkopf-Schloss, and Laura Mandell. When I began the program at A&M, I had completed two masters theses focused on British-India in the twentieth-century. However, it was my Readings in the Caribbean World course with Dr. Hatfield that completely shifted my focus to the intricate and highly debated topic of abolitionism, more specifically the abolition of Atlantic slave trade. Without that course, this dissertation would have never begun. Dr. Schloss who, even though at times it was difficult, pushed me to always remember to place Africa into the context of my dissertation. Dr. Mandell opened by eyes to how Digital Humanities could convey my arguments in a new and exciting way. Lastly, Dr. Rouleau who has dedicated considerable amounts of time to making me both a better scholar and writer, but at the same time providing me with leeway to develop my own style as a historian. His approach as an advisor will be the model I use for my students. It was also important to vi me that he not only cared about my work, but also my personal life. Ultimately, I am truly grateful for my entire committee’s guidance on a foreign topic. Each member, in their own way, pushed me to be better, assisted me in applying new approaches to old data, and instilled in me a passion to see this project completed. It is also important to recognize those individuals who remind us that life is not just about work and academic pursuits. Oftentimes they bring us back to reality because, as scholars, we become lost in our work and tend to let worldly matters fall to the wayside. They, I believe, have the difficult task of being our loved ones. I say difficult because it is not easy to convince a scholar that writing one more sentence or rewriting another doesn’t matter. For us it does, but for them it does not. There are many people to thank for reminding me that there is life beyond libraries and archives. Cody and Angie helped me through the most difficult time of my life. Jeremy and Danci, who, although they distracted me on several occasions, reminded me of the importance of enjoying life and that love knows no bounds. Chase who, no matter the time or distance, always sparks a good conversation and has the yearning to learn. While the last individual is my colleague, he appears in this section because we rarely, if ever, discuss work. To Collin, a new friend, I thank you for the many laughs and the sometimes-dangerous motto that “one more drink will be fine.” It is impossible to thank all of those who have touched my life, but hopefully those I failed to mention here will forgive me. To go unmentioned is not to be forgotten. As for my family, words cannot express how much I owe them or my love for them. Last year, when both my mother and father became ill I came to the realization vii that my time with them is finite. It was while hearing of their illnesses that I truly understood that. However, they never, no matter how awful they felt, faltered in their support of me. They continued to push me and encourage me when their lives seemed to be falling apart. It was that courage and bravery that continues to inspire me. My dad, one of the most intelligent and hardworking men I’ve ever met, demonstrated to me that you must always strive for the things you want in life, but, more importantly and unlike him, that I must find something I love to do for a career. My mother, while it took time for her to understand what I was doing in school, is the most fiercely independent and strong woman that I’ve ever met. She taught me to respect myself, so that I could in turn learn how to respect others. I’m very lucky to call her mom. Since I started this with a story, I must end it with one. After being accepted to the Doctoral Program at A&M, my grandmother was the first person I called to tell.
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