Representative Langdon Cheves

Langdon Cheves served as a Representative from South Carolina in the United States Congress from 1809 to 1815. A member of the Republican Party, Langdon Cheves contributed to the legislative process during 3 terms in office.

Langdon Cheves’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Langdon Cheves participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Langdon Cheves ( September 17, 1776 – June 26, 1857) was an American politician, lawyer and businessman from South Carolina. He represented the city of Charleston in the United States House of Representatives from 1810 to 1815, where he played a key role on the home front of the War of 1812. Cheves was a leader among the War Hawk faction of the House. He served as chairman of the Committees on Naval Affairs and Ways and Means under Speaker of the House Henry Clay, then succeeded Clay as Speaker in the war’s final stages. After leaving the House, he served as President of the Second Bank of the United States from 1819 to 1823. After leaving public office, Cheves was an active advocate for unified Southern resistance to protective tariffs and any attempt to abolish slavery, though an opponent of unilateral action by South Carolina or any one state. Originally, Cheves advocated for a convention of Southern states to pressure Congress into adopting these positions, but eventually became one of the earliest advocates for outright regional secession from the United States.