Charles de Varigny
Encyclopedia
Charles Victor Crosnier de Varigny (1829–1899) was a French adventurer, diplomat, and writer.
He was born November 25, 1829 in Versailles
.
He was educated at Lycée Bourbon. He came with his father to the California Gold Rush
. He married Louise Constantin (1827–1894) August 14, 1852 in San Francisco, and worked for a French language
newspaper, L'echo du Pacifique founded by Étienne Derbec.
He and his family arrived on the Restless from San Francisco February 18, 1855 in Honolulu. He accepted a position as translator to Louis Emile Perrin the Consul
(diplomatic rank
below that of ambassador
) from France
to the Kingdom of Hawaii
.
he became friends with Scot Robert Crichton Wyllie
who spoke several languages due to his travel throughout South America and the Pacific. At that time France and Great Britain were allies in the Crimean War
.
In 1857 he traveled to the island of Hawaii
with German Hermann von Holt. They toured Kīlauea
volcano, and visited the rancher John Palmer Parker
. They hired the guide "Jack" Purdy who told the story of earlier adventurer Julius Brenchley
. Purdy then led them in an ascent of Mauna Kea
, the highest mountain in the Pacific.
When Perrin died in 1862 he became acting Consul from France.
In July 1863 he visited the island of Kauai
, including a visit of the Princeville
sugar plantation owned by Wyllie.
On December 7, 1863 he was appointed to the Privy Council for King Kamehameha V
and on 14 to become the Minister of Finance. Immediately the new king caused a polticial crisis by refusing to take an oath to the constitution. After a constitutional convention did not agree with his proposal, Kamehameha V proclaimed his own 1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii
. Varigny generally supported the new constitution, which gave both the king and cabinet ministers more power, and limited voters with property requirements.
From 1864 through 1868 he served in the House of Nobles
of the legislature.
On January 21, 1865 he was appointed to the Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Public Instruction.
After the death of Wyllie Varigny became Minister of Foreign Affairs on December 21, 1865.
One of his first acts was to call off the efforts of John Bowring
for negotiating a three-way treaty between France, Great Britain, and the United States. Varigny instead favored an individual reciprocity
treaty with each country.
Charles Coffin Harris
had negotiated a tentative treaty with American Commissioner Edward Moody McCook. However, in the meantime the under Captain William Reynolds had arrived February 9, 1867 and refused to leave in response to rumors that France was going to take over the islands. Harris lodged a protest to Secretary of State William Henry Seward. Seward had just completed the Alaska Purchase
. Rumors circulated that the U.S. was ready to invade, and some Americans on the islands indicated they would support such a move. On August 28, 1867 Reynolds claimed possession of Midway Atoll
. The Captain's clerk leaked letters to the Hawaiian government alleging a conspiracy for starting a rebellion. Varigny forwarded the letters to the U.S. State Department, who then requested to have the clerk arrested.
In March 1868 an increase in volcanic activity resulted in the 1868 Hawaii earthquake
and resulting tsunami
that caused damage throughout the islands. Varigny helped organize bringing aid to the victims. On May 6, 1868 the Lackawanna sailed back to San Francisco and the clerk was court-martialed. He was found guilty, but quiety had his sentence suspended, probably to avoid any embarrassing publicity.
Later in 1868 he returned to France. He tried to negotiate treaties between Hawaii and European powers, but the conflicts leading up to the Franco-Prussian War
prevented much progress. A short treaty with Russia
was signed June 19, 1869. He also negotiated treaties with the North German Confederation
and Denmark
, but these were rejected by the Hawaiian government because they did not allow for any other reciprocity agreements.
His leave of absence expired in November 1869. He asked to continue as envoy, but by the fall of 1870 as relieved of any connection with Hawaii. Harris took over the minisrty of foreign affairs, while John Mott-Smith
replaced Harris as minister of finance.
