CHAPTER X.

Visit of the Queen of England and Prince Albert to Brussels-Popular Reception-Dinner at the Palace-Prince Albert-Lord Aberdeen-Lord Liverpool-Interview with Count de Briey, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

AN event of great interest occurred: her Majesty, Victoria, Queen of England, with Prince Albert, attended by Lord Aberdeen, Lord Liverpool, and other distinguished persons made a visit to the King and Queen of the Belgians. Everything contributed to make the arrival of the royal party as pleasant as possible: the weather was perfect; Brussels received the visitors with a display of heartiness as sincere as it was magnificent; the streets leading to the palace were thronged with people eager to see her Majesty, and cheering with enthusiasm as the coach that bore her and Prince Albert advanced through the dense ranks, followed by carriages occupied by her suite, and others in the line of attendants filled by persons of the highest rank. It was a splendid picture; the imposing spectacle being heightened by the military escort, composed of the finest troops of the kingdom. The park was filled with thousands who enjoyed the advantage of seeing the royal party enter the grounds of the palace.

I had the honor of being present at a state dinner given to her Majesty and Prince Albert in the palace. Before the dinner was served the invited guests were presented to Queen Victoria, and the Diplomatic Corps enjoyed the privilege of preceding others in this august ceremony. Her Majesty received me with distinction as the rep

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resentative of the United States. She was young, happy, and animated, and appeared to great advantage; her person was slight, but graceful and rounded; her features were pleasing, and she gave a gracious reception to those who were presented to her. Prince Albert was one of the finest-looking men I have ever met; tall, well formed, with regular features, and an air of distinction, he would have been admired in any circle. He stopped for some time and conversed with M. Quetelet, Director of the Observatory, who stood by my side, he having been formerly a pupil of this eminent scholar; the interview was cordial and interesting. I have ever since retained a vivid impression of Prince Albert, and have regarded him with sincere interest and admiration. As Prince Consort his position was a most trying one, and the way he bore himself throughout his life displayed qualities of a very high order. As a man his virtues were striking, and as a statesman his influence in public affairs in England was uniformly exerted in the advancement of the best interests of the people and of the throne. After my presentation I enjoyed an interesting conversation with Lord Liverpool, who with the Earl of Aberdeen accompanied the Queen on her visit to Brussels. Lord Liverpool expressed much interest in the affairs of the United States, and made himself agreeable personally. The dinner was served with great splendor; I have never seen anything to surpass it in entertainments of that description. King Leopold attended Queen Victoria to the table, and the Marquis de Rumigny, the Ambassador of France, the Queen of the Belgians. It was understood that the entertainments of King Leopold surpassed in splendor those of any sovereign in Europe.

Many years have elapsed since I took part in that magnificent entertainment given in honor of the youthful Queen of England. The young Prince, who in his manly promise stood by her side; the King and the Queen of the

Belgians who gave it, so happy and useful in their reign; many of those fair women and honorable men who constituted that brilliant circle, have gone from the world, but I recall the occasion vividly. It is a picture hung in the chamber of my memory that still retains the freshness of its coloring. Victoria, whose long reign has contributed so much to the prosperity and the glory of her empire, still survives, and enjoys the loyal affection of her subjects and the respect of the whole world.

During the stay of the royal party Brussels was en fête, and that city, so full of historical interest, never witnessed a more magnificent display in the whole course of dramatic events that have thrown their coloring over the beautiful capital, than that which attended the visit of the Queen of England.

Count de Briey was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium at that time. He was an accomplished statesman and comprehended European affairs. I received a note from him inviting me to call at the Department of Foreign Affairs, stating that he desired to confer with me upon a matter of importance. I waited on him the next day, and he opened a conversation in regard to Texas. That young republic was attracting the attention of the statesmen of Europe, and its independence had been recognized by France. Belgium had not yet taken that step, but was disposed to do so, and the commercial relations between the two countries were already important. Count de Briey proceeded to say that the respect of his government for the United States was such that it would do nothing to affect the relations between Belgium and Texas which would not meet the approval of my country, and he wished to be informed as to the views of my government in regard to Texas. It was understood that the question of the annexation of Texas to the United States was under consideration in both countries, and it was important to be informed as to the policy of the government of

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the United States touching this question. He wished me to give him my views as to the question, and stated that he had reason to believe Mexico was now ready to acknowledge the independence of Texas, provided that step would prevent the annexation of that republic to the United States. Would the acknowledgment of the independence of the Republic of Texas with the solemn stipula tion that Texas should not at any future time consent to become a State of the American Union prevent annexation? I replied to this direct question frankly; I said that in my judgment such an agreement entered into between the two republics would delay the annexation of Texas to the United States, but could not defeat it; that annexation was inevitable; that certain great interests drew the two countries toward each other; that Texas was already gravitating toward our country, and nothing could even delay its coming to us but some powerful considerations affecting the status of the young republic very deeply. I then said to the minister that I could not comprehend the policy of Mexico in withholding the recognition of Texas as an independent state when there could be no hope of re-conquest; it would be far wiser to acquire the good-will of the state, and secure a friendly neighbor. Count de Briey seemed to be impressed, and he said to me that he could explain the policy of Mexico. That republic had no hope of recovering the lost state, but is unalterably opposed to its annexation to the United States. "Mr. Hilliard, Mexico would recognize the independence of Texas to-morrow upon the condition of its continued existence as an independent republic; Mexico wishes to interpose an independent republic between herself and the United States. Mexico fears the growing power and aggressive policy of your great nation." This was a revelation. The minister went on to say that an eminent Mexican statesman was at that time in Brussels, and that he had stated the policy of his government with frankness.

The object of the interview with me was to obtain, if possible, an authentic statement of the policy of the United States in regard to Texas before the government of Belgium took any decided step in regard to the political status of that young republic. The result of the interview was that Belgium held the matter up for further consideration. Mr. Calhoun was at that time Secretary of State in President Tyler's Cabinet, and I promptly sent him a full despatch, giving him an account of my interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.