Remember the Alamo? Perhaps you should also remember the Texas Legation Plaque. This small plaque marks a short but intriguing chapter in Texas history right here in London. It is a reminder of the time when Texas was an independent republic seeking recognition on the world stage.
The Texas Legation Plaque is located in Pickering Place. This is a small alley off St. James’s Street near St. James’s Palace. From 1842 to 1845, this unassuming spot housed the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Texas to the Court of St. James.
Why a legation in London? Following Texas’s declaration of independence in 1836, the republic needed allies. Facing potential threats from both the United States and Mexico, Texas sought international recognition and support. London, along with Washington D.C. and Paris, became home to a Texas Legation.
The Texas Legation’s London location was strategic. It was close to St. James’s Palace. The Court of St. James was the official royal court. It was where foreign ambassadors were formally received. This proximity allowed Texan representatives to engage with the British government. They hoped to secure favorable trade agreements and political backing.
Interestingly, the Texas Legation shared its building with Berry Bros. & Rudd. This is a prestigious wine merchant that has operated here since 1698. Imagine diplomats discussing treaties above cellars filled with fine wines. The wine merchants served royalty. Lord Byron even weighed himself on their scales. This gives you an idea of the area’s importance.
While the United Kingdom never officially recognized Texas as an independent nation, it did allow Texan goods into British ports. Britain saw an independent Texas as a potential counterweight to the growing power of the United States. However, the British government was hesitant to commit significant resources to defend Texas’s borders.
One intriguing episode involves slavery. The British Prime Minister offered to subsidize the abolition of slavery in Texas. The Texan representative, Dr. Ashbel Smith, rejected the offer. He felt it would compromise Texas’s national dignity. Some historians believe this decision weakened European support for Texas and hastened its annexation by the United States.
The Texas Legation closed in 1845 when Texas joined the United States. Before leaving, the Texans threw a memorable party, consuming much wine. They also left behind an unpaid rent bill of £160.
That debt remained unpaid for over a century. In 1986, during Texas’s sesquicentennial, 26 Texans dressed in buckskin paid the bill with Republic of Texas bank notes. Berry Bros. & Rudd honored the occasion by launching a new bourbon whiskey called “Tex Leg Bourbon Whiskey.”
The Anglo-Texan Society erected the Texas Legation Plaque in 1963. Graham Greene was a founding member of this society. The plaque commemorates the legation’s presence. It 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.”
So, the next time you are in London, take a moment to find the Texas Legation Plaque. Remember the story of a small republic. It sought recognition and left its mark on this corner of London. It is a reminder that even the smallest nations can have a big story.