Charlton, one of the Executors to his father's will, who instructed some pupils in the classics. The profession of the law being selected as his future occupation , he entered the office of James Alexander, one of the most eminent counsel of our colonial bar and the father of the American General, Lord Stirling. He was admitted an attorney of the Supreme Court 3d August, 1754, and, as his law register and papers show, was soon entrusted with, a large professional business. He retained his clients so long as he continued a practising lawyer. William Kemp, the then Attorney General, gave him in about two years after his admission as an attorney, a warrant to act for 'him in crown causes, and he officiated under it in several counties. This warrant he returned 28th April, 1757, when he declined to act any longer under it, on account of " the hard terms of exacting half the law fees" for the services rendered. This circumstance shows the confidence of the young lawyer to get along without official patronage.

On the 21st October, 1759, Mr. Duane marriea aary, tne e.aest daughter of Co]. Robert Livingston, then proprietor of Livingston's Manor. This marriage tended to give a direction to his studies and practice, and caused him to become actively engaged in all the lawsuits and discussions relative to the boundaries of our then colony.

As early as 1753, the Massachusetts people had intruded on and laid claim to the eastern part of both Livingston's and Rensselaer's Manors, and notwithstanding the efforts of our Governors, of Legislative commissioners, and even of the Home - Government, no satisfactory settlement of these intrusions