The turbulent island nation was plagued with problems, and Bassett gracefully handled the difficulties of the position. As a diplomat, Bassett was able to bring order to the nation and stave off impending clashes between the warring factions of President Michel Domingue and retired rebellion leader General Pierre Boisrond Canal.
Bassett’s position ended in 1877 when Grant’s presidency ended. He returned to the United States and worked as the Consul General for Haiti for the next decade. Bassett retired to Philadelphia. His daughter, Charlotte, taught at the ICY at the time.
Bassett lived until 1908.
In November 2014, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-3) introduced the Ambassador Ebenezer D. Bassett Commemorative Stamp Act bill, which would lead to the issuing of an official postal stamp with Bassett’s image. The bill has yet to become law.
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Little Known Black History Fact: Ebenezer Bassett was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
