biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1798–1868)
|
| biography:
| US representative, born in Pickensville, South Carolina, USA. A lawyer in Greenville, he was a Whig member of the South Carolina legislature (1826–30) who sought to nullify federal influence over his state. In Congress (Whig, 1835–41) he opposed anti-slavery petitions. As ambassador to Mexico (1842–4), he successfully negotiated the release of some 300 North American prisoners from the war between Texas and Mexico. He also opened the door for American immigration into California, and generally improved relations between the two countries. Returning to South Carolina to practise law, he opposed the war with Mexico. He also opposed secession, but lost his fortune during the Civil War. |
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