Charles Pinckney
Signer of the US Constitution
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.
