Paul Hamilton was an American soldier, statesman and politician. He served as the 42nd Governor of South Carolina from 1804 to 1806.
Background
Paul Hamilton was born on October 16, 1762, at Saint Paul's Parish, South Carolina, United States, the son of Archibald and Rebecca (Branford) Hamilton. His father’s early death was soon followed by that of two brothers, leaving Paul Hamilton the sole surviving child.
Education
At sixteen, financial considerations compelled Paul's withdrawal from school.
Career
When General Prevost invaded South Carolina, Hamilton joined a militia company. He participated in the unsuccessful siege of Savannah, and was with Gates's army when that officer was routed at Camden. In the latter part of the Revolution, he served under various guerrilla chiefs, including Marion and Harden, and was a member of the latter’s band when he captured Fort Balfour.
In 1782, Hamilton married. His wife secured twenty-three negroes as her share of her father’s estate and with these Hamilton began to plant indigo on Edisto Island. Being unsuccessful, the next year he purchased a plantation in St. Paul’s Parish and engaged in rice culture.
Hamilton began his public career as collector of taxes for St. Paul’s Parish, 1785-1786, and justice of the peace, 1786. He was a member of the lower house of the state legislature, 1787-1789, and of the convention of 1789 which ratified the Federal Constitution. He served successively as state senator, 1794, 1798-1799, comptroller of finance, 1800-1804, and governor, 1804-1806. As governor, he advocated reforms in the penal code, believing that under the then-existing system punishments were not apportioned to offenses. He was an apostle of military preparedness, urging the repair of seacoast fortifications and the purchase of arms for state arsenals. He was a friend of the state college which opened in 1805. Though a slave owner, he protested against legalizing the African slave trade and urged the legislature to prohibit the traffic.
Three days after President Madison took office, he sent to the Senate Hamilton’s appointment as secretary of the navy on March 7, 1809. Why Madison should have chosen Hamilton is unknown, unless he was impressed by his zeal for fortification. A rice planter could not be expected to have any special knowledge of naval affairs. Until war with Great Britain became imminent, Hamilton’s administration was uneventful. The navy was unpopular with the Republican Congress, which hindered the secretary by refusing to vote necessary appropriations. Arms and munitions at the disposal of the Navy Department were insufficient; the navy yards were neglected; the President was indifferent to the problem of preparedness.
On the brink of war with a sea power of the first class, the navy consisted of eighteen vessels. Late in 1811, Hamilton made some preparation, but he could do little without funds. It was not until the war had virtually come that Congress awoke to the necessity of a less niggardly policy. On the approach of hostilities, economy and honesty ceased to be the only requirements for the successful administration of the navy. Hamilton was attacked as incompetent and resigned, December 31, 1812. His death occurred some three and a half years later.
Achievements
Connections
On October 10, 1782, Hamilton married Mary Wilkinson.