USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume I > Part 21
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In June 1804 at a meeting of a Convention of the delegates of the Democratic-Republican party at Denton in Caroline county, from the several counties, composing the 8th electoral district, Mr. Lloyd was placed in nomination for Elector of the President of the United States, but failed to secure a majority of the votes. Col. Perry Spencer of
53 The following extract from an article contained in the Republican Star of June 21st, 1803, written after the nomination of Messrs. Lloyd, Denny, Meluy and Rose for the House of Delegates. "While we have it in our power to lay before our readers this morning the result of the Democratic meeting in Talbot county, in the nomination of four persons as candidates for the next General Assembly, we cannot omit reminding them that the next election will be by ballot and that the 30 pounds qualification will not be necessary; so that those citizens whose virtues may entitle them to a free suffrage and who have hitherto been deprived of their vote by those who call themselves Federalists, can now vote for men who not only brought forward and procured a free suffrage but who will continue to support the law-and be it known that the law would not have been enacted had there been a majority of Federalists in the Legislature of the State of Maryland."
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Talbot, was chosen and subsequently elected, Nov. 12th, 1804, but Mr. Lloyd had previously been again chosen as Delegate to the General Assembly, an honor which was again conferred for the last time in 1805.
Mr. Joseph H. Nicholson of Queen Anne's having been appointed a judge of the Court of Appeals of the State, under new arrangement, resigned his position in the House of Representatives of the United States and on the 27th Sept., 1806 an election was held of a person to take his place and fill out his unexpired term. This election resulted in the choosing of Mr. Lloyd, his competitor being Mr. James Brown of Queen Anne's county, who is represented to have been the nominee of a certain faction or party known by the name of Tertium Quids, or simply Quids. The result of this special election was ratified and confirmed at the regular election held Oct. 6th of the same year, when again Mr. Brown offered a very weak opposition, receiving in the county only 62 votes in a total poll of 1198. On the 3d of Dec. 1806, Mr. Lloyd appeared in the House and qualified. He was appointed a member of one of the Committees upon the President's (Jefferson) message, namely: that which should consider and report upon the question of the disposition of the surplus revenue of the Government. His first speech was made upon a resolution which had been offered, asking the President information respecting the so-called conspiracy of Aaron Burr, a matter which was arousing the greatest concern in the minds of the timid and credulous, and which was used by partisans for their own purposes. In this speech Mr. Lloyd expressed his incredulity of the alleged conspiracy. In this he displayed for so young a man, excel- lent political judgment, as well as political honesty, for seeing the futility of the charges of treason, and the crafty purposes of those who promoted the accusation, he dared to separate himself from those with whom he was accustomed to act, and to assume an attitude of independence of his party. But he did not display equally good judgment when he was called upon to consider and act upon a yet more important subject, one which in most recent times convulsed the whole country and threat- ened its dissolution. In 1807 when a bill came before Congress, the purpose of which was to forbid the continuance of the African Slave trade, he was sufficiently perspicacious to discern in it the first step to- wards the abolition of slavery throughout the Union. His judgment being overborne either by his own personal interests or warped by the prevalent opinions of his own section, on the 26th of February in this year he cast his vote against the passage of this Act, thus placing him- self in hostility to a most humane as well as wise measure.
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During the time of his service in Congress that subject which finally led to a war between the United States and Great Britain was receiving attention, the impressment of seamen and the privilege of search. Mr. Lloyd gave his support to those measures of the Government which were designed to assert the rights of neutrals and to resist the incroachments upon the commerce of this nation. The feelings of irritation which had been aroused against the English by previous acts of aggression were intensified by the affair of the Chesapeake and the Leopard; and in this county there was a violent outbreak of indigna- tion. At a public meeting held at Easton July 21st, 1807, of the most respectable people, irrespective of party, Mr. Lloyd was one of a com- mittee appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of indignity and wrong which had been inflicted, in this case and others, and approval of the steps that had been taken by the public authorities. The resolutions presented by this committee were of the most pronounced, if not violent character, and though they may have embodied the senti- ments of Mr. Lloyd they were hardly expressed in the measured language of statesmanship, which he would have employed. Military companies were organized throughout the county, in expectation of immedate war, of one of which, the "Talbot Patriot Troop" he was chosen the Captain. The cloud which was threatening blew over, but a few years later rose again to discharge itself in a storm of war. Capt. Lloyd on the 12th of Feb., 1812 was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Regi- ment of Maryland Militia, and as such performed his part in the defence of the county from the forces of the enemy who were in possession of the bay, and making incursions along its shores.
