Anyone been?
Poking around the endlessly fascinating Atlas Obscura for places I must one day visit, found this:
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-embassy-of-the-republic-of-texas
Poking around the endlessly fascinating Atlas Obscura for places I must one day visit, found this:
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-embassy-of-the-republic-of-texas
quote:
Built in 1730, the distinguished property at 4 St James's Street is steeped in history and peculiar secrets. Under the shop floor lies two whole acres of wine cellars and caves which run underneath St. James's Street. The Georgian rooms had once held a brothel and a notorious gambling den, and the courtyard at the back was also home to bear-baiting, cock-fighting and London's last ever public duel. Napoleon III even lived here in exile whilst plotting his return to France.
But between 1836 and 1845 it was home to perhaps one its most unusual tenants; for the space above the wine shop was briefly home to the Embassy of the Republic of Texas. At the time of its founding, Texas was an independent sovereign country with its borders under threat from both the United States and Mexico. Then-President-of-Texas Sam Houston sent Dr. Ashbel Smith, the Secretary of State, to be the Texan diplomatic representative in England in an effort to build international sentiment for their country. A second Embassy was also established in France, located in what is now the Htel de Vendme.
Texas finally joined the Union in 1845, despite the Crown's support of its independence, and the Embassy in London was closed. Taking full advantage of their desirable location above one of London's best wine shops, the Texan delegation departed the capital leaving a 160 rent bill outstanding.
