James Barbour

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James Barbour (portrayed by Henry Ulke )signature

James Barbour (born June 10, 1775 in Barboursville , Orange County , Colony of Virginia , † June 7, 1842 ibid) was an American attorney, a member and speaker of the House of Representatives of Virginia, the 19th governor of Virginia , the first governor who resided in the governorate of Virginia, a United States Senator from 1814 to 1825 and Secretary of War between 1825 and 1828.

Early years

James Barbour was the son of Thomas Barbour, who held a seat in the House of Burgesses , and Mary Pendleton Thomas. Both were from Orange County. His brother was the future chairman (speaker) of the House of Representatives Philip Pendleton Barbour .

Barbour's family was one of the first to settle in Orange County, which turned out to be profitable for them. At the time of his birth, Barbour's family owned over 2,000 acres and kept several slaves . Much of that fortune, however, was wasted before James could get an education. James was raised in part in Gordonsville by James Waddell. Barbour served as an assistant sheriff in Orange County early in 1792 . In 1794 he was admitted to the Virginia bar. On October 29, 1792, Barbour married Lucy Johnson, the daughter of Benjamin Johnson, who was sitting in the House of Burgesses. In 1798 he owned several slaves.

House of Representatives

Barbour was elected to the Virginia House of Representatives in 1796 . He was the youngest member of the House. During his tenure, Barbour was known for his expressive speech. He served on many of the House's committees, and even chaired several committees, including the Committee on Special Rights and Elections and the Finance Committee. 1809 he was appointed as successor to Hugh Nelson of the Speaker of the Lower House, which he remained until 1812th During these years, Barbour drew heavily on Virginia's Republican beliefs. He vigorously opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and used his known rhetorical skills to endorse the Virginia Resolutions . He refused to endorse any law that could give the executive uncontrolled power. Among his laws in the House of Representatives, he considered the most important that provided for the Literary Fund of Virginia . The February 2, 1810 law provided funding for public education in every Commonwealth country. Barbour strongly believed that society could only develop through education. He asked that the only inscription on his tombstone be a reference to this law.

Governor of Virginia

In 1811 he ran for governorship. However, he lost the election to incumbent George William Smith . On December 26, 1811, Smith died in a fire in the Richmond Theater. On January 3, the legislature met and appointed Barbour governor.

At the time the country was on the brink of war with Great Britain. Barbour was in favor of war, which he saw as the only means of ending British interference in US sovereignty. So he started to prepare the state for war. Barbour, whose father trained the Orange Militia , knew of the inadequacy of the Virginia Militia . Accordingly, he issued regulations for the training and arming of a stronger militia on February 11, 1812. Barbour urged the militia commanders of each state to prepare to defend the country. He personally traveled to the tidewater area, which offered safe havens for a British invasion.

Through all of these acts, Barbour earned the title of War Governor . On June 18, 1812, Congress declared the war of 1812 . Perhaps because of his preparations for war, Barbour was re-elected governor in November 1812. During the final session in 1814, Barbour finally persuaded the legislature to approve a plan for the organization of troops to be selected for a militia under federal control. However, the peace of Ghent brought the war to an end.

Barbour's governorship also included exploring the upper James River in Virginia. He also improved the roads of Virginia. He was also the first governor to reside in the Virginia governorate that had been drafted by his friend Thomas Jefferson . He received a lot of praise from the population.

US Senator

On December 1, 1814, the Virginia legislature voted on the appointment of Barbour to succeed US Senator Richard Brent . Interestingly, Barbour served in the Senate at the same time as his brother Philip . Often they opposed each other. As Senator, Barbour set up a Roads and Canals Committee, endorsed the Bonus Bill , made a constitutional amendment that gave Congress the power to approve funds for innovation, endorsed and led a bill that abolished the detention of debtors 1818 Shipping Act. Barbour hoped this law would encourage the British to reopen their ports and encourage international trade. But these efforts failed. Finally, in 1832, a compromise was reached that allowed mutual trade as the " Elsewhere Act ". Barbour was temporarily elected chairman of the Senate in 1819. The 16th Congress , chaired by Barbour, passed the Missouri Compromise . Barbour's speech focused on the rights of the Missouri people to decide for themselves whether or not they were a slave-free state.

During his tenure, Barbour, in resolution 1813, convinced the Senate to award a sword of honor to Colonel Richard Mentor Johnson of Kentucky for his services at the Battle of the Thames River , which won him Johnson as a friend. This friendship became particularly important to Barbour when he was appointed Secretary of War through President John Quincy Adams at Johnson's behest .

Minister of War

Barbour was re-elected as Secretary of War after Adams' inauguration on March 4, 1825. At that time, the main duties of the War Department were to oversee Indian activities and to direct the army . Barbour's first ordeal was negotiating with Governor George Troup of Georgia, as the government there wanted the Creek removed from the 5 million acres . Adams signed a contract authorizing the removal shortly after taking office. However, Barbour convinced Adams and Congress to reject the contract. Troup was furious. In the following months of Troup threats, Barbour successfully purchased most of the Creek land. Troup was not happy about it and threatened to invade the areas that the Indians were allowed to keep. Barbour and Adams agreed that if Georgia intervened, the federal government was needed to step in. To avoid war, Barbour acquired the remaining territories and prepared the Creek for relocation to the areas west of the Mississippi .

Barbour suggested using the area of ​​the remote areas west of the Mississippi for an Indian reservation. Those Indians who refused to move to these reservations would be integrated into white society. He hoped that the tribal structure would dissolve and the annexation of the area into the USA as a state would be easier. His proposal was based on a misunderstanding of Indian culture. He failed.

Last years of service

In 1826, Barbour was considered for the vice-presidential nomination in the 1828 election. Barbour quickly refused, however. Instead, he tried to get the office of ambassador to Great Britain. Critics said Barbour was looking for a haven in the storm ahead of the upcoming election. Andrew Jackson , who was an anti-nationalist, rejected the ideals that Barbour supported. On July 1, 1828, Barbour became the Dr. jur. awarded by Oxford University.

After serving as envoy, Barbour returned to Virginia, where he announced his candidacy for the General Assembly. However, Barbour's nationalist policies made him unfavorable to the Republicans of Virginia. The choice in which his opponent was illiterate was extremely narrow. Barbour narrowly escaped defeat. After he was declared the winner, the election was challenged. Barbour promised to retire should there be evidence that he had indeed lost the election. Although no such evidence was ever found, Barbour retired on February 16, 1831 because of hostility in the congregation.

death

After retiring from the congregation, Barbour sought refuge in his family in Barboursville. There Barbour remained active in political life, made appearances and made speeches to support his political friends. Soon Barbour's health began to deteriorate. He spent the last months of his life in Barboursville, where he died on July 7, 1842, surrounded by his wife and numerous children.

Appreciations

The Barbour County in Alabama and the Barbour County him were named in honor.

literature

  • Charles Lowery: James Barbour, a Jeffersonian Repulican. 1984, University of Alabama Press; (2004 paperback: ISBN 0-8173-5076-4 )
  • William Stapleton Long: James Barbour.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Barbour, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH June 10, 1775
PLACE OF BIRTH Barboursville , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH June 7, 1842
Place of death Barboursville , Virginia