At the expiration of his term in Congress, March 3d, 1808, Mr. Lloyd, having other aspirations declined re-election. At a Convention of the Democratic party of the 7th Congressional District, at this date, composed of Queen Anne's, Talbot and Caroline counties, Mr. John Brown of Nathan, a citizen of Queen Anne's, was nominated, and by a Convention of the Federal party Mr. Robert Henry Goldsborough of Talbot, was nominated, to be voted for as Congressman. The canvass which followed was very spirited, in which the retiring member took a very active part, addressing the people at public meetings, and other- wise throwing the weight of his great popularity and wealth in favor of Mr. Brown, but it is not believed that he gave countenance much less participated in the scurrility with which Mr. Goldsborough was assailed in the public prints during the campaign, and which was continued in pamphlets during the presidential campaign which followed. Mr.
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Brown was elected Oct. 3d in the District, though the county gave a small majority for Mr. Goldsborough. Mr. Lloyd also participated earnestly and actively in the contest for the Presidency in 1808, favoring Mr. Madison for that office, and was largely influential in securing the choice of Col. Perry Spencer of this county, as elector of the 8th electoral district over Mr. Robt. H. Goldsborough.
Governor Robert Wright having resigned, Mr. Edward Lloyd was at a special session of the Legislature, on the 5th of June, 1809 elected to fill out his unexpired term, with an expressed or implied promise that he would have the support of his party at the succeeding regular election. The political campaign in Talbot county, in the fall of this year was most hotly contested, and the Governor did not disdain to take a most active and conspicuous part in its conduct. He addressed the people at many places with that effective oratory which rendered him one of the most accomplished speakers upon the hustings the county has produced, and condescending, as he knew how, with seeming so to do, to familiar association with the electors at the public meetings, he won their hearts as much by his gracious manners as by his impres- sive words.54 The result of the election held Oct. 2d was a triumphant success of the Democrats. At the regular meeting of the Legislature in November, he was on the 13th of that month chosen Governor,55 and he was the recipient of the same honor on the 19th of November, 1810.56 No questions of State policy that need to be mentioned here,
54 For this fraternizing with the people of his own party at a meeting held at Easton, Oct. 3d, in celebration of the success of the election, he was scurriously assailed by the Federal press of the State, in language too coarse for quotations.
55 At this election Mr. Lloyd received 57; Mr. Charles Carroll of Carrollton 16; Mr. Levin Winder 5; Mr. Benjamin Stoddart 2 votes, and Mr. J. E. Howard 1 vote.
