12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



Don Angel Calderon de la Barca, the only member upon the 

 associate list whom we have lost, so far as is now known, during the 

 past year, died, at his residence, near San Sebastian, only a day or two 

 after our last anniversary, viz. on the 31st of May, 1861, seventy 

 years old. 



This eminent Spanish statesman, who was elected into the Academy 

 while resident in this country, was also born upon our side of the 

 Atlantic, in what was then the viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata. But 

 he was early sent to Spain, and trained for the diplomatic service of 

 his country in the Bureau for Foreign Affairs at Madrid. At different 

 times he had different secretaryships in some of the principal countries 

 of Europe ; and, like others in similar relations to his government, 

 suffered occasionally — once at least severely — from the factions that 

 disturbed his country's peace. Later, he was twice Minister to the 

 United States ; his first term of service falling wholly or chiefly in the 

 time of Mr. Van Buren, and his second in that of Mr. Tyler. During 

 the latter, he managed with honorable ability a question which for a 

 short time disturbed the friendly relations of Spain and the United 

 States. 



In the interval between these two missions, he was sent with large 

 powers to Mexico, as the first authorized ambassador from Spain to her 

 revolted colony ; and by his wisdom, his moderation, and a kindliness 

 of temper which everywhere smoothed the roughest paths before him, 

 he established between the two governments relations of amity which 

 many statesmen had thought impossible, and which in fact did not long 

 continue after he left the country. His success as a diplomatist who 

 carried into all his negotiations a spirit of conciliation and forbearance, 

 was at this time so appreciated, that, in a season of trouble and anxiety, 

 he was summoned to Madrid, and placed at the head of the foreign 

 affairs of the government. But, notwithstanding the great advance- 

 ment such a summons implied, he left the United States with regrets, 

 openly expressed, and with no anticipations of permanent favor in his 

 high place, or of permanent benefit to his Queen or her people. His 

 misgivings were soon sadly realized. The factions that divided his 

 country became more and more exasperated. Tumults followed. The 

 administration of which he was a member was broken up by violence ; 

 and although his well-known fidelity and honor, no less than well- 

 known toleration, caused a marked distinction to be made between him 

 and some of the ministers with whom he was associated, he felt at 



