Editing Langdon Cheves (section)

==State politics==
In summer 1798, stemming from outrage over French mistreatment of American ambassador and Charleston native [[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]], Cheves joined and became a treasurer of the Charleston Federalist Company, an informal social-military group formed to defend the harbor in the event of an ostensible French invasion.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=30}}

On March 9, 1802, Cheves was elected to the Charleston City Council to succeed William Lee.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=33}}

===South Carolina House of Representatives===
In October 1802, he was elected to represent the city (as the Parish of St. Philip and St. Michael) in the South Carolina House of Representatives.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=33}} By this time, the Federalist Party was in rapid decline in the state, even its previous stronghold of Charleston. Cheves was identified with the younger [[Democratic-Republican Party|Republican faction]].{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=34}} He was not actively involved in the business of the House, focusing instead on his legal practice and declining to run for re-election in 1804.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=36}}

Cheves returned to politics in 1806, running for the House again at the head of the Republican ticket. He received more votes than any other candidate.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=38}} Upon the start of the new term, Cheves was appointed chair of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Privileges and Elections.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=38}}

In a special legislative session, Cheves took an active part in the reapportionment of the state to address the disproportionate representation of [[South Carolina Lowcountry|Lowcountry]] whites. The resultant constitutional amendment, known as the "Compromise of 1808," was guided by William Lowndes and resulted in permanent control by the combined planter aristocracy.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=39–40}}

===1808 presidential election===
In the wake of the [[Chesapeake–Leopard affair]], Cheves served with Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, [[Thomas Pinckney]], and William Washington on a non-partisan committee enforcing Charleston resolutions requiring ten days' mourning and barring assistance to British ships. Cheves also anonymously (as "[[Aristides]]") wrote editorials in support of President [[Thomas Jefferson]] and the [[Embargo of 1807]].{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=41–43}}

He endorsed [[James Madison]] over Charles Pinckney, urged the election of pro-Madison Representatives, and stood for re-election as one such Representative. He was elected by the legislature to head the electoral ticket and cast his vote for Madison.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=41–43}}

===South Carolina Attorney General===
On December 7, 1808, Cheves was elected [[South Carolina Attorney General]]. In this role, he advised Governor [[John Drayton]] on legal matters, personally represented the state in the eastern circuit courts, and expanded his private practice.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=41–43}}