Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/298

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department. These charges he promptly re- futed, and a committee that included Daniel Webster and John Randolph unanimously declared them to be unfounded. But his health rendered it impossible for him to con- tinue in public life, and although he partially regained his strength, he abstained from par- ticipation in politics from that time. Upon his return to Georgia he became circuit judge, an office he continued to fill with great efficiency, by successive elections in 1828 and 1831, almost until his death. He opposed nullification, and his last days were spent in retirement. Personally he was a man of conspicuous social gifts, an admir- able conversationalist, religious in his views and feelings, and a supporter of Baptist con- victions. At his home he dispensed a hearty hospitality, and his name is eminent among the illustrious citizens of Georgia. He died in Elbert county, Georgia. September 15, 1S34.

Claiborne, William Charles Cole, was born in Sussex county, Virginia, in 1775, son of Col. William Claiborne, of King William county, Virginia, and Mary Leigh, his wife, daughter of Ferdinand Leigh. His educa- tion was a liberal one and he was well pre- pared for entrance to the legal profession. Having been duly admitted to the bar, he took up his residence in Nashville, Tennes- see, where he followed his profession with an extraordinary amount of success. He was soon appointed territorial judge, and assisted in the framing of the state consti- tution in 1796. As a representative of the Republican party he was elected to con- gress in 1797, serving from March 23, 1797, to March 3, 1801. He was appointed gov- ernor of Mississippi in 1802, and in the fol-

lowing year, in association with Gen. James Wilkinson, became a commissioner to take possession of Louisiana when it was pur- chased from the French. After the new gov- ernment had been well established he was made governor in 1804, and when the prov- ince became a state he was elected to the same office by the people. The Republican party of the new state chose him as their representative in the United States senate, but he died in New Orleans, Louisiana, No- vember 2^, 1817, before taking his seat in this body. He was brother of Gen. Ferdi- nand Leigh Claiborne (q. v.).

Morgan, William, born in Culpeper coun- ty, Virginia, in 1775. He served under Gen. Jackson at the battle of Xew Orleans. He moved to Batavia, Xew York, and in 1826 it was rumored that he was about to publish an exposure of the secrets of freemasonry. He was taken by a party of men to Canan- daigua. on a criminal charge, was acquitted, and rearrested and lodged in jail, from which he was secretly taken. It was charged that he was drowned in Lake Ontario, Septem- ber 19. 1826. Based upon the feeling thus engendered, the political Anti-Masonic party was formed, which in 183 1 nominated Wil- liam Wirt for the presidency. The party was finally merged into the Whig party.

Campbell, Richard, was born in the Val- ley of Virginia. He was commissioned cap- tain in 1776, later became major, served in Gibson's regiment at Pittsburgh, and on Mcintosh's expedition against the Ohio In- dians in 1778. He led a relief party to Fort Laurens in June, 1779, and for a time was commander of that garrison. He was pro- moted lieutenant-colonel, and commanded a Virginia regiment at Guilford, Hobkirk's

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