Jonathan Austin (Hawaii official)

Jonathan Austin (November 7, 1830 – December 7, 1892) was a veteran of the American Civil War, president of Paukaa Sugar Company, and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Hawaii during the reign of Kalākaua.During the American Civil War, he returned to his native state and enlisted with the rank of captain in the 78th New York Volunteer Infantry.Grandiose schemes and reckless spending, in response to increased revenue from the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875, spiraled out of control.[3] On October 17, 1882, Austin was part of a committee of The Planters' Labor and Supply Company who addressed concerns in a written statement to Kalākaua.[5] In 1887, Kalākaua was forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution, codifying the legislature as the supreme authority over any actions by the monarchy.