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|name=John Rutledge
|name=John Rutledge
|image=John Rutledge.jpg
|image=John Rutledge.jpg
|party=
|party=[[Federalist]]
|spouse=
|spouse=
|religion=
|religion=
|nominator=[[George Washington]]
|nominator=[[George Washington]]
|terms=September 26, 1789 – March 5, 1791
|terms=September 26, 1789 – March 5, 1791
|preceded=John Rutledge
|preceded=none
|former=y
|former=y
|succeeded=[[Thomas Johnson]]
|succeeded=[[Thomas Johnson]]
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''John Rutledge''' (September 17, 1739 - July 18, 1800) was an [[United States of America|American]] statesman and judge. He was the first [[Governor of South Carolina]] following the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. For a time, he held dictatorial powers in that state. He was a delegate to the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he signed the [[United States Constitution]]. He served as an Associate Justice on the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]], and was the second [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] of the Court from August to December 1795. He was the elder brother of [[Edward Rutledge]], a signatory of the [[Declaration of Independence]].
'''John Rutledge''' (September 17, 1739 - July 18, 1800) was an [[United States of America|American]] statesman and judge. He was the first [[Governor of South Carolina]] following the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. For a time, he held dictatorial powers in that state. He was a delegate to the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he signed the [[United States Constitution]]. He served as an Associate Justice on the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]], and was the second [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] of the Court from August to December 1795. He was the elder brother of [[Edward Rutledge]], a signatory of the [[Declaration of Independence]].
==Early life==
==Early life==
John Rutledge Jr. was the son of Dr. John Rutledge, who, with his brother Andrew, both natives of Ireland, settled in Carolina about the year 1735. Dr. Rutledge married Miss Sarah Hext, who became the mother of two [[Founding Fathers]] starting in the 15th year of her age. This lady became a widow at an early period, and adds another example to the number, already noticed in this work, of illustrious matrons, who, by devotion to their maternal duties, have been honored and rewarded in the virtues and eminence of their offspring.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UnwVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT52 The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, Volume 4]</ref>
John Rutledge Jr. was the son of Dr. John Rutledge, who, with his brother Andrew, both natives of Ireland, settled in Carolina about the year 1735. Dr. Rutledge married Miss Sarah Hext, who became the mother of two [[Founding Fathers]] starting in the 15th year of her age. This lady became a widow at an early period, and adds another example to the number, already noticed in this work, of illustrious matrons, who, by devotion to their maternal duties, have been honored and rewarded in the virtues and eminence of their offspring.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UnwVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT52 The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, Volume 4]</ref>
The early education of John Rutledge was conducted by David Rhind, an excellent classical scholar, and one of the most successful of the early instructors of youth in Carolina. After he had made considerable progress in the Latin and Greek classics, he entered on the study of law with James Parsons, and was afterwards entered a student in the Temple, and proceeding barrister, came out to Charleston and commenced the practice of law in 1761. One of the first causes in which he engaged was an action for breach of a promise of marriage. The subject was interesting, and gave an excellent opportunity for displaying his talents. It was improved, and his eloquence astonished all who heard him.
The early education of John Rutledge was conducted by David Rhind, an excellent classical scholar, and one of the most successful of the early instructors of youth in Carolina. After he had made considerable progress in the Latin and Greek classics, he entered on the study of law with James Parsons. A few years later he left for London and was afterwards entered as a student at Middle Temple, and proceeding barrister, came out to Charleston and commenced the practice of law in 1761. One of the first causes in which he engaged was an action for breach of a promise of marriage. The subject was interesting, and gave an excellent opportunity for displaying his talents. It was improved, and his eloquence astonished all who heard him.
Instead of rising by degrees to the head of his profession, he burst forth at once the able lawyer and accomplished orator. Business flowed in upon him. He was employed in the most difficult causes, and retained with the largest fees that were usually given. The client in whose service he engaged, was supposed to be in a fair way of gaining his cause. He was but a short time in practice, when that cloud began to lower, which, in the course of ten or twelve years, burst forth in a revolutionary storm. In the year 1764 Governor Boone refused to administer to [[Christopher Gadsden]] the oaths which the law required every person returned as a member in the commons house of assembly to take before he entered on his legislative functions. This kindled the indignation of the house, as being an interference with their constitutional privileges as the sole judges of the qualifications of their own members. In rousing the assembly and the people to resist all interferences of the royal governors in deciding who should, or who should not be members of the commons house of assembly, John Rutledge kindled a spark which has never since been extinguished.
Instead of rising by degrees to the head of his profession, he burst forth at once the able lawyer and accomplished orator. Business flowed in upon him. He was employed in the most difficult causes, and retained with the largest fees that were usually given. The client in whose service he engaged, was supposed to be in a fair way of gaining his cause. He was but a short time in practice, when that cloud began to lower, which, in the course of ten or twelve years, burst forth in a revolutionary storm. In the year 1764 Governor Boone refused to administer to [[Christopher Gadsden]] the oaths which the law required every person returned as a member in the commons house of assembly to take before he entered on his legislative functions. This kindled the indignation of the house, as being an interference with their constitutional privileges as the sole judges of the qualifications of their own members. In rousing the assembly and the people to resist all interferences of the royal governors in deciding who should, or who should not be members of the commons house of assembly, John Rutledge kindled a spark which has never since been extinguished.
