The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-19
Obituary.


GEN. JAMES HAMILTON, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
We received yesterday, by telegraph from New Or
leans, account of the death of Gen HAMILTON which
occurred the night OF the 18TH when the steamboat
Opelousas, from Berwick Bay to Galveston, by which
Gen Hamilton passenger came in collision with
the Galveston, OF the same line and from twenty to
twenty Eve persons drowned, among whom
General Hamilton
The subject of this sketch of the best known
public men the United States, and was perhaps as
fine specimen of the old school Southern gentleman
existed At the time of his death he must have been
about sixty five years of age He was man of command
ing figure dignied manners high attanmens, and great
personal popularity. He was a prominent candidate
for the char in the United States Senate left by the
death of Mr. Butler, of South Carolina, and upon
visit to Texas for business purposes.
General Hamilton came from good old Revoluti mary
stock. His father was a member of the first Con
tinental Congress- and the address the British
House of Commons protesting against the Stamp Act
His uncle, Thomas Lynch, Jr., of the sgners
Of the Declaration of Independence. His father Major
Hamilton, served in the line OF the Revolutionary army
from the occupation of Dorchester Heights by General
Washington to the last gun fired during the at Com
baheo Ferry. The of this brave officer received
liberal education, and in 1911 was admitted to prac
lice at the Charleston bar. When the of
1912 broke out, however, he followed his IA
find him lieutenant in the 18th Regiment
Of the line Six months afterwards he obtained his com
pany Ascertanng, however that there would probably
be no opportunity for active service in this regiment
which ordered do garrison duty Charleston he
resigned his commission and proceeded to the quarters of
the army in-ehief at Lake Champlan, where he of
Tered himself volunteer, and appointed by the
general commanding Qzard) on his staff At the end of
this campaign Capt Hamilton promoted to be Major,
nd ordered join Jacksons division at New Orleans
While the way South news received Of the victory
OF New Orleans and after the Treaty of Client having
been ratified Major Hamilton returned to the Charleston
bar and commenced the practice OF the law with the
Judge Huger He afterwards elected Mayor OF
charleston which office he filled during several years He
particularly distinguished himself at the time Of the
negro nsurrecton of 1922 nppng dangerous plot in its
inception and sparng exertons in bringing the guilty
to execution General Hamilton after elected to
the legislature where he made his mark. At
ihis time Qs25) his friend and patron william Iowndes,
had long represented South Carolina in the federal
Congress died and General Hamilton, though not resi-
dent Of Mr. Iowndcs district, was elected To the vacant
seat He remained In Congress until the year 1929 II
was during thus time that John Randolph fought his me
orAbc duc with Henry Clay the former being challenged
by the latter for words spoken during debate General
Hamilton and Mr.. Randolph had been friends from child
hood On the night before the duel Randolph sent for
Hamilton told him that he tsandoph) had determin
ed 70 receive, without returning, Mr.. Gays hre. In
case MIR. Randolph fell he left 10 his friends,
HamtOn Tatnall and Bfnton, pieces OF Rol1 wniCn
they were TO watch seals in remembrance OF him
Hamilton says in affecting account OF the duel OF which
he eye witness, that the friendship between Ran
doph and himself was posthumous, having been De-
qucathed by their mothers.
In Congress general Hamilton unceasing advo
cate Of free trade and southern rights as they were
viewed by the ultra party of which he was one OF the
leaders. In ls24 he delivered great speech on the
tariff in which he prophesed the restanceo Of South Caro-
Ina Az tins time the Adams and Jackson
rnencng and Hamilton led the opposition to Adams, being
convinced that his overthrow and the election OF JACKSON
fha htglt arn
rncnt systems which were the vital principles OF MI
Adams supporters 49,
tariff system was adopted, when General Hamilton an.
nounccd that he intended 10 resign his seat In Congress
and defend rights at homo. He advocated the doc
lrine OF armed resistance the tariff law In the
summer OF 1928 In the winter OF the next year ne re-
turned 70 Washington hc was pressed py ooncra JACK
leader for the administration. He decline this and also
offer OF the mission TO Mexico with carte blanche 10
undertake. the purchase of Tcxas-a measure which no
sincerely advocated He returned home, was elected
Governor and mcnded the Legislature TO pass the
celebrated notification act which placed the State in col
Jsion with the general government. The act was
tasscd aud IA accordance with the Governors
geconmcn ,aon the state placed in condition for
defenSe nv hi. succcssor Gov IIaync Gen. Hamilton
was ordered command OF the troops so rased-he
had faith In bayonets than Ia judicial processes
Whether right wrong upon ue merits OF the case the
coolness courage and perseverance Of Gen Hamilton at
fhs crisis must inspire the highest admiration In this
contest Gen. Hamilton nearly ruined himself financially.
nut carried his rointhe differences between the state
ynd the general government being settled in manner
which, not entirely satisfactory, was accepted on AL
hands.
Gen Hamilton took a warm interest in the early strug
pes the infant republic Of Texas, and gave TO u mate
rial aid furtherance Of his favorie idea 10
tend Southern territory well a. the sympathy Of gal
tant soldier for the brave who contended against
euch odds In 1ss he went to England and France the
representative Of tho Texan government and nstru
mental the negotiations which resulted IN the admission
p that state the Union His residence In Beaufort
district South Carolina hut he has had business
in Texas which have often obliged him ~ visit that State.
was on one Of these visits that he met his death Few
no than GENERAL Hamilton.
Those who did agree with him politically we're forced
a. admire his ability hrmncss and courage, which were
m neled and tempered with that bpnhommis which al
ways chzrscer,es true gentleman. Statesman, soldier,
patriot and gallant gentleman-emincnty deserving his
sbr1~1 "the Tayard ~ the Sou,h-hc has fought the
rood fight Let us hope he has won the crown
Personal Intelligence.
The celebrated German naturalist and traveller Moritz
this city by the Ariel xeaiarlnX Mr.