He went to France iu 17S7, and remained until 1795 ; during that period it is stated that he kept, at the suggestion of General Washington, a minute record of the incidents of every day, and forwarded the whole to Washington." He is said to have been the author of the memorable address of Louis XVI. to the French people, and resembled the King so closely that he was stopped at the barricades by the Revolutionary mob, in Paris, and only allowed to proceed after exhibiting his cork leg at the carriage window. In all his public capacities, he displayed great zeal and ability. Al'tei the Revolution, he retired from public life and passed a number of years in private pursuits -- excepting that he was a very acrive member of the Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States. " Pie was chosen Senator of New York in iSoo, and in 180S appointed one of their Commissioners to lay out the city of New York into streets and avenues north of Bleecker street.. In the summer of 18 10, he examined

a >i. Y. Evening} Post.

THE lOWN OF WEST FAIUIS. 487

».!»o route for the Erie Canal, and took an active part in originating and uroniotiug tliat noble work." "The activity of his mind, the richness of Lis fancy, and the'copiousness of his eloquent conversation v^ere the admiration of all his acquaintance, and he was universally admitted as one of the most accomplished and prominent men of our country."'* He died at Morrisania, Nov. 5th, i8i6, aged 6-I. His publications were numerous. A selection from his papers, with a sketch of his life, has been published by Jared Sparks, in three volumes.