29 Facts About Richard Charlton

Richard Charlton was the first diplomatic Consul from Great Britain to the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Richard Charlton was surrounded by controversies that caused a military occupation known as the Paulet Affair, and real estate claims that motivated the formalization of Hawaiian land titles.

Richard Charlton's father was Robert Charlton and mother Christian Charlton.

Richard Charlton worked for the East India Company in the Pacific as early as 1821, starting as cabin boy to command his own vessel.

For example, Richard Charlton commanded the schooner Active which arrived on 4 February 1823 from Tahiti with English missionary Rev William Ellis, and was generally well received.

In July 1824 Richard Charlton had just returned from the Pacific, and was recommended to become the first British representative in residence there.

Richard Charlton took his wife Betsy, her sister, and a daughter Elizabeth on his ship Active which reached the Hawaiian Islands on 25 April 1825, from Valparaiso.

Richard Charlton brought a letter from former royal secretary Jean Baptiste Rives indicating Hawaiian Prime Minister Kalanimoku should grant land for the consulate site.

Richard Charlton toured the islands with the new young King Kamehameha III, entertaining both Hawaiian royalty and visiting foreign guests at his several island estates.

Richard Charlton partnered with island governor Boki who had seen the vibrant British economy firsthand while accompanying Kamehameha II on the 1824 visit.

In 1825 Charlton heard about reports in American newspapers quoting Maui missionary Reverend William Richards accusing William Buckle, the British skipper of the whaling ship Daniel IV, of human trafficking by buying a woman.

Coffee trees and other crops had been brought by Blonde, and Richard Charlton made an unsuccessful attempt to make growing them into a business.

Richard Charlton built a wharf on his land and started a shipping business.

The French had expelled Protestant missionaries in Tahiti, and Richard Charlton wrote to suggest British warships could do the same with the Americans in Hawaii.

In 1838 Richard Charlton helped establish the Oahu Charity School with Stephen Reynolds.

In 1840 Richard Charlton decided to formalize his claim for the area known as Pulaholaho near the Honolulu Harbor.

Richard Charlton claimed additional nearby land, even some that had been used by long-time residents.

Alexander aligned himself with Richard Charlton, arguing for a full British annexation, putting him on a collision course with Sir George.

About this time Richard Charlton alienated another fellow Briton: the HBC agent since 1834 in Honolulu, George Pelly, who was cousin of HBC Governor John Henry Pelly.

Richard Charlton had advanced a loan for goods to be sold in Honolulu; Pelly was trying to recover the money for his client.

Greenway later was declared bankrupt, so Richard Charlton took the land back and sold it again to Briton Henry Skinner.

Richard Charlton left for London in September 1842 to present his grievances in person before the British Foreign Office.

Richard Charlton appointed Alexander Simpson as his successor, but this was not recognized by either government.

Richard Charlton convinced Paulet to prevent collecting any damages from Charlton's court cases.

In London Richard Charlton was fired for leaving his post without permission, and Lord Aberdeen recognized Hawaiian independence.

Richard Charlton returned to Honolulu in May 1844 thinking that Miller would easily force the disputed land to be given to him.

Richard Charlton was found guilty and fined in June 1844, but continued to appeal the case.

On 23 August 1845 with Thomas Charles Byde Rooke as witness, Richard Charlton fenced off the land and put it up for sale.

On 19 February 1846 Richard Charlton left quietly with his wife and children to retire in England.