CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Peru-Bolivian Confederation

A Confederation with Common External Business

The decree of 28 October 1836 joined North Peru, South Peru, and the Republic of Bolivia in a confederation under Andrés de Santa Cruz. It called for each constituent state to send plenipotentiaries to Tacna to establish their common arrangements. A General Secretariat would receive communications concerning the confederation. This institutional design explains why a diplomat commissioned to Peru could subsequently present credentials to a confederal government: external representation was being organized above the level of the three constituent states. [4]

American Representation during the Confederation

The Peru-Bolivian Confederation received James B. Thornton as the American chargé on 16 March 1837. Thornton had been commissioned to Peru in June 1836, before that reception. His successor, James Chamberlayne Pickett, presented credentials on 30 January 1840, after the confederation had dissolved. Pickett represented the United States in Peru. [1] [2] [3]

Dissolution and Separate Diplomacy

The confederation dissolved in 1839, ending the common authority to which Thornton had been accredited. Pickett’s later reception by Peru belonged to the restored separate relationship. [3]

Sources

  1. James B. Thornton: appointment and reception

    Appointment June 15, 1836; official recognition March 16, 1837; Confederation note

  2. U.S. chiefs of mission for Peru

    Pickett January 30, 1840; Robinson January 11, 1862 entries

  3. Peru: recognition and diplomatic relations

    1826 recognition; 1827 establishment; Confederation; 1846 legation; 1920 American embassy

    Independence in 1821; the 1836–1839 confederation; Thornton’s reception and Pickett’s later credentials. Detailed chronology used rather than inconsistent introductory dates.

  4. Decreto del 28 de Octubre de 1836: Establecimiento de la Confederación Perú-Boliviana

    Peruvian Congress reproduction, one page; preamble and articles 1–3, constituent states, plenipotentiaries, and the General Secretariat. Spanish text inspected.

Notes

  • The Office of the Historian’s confederation heading gives 1838, while its detailed entry and Thornton’s individual personnel record date his reception to 16 March 1837. [3] [1]

Related Reading

Cite This Article

Peru-Bolivian Confederation. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record version f78522930cfc367aabec.

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