56 The following taken from the Republican Star of Nov. 27th, 1810, may be more than curious and amusing, as illustrating the social manners and political senti- ment of the time: "Yesterday Gov. Lloyd took the oaths of office in the Senate Chamber both Houses attending. It was with sincere gratification we observed his Excellency, cloathed in the manufactures of the State. It was a beautiful suit of green, in fineness, softness and texture equal to imported cloths. The wool was grown upon his own farm and was produced from merino blood, with which he has lately enriched the State. It is by these means alone that domestic manufacturers can be encouraged. The heads of departments by wearing those manufactures lend more than anything else to encourage them. Many persons with a foolish pride will not wear them because they are not exactly equal to foreign manufactures; but in this instance a specimen is exhibited in Maryland, equal to any from the other side of the Atlantic, which at once meets the objection
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occupied the attention of the executive and the legislative branches of the Government of Maryland during the gubernatorial incumbency of Gov. Lloyd. In fact, State politics were absorbed in national. The questions that were engaging the attention of both the governed and the governing were those connected with the foreign relations of the United States. These, during the Napoleonic wars had become exceedingly complicated through the action of the authorities of Great Britain and of France. It would be wholly out of place to go into any discussion of these questions, or to give even a recital of the events which gave origin to them. Readers are referred to books of national history for all that relates to the "Orders in Council," the "Berlin decree," the "rights of neutrals, " the "Embargo, " the "im- pressment of seamen," &c., which finally led to the declaration of war in 1812. These great national questions were under discussion during Mr. Lloyd's terms of service as Governor, but he ranged himself upon the side of those who advocated armed resistance to the aggres- sions of England upon the rights of the American States. The rup- ture did not occur until he had ceased to occupy the gubernatorial chair, but he lent the weight of his personal and official influence to the party militant as opposed to the party of peaceful measures for the settle- ment of the matters in dispute. He was succeeded by Robert Bowie, Esq., who was elected Nov. 11th, 1811.
Before the expiration of Gov. Lloyd's term he was, on the 16th of Sept., 1811, chosen by the electoral college to be one of the State Sena- tors for the Eastern Shore, receiving 22 votes as against 18 for Federal competitor and neighbor, Mr. Robt. H. Goldsborough. There is good ground for believing that his decided opinions in favor of appealing to the arbitriment of war had much to do with determining this result. At least they did not injure him with his constituents.57 On the 19th of October, the Legislature assembled, and Governor Lloyd soon after taking his seat introduced into the Senate the following resolutions which were adopted:
originating from pride and vanity. With pleasure we state that this truly patriot- ic Governor to be a Republican, and before he obtained the wool of this superior quality, he had cloathed himself (during the last session) in inferior manufacture, which evinced his patriotism and desire to encourage America to shake off entirely her dependence upon foreign countries."
57 These gentlemen of Talbot, all "War Democrats," were elected to the Legislature Oct. 2d, 1811: James Dorris, Samuel Tennant, James Wainwright and Samuel Stevens, Jr.
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WHEREAS, It is highly important at this eventful crisis in our foreign relations that the opinions and feelings of every section of the Union should be fairly expressed. Therefore we, the Legislature of Maryland do
Resolve, That in the opinion of this Legislature the measures of the administration with respect to Great Britain, have been honorable, impartial and just; that in their negotiations they have evinced every disposition to terminate our differences, on terms not incompatible with our national honor, and that they deserve the confidence and support of the nation.
Resolved, That the measures of Great Britain have been and still are distinctive of our best and dearest rights, and being inconsistent with justice, with reason and with law can be supported only by force. Therefore, if persisted in by force should be resisted.
Resolved, That the measures of the administration with respect to France we highly approve. They have been fully authorized by the law and by the fact.
Resolved, That the acts of unjustice and violence, committed on our neutral rights by France, have excited all that indignation which a lawless exercise of power could not fail to do; but having now ceased to violate our neutral rights, we trust that the period is not far distant when by the acts of ample justice, all cause of complaint will be removed.
Resolved, That the President's message, moderate, impartial and decisive deserves all our praise. It points out the best course to an honorable independence.
Resolved, That the independence established by the aid and valor of our fathers will not tamely be yielded by their sons. The same spirit which led the Maryland regulars to battle, still exists in the State and waits for its country's call.58
We may readily believe that the action of the Maryland Legislature prompted by a person of such weight of character and influence as Gov. Lloyd, had its effect in the national councils, in overcoming that reluc- tance to engage in hostilities which sober people and the government had shown. The Federalists in Congress aided by many "peace" Democrats, who also had the countenance of the Executive, had been able for several years to avert war, for which many were clamorous; but when at last the time for a new presidential election approached, the exigencies of party, and the personal ambition of the President to be elected for a second term, demanded that diplomacy should end and militancy begin. War was accordingly, on the 18th of June, 1812, declared to exist between the United States and Great Britain. The number of those who condemned this war as useless has not diminished with time; but of this number Gov. Lloyd was not one. It had his
