Auguste Davezac | |
|---|---|
 Engraving by J. B. Forrest (New York City), circa 1842 | |
| U.S. Minister to the Netherlands | |
| In office 1831–1839 | |
| Preceded by | William Pitt Preble |
| Succeeded by | Harmanus Bleecker |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly | |
| In office 1842–1843 | |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly | |
| In office 1844–1845 | |
| U.S. Minister to the Netherlands | |
| In office 1845–1850 | |
| Preceded by | Christopher Hughes |
| Succeeded by | George Folsom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1780-05-30)May 30, 1780 Aux Cayes,Saint-Domingue (nowHaiti) |
| Died | February 15, 1851(1851-02-15) (aged 70) New York City, New York |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery inQueens |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican Party Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Margaret Andrews (1768-1847) (m. 1803) |
| Relations | Edward Livingston (brother in law) |
| Children | Auguste Davezac Jr. (1803-1859) |
| Parent(s) | Jean Pierre Valentin Joseph d'Avezac de Castera (1756-1803) Marie Rose Genevieve Valentine Tallarie de Maragou (b. 1768) |
| Alma mater | College deSorèze French Military College |
| Profession | Attorney Diplomat |
Auguste Davezac (May 30, 1780 – February 15, 1851) was aSaint Dominican-American diplomat who served twice asUnited States Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Auguste Genevieve Valentin D'Avezac was born in May, 1780, nearAux Cayes in the French colony ofSaint-Domingue, nowHaiti. His father was a wealthy landowner, and he was educated in France at the College deSorèze and theFrench Military College. In 1791, the slaves ofSaint-Domingue revolted, which resulted in the deaths of Auguste's two older brothers, with the rest of his family fleeing toVirginia andNew Orleans. In 1805, Davezac's sister Louise marriedEdward Livingston.[1][2] Ten years later, their younger sister Aglae Pauline married Judge Henry Cox Carleton of New Orleans.
Davezac completed his education in France and moved to theUnited States shortly after Louise's marriage, studying medicine inEdenton, North Carolina, and establishing a practice inAccomack County, Virginia. He changed the spelling of his last name (eliminating the apostrophe), decided to abandon medicine for the law and relocated to New Orleans to study under Livingston. Davezac built a successful practice and was a sought-after criminal defense attorney.[3]
During theWar of 1812, Davezac served on the local defense committee established by the residents ofNew Orleans. In 1814 he joined the staff ofAndrew Jackson asaide-de-camp andjudge advocate with the rank ofMajor, the title by which he was addressed for the rest of his life. Davezac participated in theBattle of New Orleans[4][5] As a result of his War of 1812 experience Davezac became a devoted admirer and political supporter of Jackson, campaigning actively for him in both the1824 and1828 campaigns forPresident.[6]
In 1829 Jackson rewarded Davezac with appointment as Secretary of the United States embassy in the Netherlands, where he served underWilliam Pitt Preble.[7] In 1831 Edward Livingston becameSecretary of State and Davezac succeeded Preble, serving asChargé d'affaires until 1839.[8]
Davezac returned to New Orleans, but soon relocated toNew York City, where he was active inMartin Van Buren's unsuccessful1840 campaign for reelection. In the early 1840s Davezac was elected to two terms in theNew York State Assembly as aDemocrat, 1842 to 1843, and 1844 to 1845.[9][10]
In 1844 Davezac supported Van Buren's efforts to win the Democratic nomination for President, and campaigned extensively for the eventual nominee,James K. Polk. When Polk won the presidency, he rewarded Davezac by reappointing him asChargé d'affaires in the Netherlands, where he served from 1845 to 1850.[11]
After leaving office Davezac returned to New York City, where he lived in retirement for only a few months before he became ill and died on February 15, 1851.[12] He was buried atCalvary Cemetery inQueens.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | U.S. Minister to the Netherlands 1831–1839 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | U.S. Minister to the Netherlands 1845–1850 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
