Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/81

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

the South Carolina movement, though he did not approve the doctrine of nullification. In January, 1834, he was elected governor and entered upon his duties March 31, fol- lowing. When the legislature framed reso- lutions instructing their senators to vote for expunging from the Journal of the United States senate the resolutions censuring Gen- eral Jackson for removing the deposits from the United States Bank, he resigned in dis- gust April 30, 1836, and retired to private life at his elegant seat in Norfolk, Virginia, never afterwards appearing in public ser- vice. He was revered in Virginia for his great ability, and his appearance was ma- jestic and commanding. He died in Nor- folk, May 6, i860.

Robertson, Wyndham» lieutenant and act- i'lg governor, was a son of William Robert- son and Elizabeth Boiling, his wife, and grandson of William Robertson, baillie of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was born near Manchester, opposite to Richmond, Vir- ginia, January 26. 1803, and first attended private schools and afterwards completed his education at William and Mary College iit 182 1. He was a member of the council of state in 1830 and again in 1833. In 1834, at the first meeting of the James River and Kanawha Company he proposed, instead of a canal to Lynchburg, a railroad to progress ultimately westward to the Mississippi, which showed his wisdom and far-sighted- ness^ March 31, 1836, he became lieutenant- governor, and on April 30, acting governor, by virtue of the resignation of Governor Tazewell. He served till March 31, 1837; after which he served in the legislature, 1838-1841. and 1858-1865. As a states' rights Unionist, he opposed both secession and co-

ercion, but approved the former alternative when Lincoln resorted to force. He was a man of extensive literary attainments, and one of his most interesting productions was "Pocahontas, alias Matoaka, and her De- scendants.'* He died at Abingdon, Washing- ton county, February 11, 1888. ^

Campbell, David» born at Royal Oaks, I*otetourt county, August 2, 1779, son of John and Elizabeth (McDonald) Campbell. He had only such education as frontier schools would afford. In his fifteenth year he was made ensign of militia, and he was afterward engaged in the clerk's office at Abingdon. In 1799 he organized a light in- fantry company, of which he was captain. He then studied law, but never practiced. He was deputy clerk of Washington county, 1802-1812. July 6. 1812, he was made major of the Twelfth United States Infantry ; pro- moted to lieutenant-colonel. Twentieth Regi- ment ; participated in the St. Lawrence river c:impaign, and incurred such rheumatic ail- ments that he resigned, June 28, 1814. Re- turning home, he was aide-de-camp to Gov- ernor James Barbour, soon afterward com- missioned brigadier-general, and appointed colonel of the Third Virginia Cavalr}-, Jan- uary 25, 1815. He served as county clerk till 1820, when he was elected to state sen- ate, 1820; clerk of Washington county. 1824, holding until March 31, 1837, when he be- came governor. He had supported Jackson for the presidency, but when the Democratic party brought forward the sub-treasury and standing army measures, he became an ac- tive member of the new Whig party formed of many elements. As governor, he earn- estly urged the common school system. He died March 19, 1859.

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