Of the sixteen state representatives elected in Charleston, eleven were Union men and five were State Rights men, though three of the former were also on the State Rights ticket. Of the five State Rights men elected, only three were said to be Nullifiers. Taking the average of the Union candidates, the vote was 1,261, and for the State Rights candidates, 1,245. The excitement over the election is shown by the fact that a much greater vote was polled than at any other election which had ever been held in Charleston.[1]
As returns came in from the rest of the state, the papers published such conflicting statements of the probable stand the members-elect would take on the convention question, that the Camden Journal rightly concluded, after having contemplated publishing an analysis of its own, that it was impossible even to approach accuracy.
- ↑ Mercury, October 15, 1830; Gazette, October 15; Courier, October 14, 15. The vote polled in various preceding years was as follows: 1812, 1,943; 1814, 3,003; 1816, 1,813; 1818, 1,991; 1830, 2,135; 1833, 3,030; 1834, 3,061; 1836, 3,089; 1838, 3,067; 1830, 3,575. Before the legislative session closed a new member had to be elected from Charleston to fill the place left by Hugh S. Legaré, who became Attorney-General. At this extra election Petigru was elected over Laurens, a State Rights man, by 1,366 to 1,041 (Mercury, December 16; Courier, December 20).
