The Life and Times of William Lowndes South Carolina By Harriett H. Ravenel, 1901  To the memory of my mother, Rebecca Motte Rutledge, only Daughter of William Lowndes In accordance with whose earnest wish this book has been compiled it is affectionately dedicated

William Lowndes William LOWNDES (brother of Thomas Lowndes, Democrat), a Representative from South Carolina; born on “Horseshoe” plantation, near Jacksonborough, St. Bartholomew’s parish, South Carolina, February 11, 1782; pursued classical studies in England and at home; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1804 and commenced practice in Charleston, S.C.; also engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of representatives 1804-1808; captain of militia in 1807; elected as a Republican to the Twelfth and to the five succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1811, until May 8, 1822, when he resigned; chairman, Committee on Ways and Means (Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses), Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Treasury (Fifteenth Congress); nominated by the general assembly of South Carolina for the office of President of the United States in 1821; died at sea while en route to England October 27, 1822; remains were buried at sea - North Atlantic Ocean, (source: Carl J. Vipperman).  Lowndes counties in Alabama, Georgia,  and Mississippi are named for him. PREFACE A word of explanation —perhaps of apology — is necessary in presenting this book to the public. Of apology that the life of a statesman should be attempted by one who has no skill in statecraft, of explanation why it has been so attempted. Mrs. William Lowndes during her long widowhood carefully collected all letters and papers which might be useful for a life of her husband. She died in 1857, bequeathing these letters to her daughter, Mrs. Eutledge, to be used whenever a competent writer should be found. Early in 1860 the Honorable William J. Grayson, than whom none could be more competent, offered to undertake the work, and by the help of these papers prepared a memoir. But for two curious accidents this present book need never have been written. Mr. Grayson died during the war between the States, and his MS. passed into the possession of the late Major Rawlins Lowndes, of New York, and was carried by him to New York with a view to its publication. Before completing the arrangements Major Lowndes also died, and in some unexplained manner the MS. was lost. No trace of it has ever been found.    The loss was the more severe since the materials from which it was prepared had all perished in the great fire of Charleston in 1861. Fortunately it had been previously examined by the son-in-law of Major Lowndes, George Chase, Esq., of Boston, who introduced copious extracts into his valuable genealogical work, " Lowndes of South Carolina," thus preserving many important facts. These repeated accidents caused an abandonment of the work for years. It was found, however, that a collection of private letters and note-books had escaped the conflagration, not having been thought of sufficient importance to be carefully secured. These, too familiar and slight to be offered to a professional writer, might still furnish some picture of the man, if treated with patient and reverent care. It is for the most part from these stones rejected of the builder that the writer has made her book. She was encouraged in so doing by the knowledge that although seventy-eight years have passed since the death of Mr. Lowndes, he is yet remembered wherever the history of the early part of the last century is studied. Among his own people his name is held in honor, and the chief military corps of Charleston, the Washington Light Infantry, still keeps his memory green, delighting to recall, among all its more recent glories, that ninety-four years ago he was its first captain. For authorities the writer has relied for the earlier chapters upon Ramsay, Drayton, and Garden, historians of Carolina, Mr. McCrady's invaluable work, " South Carolina under the Royal Government," not having appeared when she was writing. Also upon "Elliot's Debates," Wirt's " Life of Patrick Henry," papers by Ex-Mayor W. A. Courtenay in the "Year Books of Charleston," 1880-1887, Gregg's "History of the Old Cheraws," etc., etc. For the more recent period she has had the assistance of a MS. sketch of Mr. Lowndes by the late Mr. Daniel Ravenel, and of another by an anonymous writer evidently well acquainted with his subject. These MSS. are generally referred to when any personal detail not otherwise credited is given. The " Abridged Congressional Debates " and many newspapers of the time have been used. She has also relied upon Mr. Chase's " Lowndes of South Carolina," Mr. Adams's " History of Jefferson's, Madison's, and Monroe's Administration," upon Randall's " Life of Jefferson," J. Q. Adams's " Diary," and the lives of Story, Pickering, Cabot, and others, — these more particularly for points affecting New England. She is greatly indebted to the grandson of Mr. Lowndes, Thomas Pinckney Lowndes, Esq. (who has passed away since this MS. was completed), for carefully collected notes upon his grandfather, and for letters in his possession. To James Lowndes, Esq., of Washington, and to Langdon Cheves, Esq., for help of the same kind.    To Edward McCrady, Esq., to the Hon. William A. Courtenay, LL. D., and to Prof, della Torre of the Charleston College, for much kind assistance. Harriett Hobby (Rutledge) Ravenel, Charleston, S. C., January 24, 1901. ---CONTENTS--- Chapters:                                                                                                I. Birth and Parentage....1 II. Years of Restoration....19 III. Childhood and Youth....85 IV. Early Manhood....63 V. Congress....82 VI. In War Time....115 VII. Domestic and Foreign Affairs ....    149 VIII. Remainder of Session: Visit to Europe....172 IX. Missouri Struggle: Illness....198 X. Nomination for President: Death....223 Appendix....242 Index....251

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