Hamilton, James, 1786-1857

Governor of S.C., 1830-1832, and politician landowner of Texas; legislator, lawyer and mayor of Charleston, S.C.; political offices held include: S.C. House, 1819-1822; S.C. Senate, 1834-1838; U.S. House for S.C., 1823-1829; U.S. Senator of Texas, 1857; co-founder of "Southern Quarterly Review;" son of James Hamilton (1750-1833); husband of Elizabeth Mathews Heyward Hamilton.

From the description of James Hamilton papers, 1820-1859. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 44157359

Charleston and Beaufort, S.C. plantation owner, attorney, and politician. Hamilton was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1822.

From the description of Letter : to C.F. Mercer, 1824 July 3. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36865705

Governor of South Carolina.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Charleston, to Petit Dembler, Esq., 1834 Jan. 1. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270499050

Governor of South Carolina, planter, diplomat of the Republic of Texas.

From the description of James Hamilton papers, 1810-1862. WorldCat record id: 27183522

From the guide to the James Hamilton Papers, 1810-1862, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

Nullification governor of South Carolina and diplomat of the Texas Republic.

From the description of James Hamilton papers, 1781-1944 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 24561230

Congressman and governor of South Carolina.

From the description of Papers, 1823-1882 and n.d. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 41546376

James Hamilton was a nullification governor of South Carolina and a diplomat of the Texas Republic.

From the guide to the James Hamilton Papers, 1781-1944, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina plantation owner, attorney, South Carolina legislator and governor; governor of Texas, and a U.S. Representative. Hamilton owned land in four southern states including Alabama and Texas.

From the description of Letter : Oswichee Bend, [Ala.] to R.J. Walker, Washington, D.C., 1847 Feb. 6. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32140165

Governor of South Carolina and U.S. representative from South Carolina.

From the description of Letters of James Hamilton, 1830-1832. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450737

Established in 1803, the Charleston Courier began as a Federalist newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina. In June 1844, the paper reprinted an 1842 letter to the editor of another Charleston paper, the Charleston Mercury, from Texas-supporter and former South Carolina Governor James Hamilton. The letter responded to the paper's coverage of a speech by Hamilton on the prospects of the Republic of Texas in a second conflict with Mexico. Several days later, the Courier also published a response to its reprinting from an anonymous "friend of General Hamilton" who signed the letter "Americanus."

Source:

" The Post and Courier: William (Bill) Hawkins ." Who Needs Newspapers. Accessed April 22, 2011.

From the guide to the Charleston Courier, Letters, 1844, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

James Hamilton (1786-1857) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, where he practiced law and served for several years as mayor.

He then served as a member of Congress, 1822-1829, and was elected governor of South Carolina in 1830. Although Hamilton still lived in South Carolina, he supported Texas independence and was offered command of the Texas army in late 1836, which he declined. President Mirabeau B. Lamar later appointed him loan commissioner, as the Republic of Texas was in a financially strapped situation. Hamilton borrowed over $400,000 from the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia and then turned to Europe.

Hamilton worked toward diplomatic recognition by European powers and peace with Mexico, which he believed would help bring strong international relations and therefore success to Texas.

He worked with the Texas minister to France, J. Pinckney Henderson, in negotiating a commercial treaty and loan. The effort was about to pay off with a $5 million loan when the French government withdrew from the deal. Hamilton, having had no luck with Great Britain or Holland, turned to Belgium and came back to Texas to work on an agreement with the nation, but upon his arrival found that Lamar was no longer president. Instead, Sam Houston was in office, and he had rescinded all laws pertaining to the European loan, and terminated Hamilton's position, leaving him owed money he was unable to collect. Hamilton returned to South Carolina in March of 1842, and then went back to Texas in 1855. He was on his way to Washington, in 1857, when he heard that Texas was going to settle on the funds he was owed. Hamilton died en route back to Texas when his ship wrecked in the Gulf of Mexico.

From the description of Hamilton, James, papers, 1839-1844. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 658210382

Established in 1803, the "Charleston Courier" began as a Federalist newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina.

In June 1844, the paper reprinted an 1842 letter to the editor of another Charleston paper, the "Charleston Mercury", from Texas-supporter and former South Carolina Governor James Hamilton. The letter responded to the paper's coverage of a speech by Hamilton on the prospects of the Republic of Texas in a second conflict with Mexico. Several days later, the Courier also published a response to its reprinting from an anonymous "friend of General Hamilton" who signed the letter "Americanus."

From the description of Charleston Courier Letters, 1844 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 772535682