Fort Hill Letters for the years 1830 thru 1849

Fort Hill, SC - 25 August 1830

J. C. CALHOUN letter to Andrew Jackson...Little did I then suspect that these secret machinations were carrying on against me at Nashville...

Fort Hill, SC - 0 October 1830

I enclose a letter and packet, which I received by the last mail for you; and also several news papers containing accounts of the last intelligence from France.

Fort Hill - 30 October 1830

J. C. CALHOUN letter to W.h. Crawford...You, from the first, voluntarily assumed the character of the informer. Under that character only can I know you...

Fort Hill, SC - 27 August 1831

The heavy rains and great rise in the Water courses must of course make you solicitous to hear about your planting interest in this quarter.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 September 1831

Your letter gave me the first information of the extent of my loss at Bath. That added to my loss here, which is literally everything, except about 50 acres of cotton, renders it a calamitous year to me.

Fort Hill, SC - 16 November 1831

Should the administration be decidedly beaten in the State Van Buren will be compelled to retire and the administration, as a party, will dissolve, which would change the whole aspect of the political horizon

Fort Hill, SC - 8 November 1832

I foresee a good deal of agitation ahead in relation to the rail road, I which must distract and divide the State, unless there should be much prudence, and good management on the part of the Legislature.

Fort Hill, SC - 20 September 1834

Every body is for strict construction; Mr Webster, Mr Ritchie and all; but in fact, it will ever be found to be the construction of the permanent minority against the permanent majority, and of course of itself valueless.

Fort Hill, SC - 30 August 1835

I am gratified, but not surprised, to learn the change of sentiment to the North in reference to our doctrines.

Fort Hill, SC - 23 September 1835

Unionism is extinct in our state I think.

Fort Hill, SC - 2 September 1836

There is a good tone getting up here in reference to the rail road. I cannot doubt of the vast superiority of the route by the Carolina gap.

Fort Hill, SC - 19 September 1836

I have just returned from a laborious examination of the country between this and the mouth of Tuskyseege in company with Col Gadsden.

Fort Hill, SC - 11 November 1836

Among others, I met with Maj'r. Haynes, an intelligent gentleman who resides a few miles below Kingston, and who had come on to take a contract on the Georgia rail road

Fort Hill, SC - 12 May 1837

Our government by its folly and vice has lost all control for good over the banks and the currency.

Fort Hill, SC - 0 June 1837

I write to say to you how much I am gratified with the success of your election.

Fort Hill, SC - 26 June 1837

It will be impossible to form a definitive opinion, as to the proposed convention, to which you refer, till we see the objects distinctly stated, and the motives, which actuate those who propose it fully developed.

Fort Hill, SC - 27 July 1837

I am distressed to hear of your difficulties with the paper and would do anything in my power, to which I could by any possibility bring my feelings, that would afford relief

Fort Hill, SC - 27 October 1837

I arrived here day before yesterday after a safe and pleasant journey with the exception of the Dust, which was very troublesome throughout the whole way.

Fort Hill, SC - 27 October 1837

I returned home on the 24th and had the pleasure of finding the sick all on the recovery.

Fort Hill, SC - 30 April 1839

I have just received a letter from Anna, which says, that you may possibly be compelled to visit Philadelphia in order to attend to our note in bank, as the pressure on the money market has been so great

Fort Hill, SC - 0 May 1839

You have in my opinion concluded wisely, in determining- to sell for whatever you can realize.

Fort Hill, SC - 5 October 1839

The death of Gen'l. Hayne and Co'l Blanding are really surprising events, under the circumstances under which they occurred; and are destined to effect a great change in the system

Fort Hill, SC - 2 November 1839

I am exceedingly desirous to see you placed on solid ground, in these critical times, as to pecuniary affairs. But let me advise you, as a friend, not to think of the step, which you suggest.

Fort Hill, SC - 17 November 1839

I cannot possibly be at Washington before the day proceeding the session. I propose to leave this on the 23 d , taking the route by Charleston

Fort Hill, SC - 5 August 1840

Co'l Pickens has no opponents, but I was surprised to learn, that there is so much Harrisonism in Abbeville.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 August 1840

This state is relatively quiet, though there is a sprinkle of Harrisonism, more or less, all over the state.

Fort Hill, SC - 25 September 1840

Co'l Gadsden is with me, on his return from a meeting at Ashville of the direction of the rail road. Not a sufficient number attended to do business.

Fort Hill, SC - 1 November 1840

We have nothing new. The state has gone with great unanimity against Harrison, though from every appearance he will succeed.

Fort Hill, SC - 2 November 1840

The Whigs are shouting and rejoicing over their brilliant victory, as they call it; but, if I do not greatly mistake, it will prove the cause, among other things, of their speedy and utter overthrow.

