Combat· South America and Pacific Protective Operations
Buenos Aires protective landings
An early instance of American warships acting in place of absent diplomats.
With Argentina convulsed by the long civil war between the Federalist and Unitarian factions, and with no American minister on the spot, the protection of American residents and property at Buenos Aires fell to the South Atlantic Squadron under Commodore Melancthon Woolsey. Twice during 1836, in March and again in late October, Marines and sailors from the squadron's ships went ashore to safeguard American lives and interests, the larger landing in the autumn led by Commander Isaac McKeever. The Marines provided the guard and the steadying presence the situation demanded, working alongside an American merchant who served informally as the consul. After the immediate danger passed, they re-embarked. No fighting and no casualties resulted. The episode was characteristic of the period, when a squadron on a distant station was expected to step in wherever American citizens were endangered by foreign turmoil.
Record no. 320