Diplomatic Service
After leaving office in January 1840, Everett traveled in Europe with his family for several months. When the Whigs won the 1840 election, Everett was appointed "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James" (that is, ambassador to Great Britain) at the recommendation of his friend Daniel Webster. He served until 1845, when after a change of administrations he was replaced by Democrat Louis McLane.
He brought several manuscripts from the East. Everett stated: "I omitted no opportunity of searching for Greek manuscripts in the libraries of the religious houses which I visited in Greece, particularly those of Megaspelion in the Morea and of Meteora in Thessaly. (...) I heard from Mr. Cartwright, the British Consul-General, of a few Greek MSS. belonged to the family of a Greek prince in decay, which were offered for sale."
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