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importantly, Bassett’s work as a politically appointed diplomat forever altered U.S. foreign policy. For the first time, a nation founded on the principle that “all men are created equal” would have as its representative abroad someone who had previously been less than equal under the law. This movement toward equality and democratization of foreign policy would neither be quick, nor perfect. However it proved to be a force impossible to turn back, and carried implications for both domestic and international relations in the years ahead, including the wider acceptance of blacks in U.S. foreign policy.
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418:. A new era is open to us. For generations we have suffered under the horrors of slavery, outrage, and wrong; our manhood has been denied, our citizenship blotted out, our souls seared and burned, our spirits cowed and crushed, and the hopes of the future of our race involved in doubts and darkness. But how the whole aspect of our relations to the white race is changed! Now, therefore, is our most precious moment. Let us rush to arms! Fail now, and our race is doomed on this soil of our birth.
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its independence from France in 1804, it was not officially recognized by the United States until 1862. Southern resistance to a former colony governed by ex-slaves becoming a "nation" had prevented the United States from recognizing the country. With the Union victory in the Civil War, the US government wanted to improve bilateral relations, and believed the appointment of
Bassett was a significant step, not only for his skills but for the symbolism of his appointment.
467:, however, Bassett found that Haiti was torn by civil war. Although with no international experience, as a representative of the US, the Minister Resident was one of the most powerful figures in the country. Bassett soon realized that much of diplomacy involved intangibles. Soon after his arrival, he wrote to Frederick Douglass that his duties were "not so onerous as delicate. Common sense and some little knowledge of law…will carry me through."
329:, Ebenezer D. Bassett was from a community that had a strong tradition of owning their own property, running their own businesses, and playing important leadership roles. Among this community, the Bassetts stood out as astute and prominent. Bassett's father Eben Tobias, as well as his grandfather Tobiah, had the distinction of being elected "Black Governor" in Connecticut, an unofficial honorific among the black community.
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Basset was highly respected within the academic communities of the North. He attended educational meetings and advised abolitionists on matters of education. In New Haven
Connecticut August 1865, a meeting was held by The American Institute to address the issue of freedman and education. Speeches
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As a refugee, Canal had been essentially held captive by the government threat for more than five months. After Canal's departure, Bassett telegrammed the
Department of State informing them that the crisis had finally passed: "Refugees amicably embarked and soldiers withdrawn from around my premises
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In nominating
Bassett to become Minister Resident to Haiti (the title Ambassador would not be used by the U.S. until 1893), Grant appointed him as one of the highest-ranking blacks in the U.S. government. Bassett's accreditation to the "Black Republic" was no accident either. Though Haiti had gained
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Upon the end of the Grant
Administration in 1877, Bassett submitted his resignation as was customary with a change of hands in government. In spite of any lingering resentment that may have existed in Washington because of his defiant stance, it was impossible for the Department not to recognize
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Ebenezer D. Bassett was a role model not simply for his symbolic importance as the first
African American diplomat. His concern for human rights, his heroism, and courage in the face of threats from Haitians as well as his own capital place him in the annals of great American diplomats. Most
704:"Addresses of the Hon. W. D. Kelley, Miss Anna E. Dickinson, and Mr. Frederick Douglass, at a mass meeting, held at National Hall, Philadelphia, July 6, 1863, for the promotion of colored enlistments." Philadelphia, PA, 1863, African American Pamphlet Collection (Library of Congress).
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Yale
College administrator, Rev. M.E. Strieby D.D. secretary American Missionary Association of New York. Ebenezer Basset attended the meeting and urged the need for more African American educators in the freed states, he felt freedman would have more confidence in their teachers.
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Ebenezer
Bassett also became one of Philadelphia's leading voices for abolition of slavery and emancipation of the nearly four million enslaved Blacks. Bassett used ICY as a base to recruit Blacks to serve in the Union Army. He hastened to invite many of the national
526:, he nonetheless stood up to both the Secretary of State and the brutal Domingue dictatorship. By demanding humane treatment for an honorable Haitian citizen, Ebenezer Bassett served not only the best interests of the United States, but also of the people of Haiti.
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Both
Bassett's parents ensured that their son would receive the best education possible. In a step rare for any students of the mid-19th century, Bassett attended college in his home state. In 1853 he was the first black student to attend the Connecticut
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Men of Color, to Arms! Now or Never! This is our golden moment. The
Government of the United States calls for every able-bodied colored man to enter the army for the three years' service, and join in fighting the battles of liberty and
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during your term of office. This commendation of your services is the more especially merited because at various times your duties have been of such a delicate nature as to have required the exercise of much tact and
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I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing to you the appreciation of the Department for the very satisfactory manner in which you have discharged your duties of the mission at
405:, Bassett and other Black leaders organized a recruiting drive for Black soldiers. Bassett had the honor of being the second speaker of the night, making his speech immediately preceding
658:"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1875, Volume II - Office of the Historian"
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in the mid-1870s, Canal had retired to his home outside the capital. The new Haitian President, however, suspicious of rivals, hunted down perceived threats, including Canal.
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was elected to the presidency, he looked for Black leaders such as Bassett to fill important political positions. Douglass recommended Bassett to political allies in the
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Canal and two young relatives arrived at Bassett's home, seeking protection and refuge. The diplomat agreed to protect them under his diplomatic immunity.