58 Quoted from Scharf's Hist. Md., Vol. II, p. 62.
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hearty approbation, and we may readily believe that one whose property was so much exposed to destruction, was governed by no unworthy motive in his advocacy of warlike measures. During the continuance of his services, through a term of five years in the State Senate he gave a loyal support to the General Government in its efforts to maintain the rights and the honor of the country, and to the State authorities who were seeking to defend the borders of Maryland from destructive incur- sions of the enemy. Nor did he evade military duty, having been made a Colonel of Militia, by promotion from the Captaincy of a troop of horse, as before mentioned, and taking his part in guarding and defend- ing his county during the presence of the enemy in the Chesapeake. It is proper to note here, that he was, while Senator from Talbot, elected President of the body of which he was so distinguished a member; but it is not necessary to say with what dignity and ability the functions of this position were discharged by one so highly endowed by nature with these qualities as he. In the year 1812, Col. Lloyd, though de- feated in his own county by Mr. Alemby Jump, was chosen to be one of the presidential electors, and cast his vote for Mr. Madison. In Jan- uary, 1815, for what reason it is not apparent, he resigned his seat in the Senate of Maryland, and Mr. James Nabb, of Talbot county, was appointed in his stead; but in October of the same year he was chosen by the people of his county to be their delegate in the Lower House of Assembly, having for his associates Messrs. Solomon Dickinson, Daniel Martin and Joseph Kemp. In the following year he was a candidate for the same position, but was defeated, the Federalists electing Messrs. Edward N. Hambleton, John Seth, Robert Banning and Alexander Hands.
For several years Col. Lloyd seems to have held no political office, but during this time he was not an indifferent observer of political affairs nor inactive member of his party, which he was aiding by a par- ticipation in its councils, and by active efforts in its contests. Having filled every elective position of honor for which he was qualified and which he was willing to accept but one, it now became his worthy ambi- tion to be chosen Senator of the United States, and towards that object his energies were directed. This ambition was gratified by his election, Dec. 18th, 1819, to a seat in the national senate, to succeed the Hon. Robert Henry Goldsborough, his personal friend but political rival, who term of office had expired on the 4th of March preceding. He had for his competitors the same gentleman and Mr. Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Congress was then in session, and on the 27th of the
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month he presented his credentials of election, and was duly qualified as Senator for Maryland, to serve until the 3rd of March, 1825. He had for his coadjutor the Hon. William Pinkney, who had been chosen at the same time with himself to fill out the unexpired term of the Hon. Alexander C. Hanson, deceased. Maryland was never more ably represented in the Senate than at this period. Whatever gives dignity and character to this august body was illustrated by those gentlemen of this State, who after having most honorably and efficiently filled other high and responsible positions of public trust, now appeared in its chamber. On the 30th Dec. he rose for the first time from his seat to present a petition of the manufacturers of cotton and woolen fabrics praying for protection from congress to these industries. If he favored the object of this petition, he subsequently changed his opinion upon this debatable question, for a few years later he opposed Mr. Clay's American system. Col. Lloyd was made, Jan. 4th, 1820, one of the standing committee for the District of Columbia. The subject then intently absorbing the attention not only of Congress, but of the whole country-one in its essentials forming ths basis of the division of parties for more than a generation following-was that of the admission into the Union of the territories of Maine and Missouri, as States of the Confederacy. The subject was presented in the form of a question whether both should be admitted by one bill, or whether they should be admitted by separate bills. It had been before the previous Congress, and might have been settled offhand at the last session, for the prepared- ness and competency of these territories for assuming the relation of States within the Union, were not questioned, and whether they should be admitted by one bill or by two bills was a matter of no importance in itself; but as it had become imbrangled with the momentous question of maintaining the balance of political power between the slave and the free States, and with the perpetuation and extension of the peculiarly southern institution of slavery, the discussion had been protracted and was becoming most violent and acrimonious. It was upon this sub- ject he, on the 20th Feb. made his maiden speech in the Senate in reply to Mr. Rufus King, of New York, in which he advocated the admission of the two new States at the same time, and opposed the admission of one without the other. He spoke not only with the deliberateness of political conviction, and a sense of the importance of the measure in its remote consequences, but with the zeal of a partizanship and the earnestness of personal interest. A few days after this he recorded his vote against an amendment to the bill which provided for the exclu-
