Timeline

The governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Republic of Texas, the Kingdom of France, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have all announced recently that a treaty resolving the Texan occupation of Guyana has been signed. The Treaty of Havana recognizes Texan sovereignty over the region, once split between Dutch, British, and French colonies, though the fledgling Republic is expected to financially compensate these lands' previous owners.

For those readers who haven't been able to stay up to date on this rather extraordinary odyssey, it started in December of last year in Dutch Guyana. With news of the July revolution and the Belgian revolution reaching their colonies, and hearing whispered stories of the successful revolt in Haiti, a small slave mutiny broke out in the Mariënburg plantation that proved a wildfire across the region. This mutiny inspired further mutinies in the British colonies of Berbice and Demerara-Essequibo, which soon enough began coordinating and expanding into neighboring regions, including contested territories between Britain and Gran Colombia as well as French Guyana.

This is where the Republic of Texas enters the story. Following their revolution against Mexico in early 1830 and a disastrous military defeat at the Alamo, the white settlers of Texas were left in disarray before the advancing and merciless Mexican army. Texan President Burnet ordered the citizens of the republic to begin an evacuation of Texas, with most of its citizens and officials departing via ship for refuge in New Orleans. Perhaps that would've been the end of the Republic of Texas if news and a desperate plea hadn't reached President Burnet and the Texans while they were still in New Orleans.

The slaves of Guyana had overcome local garrisons, the situation was spiraling, and Europe's attention remained directed at the unfolding crisis in Belgium. The local slaveowners, fearing further violence against them, requested foreign intervention in putting down the slave rebellion. Hearing of this opportunity, the Texans were rallied by their leaders to begin a campaign of invasion and settlement against the slaves, taking Guyana and its riches for the Texans. With material support from Brazilian interests, the Texan Army landed in Georgetown, driving the slave rebellion into the Amazon and enslaving those captured. This marked the beginning of an advance across the coast, securing what remained of the plantations and urban centers captured by the slaves. Meanwhile, Texan settlers began establishing new homesteads across Guyana, clearly with no plan of leaving.

Hearing news of the success of the Texans, the French, British, and Dutch requested the return of their colonies. However, with Texan settlers already occupying the land, and the support of local elites, the Republic of Texas refused, declaring Guyana a territory of Texas. While it initially seemed this conflict could only end militarily, it appears diplomacy has won out after both the United States of America and the Empire of Brazil entered diplomatic talks in the support of Texas. When asked to comment on the course of these talks, a Texan diplomat told the National Gazette the following:

"The support of the United States and Brazil is something the Republic of Texas is truly grateful for, as well as their recognition of Texas' efforts of restoring liberty, prosperity, and order to the good people of Guyana." He also went on to comment "Eventually, the honorable Dutch, British, and French representatives understood that dealing with the remaining holdouts of the revolt in the Amazon was better left to the hardy pioneer spirit of the Texans, recognizing the republic's sovereignty. Of course the republic has agreed to also compensate them for this dignified recognition of authority over Guyana."

With this new treaty, it appears Texan authority has cemented over Guyana. As the Texans begin settling into their new territory, it is still to be seen how exactly the Republic of Texas will grow after its tumultuous birth.