Editing Langdon Cheves (section)

===Elections===
====1810====
As the embargo on European goods dragged on, the South Carolina economy suffered. Rice prices were halved and cotton collapsed. By 1810, Charlestonians and South Carolinians at large were deeply discontent with the [[11th United States Congress|11th Congress]] and President Madison. With the Federalist Party now a non-factor, the election was contested between competing Republican factions.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=47–50}}

Alongside E.S. Thomas of the ''City Gazette'', friends of Thomas Jefferson including Charles Pinckney supported [[William Loughton Smith]], a former Federalist Congressman who had served as John Adams's minister to Portugal. However, a much larger portion of the party in Charleston favored Cheves, and the Smith supporters eventually got in line. The election was held October 10–11, but was overshadowed by a fire in the city that destroyed 194 houses. Cheves was elected without opposition. The other new members of the delegation were William Lowndes, representing [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] and [[John C. Calhoun]] of [[Upstate South Carolina|the Upstate]].{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=47–50}}

Shortly after his election to the House, incumbent [[Robert Marion]] resigned early, triggering a special election to complete his term. Cheves won unopposed and took his seat early in the 11th Congress.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=47–50}}

====1812====
In 1812, Cheves was re-elected to the [[13th United States Congress|13th Congress]]. His opponent was the leader of the South Carolina Federalists, [[John Rutledge Jr.]] Cheves was attacked for his support of the War, especially in light of his 1808 letters which vigorously opposed "war for commerce." Federalists also accused Cheves of private discrimination against immigrants. He remained personally aloof from the campaign, only writing to assure his constituents that he acknowledged their confidence and valued it "more highly than money." He won re-election comfortably, 1,581–839.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=66–68}}