Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-11-27

men.
When, after the Declaration was adopt-
ed, Congress recommended the several
states to form constitutions for their gov
ernments respectively, Mr. Livingston
was elected a member of the convention
of New Y York. assembled for that purpose.
He served alternately in Congress and in
the legislature of his native state from
l775 till 1891. when, under the Articles
of Confederation, he was appointed Sec
retary for Foreign Affairs, which station
he filed, with great industry and fidelity,
until 1888. On retiring from the office
he received the thanks of Congress. He
was that year appointed Chancellor of tue
State of New York, and was the first who
held the Office under the new constitution
of the State
Mr.. Livingston was a member of the
convention of New York which assembled
at Poughkeepsie, in 1888, to take into
consideration the newly formed Federal
Constitution, and he was then one of its
warmest advocates in procuring it's ratif-
cation by that body
In April, l7o9, Washington, the first
President of the United States, was in
augurated In the city of New York. 1t
was one of the most august occasions the
! world has ever witnessed, and Chancellor
Livingston had the exalted honor of ad-
mInistering the oath of office to that great
leader, and of witnessing before high heav-
en- his solemn pledge to support the con
stitution.
In 1901, Chancellor Livingston was ap-
pointed by President Jefferson, minister
to the court of France, at the head of
which was then the young conqueror of
Italy, Napoleon Bonaparte. FIRST Consul
of the French Republic. He at once woh
the esteem and confidence of that great
captain. aud successfully negotiated with
his ministers for the purchase of Louis
lana, then in possession of France
The treaty was signed III April. 1902
1 by Mr.. Livingston and Mr.. Monroe. on
the part of the United States, and by the
Connt de Marbois in behalf of France
When it was sigued, Mr.. Livingston a
! rose from his seat and with solemn aud
prophetic voice said, We have lived long
but this Is the noblest work of our whole
lives The treaty which we have lust
signed Las not been obtained by art or die
tated by force equally advantageous to
both contracting parties, it will change
vast solitudes into fourishing districts =
From this day the United States take
their place among the powers of the first
rank; the English loose all exclusive in
fiuence in the affairs of America Ma
poleon, too, spoke prophetically This
accession of territory" said he. strength
ems forever the power of the United States.
and have given to England a maritime
rival that will sooner or later humble her
pride"
While in Europe, Chancellor Livingst
on INDUCED and cultivated his taste for
literature and the Fine Arts and he sent
to the American Academy of Fine Arts.
which was established in New York. in
1901, very fine collection of ANTIQUE
busts and statues (now in possession of its
rival and Successor. the National Acade
my OF Design and some admirable pain
tlngs. Science. too. claimed his attention.
and the aid and encouragement which lie
rendered Robert Fulton in his steamboat
experiments, by which they were made
successful, form an imperishable monu-
ment Of honor to his memory. Acricul-
ture was his study and delight, and to
him the farmers of this country are in
debted for the introduction of gypsum.
or plaster, for manure, and the clover
grass.
Chancellor Livingston continued ac-
lively engaged in life until a year or so
before his death. which occurred at his
country-seat at Clermont, on the twenty
sixth day of February, l4l2, when he was
10 the sixty-sixth year of his age. He
was prominent actor in scenes which
present features of the most remarkable
kind, as inauincing the destinies of the
world. His pen, like his oratory, was
chaste and classical aad the latter be-
cause of its purity and ease obtained for
him from the lips of Doctor Franklin. the
title Of the Cicero of America" And
to all of his eminent virtues and attain
ments he added that of a sincere and de-
voted Christian. the crowning attribute in
the character of good and great man