Jim Clyburn

A gentleman came up to me who I knew, who was white, big supporter of mine.

And he said to me, he said, no, that was a terrific speech.

And he said, you know what?

I think I agree with you that Robert Smalls was the most consequential black South Carolinian who ever lived.

And I said to him, that is not what I said.

I said that Robert Smalls is the most consequential South Carolinian by none.

Yes, sir.

He looked at me with an interesting smile, walked away, and that was the last time we ever had a conversation.

But I think I can demonstrate.

Some people may say it's John C. Calhoun.

Some people may say it's Strom Thurmond.

But if you look, the consequences, the consequences of his life can mess you up to Robert Smalls.

And so there are things in this book

about Robert Smalls.

But there are things in this book about people like Thomas E. Miller, Thomas Miller of the Eight.

Miller was number seven.

Robert Smalls was number six.

Miller succeeded Smalls.

And one of the interesting things that people will find in this book, that Miller was African American by choice, not by birth.

Miller was the first president of South Carolina State.