CHAPTER IV.

JOHN C. CALHOUN,

THE METAPHYSICIAN.

CONSIDERED in respect to his natural ability, acquired talents, past career, and present position, one of the most interesting and historical characters of our land, is John Caldwell Calhoun. He was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina, March 18th, 1782. His grandfather emigrated with his family from Ireland, and settled, in 1733, in Pennsylvania. His father was then six years old. At a subsequent period, the family removed to Western Virginia; but upon Braddock's defeat, the settlement was broken up, and, in 1756, they went to South Carolina.

John C. was the third son in a family of five children. "Both parents were exemplary for piety and virtue. The father was a hardy and enterprising pioneer; but unlike most of that class, he placed a high value upon education. Though he was entirely self-taught, and lived the greater part of his life on the frontier, surrounded by danger, he made himself an excellent English scholar, and an accurate and skillful surveyor, which profession he long followed. He was the first member ever elected