District Attorneys. -- By the act of February 12, 1790, the State was divided into seven districts, each of which had an attorney, called assistant attorney-general. The Assistant Attorney-General became, in 1801, district attorney. By the act of April 1818, each county became a district, and had its own district attorney. Under the Constitution of 1777 the Council of Appointment filled the office during pleasure ; that of 1821 vested the appointment in the Court of Sessions, while under the present one the oflSce is elective.

District Attorneys-- First Dittricl ^--Act of 1796. Kanie. Appointed.

Nathaniel LHwrence February 16, 1796.

Cadwallader D. Colden Januarj- 16, 1798.

Actof\m:^

Name. Appointed.

Riclianl Riker August 19, 1801.

Cadwallader D. Colden February 13, 1810.

RicUard Riker Febniarj- 19, 1811.

Barent Ganlenier March 5, 1813.

Thomas S. Lester .\pril 8, 1815.

Act of 1818.3

Name. .\ppointed

Robert P. Lee Jnne 12, 1818.

Aaron Ward July 8, 1819.

William Nelson Febniary 21, 1822.

Richard R. Voris September 27, 1844.

William W. Scrogham June, 1847.

Edward Wells November, 1856.

William 11. Pemberton NoTember, 1859.

Pelham L. JlcClelan November, 1862.

John S. Bates November, 1865.

Jackson 0. Dykeman November, 1868.

Daniel 0. Briggs November, 1871 .

Rol)ert Cochran November, 1874.

Nelson H. Baker < November, 1877.

Sheriff.^*. -- During the colonial period the sheriffs were appointed annually by the Governor, usually in the month of October. The Constitution of 1777 vested the appointment in the Council of Appointment. The term was one year, and no person could hold the office for more than four successive years. The Constitution of 1821 made the office elective and the term three years. No sheriff is eligible for reelection for the next succeeding term.