In 1906, he was secretary to the American legation in Bangkok and Consul General of Siam. He was second secretary to the American legation in Peking in 1907, and then served in a similar capacity in Saint Petersburg, Athens, Montenegro, and Paris.[3]
Laughlin then took an extended leave of absence from the Foreign Service in 1919, during which time he built the Meridian House at 1630 Crescent Place in Washington, D.C., on land he had purchased in 1912. He filled the house with his collection of 18th century French drawings and Oriental porcelains and screens.
During Laughlin's ambassadorship to Spain, King Alfonso XIII left the country and the Second Spanish Republic was established. When the proclamation of the Republic was issued on April 14, 1931, Laughlin, who had supported Alfonso XIII's efforts to institute a constitutional monarchy, reacted cautiously. He advised Secretary of StateHenry L. Stimson against extending formal recognition to the Republic. Stimson ultimately recognized the provisional government after Great Britain had done so but was careful not to use the term "Spanish Republic" and stated that the U.S. government did not "wish to give the appearance of prejudging events."[4][5]
Family and later life
On September 18, 1912, Laughlin married Therese E. Iselin, daughter of New York banker Adrian Iselin Jr. They had two children, Alexander Laughlin and Gertrude Laughlin. Gertrude married Rear Admiral Hubert Winthrop Chanler. Laughlin died in 1941 at his home in Washington D.C. at the age of 69.[3]