Hero of Hispaniola by Christopher Teal: Book Review Essay

By Patricia H. Kushlis

The February 2009 Foreign Service Journal published an article by Christopher Teal on Ebeneezer Bassett, America’s first black diplomat. The article summarizes Teal’s biography of the same man – a remarkable story that Teal came upon accidentally when he was assigned to the Caribbean as a Foreign Service Officer – and one he researched and turned into a book thereafter.

Bassett, like all other US diplomats until 1924 owed his appointment to political benefactors. In his case, the appointment was a reward for having recruited blacks to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. His post: Ambassador to Haiti (then spelled Hayti), whose population consisted primarily of former black slaves. He and his family lived there for six years.

A tough assignment then as now

Haiti was a tough assignment for this former educator. It would have been difficult for anyone. The tropical climate took its toll on the health of his Connecticut born family and the Haitian political instability and ensuing violence –characteristics of that country that persist today – were trying. Unlike today with instant communications, however, Bassett was on his own – trying to represent American interests as best he could and communicating with his bosses by written reports transmitted to Washington and dependent for delivery upon the irregular mail. These reports served as a foundation for Teal’s book.

That Bassett possessed innate diplomatic skills helped save his and others lives - many times over. That his appeals for help or guidance were often ignored or passed over lightly by the then Secretary of State made Bassett’s life even more difficult.