Background
Charles Rhind was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, probably the son of Alexander Rhind, who conveyed real estate to him in 1812.
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Charles Rhind
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Charles early engaged in trade with Smyrna and by 1822 had also become agent for the North River Steam Boat Company. Public spirit and political ambition led him to take a prominent part in municipal activities, and on October 11, 1824, he was thanked by the common council of the city for his "constant, unremitted, and efficient efforts" in connection with the welcoming of Lafayette.
A year later he again received the council's thanks for serving as admiral of the city fleet during the festivities which accompanied the opening of the Erie Canal.
In August 1829 he was in Washington, "strongly recommended" to Van Buren, and was first made consul at Odessa, then appointed on a commission with David Offley and Commodore James Biddle to renew with the Ottoman Porte the negotiations for a treaty of commerce and navigation which had been begun by Offley in 1828.
Leaving New York in October, he joined Biddle at Port Mahon, whence the two proceeded on the frigate Java to Smyrna, where the presence of Offley completed the commission. Following President Jackson's instructions, Rhind went to Constantinople alone, arriving on Feburary 8, 1830.
Negotiations with the Reis Effendi lasted until May 7, when a treaty was signed. The other commissioners were now summoned from Smyrna, but were not informed until four days after their arrival of a secret article authorizing the Porte to obtain materials for naval construction in the United States. Rhind's exchange of treaties during their absence, his admission of the secret article and delay in informing his colleagues regarding it, and his assumption of complete credit for the negotiation led to an unseemly wrangle with Offley and Biddle, who signed only through fear that refusal would lead to reprisals on American commerce.
After a hurried excursion to Odessa, Rhind returned to Constantinople, received from Sultan Mahmud a gift of four Arabian horses, and late in September left Smyrna for New York.
On December 15 President Jackson transmitted the treaty to the Senate, which ratified it on Feburary 2, 1831, but excepted the secret article. Difficulties soon arose over the Sultan's present of horses. Rhind had shipped them "as a commercial adventure, in the name and for the account of the owners of the vessel" and had stated to the President his readiness to transfer his personal claims to the government.
Jackson sent a statement of the facts, without recommendation, to Congress, which took no action. Rhind felt unfairly treated, claimed the horses as his own, and emitted vague threats of making embarrassing disclosures; but, under pressure from Jackson and James A. Hamilton, he executed a release of his interests to Howland and Aspinwall, the owners of the vessel, who sold the horses at auction for $1990.
This sum did not cover the expenses of shipment and Rhind had to pay a balance of $585. 20. Although he petitioned the House for this amount in 1842, as did his heirs in 1860, no action was ever taken.
In November 1831 he sailed for Constantinople with Henry Eckford on a war vessel which was eventually sold to the Ottoman government, and stayed long enough to embarrass David Porter, American chargé d'affaires. He then returned to New York and resumed his business activities.
In 1846 his name disappears from city directories.
Achievements
Personality
His prejudices and temper were violent and unbridled, his egotism unlimited, and his regard for the truth questionable, but these qualities do not obscure his obvious ability and energy.
Connections
Between 1804 and 1808 he married Susan, daughter of Peter Renaudet and Margaret (Colden) Fell, by whom he had ten children, one of them being Alexander Colden Rhind.
