552 TROUP COUNTY. 



Long Island, State of New- York. Thence he went to Prince- 

 ton College, where he graduated honourably. On his return to 

 Savannah, he studied law with Mr. Noel. He early evinced 

 a disposition for public life, provided political advancement 

 might be attained without demagoguism. His talents and 

 honesty gained for him the friendship of General James Jack- 

 son, when Governor, who appointed him his Aid. In 1800, 

 before he was twenty years of age, he was invited by the 

 republicans of Chatham county to represent it in the Legisla- 

 ture. This he declined, because of his minority. In a letter 

 to General Jackson, he exhibits a sound republican feeling, 

 from which, it is confidently asserted, he has not deviated a 

 tittle down to the present day. He says, " I received an invi- 

 tation from the republicans of Chatham to stand a candidate 

 at the late election for representative. Constitutionally un- 

 qualified to take my seat, in a successful event, 1 very reluc- 

 tantly declined. The great crisis at which we have arrived, 

 demands the patriotic exertions of every citizen of this country. 

 The most important salutary benefits are suspended on the 

 issue ; and if the numbers, together with the talents, which 

 the republicans can command, are called into action, we can- 

 not fail of a complete and decisive victory." The crisis was 

 that of 1800 — the contest be ween Adams and Jefferson. 



In 1801 he yielded to a second application, and was elect- 

 ed a representative. In the Legislature he at once occupied a 

 high position. In 1802 he was again elected, and again in 

 1803. In 1804, he removed to Bryan county, where he re- 

 sided some years. In 1806, he was elected to Congress. As 

 formerly, he abjured all arts before the people, refusing to solicit 

 their suffrages, but ready to obey their call. This has been 

 the rule of his political life, never to electioneer. He was a 

 member of the House of Representatives until 1815, when he 

 withdrew to private life. His support was given to the ad- 

 ministrations of Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison, possessed of 

 the confidence of both. As a representative of Georgia, he 

 was distinguished by his opposition to the compromise made 

 by the Federal Legislature with the Yazoo speculators. As a 

 Legislator of the Union, he sustained the war measures which 

 were adopted towards England. He was Chairman of the 



