Federal Government Service
Along with Caesar Augustus Rodney and John Graham, Bland was selected by President James Monroe in 1817 for a special diplomatic mission to South America, the South American Commission of 1817-1818. He was endorsed for the slot by the secretary to the Commission, Henry Marie Brackenridge. Bland suggested to Monroe that at least part of the Commission be authorized to visit Chile and authorization for this was given by US Secretary of State John Quincy Adams two-weeks before setting sail. Under the command of Commodore Arthur Sinclair, the USS Congress sailed on December 4, 1817 and arrived at Rio de Janeiro on January 29, 1818. In Montevideo, Bland introduced botanist William Baldwin, who accompanied the Commission as the ship's surgeon, to exiled Chilean general José Miguel Carrera. In April, Bland left Buenos Aires and went overland to Mendoza, Argentina then across the Uspallata Pass to Santiago, Chile. Meanwhile, the rest of the group departed the Isla Margarita on June 25, 1818 and returned to Norfolk, Virginia on July 8. A week later, Bland left Valparaíso and arrived in Philadelphia on October 29, 1818. The findings of the commissioners differed widely so much that they offered independent statements rather than one joint statement. Regarding the Government of Buenos Ayres, Secretary of State Adams summarized in his memoirs that "Bland holds them in abhorrence and contempt". Unlike the reports of the others who commented nearly only on political, military, and commercial matters, Bland's were longer and provided more discussion on geography and agriculture. He was impressed by the agricultural possibilities of Chile.
The protagonists of the South American trip were all given "positions of trust" after their return. Despite rumors of privateering, Bland received a recess appointment from President Monroe to a seat to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, vacated by James Houston, on November 23, 1819. Formally nominated on January 3, 1820, Bland was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 5, 1820, and received his commission the same day. Bland served for four years, and resigned on August 16, 1824. He served as Chancellor of Maryland from 1824 until his death in 1846.
Described as a "gentleman of the old school", Bland died in his bed from "a disease of the heart" in Annapolis, Maryland on November 16, 1846. He was buried at Cemetery Creek in Annapolis.
Read more about this topic: Theodorick Bland (judge)
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