CALHOUN, JOHN CALDWELL, one of the most influential of the recent statesmen of America, wag born on the 18th of March 1782, at Abbeville in South Carolina. His father, Patrick Calhoun, was by birth en Irishman, but he emigrated to America early in life, settled in Carolina, and took an active part on the American side during the war of independence. John C. Calhoun graduated with distinction at Yale College in 1804 ; and, having completed his legal studies in Con necticut, returned to his native place in 1807 to enter upon the practice of his profession. He was elected the following year a mem ber of the South Carolina House of Representatives, where his clear vigorous intellect soon obtained for him considerable notice. In 1811 he was sent as a representative to the United States Congress, and the rest of his life was spent at Washington. During the discussion of the important measures which in the course of the next five years excited the public mind, Mr. Calhoun played a prominent part, and his fervid eloquence, eagerly defending and stimulating the popular war-cry, won for him a commanding position. On Mr. Mouroe's election to the presidency of the United States in 1817, he appointed Mr. Calhoun his secretary of war, a post he retained during the eight years of Mr. MOnroe's tenure of office. His administration was marked by energy and judgment, and secured his position as one of the ablest public men of his time. On the next election, 1825, he was named as a candidate for the presidency, but withdrew his claim, and eventually ho was chosen vice-president. To this high office he was
re-elected in 1829, when General Jaokson succeeded Mr. Adams as ereableet ; bat he differed greatly from Jackson In policy, especially ea the Tariff and Bank Charter questions; and in 1631 be reagent the simpreerdeney. and was OlOCIOLI by South Carolina to the Senate eat the Ended States. From the end of his term of six year. he memieed in retirement, until President Tater In 1813 appointed him of Mete. an peke he bald till the eduction of Preaelont Polk to that year be again became the representative of South Caro Ma ID the senate. Ile bad now come to he regarded as the great !reeler sad repremestative of the southern states in Congress, and no man was !Lament to with greater attention by all partite. An intense and fervid republican, he was yet eminently conservative in spirit, a staunch defender of all ...anthem rights, and the Infiexible supporter of the •LastSation' of slavery. In general and International he commonly took the popular, or, as it is usually termed, the patriotic, sida. II. died March 31. 1E40. Many of Mr. Calhoun'. speeches were printed as ',Tanabe publications about the time of their delivery ; and Le eollorted • Work.' are now in course of publication at Charleston and Colombia.