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sion of slavery from the territories lying north of 36 degrees 30 min- utes. He thus ranged himself on a line with the southern senators, who saw danger to their property and their party. We must not judge him with too great severity, because as one of the chosen crew of the ship of State, he was beguiled by the siren of slavery which drew so many upon the fatal rocks by her blandishments, and which came so near effecting our shipwreck. But on the final passage of that bill, which has acquired an historic celebrity, known as the Missouri Compro- mise, his name does not appear on record as having voted for or against it, though there is reasonable ground for the belief that notwithstanding his previous antagonism to some of its provisions he so far yielded to the spirit of compromise, which was prevalent, as to unite with his dis- tinguished compatriot Pinkney in advocating or consenting to its passage. Col. Lloyd spoke, during the same session, in opposition to the passage of a general bankrupt law, expressing a doubt of its ex- pediency if made applicable to all insolvent debtors; but declaring a willingness to vote for such a measure if it was confined in its scope to merchants and traders, and if it excluded the planters and farmers. He offered an amendment embodying his views, but it was not adopted . During the remainder of the 16th Congress he seems not to have taken an active part in the debates. In the 17th Congress he was again upon the Committee of the District. It devolved upon him formally to make known to the Senate the death of the Hon. William Pinkney, which was done on the 26th of February, 1822, in these few simple words, which contrast remarkably with the elaborate eulogiums which it is customary in these days to pronounce in Congress over dead mediocrity or insig- nificance.
Mr. President: It has become my painful duty to announce to the Senate the melancholy fact that my much esteemed and distinguished colleague is no more. An attempt to excite the sympathies of the Senate for a loss so great and so afflicting would betray a suspicion of their sensibility and would do injustice to the memory of him whose loss we must all sensibly deplore. This chamber, Sir, has been one of the fields of his fame. You have seen him in his strength. You have seen him the admiration of the Senate; the pride of his native State; the ornament of his country. He is no more. But for his friends and relatives there is consolation beyond the grave. I humbly and firmly trust that he now reposes in the bosom of his God.59
On the 10th of January he had introduced to the attention of the Senate a series of resolutions favoring the appropriation of public
59 Annals of Congress.
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lands, for the purpose of education to those States that had not pre- viously received such an appropriation; and on the 28th of February and the 1st of March he addressed the Senate, sitting in Committee of the Whole, in advocacy of those resolutions. His speech was an extended effort, for upon the first day he spoke one hour and a half and upon the second day one hour. In the year 1824 we find, by the records of proceedings, that he took active part in opposition to the new tariff bill, the essential and distinctive feature of which was the protection of the manufacturing industries of the country from foreign competition by imposts upon imported goods. This bill embodied what is known as Mr. Clay's "American System," and its leading prin- ciple is yet in dispute among statesmen though Mr. Lloyd's position is ably defended now by the leading political economists of the world. He participated in the debates to which this bill gave origin, and voted against its adoption on its passage, believing, with all the southern senators, that it was sectional, unconstitutional and unjust. It passed however, but by very small majorities in each house.60 During the years 1823 and 1824, with the exception just noted, Mr. Lloyd appears to have taken little part in the debates, and in fact his name appears but infrequently in the reports of proceedings. It is probable he was much absent from his seat, owing to a painful malady with which he was afflicted and which soon after rendered his resignation obligatory.
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