Description:

de Paula Santander Francisco

Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolivar's Successor in Gran Columbia/New Granada, ALS from European Exile

 

1p ALS inscribed overall and 2x signed in the third person by South American revolutionary Francisco de Paula Santander (1792-1840), the first time as "El Gl. Santander", and the second time as "Santander". Written in Hamburg, German Confederation on August 9, 1830. On cream paper hinged at top to a black paper mount that could easily be removed. Expected light paper folds and some staining from glue residue along top edge, else near fine. The letter measures 5" x 8.124". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see biography below.)

 

Translated in full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

 

"The Gl. Santander offers his gratitude to Mr. Hasperg, and has the honor to send him a package and a letter for Admiral Mordvinof as previously agreed. Santander thanks Mr. Hasperg for all his attention and kindness.

 

Hamburg 9 August

1830."

 

Francisco de Paula Santander, along with his contemporary Simon Bolivar, were two of the Founding Fathers of Gran Columbia (and later New Granada), the enormous nation whose territories included portions of modern day Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, and Columbia. Santander was a law student before enlisting in the revolutionary army pitted against royalist forces throughout northern South America. Under Bolivar's command, Santander was promoted through the ranks, eventually attaining the equivalent rank of Major General after the 1819 Battles of Vargas Swamp and Boyaca.

 

Santander was elected Vice President of Gran Columbia in 1821. In this role, Santander managed all of the nation's domestic affairs, from regulating the economy to quietening civil discord. Bolivar and Santander diverged over several critical political issues in the late 1820s, leading to Santander's exile. During his period of banishment (1829-1832), Santander kept a diary. The journal, simply called Santander en Europa, faithfully recorded Santander's time abroad. Santander wandered through the German Confederation, France, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Great Britain, and the United States before eventually returning to Gran Columbia following Bolivar's death. Santander served as the 4th President of the Republic of New Granada (the latest iteration of Gran Columbia, dissolved in 1830) between 1832-1837.

 

Santander's letter recipient was one "Mr. Hasperg", the counsel of Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III. Santander's diary indicates that he was in Hamburg between July 26 through August 15th--the period from which our letter dates--during which time he often socialized with Hasperg. The other individual mentioned in our letter as "Admiral Mordvinof" referred to Admiral Nikolai Mordvinov (1754-1845). The ex-commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet had distinguished himself during the Napoleonic Wars. In later life, Mordvinov dedicated himself to political writings, so he and the progressive Santander probably had much to discuss.

 

Santander's diary entry from August 9, 1830 corroborates the particulars of our letter. Santander wrote in part: "Monday: I have written to Admiral Mordvinof at Petersburg, sending him a package that Bentham gave me for him, with a letter in which he recommended me very favorably. This goes through the Russian Minister Struve, to whom Mr. Hasperg has spoken to the effect…"

 

Santander's letter to Mr. Hasperg dates approximately five months before Simon Bolivar's death from tuberculosis in mid-December 1830. Santander would be able to retake the mantle of political leadership only after the death of his onetime ally and enemy.

 

Provenance

 

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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