At the bar in the city of New York during the early part of his life, he sustained an honorable rank ; on the bench of the supreme court of the state, amid the bright constellation of judicial talent, learning and eloquence which then adorned it, he was conspicuously distinguished while yet a comparative youth, and we venture to say, that no judge since the formation of our government, ever presided at nisi prius, or travelled the circuit with more popularity. Dignified in his person, peaceful and conciliating in his address, and thoroughly amiable in his character, he won the respect and confidence of the bar, and the admiration of tb.e

« As attorney in the court of common pleas in N. Y. and Westchester Co., 26 Sept. 1797 ; coimsellor in court of common pleas, 26th Sept. 1797 ; counsellor in Mayor's court, Feb. 24, 1801 ; counsellor in supreme court, 2 May, 1801 ; solicitor in court of chancery, 5 June, 1801 ; elected representative of city to convention on revision of constitution, 7 June, 1802 ; solicitor in circuit court of the U. S., 1804 ; justice of supreme court, 2 July, 1804, member of congress for N. Y., 1804, judge of district court, March, 1805. -- Editor,

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 117

public. The distinction which he gained in his judicial capacity, soon elevated him to a different theatre of action, the gubernatorial chair of his native stale. (In 1807, when not thirtythree years of age,) he was put forward as a candidate by the most influential of the republicans of that day, and in the mode in which he administered the government he did not disappoint their choice. Those were turbulent times in politics, but like a skilful pilot, he safely and triumphantly weathered tfie storm, i:ot only that which was raging within our own bounds and among ourselves, but a more painful one which was pouring in upon us from a foreign foe.