Robert Barnwell Rhett papers, 1752-1953.

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Robert Barnwell Rhett papers, 1752-1953.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/41442327

Correspondence of Robert Barnwell Rhett and the Rhett family re politics, family news, first secession crisis of 1850, the Civil War, military leaders, and social and military events. Letter, 10 Feb. 1832, to Waddy Thompson (Greenville, S.C.), offering to serve the State as Attorney General if "Mr. [Hugh Swinton] Legare accepts the mission to Belgium"; 4 Apr. 1842, to Hiland Hall, re the claim of children of Capt. Wilkins, who was killed, 1779, at the Battle of Beaufort during the Revolutionary War; 4 letters, 19 Jan. 1843, 11 June 1851, 22 Nov. 1852, and undated to Oresties Brownson and others requesting certain government publications, suggesting the appointment of [Franklin H.] Elmore as commissioner to build the U.S. Custom House in Charleston, and attempts to publish a political pamphlet; and 3 letters, ca. 1847-25 July 1848, re the appointment of midshipmen, including letter, 25 July 1848, to Secretary of the Navy, John Y[oung] Mason, requesting that he appoint William H. Duncan of Barnwell, S.C., to the U.S. Naval Academy. Letter, 1 Mar. 1849, to Daniel Webster, ackowledging receipt of a book, miniature portrait, and gifts to his daughter and declaring "altho' I have differed with you on questions of International policy - I have not differed at all with you in your administration of the State Department.... The high and catholic spirit which pervaded your whole course - vindicating with an ability certainly unsurpassed by any of your predecessors in this distinguished office - the honor of the union - and the rights and interests of all of its sections equally - entitle you to the admiration of all Statesmen at home or abroad." Letter, 20 July 1850, Charleston, S.C., to Col. H[enry] L[ewis] Benning, Columbus, Ga., in which Rhett sends a copy of his speech reporting on the Nashville Convention during the first secession crisis, delivered, 21 June 1850, at Hibernian Hall in Charleston; this speech was published in the Charleston Daily Courier (20 July 1850), "It was quite extempore.... But a cunning and malicious whig, travestied it, under the signature of 'Curtius,' and I have been obliged to publish it.... It excited more applause & enthusiasm here than any speech I ever delivered" [Letter signed "Curtius" published, 25 June 1850, in Charleston Daily Courier]. Seven letters, 13 Jan 1851 - 27 Mar. 1852 (from Charleston, S.C. [Ashepoo Ferry], and Washington, D.C.) to sons Andrew Burnett Rhett and Edmund Rhett, both enrolled as students at S.C. College, offering fatherly advice, commenting on their studies, advising Andrew on the care of his eyes, and sending them money, commenting on national politics, including letter, 13 Jan. 1851, re potential of S.C's secession, others "are looking with intense interest at the course of things in South Carolina.... of course you will volunteer, if there is any prospect of the Gov't coercing South Carolina"; his difficult financial situation and sending copy of "The Address" to Columbia for publication (13 Apr. 1851); letter, 27 Feb. 1852, re necessity of his replying to Jeremiah Clemens and Lewis Cass, and finding it a disagreeable task, "I abhor contention of any kind, and fear it, for my temper is I fear far from being moderate or good"; and autobiographical sketch [1858] prepared for Charles Lanman's Dictionary of the U.S. Congress. Civil War items include 13 letters, 12 Feb. 1861 - 10 Mar. 1863 (from Montgomery, Ala., and Richmond, Va.) to son R.B. Rhett, Jr., the editor of Charleston Mercury newspaper, re organization of the Confederate states, comments on Gen. [Bushrod] Johnson, and P.G.T. Beauregard, office seekers, [Christopher Gustavus] Memminger and a cabinet post, criticism of Jefferson Davis, inflation and exhorbitant prices, internal improvements law, behavoir of African American slaves and free people of color, personal finances, a speech for publication, and request for information and publications re the pension question.

3.75 linear ft. (3 cartons)

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

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SNAC Resource ID: 7437023

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries

Related Entities

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Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

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Rhett, Edmund, 1835-1871.

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Thompson, Waddy, 1798-1868

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Waddy Thompson, a member of the Whig party of South Carolina, served in the state legislature, U. S. Congress, and as Minister to Mexico. From the description of Waddy Thompson letter, 1848 Jan. 14. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 244566435 South Carolina politician; United States minister to Mexico, 1842-1844. From the description of Waddy Thompson papers, 1823-1851 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 23304922 American lawyer, politician...

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Duncan, W. H. (William Henry), 1805-1863

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Memminger, C. G. (Christopher Gustavus), 1803-1888

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South Carolina legislator and Confederate Secretary of the Treasury; from Charleston, S.C. From the description of Papers, 1861-1878. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20030153 Lawyer and politician of Charleston, S.C.; member of: S.C. House, 1836-1852, 1855-1860, 1877; Secession convention, 1861; Board of Free School Commissioners of Charleston; drafter of Confederate constitution; Confederate Secretary of the Treasury, 1861-1864; President of the Etiwan Phospa...

Southern Convention (1850 : Nashville, Tenn.)

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Benning, Henry L. (Henry Lewis), 1814-1875

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Elmore, F. H. (Franklin Harper), 1799-1850

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Rhett family.

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Hall, Hiland, 1795-1885

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U.S. Representative from Vermont (1833-1843), lawyer in Bennington, Vt., member of state legislature, state's attorney, state bank commissioner, Superior Court judge, U.S. Land Commissioner for California, governor of Vermont (1858-1860), and historian; Whig; died in Springfield, Mass. From the description of Hiland Hall papers, 1786-1885 (bulk 1832-1881). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 671251777 ...

Shurbin, Edward.

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Rhett, Robert Barnwell, 1800-1876

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Charleston, S.C. plantation owner, politician, ardent secessionist, and author. Robert Barnwell Rhett (1828-1905) was his son. From the description of Rhett family papers, 1825-1938. (The South Carolina Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 32141642 U.S. Senator from South Carolina and leader in the secession movement. From the description of Papers, 1838-1874. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 20115801 Robert Barnwell Rhett (1800-1876) w...