WAR 1812 CAPTAIN/CIVIL WAR STATE RIGHTS NULLIFICATION SENATOR I'ON LETTER SIGNED

Description

Here’s an
1842
Autograph Letter Signed by Early 19
th
Century Antebellum Virginia US Army Officer and Politician
:
JACOB BOND I’ON
(1782 – 1859)
SENATOR FROM SOUTH CAROLINA 1816-1837, REPRESENTING FIRST SAINT JAMES SANTEE PARISH, THEN CHRIST CHURCH PARISH,
PRESIDENT OF THE SC SENATE 1822-1828,
DELEGATE TO THE ‘STATE RIGHTS’
NULLIFICATION CONVENTION OF 1832-1833,
SECESSIONIST PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION OF CHARLESTON.
MEMBER OF THE SC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING SAINT JAMES SANTEE PARISH 1810-1812,
WAR OF 1812 CAPTAIN, SECOND U.S. ARTILLERY, SERVING WITH DISTINCTION, AND RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFENDING CHARLESTON HARBOR,
MAYOR OF SULLIVAN’S ISLAND IN 1823
~&~
CONTEMPORARY OF US SEN. JOHN C. CALHOUN AT YALE UNIVERSITY.
HERE's AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY I’ON,
½p.,
DATELINED AT CHARLESTON JANY 22
nd
1842, CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATION HE SENT TO [HIS CLOSE FRIEND] THE HONORABLE SC US SENATOR JOHN C. CALHOUN IN FAVOR OF THE APPOINTMENT OF WILLIAM VALK (1806-1879) AS AN ASSISTANT
SURGEON IN THE US NAVY. THE LETTER IS WRITTEN TO VALK’S FATHER, JACOB R. VALK, WHO ALSO PENS A THANK YOU NOTE ALS IN THE BOTTOM MARGIN OF I’ON’S LETTER.
JACOB ROBERT VALK
(1781 - 1868)
Jacob Robert Valk
was a merchant and ship captain in a trade route between Charleston and New York and in 1821 became Consul of the Netherlands for the United States, appointed by President James Monroe.
His son
William Whiteman Valk
finished at the Charleston Medical University becoming a surgeon of the warship USS Constellation and in 1852 a representative in Congress from 1855-1857, and served as a Civil War Union Army Surgeon in the
Maryland Second Eastern Shore Infantry.
The document measures 8” x 10” and is in very fine condition for its advanced age.
A Fine Relic of Early South Carolina Political and Military History.
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:
JACOB BOND I’ON
Jacob Bond I’On
(1782-1859), planter, US Army and militia officer, and state legislator is buried in the family cemetery ½ mi. north. I’On a contemporary of John C. Calhoun at Yale University, represented Saint James Santee Parish in S.C. House 1810-1812, then resigned to become captain in the second U.S. Artillery, serving with distinction during the War of 1812. I’On described at his death in 1859 as “a representative of a true Carolina gentleman,” was elected to the S.C. Senate in 1816, serving until 1837 and representing first Saint James Santee Parish, then Christ Church Parish; he was president of the Senate 1822-1828. He was also intendant, or mayor, of Sullivan’s Island in 1823 and a delegate to the Nullification Convention of 1832-1833.
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OBITUARY OF JACOB BOND I'ON FROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY.
Died, at break of day, on Sunday 17th inst., having completed his 77th year, Col. Jacob Bond I'on- a man born amidst the difficulties of the revolution of 76-who, imbibing the lofty characteristics, of that heroic era, passed himself through trying times, and led a career of distinction and usefulness endeared to all hearts and winning golden opinions from all. Col I'On's father was one of Marion's men and a wealthy planter. He was an only son, and in 1803 was graduated at Yale College, where his attachment to Mr. Calhoun began. Coming home to a paternal estate, he was early elected to the Legislature of the State and served in the Lower House. He adopted the opinions of the leading Federalists of that day-the Rutledges and Pinckneys-with whom he was intimately associated; and the Lowndes, with whom he was nearly connected.
