[3][7] From March 1924 to October 26, he served as the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Haiti.

[8] In April 1935, Merrell became the First Secretary of the United States Legation in Peiping, China.

[12][13] On April 15, 1947, President Harry S. Truman appointed Merrell to replace Felix Cole as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.

Henry F. Grady was appointed to succeed Merrell as the United States Ambassador to India.

[2] On May 14, the United States Senate approved his nomination and he presented his credentials on January 1, 1948.