James Burchill Richardson began his career in public service after receiving a local education in Clarendon County. He transitioned from managing the family plantation to elected office, serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives for nearly a decade. Richardson then held the governorship of South Carolina for two years, during which he influenced significant legislative changes regarding slave importation. Following his governorship, he continued his legislative career in both the state House of Representatives and Senate. His final term in the state House of Representatives concluded his public service career, after which he returned to his plantation.

James Burchill Richardson's political career reveals a complex and calculated approach to slavery, balancing the repeal of laws against slave trafficking with a restriction on importing slaves under fifteen. His legislative actions suggest a nuanced stance that prioritizes certain economic and regional interests, raising questions about the underlying justifications for these decisions. His rhetoric likely framed these policies as necessary for the prosperity and stability of South Carolina, despite the moral implications.