Career
In 1849, he was appointed Envoy and Diplomatic Agent of the United States to South Eastern Asia. Born in France, Balestier was appointed Consul in Rhiau in the 1830s, and later as the first United States consul in Singapore when American ships were given equal trading rights with the East India Company. In Singapore, he had a large house on a 1,000 acre sugar-cane and cotton plantation, with a plant to manufacture sugar and rum.
He served until 1852, although he actually left the country due to ill-health in 1848.
She donated the Revere Bell to Saint Andrew"s Church in 1843. He died in York, Pennsylvania.
Balestier Road in Singapore is named after him and is the site of his sugar plantation.