Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-12
DEPARTMENT,

'' nas prevented nm from being the successor of Mr.
Calhoun Heis able gallant, rne prudent and wsc-and h
eouhse would have been valuable in the prescn, crisis
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
| Edisto Island April l. 1850.
MY DEAN SIN: John C. Calhoun is dead One of iii,
greatest hecctut lights of our Conedcracy, il has please,
an ai-wisc and Mccilu God extingush For the be
eavencn the nnlion mons and South Carolina plunge,
IN Inc deepest gloom. profondcr statesman than this de-
ccsea mas never adorned the Councils of any country:
more aihn defender of the Federal Union and Constitution
1t Is the pride OF no State to have furnished
Influenced by high public considerations and deeply i'm
sed with the magnitude and responsibility of the power
500 the appointment United States Senator from South
Carolina Implicitly confding in the patriotic use Of those
exalted attributes OF character that we'll quav YOU to
the station which have invited you occupy await with
anxiety an early and favorable response
| Very respectfully, your obedent servant
| WHlTEMARSH B. SEABROOk
| Gen JAMES HAMrLTo
| S,vAxSAH (Ga9 April g. 1850
My DEAR SIN: The express with your Excecncy', deg
patch did not reach last evening in time for his return by
the mail steamer las, night.
II, from the character of private engagements have
felt great difficulty in determining whether could accept
tie unsolicited honor you have rendered me- tie
less sensible that wond not have been offered if You had
ho oeneVt o~ever erronoouslv that in the present crisis
o public danger greatly aggravated by the awful bcreavc
ren we have suslaned might render service the
State vi ou. common affections birth and allegiance
In accepting the distinguished trust your Excclency
partaty has devuyed on me- approach the performance
its duties with humility than prdehunliy being
of all the service and responsibility attached 10 that
trust hus likewise filed the of his renown by
the gigantic talent and rare public virtue which he brought
70 the discharge of its duties feel therefore, that may
occupy Mr.. CALuouSs seat but can fill his place
il, however, Just sense OF his genius and my in
fcrory imprcsscs this conviction icepy on INV mind am
al least ceercd by the belief that lis great spirit is per-
ned to look down from those mansions of eternal app
ncss and which his virtues have translated him.
among Inc many rends i'll South Carolina when hr has left
behind him, Gar more worthy Of the honor than myse)
would not be the least acceptable 10 him them all;
We have been united together 10! the last twenty years
not "ly IN Tie bonds oi The closest friendship bur have
likewise been united ill entire sympathy and accord
public question which has agitated the country during that
| period.
sick bed For the last FIVE weeks previous the which
has just passed. visited him almost every evening" with
that acctionatc socituc which belonged the relations
cur old and cherished friendship. SAW hun dying, with
the blaze Of his intellect clear brilliant, and luminous but
with the fires Of excitement burning icrcv, and with
the painful anxeics which he felt for his beloved Stat, labor
ing profoundly in his noble bosom The las;
time took him By the hand the awnl pusati,ns q" that
circulation which huuyin. with impciuous torrent
the blood 10 his heart convinced me hc about die in
Causc surely and ci!,cuay ii lie lad been killed
| ty musnct ball in our bgt;ls
Enjoying therefore did lis unrcscrvcd confidence and
opinions, cannot believe that occupying his late there
viii be- single vote may be called upon 10 give that will
| BE- variance with that which lie would have given his
| valuable life had been spared.
In accepting your EXccencys appointment desire il 10
b. distinctly understood that only during the
present session o Congress. shall be candidate for
y and the obligations owe 10 others, forbid my return 10
| the public service.
With objects have in view for the residue of nv life,
seat in the Senate Second only 10 the first under
form of Government has intrinsic attractions Tor me-
But for the exnsc circumstances connected with the pre-
crisis should unquestionaby declined your Ex
cellencys appointment The hope however, presumptuous
and usory that in hour Of public peril may
sbly render beneficial service 10 the country has in
duced Ia surnonnt rather cast aside all the dcnl-
Ties that stnnd in the way Of my acceptance
say public peril aud public peril there is alarming
extent There would indeed be none, if The citizens Of III.