==Political career==
==Political career==
Rutledge was the youngest of the three, and had very lately began to tread the threshold of manhood. When the first congress met in New York in 1765, the members of the distant provinces were surprised at the eloquence of the young member from Carolina. In the means of education that province was far behind those to the northward. Of it little more was known or believed than that it produced rice and indigo, and contained a large proportion of slaves and a handful of free men, and that most of the latter were strangers to vigorous health, all self-indulgent, and none accustomed to active exertions either of mind or body. From such a province nothing great was expected. A respectable committee of its assembly, and the distinguished abilities of one of them who was among the youngest members of the congress, produced at this first general meeting of the Colonies more favorable ideas of South Carolina than had hitherto prevailed.
Rutledge was the youngest of the three, and had very lately began to tread the threshold of manhood. When the [[Stamp Act Congress]] met in New York in 1765, the members of the distant provinces were surprised at the eloquence of the young member from Carolina. In the means of education that province was far behind those to the northward. Of it little more was known or believed than that it produced rice and indigo, and contained a large proportion of slaves and a handful of free men, and that most of the latter were strangers to vigorous health, all self-indulgent, and none accustomed to active exertions either of mind or body. From such a province nothing great was expected. A respectable committee of its assembly, and the distinguished abilities of one of them who was among the youngest members of the congress, produced at this first general meeting of the Colonies more favorable ideas of South Carolina than had hitherto prevailed.
After the repeal of the Stamp Act, John Rutledge was for some years no further engaged in politics than as a lawyer and a member of the provincial legislature. In both capacities he was admired as a public speaker. His ideas were clear and strong—his utterance rapid but distinct—his voice, action, and energetic manner of speaking, forcibly impressed his sentiments on the minds and hearts of all who heard him. At reply he was quick—instantly comprehended the force of an objection—and saw at once the best mode of weakening or repelling it. He successfully used both argument and wit for invalidating the observations of his adversary: by the former he destroyed or weakened their force; by the latter he placed them in so ludicrous a point of light that it often convinced, and scarcely ever failed of conciliating and pleasing his hearers. Many were the triumphs of his eloquence at the bar and in the legislature; and in the former case probably more than strict impartial justice would sanction; for judges and juries, counsel and audience, hung on his accents.
After the repeal of the Stamp Act, John Rutledge was for some years no further engaged in politics than as a lawyer and a member of the provincial legislature. In both capacities he was admired as a public speaker. His ideas were clear and strong—his utterance rapid but distinct—his voice, action, and energetic manner of speaking, forcibly impressed his sentiments on the minds and hearts of all who heard him. At reply he was quick—instantly comprehended the force of an objection—and saw at once the best mode of weakening or repelling it. He successfully used both argument and wit for invalidating the observations of his adversary: by the former he destroyed or weakened their force; by the latter he placed them in so ludicrous a point of light that it often convinced, and scarcely ever failed of conciliating and pleasing his hearers. Many were the triumphs of his eloquence at the bar and in the legislature; and in the former case probably more than strict impartial justice would sanction; for judges and juries, counsel and audience, hung on his accents.
==President of South Carolina==
==President of South Carolina==
After serving in both the [[First Continental Congress]] and the [[Second Continental Congress]], he returned to Charleston in the beginning of that year and was elected president and commander-in-chief of Carolina on the 26th of March 1776. His duties henceforward were executive. He employed himself diligently in arranging the new government, and particularly in preparing for the defence of the state against an expected invasion by the British. Their attack on Sullivan's Island (now Fort Moultrie) has been already related. On this occasion John Rutledge rendered his country important service. General Charles Lee, who commanded the Continental troops, pronounced Sullivan's Island to be a "slaughter pen," and either gave orders or was disposed to give orders for its evacuation. The zeal of the state, and the energy of its chief magistrate, prevented this measure. Carolina had raised troops before congress had declared independence. These remained subject to the authority of the state, and were at this early period not immediately under the command of the officers of congress. To prevent the evacuation of the fort on Sullivan's Island, John Rutledge, shortly before the commencement of the action on the 28th of June, 1776, wrote the following laconic note to General Moultrie, who commanded on the island. "General Lee wishes you to evacuate the fort. You will not without an order from me. I would sooner cut off my hand than write one. J- Rutledge."
The consequences which would probably have followed from the evacuation of the fort, may in some measure be conjectured from the events of 1780; when the British, grown wiser, passed the same fort without engaging it.
The consequences which would probably have followed from the evacuation of the fort, may in some measure be conjectured from the events of 1780; when the British, grown wiser, passed the same fort without engaging it. Additionally, "Carolina Day"<ref>[https://www.palmettosociety.org/overview Palmetto Society Overview]</ref> is celebrated on June 28th every year to mark the event, and the current "Palmetto Flag" of South Carolina contains the moon crescent symbol that is also seen on the Moultrie Flag.
John Rutledge continued in the office of president till March 1778, when he resigned. This did not diminish his popularity. Of this the legislature gave the strongest proof; for the next election he was reinstated in the executive authority of the state, but under a new constitution, and with the name of Governor substituted in the place of President.
John Rutledge continued in the office of president till March 1778, when he resigned. This did not diminish his popularity. Of this the legislature gave the strongest proof; for the next election he was reinstated in the executive authority of the state, but under a new constitution, and with the name of Governor substituted in the place of President.
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=mRVlO5zy6soC&pg=PA431 The Life of John Rutledge]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=mRVlO5zy6soC&pg=PA431 The Life of John Rutledge]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=ihNKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA152 John Rutledge]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=ihNKAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA152 John Rutledge]
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