American politician and writer; born at Charleston, S. C., Nov. 10, 1808; died in Philadelphia March 14, 1860. When still a youth he went to Woodville, Miss., where he became a school-teacher and studied law. After having been wounded in a duel he left that town and practised law successively in Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania. In 1838 he settled in Philadelphia and was there admitted to the bar. There he edited the "Temperance Advocate," and soon became known as a writer and speaker in the interest of the Temperance party. He was instrumental in the formation of the Native American party in 1843, and founded in its support in Philadelphia the "Sun," of which daily paper he became the editor. In 1845 he was elected to Congress, retaining his seat until 1851. He became a member of several committees and was chairman of the committee on naval affairs.