Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard, of South Carolina, From the Year 1774 to 1804, Vol. 1: With a Short Memoir (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard, of South ...)
Excerpt from Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard, of South Carolina, From the Year 1774 to 1804, Vol. 1: With a Short Memoir
Mr. Izard's ancestors were English - and came to America in the reign of Queen Anne. They settled in South Carolina - where they acquired considerable possessions, in different parts of the State.
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Ralph Izard was an American Revolutionary patriot, diplomat. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 1794.
Background
Ralph was born probably on January 23, 1741/2 at "The Elms, " his father's beautiful estate near Charleston, South Carolina, United States. His family, founded in America by Ralph Izard who came from England in 1682, was one of the oldest and wealthiest in the province, having large holdings devoted to the cultivation of rice and indigo.
His father was Henry Izard, who died when Ralph was only seven; his mother, Margaret Johnson, daughter of Robert Johnson, who had been governor of Carolina under the proprietors and was the first governor of South Carolina under the Crown. Ralph Izard, as the only surviving son, inherited his father's estates.
Education
At the age of twelve Ralph was sent to school at Hackney, England.
Career
After his studies, Izard returned to Carolina to take charge of his plantations, where he purchased a house in Berners Street with the intention of remaining. In 1774, with his wife and his friend, Arthur Lee, he made a tour of the Continent - sending back to South Carolina, among other observations, notes on mulberry culture - and passed some time at Rome, where, with Mrs. Izard, he sat for his portrait to John Singleton Copley.
In May 1775 he returned to England and used such influence as he had to avert the coming conflict with the colonies; but finding it impossible for one of his sympathies to remain there, he removed with his family to Paris after October 1776, intending to sail for America.
While in Paris he was elected by Congress, May 7, 1777, commissioner to Tuscany, but he was never received by that government and so remained in France. With Arthur Lee, Izard was on friendly terms, and John Adams in part upheld him. Meantime, his estates had been sequestered in South Carolina and his wife's brother, James, and her uncle Oliver De Lancey had become notorious as Loyalist leaders in New York. Tormented by anxiety, in financial straits, nervous, irritable, subject to attacks of gout, mistaken in his attitude toward the other commissioners of the United States, he was nevertheless undoubtedly devoted to the American cause. While in Paris, he opened negotiations with Tuscany, aided Alexander Gillon in securing funds for ships of war, and cooperated with Lee in his efforts toward obtaining the French treaty. The delay in Paris and the controversies with Franklin led to Izard's recall in 1779, before his resignation had been received, but after his dispatches explaining his position reached Congress, a resolution was passed approving his conduct (August 9, 1780).
Arriving in Philadelphia in August 1780, he repaired to Washington's headquarters, where he influenced the Commander-in-Chief to send General Greene to take command of the southern army. In 1782 he was chosen a delegate from South Carolina to Congress, serving until peace was declared. Subsequently he declined to become a candidate for governor of the state, but served in the legislature and on the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1789 was chosen United States senator. He was president pro tempore of the Senate during the sessions of the Third Congress.
In 1795 he retired from public life to the care of his property; and two years later a stroke of paralysis made him an invalid for the rest of his days. He died near Charleston, at the age of sixty-two.
Achievements
Ralph Izard was known for his service at the Continental Congress. He also was elected to the United States Senate and served there during two terms, he even was appointed the President pro tempore of the Senate during the Third Congress. Izard was one of the founders of the College of Charleston. His legacy was carried on by his children and other relatives.
(Excerpt from Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard, of South ...)
Politics
Although prior to the Revolution Izard had hotly resented the "Royal Tyranny, " he had no sympathy for democracy. He stood high in the friendship and confidence of Washington, of whose administration he was a stanch supporter.
Views
Izard considered that as a diplomatic representative of the United States he had a right to take part in the consultations between the French court and the ministers commissioned to that court, but this right was not recognized by Benjamin Franklin, toward whom Izard developed a bitter antagonism. The latter also contended that his goods should be exempt from duties, and that out of funds collected in France his salary as minister to Tuscany should be paid. These claims, also rejected by Franklin, led to further alienation.
Personality
Tall, fine-looking, in his youth an adept at outdoor sports, Ralph Izard was a frequent sufferer from gout in his later years and developed a notorious irascibility.
Quotes from others about the person
According to his daughter, Ralph Izard declined to be presented at Court because he would never "bow the knee to mortal man".
Interests
Izard was fond of literature and music and a patron of art; his house in London reflected his tastes.
Connections
Izard married, May 1, 1767, Alice De Lancey, daughter of Peter and niece of James De Lancey, formerly chief justice and lieutenant-governor of New York. His wife died in Philadelphia, April 1, 1832. Of their fourteen children, three sons and four daughters survived to marry and one son, George Izard, became a major-general in the United States Army.
