William Sumter Murphy

William Sumter Murphy (1796–1844) was an American lawyer and diplomat, known for serving as the American chargé d'affaires to Texas in 1843 and 1844.

Early life Murphy was born in South Carolina in 1796; in his early years, he read law in Virginia, and began practicing in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1818.

Three years later, in 1821, he married Lucinda Sterret. Murphy made use of his abilities on behalf of the Democratic Party.

In 1832, he challenged future governor William Allen for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, in Ohio's 7th district. Murphy lost, and Allen became a highly successful Ohio politician. Discouraged by the experience, Murphy abandoned the Democrats for the rest of his life. was to the failing Federal Republic of Central America. Although it had mostly dissolved by the time Murphy arrived in December, he presented his credentials to Guatemala.

Although there were rumors that the Federation would be revived, Murphy, hampered by malaria, suffered through three laborious months, before recognizing the futility of such beliefs. He relayed the designs of the British on the Mosquito Coast and other regions in the area, prior to returning to the United States on March 30, 1842. subject to the approval of the United States Senate. Nevertheless, Murphy took up his appointment and presented his credentials, as chargé d'affaires, to Texas on June 16, 1843.

A week later, the appointment of Abel P. Upshur as Secretary of State made the annexation of Texas a priority issue for the Tyler administration. While not directly engaged in negotiations, Murphy did exchange correspondence with President Houston of Texas, and took part in secret preparations for the passage of the Tyler-Texas treaty. This included unauthorized agreements for military and naval protection. Although they had been agreed upon and carried out by President Tyler after he signed the treaty in April 1844, this significantly jeopardized Murphy's confirmation process, and led to the resignation of Treasury Secretary John Canfield Spencer.

The Tyler-Texas treaty and associated correspondence were leaked to the public in late April; the Senate rejected the treaty in early June. In the interim, on May 23, 1844, Murphy's nomination was considered and rejected by the Senate. As a result, he was recalled from Galveston.

Death and burial Prior to his recall, he fell ill with yellow fever and died, at his post, on July 13, 1844. He was the third charge to do so.

He was originally buried in Galveston; but he was later buried in Chillicothe, Ohio, on the site of a former train depot.