State of the Union History: 1838 Martin Van Buren - Diplomatic Relations of the United States

Even before the United States had won its independence from Great Britain, diplomatic relations were established. Benjamin Franklin served as the first ever American Diplomat when he was appointed as U.S. Minister to France in 1778. By 1838, the United States had recognized more than 30 countries and established many consulates. Well respected men were appointed to be ministers and reside in these countries, quite often as a political reward. Some of the more well-known ministers were John Adams Minister to the United Kingdom, John Quincy Adams Minister to Germany and Russia, William Short Minister to Spain, David Humphreys Minister to Portugal and Joel Roberts Poinsett Minister to Mexico. Of the first eight presidents, five of them served as ambassadors including President Martin Van Buren who appointed as Minister to Britain by Andrew Jackson. Van Buren served from 1831 to 1832 before being elected Vice President on the Jacksonian ticket.

It is no surprise that Van Buren would speak very highly of "diplomatic connections with different foreign states". In his 1838 State of the Union history address, Van Buren was pleased to announce that new diplomatic relations were created with Austria and the Two Sicilies and that new nominations were made for Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Sweden and Norway. Among the nominations were George Mifflin Dallas Minister to Russia, Ernesto Ferreira França Minister to Brazil and Virgil Maxcy Minister to Belgium.

"To watch over and foster the interests of a gradually increasing and widely extended commerce, to guard the rights of American citizens whom business or pleasure or other motives may tempt into distant climes, and at the same time to cultivate those sentiments of mutual respect and good will which experience has proved so beneficial in international intercourse, the Government of the United States has deemed it expedient from time to time to establish diplomatic connections with-different foreign states, by the appointment of representatives. to reside within their respective territories. I am gratified to be enabled to announce to you that since the close of your last session these relations have been opened under the happiest auspices with Austria and the Two Sicilies, that new nominations have been made in the respective missions of Russia, Brazil, Belgium, and Sweden and Norway in this country, and that a minister extraordinary has been received, accredited to this Government, from the Argentine Confederation."

After Martin Van Buren, only three other presidents including William Henry Harrison, James Buchanan and George H. W. Bush.

Here is a list of countries diplomatically recognized by the U.S. on or before 1838.