JAMES RENWICK, LL.D.

----------------------------------------

CONTENTS.

----------------------------------------

Introduction. – Memoir of the Family of Clinton

Birth of Dewitt Clinton. – His early Education. – He studies at the Kingston Academy. – He is present at the Evacuation of New-York. – He enters Columbia College. – Account of the Professors of that Institution. – Clinton distinguishes himself as a Scholar, and graduates with the highest honours.

Clinton enters upon the Study of the Law, and is admitted to its Practice. – He is appointed Private Secretary to his Uncle the Governor. – His Career as a Political Writer. – He retires to Private Life, and applies himself to Scientific Pursuits. – He marries. – Character of his Wife.

State of Parties under the Administration of Adams. – Clinton is elected a Member of Assembly. – He is chosen Senator of the State. – He becomes a Member of the Council of Appointment. – Contest in respect to the Powers of that Council. – State Convention. – His Victory over Jay. – He is elected a Senator of the United States, where he is opposed to Gouverneur Morris. – Debate on the Mississippi Question. – Clinton’s Speech on that occasion. – He acquires a high Reputation as a Statesman.

Clinton is appointed Mayor of the City of New-York. – Important Duties of that Office. – His successive Reappointments and Removals. – Fluctuations of Party. – Causes of his Decline in Popularity. – His great Ability as a Criminal Judge. – The College Riot. – His Energy as Head of the Police. – Threatened Riots prevented by his Measures of Protection. – Aggressions of British Cruisers in the Waters of New-York. – Breaches of Neutrality attempted by the French. – Clinton’s Acts on these Occasions.

Origin of the Public School Society of New-York. – It is Chartered. – Is founded on Private Contributions. – Clinton’s Agency in obtaining them. – Gift from the Corporation of New-York, and Grant from the State Legislature. – Reflections on the System of Common Schools. – Turnpike from Poughkeepsie to Kingsbridge.

Clinton is elected a Member of the State Senate. – Incorporation of the Sailor’s Snug Harbour. – Law removing the Incapacities of Roman Catholics. – Charter of the Manumission Society; of the Cincinnati. – Grant for an Insane Hospital. – Charter of the Eagle Fire Insurance Company. – Grant for the Defence of the Harbour of New-York. – Academy of Fine Arts Incorporated. – Clinton is named a Director, and subsequently President of the Academy. – Charter of the American Fur Company. – Burial of the Remains of the Prisoners in the Jersey Hulk.

Important Laws drawn by Clinton while Senator. – His Opinions as a Member of the Court of Errors. – He Receives a Challenge for words spoken in Debate. – His Manly and Dignified Conduct on that Occasion. – Attempt at Corruption in obtaining the Charter of a Bank.

Literary and Scientific Pursuits of Clinton. – Historical Society; his efforts in hits behalf, and his Address on the History of the Five Nations. – Literary and Philosophical Society formed, and Clinton chosen President. – His Inaugural Discourse. – His Discovery of a Native Variety of Wheat, and other Contributions to Natural Science.

Description of the Water Communications of the State of New-York. – Use made of them by the Indians. – Expedition of General Clinton on the Susquehanna. – Views of Lieutenant-Governor Colden. – Tour of Washington to Wood Creek. – His Predilections for the Route to the Chesapeake. – Clinton’s liberal Policy in relation to this Question.

Western Limit of the early Settlements on the Mohawk. – Claims of Massachusetts. – These Claims are partially Admitted. – Influx of Emigration from New-England. – Voyage of the Wadsworths. – State Roads. – Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. – Its slow Progress and unsuccessful Result. – Communication between the Hudson and Lake Champlain. – Northern Canal.

Earliest Legislation of the State of New-York in relation to Canals. – Petition of Colles. – Report of Jeffrey Smith. – Messages of George Clinton. – Resolution of Judge Forman. – Survey made by Geddes, who first demonstrated the Practicability of a Route to Lake Erie. – Essays of Jesse Hawley. – Resolution of Judge Platt. – Appointment of a Board of Commissioners, of which Clinton is one. – Character of Morris, the senior Commissioner. – Notice of the other Commissioners.

