Charles C. Pinckney, born at Charleston, S.C., in 1746, served in the South Carolina colonial and state legislatures and as a delegate to the Federal Convention, 1787, and was appointed Minister to France in July 1796. Refused official recognition by the Directory that year, he was appointed, with Elbridge Gerry and John Marshall, to serve on a special mission to France in 1797 which gave rise to the "XYZ Affair." From 1798 to 1800 he commanded U.S. Military Forces south of Maryland and including Kentucky and Tennessee. He died at Charleston in 1825.
The Brigatine Pinckney was purchased at Charleston, S.C., in 1798 for use in the Revenue Cutter Service. Transferred, however, to the Navy, she served in the West Indies Squadron under Captain Thomas Tingey. Commanded until 31 October 1798 by Capt. George Cross, then by Capt. Samuel Haywood, she remained with the West Indies Squadron through 1799. The following year she was sold.
