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C H A P T E R 7 A More Elevated Ambition REOCCUPIED BYNEWRESPONSIBILITIES of marriage and family and by the bitter controversy with the Fitzsimonses over Silver Bluff, Hammond abandoned his accustomed political activism during the spring and summer of 1831. "Absence," he wrote home in August from his honeymoon trip, "without affecting my sentiments has done something towards allaying my passions." No longer did the issues of the tariff and nullification seem so central to either his career or his concerns; the new roles of husband and planter demanded the bulk of his attention. "Moving to Barnwell," he admitted, "may cut off my chance both to be useful or conspicuous but if the interest of my family require it, the sacrafice [sic] must be made."1 Yet if Hammond's passions had cooled, those of other states' rights advocates in South Carolina were only intensifying. In July of 1831 Governor James Hamilton had embarked on an all-out organizing campaign designed to evoke a ground swell of popular support for nullification. Hamilton founded the State Rights and Free Trade Association in early July, and before the month was out, Calhoun had at last come out openly for state action against the tariff in his famous Fort Hill letter. When the legislature met in December, Hamilton demi . James Henry Hammond to I. W. Hayne, September 20, 1831, Hammond to Pierce Mason Butler, August 18, 1831, both in Letterpress Book, JHH Papers, SCL. For fuller discussion of nullification see William W. Freehling, Prelude to Civil War: The Nullification Controvert in South Carolina , 1816-1836 (New York: Harper and Row, 1965), Chauncy Samuel Boucher, The Nullification Controversy in South Carolina (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1916), David F. Houston, A Critical Study of Nullification in South Carolina (New York: Longmans, 1896), and Charles M. Wiltse, John C. Calhoun, Nullifier, 1829-1839 (Indianapolis: Bohhs-Merrill, 1949). P James Henry Hammond and the Old South onstrated his political skills once again by convening a gathering of 112 states' rights delegates in the capital city, where their stirring oratory could not help but make an impression. During these exciting December days in Columbia, Hammond was far away, fully engaged at Silver Bluff. He had taken possession of the plantation only a month before, and his time was consumed by the demands of establishing his mastery. But his old political allies prevailed upon him not to forget the cause he had so ably supported. "Do us as much service as you can in your solitude," William C. Preston implored from Columbia. Flattered, Hammond responded willingly to requests for advice and aid. Governor Hamilton appointed Hammond a delegate to the State Rights Convention in Charleston scheduled for February, 1832, and early in the new year Hamilton wrote his young protege, urging that they meet to discuss strategy before the gathering. Recognizing Hammond 's preoccupation with personal and plantation affairs, the governor offered to travel up the Savannah to Silver Bluff, hoping to use the meeting as an occasion to lure him from his political retirement.2 Hamilton's ploy succeeded, for the convention opened with Hammond in attendance, resplendently attired for his role as governor's aide-de-camp in a new uniform of dark blue coat, lace framed collar, gold epaulettes, red sash, cocked hat with white plume, white gloves, and "State Rights badge." The handsome young officer was well aware of the striking impression he made upon the Carolina gentry, gathered in Charleston for the ritual of race week. Hamilton had cleverly scheduled the political convention to coincide with these festivities , which annually brought the Carolina aristocracy together from every part of the state. Each February, Carolinians flocked to Charleston to display not only the prowess of their horses but the beauty and accomplishments of their daughters, who were presented to society—and to appropriate prospective husbands —during race week's debutante balls. The parties not only served as the premiere event of Carolina social life but also consolidated the ties of personal friendship and loyalty that constituted the strength of the state's master class. The atmosphere in Charleston during these annual celebrations provided a perfect context for consideration of the need to preserve the honor of Carolina against federal encroachment. Hammond himself came away from the convention with renewed radical fervor. Nullificationseemed the only possible course of action. "I have myself never fully realized this crisis until now." The en2 . William Preston to Hammond, January 18, 1832, in JHH Papers, LC; James...

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