Diplomatist; born in
Charleston, S. C., Oct. 23, 1750; educated in
England, and was admitted to the bar in 1770.
He joined the army in 1775; became a major and aide to
General Lincoln, and afterwards to
Count d'estaing in the siege of
Savannah.
He was distinguished in the battle at
Stono Ferry, and was aide to
General Gates in the battle near
Camden, where he was wounded and made prisoner.
In 1792 he was sent as minister to
Great Britain, and in 1794 to
Spain, where he negotiated the treaty of St. Ildefonso, which secured
to the
United States the free navigation of the
Mississippi River.
In 1799 he was a member of Congress, and in March, 1812,
President Madison appointed him commander of the Sixth Military District.
His last military service was under
General Jackson at the last decisive battle with the
Creeks at
Horseshoe Bend.
He died in
Charleston, S. C., Nov. 2, 1828.
