Charles Pinckney

Charles Pinckney, statesman, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1758; died there, 29 October, 1824, was the grandson of William, Charles Cotesworth's uncle. His father, Charles, was president of the South Carolina convention in 1775, of the senate in 1779, and of the council in 1782. The son was educated for the bar, and before he was of age was chosen to the provincial legislature. He was taken prisoner at the capture of Charleston, and remained such until the close of the war, when he resumed his profession. He was elected to the Provincial congress in 1785, and subsequently took an active part in preparing a plan of government for the United States.

In 1787 he was a delegate to the convention that framed the constitution of the United States, and offered a draft of a constitution, which was referred to the committee of detail, submitted, and some of its revisions were finally adopted. In 1788 he advocated the ratification of the constitution in the South Carolina convention. He was elected governor the next year, presided over the state convention by which the constitution of South Carolina was adopted in 1790, was re-elected governor in 1791, and again in 1796, and in 1798 was chosen to the United States senate as a Republican. He was a frequent and able speaker in that body, and one of the most active promoters of Thomas Jefferson's election to the presidency.

In 1802-'3 he was United States minister to Spain, and during his residence in that country he negotiated a release from the Spanish government of all right. or title to the territory that was purchased by the United States from France. He became governor for the fourth time in 1806, and in 1812 strongly advocated the war with England. He was a member of congress in 1819-'21, and opposed the Missouri compromise bill, earnestly warning the south of the effects of the measure. This was his last public service. Mr. Pinckney was the founder of the old Republican party of South Carolina. He possessed liberal views on all subjects, advocated the abolition of the primogeniture laws, was the principal agent in the removal of the civil and political disabilities that had been imposed on Jews in South Carolina, and was the first governor of the state that advocated the establishment of free schools. He was an able political writer, and issued a series of addresses to the people under the signature of " Republican " (Charleston, 1800) that were instrumental in the election of Jefferson. He also published in the same year several papers in denunciation of the alien and sedition laws that were enacted during the administration of the elder Adams. Princeton gave him the degree of LL. D. in 1787.

Charles's son, Henry Laurens Pinckney, congressman, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 24 September, 1794 ; died there, 3 February, 1863, was graduated at the College of South Carolina in 1812, studied law in the Office of his brother-in-law, Robert Y. Hayne, and was admitted to the bar, but never practised. He served in the legislature in 1816-';12, and was chairman of its committee of ways and means for eight years. He was three times intendant, and three times mayor of Charleston, and in 1831-'7 was a member of congress, having been elected as a Democrat. During the administration of President Van Buren he was collector of the port of Charleston. In 1845-'63 he was tax-collector of the parishes of St. Philip and St. Michael. Mr. Pinckney was a constant and laborious writer and worker during his public life. He founded the Charleston "Mercury," the organ of the State-rights party, in 1819, was its sole editor for fifteen years, and published many orations and addresses. He also wrote memoirs of Jonathan Maxcy, Robert Y. Hayne, and Andrew Jackson.--Thomas's grandson, Charles Cotesworth, clergyman, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 31 July, 1812, was graduated at the College of South Carolina in 1831, studied at Alexandria theological seminary, Virginia, and was ordained to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church. He has since held charges in South Carolina, is a popular divine, active in benevolent and educational enterprises, and president of the board of trustees of the College of South Carolina. He received the degree of D. D. from the College of Charleston, in 1870.