A Diplomat of Consequence

In nominating Bassett to become Minister Resident to Haiti (the title Ambassador would not be used by the U.S. until 1893), Grant appointed him as one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the U.S. government. Bassett's accreditation to the "Black Republic" was no accident either. Though Haiti had gained its independence from France in 1804, it was not officially recognized by the United States until 1862. Southern resistance to a former colony governed by ex-slaves becoming a "nation" had prevented the United States from recognizing the country. With the Union victory in the Civil War, the U.S. government wanted to improve bilateral relations.  Grant believed the appointment of Bassett was a significant step, not only for his leadership skills, but also for the symbolism of his appointment.

Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince, however, Bassett found that Haiti was torn by civil war. Although with no international experience, as a representative of the U.S., the Minister Resident was one of the most powerful figures in the country. Bassett realized that much of diplomacy involved intangibles. Soon after his arrival, he wrote to Frederick Douglass that his duties were "not so onerous as delicate. Common sense and some little knowledge of law…will carry me through."

As the year 1869 came to a close, however, the government of Haiti under President Sylvain Salnave collapsed to rebel forces led by Jean-Nicolas Nissage Saget. Bassett courageously sheltered thousands of civilian non-combatants, and negotiated for their release with the new Haitian government.

“You will pardon me for reminding that the holding of women and children as hostages is repugnant to modern civilization and especially to the government of the United States,” Bassett boldly told Saget.  After a tense stand-off, Saget relented and Bassett personally escorted the refugees into the heart of Port-au-Prince to their homes and safety.

After the war, Bassett’s work as a diplomat including overseeing cases of American citizen commercial claims, diplomatic immunity for consular and commercial agents, and aid to citizens affected by hurricanes, fires and numerous tropical diseases. in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The case that posed the greatest challenge to Ebenezer Bassett, however, was political refugee General Pierre Boisrond Canal. The general was among the band of young leaders who in 1869 successfully ousted the former President Sylvain Salnave from power.  By the time President Saget left office and the subsequent President, Michel Domingue, took office in 1874, General Canal had retired to his home outside the capital. President Domingue, however, suspicious of rivals, quickly began to hunt down perceived threats, including Canal.

In May of 1875, Canal and two young relatives arrived at Bassett's home, seeking protection and refuge. Bassett agreed to protect them under his diplomatic immunity.

Bassett attempted to negotiate with Domingue, who was unwilling to allow Canal to go free.  Domingue was also unwilling to enter Bassett’s home and take Canal by force, for free of provoking a war with the United States. A tense standoff continued, with a thousand armed Haitian soldiers surrounding Bassett’s home for five months.  Finally in October 1875, Bassett, with help from Washington threatening to send a naval war ship. negotiated for Canal’s release and exile to Jamaica.

After his departure, Bassett telegrammed the Department of State informing them that the crisis had finally passed: "Refugees amicable embarked and soldiers withdrawn from around my premises yesterday."

Though he undoubtedly paid a price by having irritated Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, he nonetheless stood up to both the Secretary of State and the brutal Domingue dictatorship. By advocating for the human rights of Haitian citizens, Ebenezer Bassett served not only the best interests of the United States, but also of the people of Haiti.

Upon the end of the Grant Administration in 1877, Bassett submitted his resignation as was customary with a change of hands in government. In spite of any lingering resentment that may have existed in Washington because of his defiant stance, it was impossible for the Department not to recognize Bassett's work.

Acting Secretary of State F.W. Seward wrote to Bassett, thanking him for his years of service:

I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing to you the appreciation of the Department for the very satisfactory manner in which you have discharged your duties of the mission at Port-au-Prince during your term of office. This commendation of your services is the more especially merited because at various times your duties have been of such a delicate nature as to have required the exercise of much tact and discretion.

Later life

When he returned to the United States, he spent an additional ten years as the Consul General for Haiti in New York City. Prior to his death in Brooklyn, New York, he lived in Philadelphia, where his daughter Charlotte taught at the Institute for Colored Youth. He is buried, with family members, at the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.