Complex sentence: Cheves was a zealous supporter of the War of 1812 (a "War Hawk"); he was chairman of the naval committee in 1812, and of the committee of ways and means in 1813.
Split into simpler sentences: Cheves was a zealous supporter of the War of 1812 (a "War Hawk"). He was chairman of the Naval Committee in 1812, and of the Committee of Ways and Means in 1813.