“The Controlling Presence Over Property”: Agents of American Relief in Greece in 1827 and 1828

Abstract

In 1827 and 1828, eight ships with food and clothing were sent to Greece from America for the use of women, children and old men. This was the first major American philanthropic endeavor outside the borders of the US. This paper looks at the terms of distribution and the power of the appointed American agents to suggest that postcolonial concerns related to this enterprise need to be considered. For, despite the good results of the American involved, this was Greek relief without the serious involvement of Greeks.

Keywords

• greek war of independence
• samuel gridley howe
• jonathan peckham miller
• american philhellenism