Anthony Butler (diplomat)

Anthony Wayne Butler (1787–1849[1]) was an American soldier, politician and diplomat who served as ambassador to Mexico.

Born in Clarendon County, South Carolina, Butler served in the War of 1812, first as a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, later as a colonel under general Andrew Jackson.[1] After two terms in the Kentucky legislature, an unsuccessful campaign to become governor of that state, and a career as a land speculator, Butler lobbied Jackson (now president) to make him Chargé d'affaires in Mexico.[1] Jackson appointed him to the post in 1829, with the instruction and sole purpose to negotiate a purchase of Texas.[2]

Butler, who spoke no Spanish and had distinctly un-diplomatic manners,[1] failed his task. Despite orders from Secretary of State Martin Van Buren not to meddle in the internal affairs of Mexico, he got deeply involved indeed,[3] bribing Mexican officials and finally recommending Jackson to annex Texas by force. Jackson distanced himself from his ambassador, especially after the latter had tried to bribe Santa Anna.[2] Having failed to acquire Texas for the U.S., Butler suggested a claim on part of the territory based on supposed confusion of the Sabine and Neches rivers; Butler himself had speculative interests in the area.[4]

Butler remained in Mexico even after being recalled in 1835, sending regular reports to Jackson, until the Mexican government demanded he leave the country.[1] Although he successfully negotiated two treaties in 1832,[5] his tenure mostly resulted in Mexican suspicion of United States' foreign policy.[3]

Having left Mexico, Butler settled in Texas, leaving in 1847, during the Mexican–American War. He died on a burning riverboat on the Mississippi while helping fellow passengers escape the flames.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Russell D. James (2013). "Butler, Anthony Wayne". In Spencer Tucker. The Encyclopedia of the Mexican–American War. ABC-CLIO. pp. 99–100.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fowler, Will (2009). Santa Anna of Mexico. University of Nebraska Press. p. 182.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Moseley, Edward H.; Clark, Paul C. (2009). "Butler, Anthony". The A to Z of the United States-Mexican War. Scarecrow Press. p. 65.
  4. ↑ Miller, Edward L. (2004). New Orleans and the Texas Revolution. Texas A&M University Press. p. 46.
  5. ↑ Singletary, Otis A. (1960). The Mexican War. University of Chicago Press. p. 18.