Fort Hill, SC - 3 January 1841

There is nothing, that concerns you, that is indifferent to me, or in which I would not take more interest, than if it concerned nryself individually.

Fort Hill, SC - 1 November 1841

I am in correspondence with Mr King of Augusta, and Co'l Gadsden on the subject of the road, with some hope of obtaining aid

Fort Hill, SC - 8 April 1843

I hope you and Maria will not fail to make us a visit during the summer. We shall be glad to see you. It will give you an opportunity to look at your mountain property.

Fort Hill, SC - 0 May 1843

I hope you do not err in supposing, that Gov'r Van Ness will be appointed collector of N. York.

Fort Hill, SC - 3 June 1843

The indication every where South of Virginia is favourable. In this state, there is perfect unanimity and much devotion to the cause.

Fort Hill, SC - 7 June 1843

There is, I think, no danger of any state South of North Carolina. That State will be taken either by Mr Clay, or myself

Fort Hill, SC - 6 July 1843

If I do not mistake, we hold in our hands the means of forcing on the friends of Mr Van Buren in Virginia and N. York the choice of delegates by District and the per capita mode of voting

Fort Hill, SC - 10 July 1843

I regret, that you could not take the Charge of the Spectator, but doubt not, that you have decided correctly all things considered.

Fort Hill, SC - 6 August 1843

My impression is and has been, that it would be difficult, if not impossible to get up a general organization. It required the aid of office and patronage for Mr V. B. to effect it

Fort Hill, SC - 26 August 1843

A member of our State Convention has propounded two questions to Mr Ritchie, which will throw the onus on him.

Fort Hill, SC - 8 September 1843

England has but one alternative; to harmonize her interest with that of the other portions of the civilized world, or resort to force to maintain her pre-eminence.

Fort Hill, SC - 12 September 1843

I have no doubt, but that the cause to which you refer has a powerful effect in the North and North West; and that it has been secretly used by Van Buren and his friends to weaken me.

Fort Hill, SC - 22 December 1843

Those who expect to live on the Gov't. have proved stronger than the people, and political machinery stronger than arguments.

Fort Hill, SC - 15 January 1844

I have modified my Address as far as I could consistently with the principles on which I act, to meet the views of my friends.

Fort Hill, SC - 1 February 1844

Our friends ought by no means [to] give a pledge unless conditional to support the nominee of the Baltimore convention.

Fort Hill, SC - 7 February 1844

I have written to the Editor of the Mercury to correct the statement, that my name was withdrawn by myself.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 February 1844

They entertained the hope (a vain one I am sure) that they could compel the friends of Mr V. B. to redeem their pledges, in reference to the Tariff and Abolition, and were adverse to taking any step, which would lead to a seperation.

Fort Hill, SC - 14 February 1844

The great mass of my friends and supporters, who disagree with the course you are in favor of, still hope, that the party will redeem their pledges, both in reference to the tariff and Abolition

Fort Hill, SC - 7 October 1844

The friends of Polk now regard his election as about certain. I think the prospect good; but the Whigs are making great efforts

Fort Hill, SC - 23 March 1845

I wrote Anna by the last Steamer, just before I took my departure from Washington; and informed her, that on my return, I would visit the Cane Brake and write you, as to the State of your affairs there.

Fort Hill, SC - 25 April 1845

Since then, the most important, is the dismissal of Blair and the Globe, and the adoption of Ritchie and a new paper to be published by him, as the organ of the administration.

Fort Hill, SC - 6 May 1845

I cannot disapprove of your declining the mission to England. I see many difficulties in any Southern man accepting it under existing circumstances

Fort Hill, SC - 22 May 1845

It was scarcely in the power of Mr Polk to treat me badly. I would consider it, at least, as much a favour to him for me to remain in office under his administration, as he could to me, to invite me to remain.

Fort Hill, SC - 23 May 1845

the latter containing the gratifying intelligence, that all the obstacles in the way of the annexation of Texas have been removed

Fort Hill, SC - 7 June 1845

Your political reflections are just. Nothing is wanting to enable the South to have a decided control in the presidential election, but firmness, but the great difficulty has heretofore been with Virginia

Fort Hill, SC - 23 June 1845

I fear with you, that Wise is pursuing an injudicious course in reference to the Slave trade. My instructions to him were full and pointed on the necessity of preserving the most friendly relations with Brazil in every respect.

Fort Hill, SC - 12 August 1845

The Administration is very weak. Its course has neither indicated wisdom nor firmness.

Fort Hill, SC - 18 September 1845

I am much urged to return to the Senate. My inclination is against it; but the state of our affairs, external and internal, is so critical, that I should feel it my duty to serve

Fort Hill, SC - 15 September 1846

The course you indicate as proper to be taken in reference to Mexico, however wise, is one, which I cannot hope that the Administration would be induced to adopt.

