The South Vindicated from the Treason and Fanaticism of the Northern Abolitionists...
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Address to the people of the congressional district of Charleston
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William Drayton was an American lawyer, soldier, congressman. He became lieutenant-colonel of infantry and colonel. By this title he was commonly known in later life.
Background
William Drayton was born on December 30, 1776 at St. Augustine, East Florida, United States. He was the youngest child of William Drayton, chief justice of the province, and his first wife, Mary Motte. When, in the spring of 1778, his parents went to England, where his mother died, the infant was left in the care of Dr. Andrew Turnbull and his Greek wife. He was taken by them to Charleston when they joined his father there in May 1780.
Education
Sent to school in England, William was called home by the death of his father in 1790, at which date his formal education ended.
Career
William Drayton became assistant in the clerk's office of the court of general sessions under his brother Jacob, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and before 1812 had attained the first rank in his profession. His practice is said to have brought him an annual income of from $15, 000 to $18, 000 a year, which enabled him to invest extensively in commercial enterprises.
A Federalist in politics, he regarded the War of 1812 as unnecessary and deplorable, but offered his own services to the government. He had been associated earlier with the Ancient Battalion of Artillery as an officer, and became lieutenant-colonel of infantry, March 12, 1812, and colonel on July 6 of that year. By this title he was commonly known in later life. On August 1, 1814, he became inspector general. His acquaintance with military affairs was sufficient to cause Andrew Jackson to recommend to Monroe in 1816 his appointment as secretary of war and himself to offer him the same post in 1829. In 1819 he became recorder and judge of the city court of Charleston, a position which he filled with distinction until 1823.
Elected as a Union Democrat to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Joel R. Poinsett from Congress, he served continuously in that body from December 15, 1825, to March 3, 1833. Both in Washington and South Carolina, he was a vigorous opponent of the tariff, though not averse to compromise, and a strict constructionist of the Constitution, though an implacable foe of nullification. Opposing among others his foster-brother, Robert J. Turnbull, he was one of the chief organizers of the Anti-Convention or Union party in South Carolina. His oration delivered on July 4, 1831, in Charleston, which contained a severe attack upon the Exposition, was widely circulated, and served as the platform of the Union party. After the triumph of the nullifiers in the state, Drayton, though not disposed to yield to their threat of force, tried in Congress to further a compromise on the tariff. His support of the Union gained him wide acclaim in the North and severe criticism at home, where, however, his personal qualities continued to be held in high esteem.
Leaving Charleston in the summer of 1833, he settled in Philadelphia, where until his death he was chiefly engaged in the duties of private life. Succeeding Thomas Dunlap as president of the Bank of the United States in 1841, he closed out the affairs of that institution.
A Federalist in politics, he regarded the War of 1812 as unnecessary and deplorable, but offered his own services to the government.
Personality
Mild and courteous in manner, Drayton was a persuasive speaker, renowned for choice diction and precision of language.
Connections
Drayton was twice married: first, to Ann, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Fenwick) Gadsden, who bore him four children, among them Thomas Fenwick and Percival Drayton; second, to Maria Miles, daughter of William and Hannah (Shubrick) Heyward, who bore him five children, two of them attaining maturity.