Agents of Information

Abstract: Agents of Information, The American Consular Service and the Spanish-American wars for independence When in 1810, the Spanish-American wars of independence started, the United States reacted with a mixture of enthusiasm, hesitancy but first and foremost a clearly defined neutrality. However, the United States were aware of the benefits that a successful revolution would have for them, which was a decline of European influence in the Americas, possibilities for more trade with this region and the establishment of more republics in the western hemisphere. A peculiar part of the policy by the United States was the ‘executive agents’ that were sent to some Spanish American provinces. These agents were appointed by the President of the United States to keep the U.S up to date on the revolutions in Spanish America, transfer the United States policy of neutrality but with a clear preference towards the revolutionaries and possibly help the U.S. trade in this region. As the wars of independence continued, the number of executive agents grew, which begs the question, were they able to influence U.S. policy with regards to Spanish America? By analyzing the letters of the executive agents – the agents in Venezuela particularly – one expects to see how the letters influenced U.S. policy. Their letters were the most important source of information of Spanish America and were read by the Secretary of State. By comparing the policy of the United States with regards to Spanish America and the letters by the executive agents, one can see in what way these two influenced each other. Unfortunately, little sources are available where the Secretaries of State have expressed the importance of the letters of the executive agents, but the fact that this service only increased as the years went by says something about its effectiveness. The executive agents successfully kept the Department of State up to date on the events of the revolution, which helped the U.S. in determining a policy in relation to certain questions involving the Spanish American provinces. One of the most important questions for the U.S. government was whether the United States should recognize the newly independent nations in Latin America. The letters of the executive agents helped the U.S. in answering these questions and substantiating its policy. However, the agents merely played a supporting role and not an advising role in these matters. After analyzing the letters by the executive agents it is evident that their advice was more often ignored than acted upon, but their presence meant that even back then, the United States wished to control parts of the world to their own benefit.