Fort Hill, SC - 20 September 1846

Your remarks in reference to my Memphis Report shows, that you rightly appreciate the state of parties with us, and its probable effects, in bringing about a reorganization of parties.

Fort Hill, SC - 29 October 1846

I have just finished the preperation of a paper giving my views on the subject of changing the mode of appointing the electors, in complyance with the request of several of the members elect of this District.

Fort Hill, SC - 21 November 1846

You evince good judgement, in preferring a new and growing country to an old, and decaying, or even a stationary one.

Fort Hill, SC - 19 March 1847

On my return, I met Mrs Calhoun in Charleston waiting my arrival. My reception by the city authorities and the citizens generally was warm, and even enthusiastick never more so.

Fort Hill, SC - 20 March 1847

The grievance of which you speak, in reference to the proposed substitution of a horse mail from Abbeville to the Double wells on the Georgia rail road, admits of no remedy, but the repeal of the act of Congress passed three years since

Fort Hill, SC - 28 March 1847

I see by the contents of your letter, that you have misunderstood me on a point, where I had supposed my meaning was very obvious.

Fort Hill, SC - 11 April 1847

The spring has been very backward; but the weather has been warm and dry since the commencement of the month, and vegitation has pushed forward with great rapidity.

Fort Hill, SC - 17 April 1847

The mistake, which I think you and the most of my friends make in reference to myself is, that you do not fully realize how completely I hold my own advancement subordinate to what I deem my duty to the Country.

Fort Hill, SC - 6 May 1847

The views you take in reference to Ritchie, and the position in which it has placed me in reference to the hunker portion of the party are perfectly correct.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 June 1847

After giving the subject the most deliberat consideration, I cannot concur with you in opinion as to the expediency or propriety of my attending.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 June 1847

I am happy to hear, you are all so well, and that the children are making such progress; not in what is called learning only, but what is vastly more important at their age, in good sense and habits.

Fort Hill, SC - 15 June 1847

By having done my duty fully in reference to the Mexican war, as it relates both to its origin and the mode it ought to have been conducted, I stand free of all responsibility, and independent of both parties, and their entanglement.

Fort Hill, SC - 1 July 1847

There begins to be a good deal of feelings in this quarter in reference to the navigation of the Savanah River and Mr Sloane has been appointed by the farmers society

Fort Hill, SC - 8 July 1847

The difference between North and South is daily increasing, in reference to the Slave question. It is hard to say to what it is destined to come.

Fort Hill, SC - 24 July 1847

The Mexican war has been at a stand. There is ever[y] now and then a movement in favour of General Taylor.

Fort Hill, SC - 13 August 1847

I am not at all surprised, that the victories our arms have achieved in Mexico should make so, deep an impression in Europe.

Fort Hill, SC - 6 September 1847

I agree with you, that the political condition of all western Europe is very unsettled, and especially France. Nor are we much better off. Our future is very uncertain.

Fort Hill, SC - 24 October 1847

You will have seen by the papers, that the City of Mexico is in possession of our army

Fort Hill, SC - 9 November 1847

I foresee a session of great distraction and confusion. The old party organization cannot much longer hold together.

Fort Hill, SC - 13 November 1847

The position of the country is very critical. Great caution and great firmness combined are necessary to extricate it from its present difficulties

Fort Hill, SC - 19 November 1848

I am much gratified to learn, that you have made a conditional sale of your Millwood property on such favourable terms.

Fort Hill, SC - 10 April 1849

I had a safe and pleasant journey home. The weather was pleasant and Spring was rapidly advancing. The Jessamine and Dogwood were in bloom, and the forest had just commenced clo[th]ing itself with green.

Fort Hill, SC - 15 June 1849

It is, indeed, distressing to be so far off and for so long a time from those so dear to us; but let us rather look forward to when we shall again meet, than indulge in unavailing sorrows.

Fort Hill, SC - 23 June 1849

I read the account of your proceedings with reference to the Slave question with pleasure. Both tone and substance are good.

Fort Hill, SC - 24 July 1849

It is high time the South should begin to prepare. I see no hope of bringing the North to a sense of justice, but by our united action, and for that purpose, a Convention of the South is indispensable.

Fort Hill, SC - 4 August 1849

You are right, as to the source, whence Benton draws his support. He has bribed the papers at the seat of Government by jobs at the publick expense

Fort Hill, SC - 24 August 1849

Politically I have nothing good to write. The appearance is, that Taylor's administration will prove a failure. I fear he is in the hands of the Northern Whigs

Fort Hill, SC - 14 October 1849

My correspondence is necessarily heavy. It occupies one day and sometimes two a week; but what mainly occupies me, is the work I have on hand.

Fort Hill, SC - 22 October 1849

Mississippi has acted well on the slave question, and I hope Alabama and every other Southern State will back her and send delegates to Nashville.