Clinton, De Witt

Clinton, De Witt (half brother of James Graham Clinton and nephew of George Clinton), a Senator from New York; born in Napanock, Ulster County, N.Y., March 2, 1769; was graduated from Columbia College in 1786; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1790 and commenced practice in New York City; private secretary to his uncle, Gov. George Clinton, 1790-1795; member of the State assembly from January to April 1798; served in the State senate 1798-1802 and 1806-1811; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1801; member of the council of appointments in 1801, 1802, 1806, and 1807; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Armstrong and served from February 9, 1802, to November 4, 1803, when he resigned; mayor of the city of New York 1803-1807, 1810, 1811, 1813, and 1814; while mayor he organized the Historical Society of New York in 1804 and was its president; also organized the Academy of Fine Arts in 1808; Lieutenant Governor of New York 1811-1813; unsuccessful candidate of the Peace Party for President of the United States in 1812; regent of the University of New York 1808-1825; in 1809 was a member of the commission to explore a route for a canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson River; prepared an elaborate petition to the legislature in 1815 asking for the immediate construction of the canal, which was begun two years later, and while Governor he was the first to break ground for the commencement of work; served several years as canal commissioner; Governor of the State 1817-1821 and 1825-1828; declined the mission to England offered him by President Adams in 1825; died in Albany, N.Y., on February 11, 1828; interment in Clinton Cemetery, Little Britain, Orange County, N.Y.