James Barbour - Final Years of Service

Final Years of Service

In 1826, Barbour was considered for the vice-presidential nomination in the upcoming 1828 elections. Barbour quickly opposed this. Instead, Barbour sought an appointment as Minister to England. Critics claimed Barbour was seeking a “harbor in the storm” from the approaching election. Andrew Jackson, who was anti-nationalist, opposed the ideals which Barbour supported. Barbour’s ministry was marked by acceptance into European intellectual circles. On July 1, 1828, Barbour was awarded the degree of LL.D. from the University of Oxford. After his ministry, Barbour returned to Virginia, where he announced his candidacy for the General Assembly. However, Barbour’s nationalistic policies made him unfavorable to the Virginian Republicans. The election, in which his opponent was an illiterate man, was extremely close. Barbour narrowly escaped defeat. However, after he was declared winner, the election was contested. Barbour promised to retire should it prove that he in fact had lost the election. Although no such proof was ever found, Barbour retired on February 16, 1831 due to the hostility in the Assembly against him.

In December 1831 he attended the first national convention of the National Republican Party in Baltimore and was made the presiding officer (called "President") of that body. The nominations made there for the coming 1832 campaign were Henry Clay for President and John Sergeant for Vice President.