Charges d'Affaires of the United States to Texas
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Position abolished
since August 9, 1845
NominatorThe President of the United States
Inaugural holderAlcée Louis la Branche
as Chargé d'Affaires
FormationMarch 7, 1837
Final holderAndrew Jackson Donelson
as Chargé d'Affaires
AbolishedAugust 9, 1845 (Annexation of Texas)

The United States recognized the Republic of Texas, created by a new constitution on March 2, 1836, as a new independent nation and commissioned its first representative, Alcee La Branche as the chargé d'affaires in 1837. The U.S. never sent a full minister (the term "ambassador" was not in use) to Texas, but a series of chargés represented the government in Austin until Texas joined the Union in 1845.

Chargés d'Affaires

U.S. diplomatic terms

Career FSO
After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time.

Political appointee
A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).

Appointed
The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as "commissioning". It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office.

Presented credentials
The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador's arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador's letter, but this occurs only rarely.

Terminated mission
Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador's commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.

Chargé d'affaires
The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country.

Ad interim
Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime".

Notes

  1. ^ Eve was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on June 29, 1841.
  2. ^ Murphy was commissioned during a recess of the Senate. His nomination of December 16, 1843, was rejected by the Senate.
  3. ^ Donelson was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on January 13, 1845.

Sources

See also

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