William Carroll (politician, 1788)

William Carroll

William Carroll (born March 3, 1788 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , † March 22, 1844 in Nashville , Tennessee ) was an American politician and the sixth and ninth Governor of Tennessee.

Early years

Born in Pennsylvania, Carroll came to Tennessee in 1806 at the age of 18. Although his schooling was below average, he acquired a good knowledge of accounting and mathematics. These were good prerequisites for a successful career. In 1810 he moved to Nashville , where he befriended Andrew Jackson, under whom he also served in the National Guard. He took part in a campaign against the Creek Indians under Jackson's command in 1811 and also served under Jackson in the 1812 War. In doing so, like this one, he became very popular. In 1816 he operated the “Andrew Jackson”, the first steamboat on the Cumberland River . However, in 1819 he fell victim to an economic crisis that drove him to financial ruin. His new poverty and reputation as a war hero helped him to be elected Governor of Tennessee in 1821. He won this election because of his opposition to the big planters, land speculators, and banks who took advantage of or exploited smaller farmers and citizens.

Governor of Tennessee

In total, Carroll was governor for 12 years. He holds the record in office among the governors of Tennessee to this day. John Sevier , who also has 6 terms in office, was a little shorter in office because of the slightly shorter first term. In 1823 and 1825 Carroll was re-elected without opposition. The constitution only permitted three consecutive terms of two years each. Therefore he was not allowed to run for office in 1827. In his place was Sam Houston selected. Two years later, Carroll was able to regain office. In 1831 and 1833 he was also re-elected. During his long tenure as governor, he reformed the banking system, the judiciary, and criminal law. The country's infrastructure was also improved and a hospital for the mentally handicapped was built. Another problem was the expulsion of the Indians under the so-called Indian Removal Act . These actions began during his tenure and were completed around 1840. The high point of his tenure was the constitutional reform of 1834. The new constitution replaced the one from 1796 and is considered to be the forerunner of the constitution adopted in 1870, which is still in force today. The power of the executive, including the governor, has been strengthened in the new constitution. However, the terms of office were limited to two years and three consecutive terms. Carroll was still seeking a fourth consecutive term in 1837, citing the fact that he had only served one term under the new constitution. The voters saw it differently and voted him out in 1835.

Old age and death

In federal politics he supported his old friend Jackson, even if he was at times in contact with his opponent Henry Clay . After the controversial presidential election of 1824, Carroll finally turned away from Clay. He supported Jackson in 1828 and 1832 in his presidential election campaigns. He then forgave him for his intermittent turn to Clay. Carroll was a senior member of Jackson's Democratic Party in Tennessee. In this capacity he also supported Martin Van Buren's candidacy in 1836 . After leaving the governor's office, his friend Jackson appointed him Indian commissioner who was supposed to negotiate with the Cherokees over their relocation under the Indian Removal Act. In 1838 President Van Buren gave him the same assignment with the Creek Indians. At that time his critics accused him of having abused these offices for private purposes such as land speculation. The allegations could neither be proven nor refuted. Otherwise he never sought public office again after his defeat in 1835. He died in Nashville on March 22, 1844.

According to him, Carroll County named in Tennessee.

literature

• Robert Sobel, John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. 4 volumes. Volume 4. Meckler Books, Westport, CT 1978.

Web links

Commons : William Carroll  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

• William Carroll at the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Tennessee (English)
• William Carroll in the database of Find a Grave (English)