The Canal Commissioners undertake to examine the Route. – Clinton and others proceed by Water from Schenectady. – Their Progress to Geneva, after a Deviation to Oswego. – Journey by Land to Niagara, and return to Albany by the way of Ithaca. – Meetings of the Commissioners at Utica and Chippeway. – Diversity of Opinion in the Board. – Opinion of Morris. – Clinton’s Views prevail in the Board. – Report drawn up by Mr. Morris. – Examination of its Features and Consequences.

Origin and Growth of the Democratic Party. – Its Triumph in the Election of Jefferson. – George Clinton chosen Vice-President in the place of Burr. – His Pretensions to be the Successor of Jefferson. – He is passed over. – Jealousy of Virginia. – All Aid to the New-York Canals is refused. – Dewitt Clinton is named as a Candidate for the Presidency. – Examination of his Course in relation to the War.

Progress of the Canal Policy interrupted by the War. – Clinton tenders his Military Services to Governor Tompkins. – His Report on the Defence of the City of New-York. – Measures of the Corporation, and of the State and General Governments, in consequence. – Clinton is removed from his Office of Mayor. – He renews the Consideration of the Canal Question. – Meeting on that Subject in New-York. – Clinton draws the Memorial of that Meeting. – Examination of the Contents, and Effects of that Memorial.

Memorial is presented to the Legislature. – Final Report of the Old Board of Commissioners. – Law to provide for the Improvement of the Internal Navigation of the State. – The New Board of Commissioners enter upon their duties. – Their Report. – Vast amount of field-work performed under their direction. – Scheme of Finance. – Law of Congress for promoting Internal Improvements. – Its Rejection by President Madison as unconstitutional. – Modifications rendered necessary in the Scheme of Finance. – The Bill to authorize the construction of the Canal becomes a Law. – Opposition of the City Delegation. – The Canal Policy made by them a party question.

Clinton is elected Governor of the State of New-York. – Apparent Calm in Party Feelings. – Causes of renewed Party Violence. – Tompkins is held up as a Candidate in opposition to him. – Clinton’s Re-election. – Farther increase of Party Violence. – Interference of the General Government. – Personal Hostility added to Feelings of Party. – Important Measures recommended by Clinton and carried in the Legislature. – Character of his Speeches to the Legislature.

Objections to the old Constitution of the State. – All Parties concur in a desire for its Amendment. – Bill calling for a Convention returned by the Council of Revision. – Clinton’s Opinions on the subject. – A Law is passed by which the call of a Convention is submitted to a popular vote. – Alterations made in the old Constitution. – Clinton’s term of Office is abridged. – He declines to be a Candidate for re-election. – Accident to his leg. – His first Wife dies. – He visits the States of Jersey and Ohio. – He visits Pennsylvania. – He is examined before a Committee of the Legislature. – He is removed from his Office of Canal Commissioner. – Public Indignation on Consequence. – Attempt of the General Government to tax Vessels navigating the Canal. – Clinton is nominated by the Republican Convention at Utica, and again elected Governor. – He marries his second Wife.

Success of the Canal Policy. – Silver Vases are presented to Clinton by the Merchants of New-York. – He is invited by Mr. Adams to serve as Minister to Great Britain, and declines. – Great Celebration of the opening of the Canal. – New and important Public Works recommended by Clinton. – His plan of a Board of Public Works. – Antimasonic Excitement. – Coalition to Defeat Clinton’s election as Governor. – He is, notwithstanding, re-elected.

Clinton’s view of Religious Worship. – His Services to the Presbyterian Education and Bible Societies. – His occasional Addresses. – Great change in the Relations of Parties. – Clinton recommends the Road through the Southwestern tier of Counties. – His Illness and Death. – Political Reflections. – Description of Clinton’s Person, and Remarks on his Character. – Illustrations of the importance of his Services in promoting the Canal Policy of the State.

----------------------------------------

html prepared by Bill Carr, last updated 12/12/99.