He published a series of articles about his voyages starting in 1873. He then expanded these stories into a book about his 14 years in the islands, followed by others about his experiences in California and other parts of the Pacific.
He died November 9, 1899 in Montmorency, Val-d'Oise
near Paris
.
His son Henry Charles de Varigny was born 1855 and became a biologist. Henry's writings included a biography of Charles Darwin
and other works discussing evolution. Henry died in 1934.
He also had two daughters.
He was born November 25, 1829 in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
.
He was educated at Lycée Bourbon. He came with his father to the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. He married Louise Constantin (1827–1894) August 14, 1852 in San Francisco, and worked for a French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
newspaper, L'echo du Pacifique founded by Étienne Derbec.
He and his family arrived on the Restless from San Francisco February 18, 1855 in Honolulu. He accepted a position as translator to Louis Emile Perrin the Consul
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
(diplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank
Diplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
below that of ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
) from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to the Kingdom of Hawaii
Kingdom of Hawaii
The Kingdom of Hawaii was established during the years 1795 to 1810 with the subjugation of the smaller independent chiefdoms of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai, Kauai and Niihau by the chiefdom of Hawaii into one unified government...
.
he became friends with Scot Robert Crichton Wyllie
Robert Crichton Wyllie
Robert Crichton Wyllie was a Scottish physician and businessman. He also served two decades as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Early life:...
who spoke several languages due to his travel throughout South America and the Pacific. At that time France and Great Britain were allies in the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
.
In 1857 he traveled to the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
with German Hermann von Holt. They toured Kīlauea
Kilauea
Kīlauea is a volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, and one of five shield volcanoes that together form the island of Hawaii. Kīlauea means "spewing" or "much spreading" in the Hawaiian language, referring to its frequent outpouring of lava. The Puu Ōō cone has been continuously erupting in the eastern...
volcano, and visited the rancher John Palmer Parker
John Palmer Parker
John Palmer Parker was the founder of the Parker Ranch on the island of Hawaii in Hawaii.-Life:John Palmer Parker was born May 1, 1790 in Newton, Massachusetts. His father was Samuel Parker and mother was Ann Palmer Parker ....
. They hired the guide "Jack" Purdy who told the story of earlier adventurer Julius Brenchley
Julius Brenchley
Julius Lucius Brenchley , of Maidstone, was a 19th-century English explorer, naturalist and author.-Life:...
. Purdy then led them in an ascent of Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall—significantly taller than Mount Everest...
, the highest mountain in the Pacific.
When Perrin died in 1862 he became acting Consul from France.
In July 1863 he visited the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, including a visit of the Princeville
Princeville, Hawaii
Princeville is a census-designated place on the north shore of the island of Kauai in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,698 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeville is located at ....
sugar plantation owned by Wyllie.
On December 7, 1863 he was appointed to the Privy Council for King Kamehameha V
Kamehameha V
aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
and on 14 to become the Minister of Finance. Immediately the new king caused a polticial crisis by refusing to take an oath to the constitution. After a constitutional convention did not agree with his proposal, Kamehameha V proclaimed his own 1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii
1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii
The Constitution of 1864 of the Kingdom of Hawaii was a rewrite of the 1852 constitution issued by King Kamehameha III. It dramatically changed the way Hawaii's government worked by increasing the power of the king and changing the way the kingdom's legislature worked...
. Varigny generally supported the new constitution, which gave both the king and cabinet ministers more power, and limited voters with property requirements.
From 1864 through 1868 he served in the House of Nobles
Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom
The Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom was the bicameral legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii. A royal legislature was first provided by the 1840 Constitution and the 1852 Constitution was the first to use the term "Legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom", and the first to subject the monarch to...
of the legislature.
On January 21, 1865 he was appointed to the Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Public Instruction.
After the death of Wyllie Varigny became Minister of Foreign Affairs on December 21, 1865.
