1832 Andrew Jackson - Republic of Colombia - Hoping for Reunion

During Andrew Jackson's presidency he saw the new Republic of Colombia reunite and then dissolve again. The Republic of Colombia was organized from Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela and some parts of Guyana and Brazil. They adopted a constitution in 1821 when Simón Bolívar became the first President. Unfortunately, due to instability, the Republic collapsed when Ecuador and Venezuela seceded in 1830. New Granada, Ecuador, and Venezuela were now three separate countries, but Jackson held out hope that the Republic of Colombia would once again reunite. In his 1832 State of the Union address he told Congress that he instructed our minister to do whatever he could to encourage a reunion.

"The union of the three States which formed the Republic of Colombia has been dissolved, but they all, it is believed, consider themselves as separately bound by the treaty which was made in their federal capacity. The minister accredited to the federation continues in that character near the Government of New Grenada, and hopes were entertained that a new union would be formed between the separate States, at least for the purposes of foreign intercourse. Our minister has been instructed to use his good offices, when ever they shall be desired, to produce the reunion so much to be wished for, the domestic tranquillity of the parties, and the security and facility of foreign commerce."

Shortly after delivering this message, President Andrew Jackson nominated Senator Robert B. McAffee of Kentucky to be the chargé d'affaires of New Granada. McAffee was confirmed by the Senate in February and made his way to New Granada where he presented to the government of New Grenada that July in the city of Bogotá. At that moment, Venezuela and Ecuador were independent countries and without formal diplomatic relations with the United States. The countries had plans to meet in Bogota to perhaps iron out their differences and Jackson was hopeful they would reunite. He gave instructions to McAffee to maintain friendship and commercial ties to New Grenada throughout the process. Until then, America would remain without diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Ecuador. Jackson shared this update with Congress in his 1833 State of the Union address.

"The wars of which the southern part of this continent was so long the theater, and which were carried on either by the mother country against the States which had formerly been her colonies or by the States against each other, having terminated, and their civil dissensions having so far subsided as with few exceptions no longer to disturb the public tranquillity, it is earnestly hoped those States will be able to employ themselves without interruption in perfecting their institutions, cultivating the arts of peace, and promoting by wise councils and able exertions the public and private prosperity which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy.

With those States our relations have under-gone but little change during the present year. No reunion having yet taken place between the States which composed the Republic of Colombia, our chargé d'affaires at Bogota has been accredited to the Government of New Grenada, and we have, therefore, no diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Equator, except as they may be included in those heretofore formed with the Colombian Republic. 

It is understood that representatives from the three states were about to assemble at Bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests, particularly that of their union, and if the result should render it necessary, measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship and those liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire of the United States to cultivate with their sister Republics of this hemisphere. Until the important question of reunion shall be settled, however, the different matters which have been under discussion between the United States and the Republic of Colombia, or either of the States which composed it, are not likely to be brought to a satisfactory issue."

Finally, in 1834 President Jackson came to a realization that the reunion of Colombia "seems every day to become more improbable" While New Grenada and Venezuela were continuing discussions about joining into one united government, the civil war in Ecuador was seemingly preventing them from even sending a commissioner to the discussions. Therefore, Jackson informed Congress that he would very soon nominate a "diplomatic agent" to Venezuela. It was now in Jackson's judgement, "improper longer to delay this step". Jackson nominated John G. A. Williamson who presented his credentials to Venezuela on June 30, 1835. 

"I propose at an early day to submit, in the proper form, the appointment of a diplomatic agent to Venezuela, the importance of the commerce of that country to the United States and the large claims of our citizens upon the Government arising before and since the division of Colombia rendering it, in my judgment, improper longer to delay this step."

In Jackson's final State of the Union Address, he was silent on this issue.  Whether or not Jackson had given up hope, it would be up to the next president, Martin Van Buren to carry on the goal of reuniting Colombia.

References

Presidency.ucsb.edu. (2020). Fourth Annual Message | The American Presidency Project. [online] Available at: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fourth-annual-message-3 [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020].

Presidency.ucsb.edu. (2020). Fifth Annual Message | The American Presidency Project. [online] Available at: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fifth-annual-message-2 [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020].

Presidency.ucsb.edu. (2020). Sixth Annual Message | The American Presidency Project. [online] Available at: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/sixth-annual-message-2 [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020].

Collected Writings From Soka University of America. (2011). Second American Renaissance Press, pp.350-351.