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International Relations Between Britain and America, 1796–1848

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In the foreground is the silhouette of the White House with the USA flag flying above it. The background is the Union Jack flag.

The papers of Sir Charles Vaughan and Sir Robert Liston

I began my mission to the United States with a conviction that the British government attaches great importance to its relations with this country. A spirit of conciliation possessed both Governments.
Sir Charles Vaughan,  

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City of Washington from Beyond the Navy Yard, painting by George Cooke, 1833

Sir Charles Vaughan (1774-1849) was a career diplomat who served as British Ambassador to the United States during the period 1825-1835. This collection contains Vaughan's personal and professional papers from before, during, and after his time in Washington. 

The papers shed light on a number of important subjects and events, from transatlantic trade and the question of the North East boundary to slavery and the experience of Native Americans under the Jackson administration. 

In addition, the collection includes the papers of one of Vaughan's predecessors, Sir Robert Liston (1742-1836), which provide a unique insight into Anglo-American relations in the late 18th century.

Featuring the American Papers of Sir Charles Richard Vaughan from All Souls College, University of Oxford

Contents

International Relations Between Britain and America, 1796–1848...

The papers of Sir Charles Vaughan and Sir Robert Liston

Discover 
U.S. Capitol after burning by the British. Drawing shows the ruins of the U.S. Capitol following British attempts to burn the building. Washington, D.C.

Highlights

A map of the province of Upper Canada, describing all the new settlements and townships, with the countries adjacent, from Quebec to Lake Huron

Licensed to access Papers on the question of the North East boundary, 1824-1839

The disputed North East boundary between the United States and Canada was a constant source of frustration for the British government. These items highlight its importance to Anglo-American relations.
A black and white scan of a broadsheet style newspaper with very small print.

Licensed to access Newspaper cuttings

These newspaper snippets provide a useful overview of American domestic political life in the early 19th century, as well as the wider international political situation.
A black and white dispatch. A piece of paper with handwritten script in multiple columns.

Licensed to access Book 2: Dispatches sent home from America, 1828-1835

These dispatches chronicle American domestic politics and Anglo-American relations during the Jackson presidency.
An oil on canvas portrait of Henrietta Marchant Liston. She wears a pale dress and a large bonnet tied with blue ribbon.

Licensed to access Correspondence & Henrietta Liston's American & West Indian journals, 1798-1801:

Henrietta Liston's journals provide a fascinating insight into life during the early years of the American republic.

Insights

  • Vaughan and Liston's personal correspondence provides an insight into the day-to-day life of a diplomat in the United States.
  • This collection is mostly comprised of correspondence between Vaughan and various British and American diplomats and politicians during the period 1825-1835. The Liston papers (1796-1801) are a much smaller component of the collection.
  • It is clear that the disputed American-Canadian border was a major concern for the British government during Liston and Vaughan's time in the United States. It appears more frequently in the correspondence and dispatches than any other subject.
  • Transatlantic commerce and the slave trade also feature heavily in the correspondence and dispatches.
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