SMITH, William, statesman, born in North Carolina in 1762; died in Huntsville, Alabama, 10 June, 1840. Nothing is known of his ancestry. He emigrated to South Carolina when he was very young and poor, but obtained means to procure an education, and in 1780 was graduated at Mount Zion college, Winnsborough, South Carolina He was admitted to the bar of Charleston. S. C., in 1784, served in the legislature for several years and in the state senate in 1806-'8, at the latter date, while president of the senate, becoming circuit judge. He was chosen to congress as a Democrat in 1796, served one term, returned to the bench, and occupied it till 1816, when he was elected to the United States senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Taylor, serving in 1817-'23. He was a Unionist candidate for re-election in 1822, but was defeated by Robert Y. Hayne. He was then chosen to the state house of representatives, and in 1825 led the party that reversed John C. Calhoun's previous policy in South Carolina. In December, 1826, he was returned to the United States senate to fill the unexpired term of John Galliard. He was defeated in the next canvass, but during his senatorial service was twice president pro tempore, and declined the appointment of judge of the supreme court of the United States. In 1829 he received the seven electoral votes of Georgia for the vice-presidency. In 1831 he signed the appeal to the Union party of South Carolina, served a third term in the state senate, but, differing" in politics from John C. Calhoun, removed to Alabama, that he might not reside where the latter's policy prevailed. He served several sessions in the legislature of that state, and declined in 1836 the appointment of justice of the United States supreme court, which was offered him by President Jackson. Having bought large tracts of land in Louisiana and Alabama during his first term in the United States senate, he accumulated a large fortune, built a costly residence in Huntsville, and died a millionaire. He was an able though tyrannical judge, an implacable opponent, and an ardent friend. He was a state-rights advocate of the strictest sort, but opposed nullification as a new doctrine, a protective tariff, and a national system of improvements.