-saveoding States could be convinced OF what know
10 be trueta rus. aad overwhelming majority Of the po-
pc @ The South resolred unuherdbiy resored 10 remain
| in this IHion Otitr terms than Equals.
shall, therefore, approach the discharge o the duties OF
the station which your partaliy has called me- with
un:altcsiag loyalty 10 the STATE which para
mount allegiance; with tayent attachment 10 the consti
niion Of tie United States and the Union OF the States;
with anxious and rrcprcssblc desire accompanied by
excrons the most EwavcIng and carnes t preserve that
Union terms Of safety and honor 10 the people o ia'
great section which belong But if the efforts OF their
Representatives hopcessly unavaiing, then if knew
heart, with whatever sorrow inuy be penetrated
think can look disnion carlcssy in the face with all its
pes and consequences and tell patriotic and gallant
people, in the language OF the Fathers OF our Revolution
| SHAT jorbearance has CEASED 10 be q rirtue."
need scarcely your Excelcncy that will rapan
the post you have assigned me with the least possible DE-
lay that briei and hurried arrangement vi my private AZ
| fairs will permit.
Aiow me- my dear sir assure your Excelenry of the
| great esteem with which
| ] am faithfully and respectfully,
! J. HAMILTON.
| His Excellencv WmrEMARsH b. SEAnRRooH,
Governor of the State Of South Carolina
CnAnLEsroS April q.
nv DEAR SIR: Since wrote You the Sd inst, accept
ing and acknowledging with proper sense Of gal-
de the high honor you have paid me in Your favor ol me
lst instant rendering the seat in the Senate ol Inc
United States rendered vacant by the death of amen
ted and distinguished statesman the late JoHS G. CAL
| uouS / have received yonr Excclcncys letter OF the
4th instant in which you inform me that doubts had
| hppn
der the Constitution of the United States, 10 the hlgh
Office TO which you have called me, in consequence oi
nv supposed non-resdence in South Carolina; and by
the tenor of your letter infer that these doubts are shared
by vour Excelcncy Ii il my intention 10 enter into IN
argument on the subject Of my qualification. All desire Is
10 exempt myself from the mtaton OF accepting an h
ponimcnt ignorance Of the requisite Qualifications
beg leave inform your Excecncy that after surrender
ing hy sale, my legal habation in ST Peters, SoIth
Carolina about two years since within the last twelve
months have esabishedat Bluff on in ST. Lukes Parish
the only fixed home have on EARTH Ny wife, to be near
bcr three sons (vlo settled the Carolina side OF Sa-
vannah Rve taken house and resided IN the city OF
Savannah The past winter In the alotments o pain
ul destiny perhaps pass less o. my ,lme tnerc man ~ ~
business H. like the Messenger Bird have forth in
the sunshine and storm, know nowhere at last 10 find
friendly perch but in this State OF our common nativity
| and affections.
Let me moreover add that nave not, in the temporary
and casual visits have paid 10 Georgia. exercised the rights
of citizenship by voting her ballot box serving on her
uies determined not even in appearance to be allen 10
South Carolina. have sometimes supposed mans habl-
tation very much where his heart with the dnS
rereend of returning his person the sphere OF its prs
tine loyalty This sentiment certainly conorts with a te
sacalnenal sanctions which belong the great moral iah
of allegiance In this allegiance South Carolina pay
the homage of my first duty it shall DO the last consoa-
| ton OF nay life. -,
But il is quito sufficient for know that your Excel
encys mind has been disturbed by the shade OF doubt
az 10 INV eligibility under the Constitution OF the United
States the high station which invite me- to induce
me at once 10 relieve you from all embarrassment Between
nv wishes and what is due TO Jealous susceptibility
to the dictates Of delicate OF honor not momenta
nv competition can shall exist in my BOSOM there
fore return you letter Of appointment nnd respectfully
decline the commission which would issue As It's necessary
consequence 1t is quite sufficient honor that your Excel
ency has deemed worthy be the successor OF JoS u
CALHOUN .
reman my dear sir with great consideration and esteem
very respectfully, your Excclency obedent servant
JAMES HAMILTON.
! His Eycellency WHTEMARsH B. SEABnooK.
| EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Charleston, April 9Th 1871.
Ny Dean Sin: Your communication OF this afternoon
returning my letter of appointment have Just received
In obedience the convictions of my own Judgment,
conferred upon you the distinction, which, apart from ohe
considerations past services in the noble cause o
State rights well mered guided mainly BY an ardent de
sire that the unhappy controversy between the NoTh aa
South should be speedily and honoraby adjusted reso
we'd uninuenced by TO seek the aid OF you! gre