In 1811 he entered the army and served as Captain in the 1st Regiment of Artillery. When war was declared in 1812, the southern Federalists separated from their northern allies, to "stand by their country,"-I'On among them. Martello Tower, recently burnt, was a point weak, but deemed of importance to the defense of Charleston harbor. Colonel I'On was selected to defend it, and received the following order; "Captain I'On will take charge of the tower, and will never surrender in any event whatever." When the British were expected to land at Thunderbolt and attack Savannah, the greatest reliance was placed in his conduct. Little or no fighting, however, was done on our coast, and he was never in action. But he was known to be a man of dauntless courage and great decision of character as well as judgment.
At the termination of the war he was put in command of Charleston Harbor, with its fortifications, but resigned and retired into citizen's life shortly after. Attending to his planting interests Col. I'On was soon sent as Senator to the State Legislature Ere long he was chosen to preside over that body and presided for many years with marked dignity, skill and impartiality. His knowledge of parliamentary law was accurate, and his decisions were fearless, just and satisfactory. On one occasion-perhaps the only one-an appeal was made from his opinion, and he was sustained by the whole Senate, to the mortification of the Senator appealing.
On the impeachment of Judge James by the House of Representative before the Senate, Col. I'On presided, and displayed such prompt judgment and such knowledge of the law of evidence as to excite the admiration of the most eminent lawyers. When the trial was over, and it became his painful duty to pronounce the sentence, it was difficult to say which excited the profoundest respect-the granite firmness shown by the officer, or the tender sympathy transparent in the man. Col. I'on was a clear and legal thinker. He ever followed his own opinions and convictions, free from all personal influence and the bias of association.
He early perceived the evils of Protective Tariff and the opening it gave to encroachments and the unlimited increases of power on the part of the General Government and those who might use it. Public attention was long rivetted on this great question, which led to the events of 32 and 33, and which is not yet settled. In that fierce controversy Col. I'On's friends and relatives took sides with the Union party. But he, interpreting the Constitution according to his own reading, planted himself firmly with the State Rights or Nullification party, upon the reserved rights of his sovereign State, and became a leader in that struggle. Yet, in his official conduct at President of the Senate, though thorough going and inflexible in his opinions, no one could discover his predilections. If a doubt occurred to his min in the discharge of his duties, his opponents were more apt to get the benefit of it than his own party.
In the Convention of 32 he was zealous and active member, and helped to pass the ordinance of Nullification. Since that time he has remained a firm and consistent advocate of State Right principles-both the rights and remedies. In 1844 he was in favor of the State's enforcing the violated compromise of 1833.
In 1848 he was a Secessionist, and served as President of the Southern Rights Association of Charleston.
Col. I'On, though a man of herculean strength, was gentle in his temper as a girl. Simple and retiring in his manners, his heart was full of the noble impulses of genuine manhood, while his life was governed by the rule of high principles to an extraordinary degree. He was a bachelor, yet modest and pure. Surrounded by friends, it was his pleasure and his gift to entertain them with his charming conversation, and to counsel wisely and well. Possessed of the confidence of all you approached him, he was sympathizing and generous. He belonged to a generation that is passed, and showed forth all its sterling virtues. He has gone to his rest. May the hand of the mother rest lightly on his revered head.
Jacob Bond I'On
Birth
6 Jul 1782
Death
17 Jul 1859 (aged 77), Charleston County, SC
Burial
I'on Cemetery
,
Hobcaw Point
,
Charleston County
,
South Carolina
.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:
JACOB ROBERT VALK
Jacob R. Valk
was a merchant and ship captain in a trade route between Charleston and New York and in 1821 became Consul of the Netherlands for the United States. His son William Whiteman Valk finished at the Charleston Medical University becoming a surgeon of the warship Constellation and in 1852 a representative in Congress from 1855-1857, and served as a Civil War Union Army Surgeon.
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