Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth (1746–1825)

• Author: Dennis J. Mahoney
• Pages: 1909

Page 1909

A British-educated, slaveholding lawyer, General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney represented South Carolina at the CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787 and signed the Constitution. In the convention he worked for a strong national government and for protection of the slaveholding interests. As a leading spokesman for RATIFICATION in South Carolina, he defended the compromises on SLAVERY and argued that a BILL OF RIGHTS was unnecessary.

In 1791, Pinckney declined President GEORGE WASHINGTON'S offer of a seat on the Supreme Court. The chief leader of the southern FEDERALISTS, Pinckney was nominated for Vice-President in 1800, and for President in both 1804 and 1808.

DENNIS J. MAHONEY

(1986)

Bibliography

ZAHNISER, MARVIN R. 1967 Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Founding Father. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.