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Unfortunately, unlike his peers who broke the color barrier in other professional fields, Ebenezer Bassett was soon forgotten with the passing of time.
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373:(ICY). It later became Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the earliest college dedicated to educating Black youth in the country. There he focused on
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Hayti and Santo Domingo, Fish to Bassett, September 7, 1875, File 77, roll 96, Diplomatic Instruction of the Department of State, National Archives.
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When he returned to the United States, he spent an additional ten years as the Consul General for Haiti in New York City. Prior to his death in
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Teal, Christopher. Hero of Hispaniola – America's First Black Diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett, Westport, Conn: Praeger Publishers, 2008
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Simmons, William J., and Henry McNeal Turner. Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive and Rising. GM Rewell & Company, 1887. p872-877
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Hayti, Evarts to Bassett, October 5, 1877, File 77, roll 96, Diplomatic Instruction of the Department of State, National Archives.
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there, Bassett served in one of the most crucial, but difficult postings of his time. Haiti was of strategic importance in the
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Bassett to Douglass, July 3, 1869, Series: General Correspondence 1869, The Frederick Douglass Papers, Library of Congress.
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diplomat and the fourth U.S. ambassador to Haiti since the two countries established relations in 1862. His mother was
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The Annals of the American Institute of Instruction Being a Record of Its Doings for 54 Years, from 1830 Till 1883
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His remaining years as an educator and activist would cement his position in the abolitionist community. When
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, October 12, 1875, M 82, roll 8, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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School Records for Ebenezer D. Bassett, Central Connecticut State University Library, Special Collections.
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, October 5, 1875, M 82, roll 8, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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504:. The general was among the band of young leaders who in 1869 successfully ousted the former President
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, June 8, 1875, M 82, roll 8, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, May 19, 1875, M 82, roll 8, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, May 8, 1875, M 82, roll 8, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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Hayti, Bassett to Fish, May 8, 1875, M 82, roll 7, Department of State Despatches, National Archives.
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Ebenezer Bassett was appointed as new leaders emerged among free African Americans after the
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Soon Bassett was offered the chance to teach at a progressive new all-Black high school in
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Though he undoubtedly paid a price by having irritated the powers that ran the
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1863 Broadside listing Bassett as a speaker calling men of color to arms.
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Hero of Hispaniola - America's First Black Diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett
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for consular and commercial agents, and aid to citizens affected by
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The case that posed the greatest challenge to him, however, was
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Daily Ohio statesman Volume 13 Number 36 August 10, 1865 Page 3
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wrote to Bassett, thanking him for his years of service:
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leaders who had become colleagues. Just days after the
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from power. By the time of the subsequent regime of
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Bassett oversaw cases of citizen commercial claims,
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Reminiscences of School Life, and Hints on Teaching
293:, Bassett was the U.S. diplomatic envoy in 1869 to
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423:were made by prominent members of the community.
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267:. From 1857 to 1869 he was the principal of the
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385:, who would also become a diplomat, Smythe to
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341:). After graduation Bassett taught school in
313:basin for its shipping lanes and as a naval
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255:(October 16, 1833 – November 13, 1908) was
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1151:Ambassadors of the United States to Haiti
80:Learn how and when to remove this message
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116:United States Minister Resident to Haiti
43:This article includes a list of general
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638:. Library of Congress. August 10, 1865
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339:Central Connecticut State University
259:from 1869 to 1877. He was the first
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216:Eliza Park (m. 1855)
161:John Mercer Langston
694:Teal, Christopher.
681:Teal, Christopher.
472:diplomatic immunity
18:Ebenezer D. Bassett
683:Hero of Hispaniola
616:"Charles Northend"
557:Brooklyn, New York
407:Frederick Douglass
391:American Civil War
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276:American Civil War
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201:(1908-11-13)
156:Succeeded by
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1126:1833 births
546:discretion.
535:F.W. Seward
449:White House
144:Preceded by
62:introducing
1120:Categories
1015:Huddleston
667:2020-01-28
595:Eric Foner
578:References
551:Later life
476:hurricanes
321:Early life
230:Alma mater
182:1833-10-16
70:April 2014
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804:Hollister
416:the Union
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317:station.
311:Caribbean
303:civil war
133:President
128:1869–1877
124:In office
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927:DeCourcy
829:Douglass
824:Thompson
819:Williams
814:Langston
500:General
435:Author,
325:Born in
291:activist
280:educator
221:Children
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957:Timmons
932:Travers
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872:Merrell
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809:Bassett
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387:Liberia
315:coaling
58:improve
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1046:Merten
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286:, and
265:Pequot
213:Spouse
208:, U.S.
191:, U.S.
47:, but
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278:. An
238:(now
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942:Drew
865:Dunn
799:Peck
644:2020
305:and
196:Died
176:Born
563:in
1122::
660:.
634:.
586:^
567:.
482:.
451:.
409:.
393:.
377:,
349:.
282:,
775:e
768:t
761:v
685:.
670:.
646:.
242:)
224:8
184:)
180:(
83:)
77:(
72:)
68:(
54:.
20:)
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