The diary and journal sections (Parts I-III), the bulk of this publication, constitute the recording of Richard C. Anderson’s experiences and observations from the time of his early life in Kentucky through his years as a lawyer, legislator, member of the national House of Representatives, his diplomatic service as our first minister to independent Colombia, and his appointment as one of this country’s commissioners to the ill-fated Panama Conference of 1826. Thus the title spells out with a high degree of accuracy the nature of the work. Its content is more extensive. The indispensable and praiseworthy preface and introduction illuminate the panorama of men and events set down by Anderson. In the same category and worthy of more than honorable mention is Appendix II, which identifies the socially prominent and politically important Englishmen, Colombians, and fellow countrymen mentioned in the journal with whom Anderson was at one time or another associated.
Anderson kept his record in a warm, friendly style of writing. It is remarkable that he was able to do this in the face of constant financial worries, recurrent disappointments, poor health, and numerous tragedies, such as the deaths of friends and relatives, including his wife and five of his children. These misfortunes he felt keenly. They did not, however, deter him from performing his duties to the best of his ability. He inaugurated diplomatic relations between the United States and Colombia with amity and friendship. To this end he negotiated the treaty (text: Appendix I) of October 3, 1824, our first with a Latin American country. During the negotiations and throughout his stay in South America, Anderson was alert to the ubiquitous Englishmen (he called them “impudent”) and their efforts to supersede his country’s influence. He entered the names of scores of officials and dignitaries that he met and not infrequently offered appraisals of them. These personality sketches were sometimes critical, but with one notable exception (p. 232) were not denigrating. Anderson faithfully described the contemporary scene about him. These descriptions are a welcome addition to the not overly abundant literature on Gran Colombia in the 1820s. There is also a modicum of fresh material for those interested in the early period of Pan Americanism.
Mention should be made of a rather obvious contribution: after one hundred thirty-eight years the mantle of obscurity has been lifted from much of the private life of our first plenipotentiary to Latin America. The first in a long line, he was as inadequately prepared for the task as many who were to follow. He knew little of the country, its language, history, or internal conditions. It can now be documented that the willy-nilly system of selecting our representatives in Latin America has prevailed from the first. This is best explained by the operation of the patronage system. Anderson was a political appointee, yet he performed in competent manner. His diplomatic record, like that of many later political appointees, adds weight to the theory that a foreign service officer did not have to possess career status in order to succeed.
Latin Americanists are indebted to Dr. Parks and the late Professor Tischendorf. In every way they emulated the “standards established by some of the excellent editors of this century.”
