Texas Legation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Texas Legation (a type of embassy) was maintained by the Republic of Texas in Washington D.C., London, and Paris from 1836 through 1845.
In a bid to protect itself from almost certain invasion by forces from neighbouring 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 manoeuver to prompt officals in the United States to worry that an independent Texas might allow British and French soldiers to mass on the south 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 offerred to guarantee Texas's borders with both the States and Mexico. Texas was a tactical ally of Britain acting as a counterweight to America. Nonetheless an independent Texas was probably unviable for financial reasons, and when the Republic became a state in 1845 the embassy was shut down.
The Texas Legation in London was located on St. James Street on the north side of the building that also houses Berry Brothers and Rudd, a wine merchants firm that has been at that site since 1730.
The Texas Legation in Paris was located at 1 Place Vendom 75001, where there is today a plaque testifying to its authenticity.
The Texas Embassy cantina is a restaurant near Trafalgar Square named to commemorate the Texas Legation.
[edit] External links
- Texas Legation Records come home…
- A History of St James’s (with a Texas Legation plaque)