One of his first acts was to call off the efforts of John Bowring
John Bowring
Sir John Bowring, KCB was an English political economist, traveller, miscellaneous writer, polyglot, and the 4th Governor of Hong Kong.- Early life :...
for negotiating a three-way treaty between France, Great Britain, and the United States. Varigny instead favored an individual reciprocity
Reciprocity (international relations)
In international relations and treaties, the principle of reciprocity states that favours, benefits, or penalties that are granted by one state to the citizens or legal entities of another, should be returned in kind....
treaty with each country.
Charles Coffin Harris
Charles Coffin Harris
Charles Coffin Harris was a New England lawyer who became a politician and judge in the Kingdom of Hawaii who firmly supported the monarchy as an independent nation. After serving in a number of cabinet posts, he became chief justice of the supreme court.-Early life:Charles Coffin Harris was born...
had negotiated a tentative treaty with American Commissioner Edward Moody McCook. However, in the meantime the under Captain William Reynolds had arrived February 9, 1867 and refused to leave in response to rumors that France was going to take over the islands. Harris lodged a protest to Secretary of State William Henry Seward. Seward had just completed the Alaska Purchase
Alaska purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the acquisition of the Alaska territory by the United States from Russia in 1867 by a treaty ratified by the Senate. The purchase, made at the initiative of United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, gained of new United States territory...
. Rumors circulated that the U.S. was ready to invade, and some Americans on the islands indicated they would support such a move. On August 28, 1867 Reynolds claimed possession of Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, near the northwestern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, about one-third of the way between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. Unique among the Hawaiian islands, Midway observes UTC-11 , eleven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time and one hour...
. The Captain's clerk leaked letters to the Hawaiian government alleging a conspiracy for starting a rebellion. Varigny forwarded the letters to the U.S. State Department, who then requested to have the clerk arrested.
In March 1868 an increase in volcanic activity resulted in the 1868 Hawaii earthquake
1868 Hawaii earthquake
The 1868 Hawaii earthquake is the largest recorded in the history of Hawaii island, causing a landslide and tsunami that led to 77 deaths. The earthquake occurred at 4 p.m. local time on April 2, 1868...
and resulting tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
that caused damage throughout the islands. Varigny helped organize bringing aid to the victims. On May 6, 1868 the Lackawanna sailed back to San Francisco and the clerk was court-martialed. He was found guilty, but quiety had his sentence suspended, probably to avoid any embarrassing publicity.
Later in 1868 he returned to France. He tried to negotiate treaties between Hawaii and European powers, but the conflicts leading up to the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
prevented much progress. A short treaty with Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
was signed June 19, 1869. He also negotiated treaties with the North German Confederation
North German Confederation
The North German Confederation 1866–71, was a federation of 22 independent states of northern Germany. It was formed by a constitution accepted by the member states in 1867 and controlled military and foreign policy. It included the new Reichstag, a parliament elected by universal manhood...
and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, but these were rejected by the Hawaiian government because they did not allow for any other reciprocity agreements.
His leave of absence expired in November 1869. He asked to continue as envoy, but by the fall of 1870 as relieved of any connection with Hawaii. Harris took over the minisrty of foreign affairs, while John Mott-Smith
John Mott-Smith
John Mott-Smith was the first dentist to set up a permanent practice in the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was also a politician, newspaper editor, and diplomat.-Life:John Mott-Smith was born in New York City November 13, 1824,...
replaced Harris as minister of finance.
He published a series of articles about his voyages starting in 1873. He then expanded these stories into a book about his 14 years in the islands, followed by others about his experiences in California and other parts of the Pacific.
He died November 9, 1899 in Montmorency, Val-d'Oise
Montmorency, Val-d'Oise
Montmorency is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Montmorency was the fief of the Montmorency family, one of the oldest and most distinguished families of the French nobility...
near Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
His son Henry Charles de Varigny was born 1855 and became a biologist. Henry's writings included a biography of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
and other works discussing evolution. Henry died in 1934.
He also had two daughters.