Principality of Trinidad

Infobox Former Country
native_name =
conventional_long_name = Principality of Trinidad
common_name = Trinidad
status = unrecognized
continent = South America
region = South Atlantic
country = Brazil
era =
event_start =
date_start =
year_start = 1893
event_end =
date_end =
year_end = 1895
p1 = History of Brazil (1889–1930)
flag_p1 = Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg
p2 = United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
flag_p2 = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
s1 = History of Brazil (1889–1930)
flag_s1 = Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg

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symbol_type =

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image_map_caption = Map of Trinidad from the book, "The Cruise of the Alerte"
national_motto =
national_anthem =
capital =
common_languages = English, French, Portuguese
government_type = Monarchy/ Military dictatorship
title_leader = Prince
leader1 = James Harden-Hickey
year_leader1 = 1893-1895
stat_year1 =
stat_pop1 =
currency =

In 1893 ["To Be Prince of Trinidad: He Is Baron Harden-Hickey," "New York Tribune", Nov 5, 1893, p 1] the American James Harden-Hickey claimed the uninhabited island Trindade and Martim Vaz in the South Atlantic and declared himself as James I, Prince of Trinidad.Bryk, William, [http://www.nypress.com/15/50/news&columns/oldsmoke.cfm News & Columns] , "New York Press", v 15 no 50 (Dec 10, 2002)] ["Principality of Trinidad: John H. Flagler's Son-in-Law Is Its Sovereign, Self-Proclaimed as James I," "New York Times", June 10, 1894, p 23] According to James Harden-Hickey's plans Trinidad after being recognized as an independent country would become a military dictatorship and have him as dictator. He designed postage stamps, a national flag, and a coat of arms, he established a chivalric order, the "Cross of Trinidad," he bought a schooner to transport colonists, appointed M. le Comte de la Boissiere as Secretary of State and opened a consular office at 217 West 36th Street in New York, and even issued government bonds to finance construction of infrastructure in the island. Despite his plans his idea was ridiculed or ignored by the world. ["Trinidad's Prince Awake: An Appeal to Washington Against Brazil and Great Britain," "New York Times", Aug 1, 1895, p 1] ["Grand Chancellor of Trinidad: Significant Phases in the Ascent of Male Comte de la Boissiere to His Elevated Diplomatic Post," "New York Times", Aug 2, 1895, p 9] ["Trinidad's Case in Washington: Courteously, the Chancellor Would Permit Britain's Cable Station and Use It, but There Is Graver Trouble," "New York Times", Aug 7, 1895, p 1] ["Trinidad's Diplomat in Action: M. de la Boissiere Asks that His Sovereign's Land Be Recognized as a Neutral Principality," "New York Times", Aug 9, 1895, p 5] ["Trinidad's Prince at Work: Grand Chancellor de la Boissiere Tells How the War Between Great Britain and Brazil Will Be Averted," "New York Times", Jan 24, 1896, p 9] [ [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/br-trin.html Flags of the World - Trindade and Martins Vaz Islands (Brazil)] ]

In July 1895, the British tried to take possession of this strategic position in the Atlantic, basing their claim on the 1700 visit by English astronomer Edmund Halley. The British planned to use the island as a telegraph cable station. However, Brazilian diplomatic efforts, along with Portuguese supportFact|date=March 2008, pressed a successful claim to Brazilian sovereignty, based on the island's discovery in 1502 by Portuguese navigators.

In order to clearly demonstrate sovereignty over the island, now part of the State of Espírito Santo, a landmark was built on January 24, 1897. Nowadays, Brazilian presence is marked by a permanent Brazilian Navy base on the main island.

References