Texas Legation

A Texas Legation was maintained by the Republic of Texas in Washington, D.C., London, and Paris (1 Place Vendôme) from 1836 through 1845.

Commemorative plaque showing final location of Texas Legation in London from 1842-1845
Commemorative plaque, 1 Place Vendôme, Paris 1st

In a bid to protect itself from almost certain invasion by forces from neighboring Mexico, the government of the republic sought to foster international ties. It did this by also opening the Texas Legations in London and Paris. Their opening is believed by some academics to be less an attempt by Texas to enter the international stage as an independent country and more a maneuver to prompt officials in the United States to worry that an independent Texas might allow British and French soldiers to mass on the southern border of the U.S.

When Texas sought to join the United States in 1845, the British Empire supported keeping it independent. The British even offered to guarantee Texas's borders with both the United States and Mexico. Texas was a tactical ally of Britain acting as a counterweight to the United States. Nonetheless an independent Texas was probably inviable for financial reasons, and when the Republic became a state in 1845 the legations were shut down.

Locations

London 51.5056°N 0.1380°W / 51.5056; -0.1380

The Texas Legation in London was located in Pickering Place, an alley off the east side of St. James's Street near St. James's Palace in a building that also houses Berry Bros. & Rudd, a prestigious wine merchants' firm that has been at that site since 1730. On the north side of the building is a plaque marking it as the site of the legation. At the top of the plaque is the seal of the Republic of Texas. The text of the plaque reads: "Texas Legation In this building was the legation for the ministers from the Republic of Texas to the Court of St. James 1842 - 1845. Erected by the Anglo-Texan Society".

The plaque was erected in 1963. Anglo-Texan Society member Alfred Bossom led the effort to erect the plaque and the honour of its unveiling went to then-Governor Price Daniel.

Paris 48.8668°N 2.3288°E / 48.8668; 2.3288

The Texas Legation in Paris was located not far from the Tuileries Palace at 1 Place Vendôme 75001, where there is today a carving on the wall above the Hôtel Bataille de Francès that indicates where the legation used to be.

Washington, D.C.

The Texas Legation in Washington, D.C. moved frequently, occupying eight different locations during its short history. One of these locations, a Pennsylvania Avenue boarding house, sat on or near the grounds of the United States Navy Memorial. Another location is occupied by a building that has hosted the Washington office of the University of Texas System.[1]

References
  1. Benning, Tom. "Republic of Texas diplomats are honored in Paris and London. Why not in Washington?" Dallas Morning News, 2018-08-28. Accessed 2020-03-28.
  • "A History of St James's". Archived from the original on 14 March 2003. a plaque notes that the diplomatic office of 'The Republic of Texas Legation 1843' was located here.
  • Texas Legation Records come home…
  • George, Mary Caroline Hollers. "Anglo-Texan Society". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
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