The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-12
ExEcuTIvE DEPAaTMEsT,


exinguish For this bereavement the nation
mourns, and South Carolina is plunged in the
deepest gloom. profoundcr statesman than the
deceased has never adorned the councils OF any
country a more faithful defender Of the Federal
Union and Constitution ii is the pride OF no State to
have furnished.
Influenced by high public considerations, and
deeply impressed with the magnitude and respon-
sibiIity of the power which am now summoned to
exercise, hereby tender to you the appointment
of United States Senator from South Carolina. I'm
plcitly confidng in the patriotic use Of those ex
allied attributes of character that well qualify
you for the station which have invited you to
cupy, await with anxiety an early and a favora-
BILE response.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
WHITEMARSH b. SEABROOK.
General JAMES HAMILTON.
SAvASNAH, GA, April 3, 1850.
My DEAR Sir The express with your excellen-
cy's despatch did not reach me last evening in time
for his return by the mail steamer last night
If, from, the character of my private engage
ments, have felt great difficulty in determining
whether could accept the unsolicited honor you
have rendered me, am not the less sensible that 1t
would not have been offered if you had believed
(however erroneously) that in the present crisis Of
bereavement we have sustained) might render
some service TO the State Of our common affections,
birth, and allegiance.
In accepting the distinguished trust your excel
lency's partiality has devolved on me, approach
the performance of its duties with more OF humility
than pride-humility in being the unworthy success
sor OF a man who, in filling the measure Of all the
service and responsibility attached to that trust has
likewise filled the measure of his renown,
by the gigantic talent and rare public virtue which
he brought to the discharge Of its duties feel,
therefore, that may occupy Mr. Calhoun's seat,
but can never fill his place.
II, however. just sense OF his genius and my
own nferority impresses this conviction deeply on
my mind, am at least cheered by the belief, that
if his great spirit is permitted to look down from
man of etc tn
which his virtues have translated him, among the
many friends in South Carolina whom he has left
behind him, (far more worthy OF the honor than
myself would not be the least acceptable to him
among them all; for we have been united together
for the last twenty seven years. not only in the
bonds of the closest friendship, but have likewise
been united in entiresympathy and accord on every
public question which has agitated the country dur
ing that period.
come too, from the instructions of his last mo-
ments and sick-bed. For the last five weeks previ-
to the one which has Just passed, visited him
almost every evening, with that afectionate solicit
tude which belonged to the relations of old and
cherished friendship. saw him dying, with the
blaze of his intellect clear, brilliant and luminous
but with the fires of an excitement burning as
iercely, and with the painful anxeties which he
felt for his beloved State aboring as profoundly in
his noble bosom as ever. The last time took him
by the hand the awful pulsatons OF that circulation
which were hurrying with an impetuous torrent
the blood to his heart, convinced me he was about
to die in our cause, as surely and effectually as
he had been killed by musket- ball in our battles.
Enjoying, therefore, as ! did, his unreserved con-
idence and opinions cannot believe that occupy
ing his late seat there will be single vote i may
be called upon to give that will be at variance with
that which he would have given If his valuable life
had been spared.
In accepting your excellency's appointment, /
desire it to be distinctly understood that can only
| serve during the present session OF Congress.
shall be candidate for election before the Legis-
| ature. The duties owe my family, and the obi
cations owe to others, forbid my return To the
public service.
| With the objects have in view, for the resi-
due of my life, even seat in the Senate (second
only to the first under our form OF government has
no intrinsic attractions for me. But for the ex-
| trinsc circumstances connected with the present
crisis, should unquestonably have declined your
| excellency's appointment. The hope, (however
presumptuous illusory,) that In an hour OF great
public peril may possibly render some beneficial
service to the country, has nduced me to surmount
rather cast aside all the difficulties that stand in
the way OF my acceptance.
say public peril, and public peril there is to an
| alarming extent There would, indeed, be none If
the citizens of the -saveholding States could be
convinced of what know 10 be tvut-ihat vast and
overwhelming majority Of he people Of the South are
resolved unalterabiy resolved 10 this Union
| other terms than equals.
shall, therefore, approach the discharge of the
duties of the station to which your Partially has
called me, with unfaltering loyalty to the State
| TO which owe paramount allegiance; with a fer
vent attachment TO the Constitution of the United
Il
/ and irrepressibe desire, accompanied by exer-
| tons the most unwavering and earnestly 10 pre-
| serve that Union on terms OF safety and honor 10
the people Of that great section 10 which belong
But If the efforts Of their representatives hope
| lessly unayailing, then, If know my own heart
with whatever sorrow il may be penetrated, think
can look dislnon fearlessly in the face, with all
its perils and consequences, and tell patriotic
and gallant people, in the language OF the fathers
of our revolution, that orbearance has ceased 10 be
| pirtts."
| need scarcely assure your excellency that will
| repair TO the post you have assigned me with the
| least possible delay that a brief and hurried ar
| rangement OF my private affairs will permit.
Allow me, my dear sir, 10 assure your excel
cellency of the great esteem with which am faith
fully and respectfully, your friend and obedient
servant, j. HAMILTON.
| His excellency wHTEmARsH b. sEABRooK,
Governor Of the State Of South Carolina
CHARLEsTos, April 6.
MY DEAR Sin Since wrote you the Sd inst.
| accepting, and, I trust, acknowledging with prop
or sense Of gratitude, the high honor you have paid
me in your favor Of the LIST instant, rendering me
the seat in the Senate Of the United States rendered
vacant by the death OF our smented and distin,
| guished statesman, the late JOIN G. CALHOUN, !
have received your excellency's letter Of the
| 4th instant in which you inform me that doubts
| had beenexpressed in this community Of my
eligibility, under the Constitution OF the United
States, 10 the high office n which you have
called me, in consequence Of my supposed non
residence in South Carolina; and by the tenor
Of your letter, infer that these doubts shared
| by your excellency. IL Il not my intention to
| enter into an argument the subject OF my
qualification. All desire is 10 exempt myself from
the imputation Of accepting appointment in ut
ter ignorance Of the requisite qualifications. beg
leave 10 inform your escclency that, after surren-
dering, by a sale, my legal habitation in St. Pc
tcr's, South Carolina about two years SINCE within
the Last twelve months have established at Bluff
ton, in ST. Lakes parish, the only fixed homo !