Robert R. Livingston. 255
two eminent statesmen whose claims The continued opposition of the Liv- for the leading positions of the govern- ingstons suggests that their political ment were not lightly to be set aside, conduct was actuated by something To Jay, the friend of Livingston, the more noble than mere personal ani- companion of his early years, his asso- mosity. Against the ratification of Jay's ciate in many public positions, and his treaty, the Livingstons used every in- relative by marriage, was assigned the strument in their power. The chancel- chief-justiceship of the United States ; lor ; his younger brother Edward, author to Alexander Hamilton, whose services of the famous Louisiana code, then a in the New- York Convention, and abil- young member of Congress ; and the ities as a statesman, as well as his long talented, versatile Brockholst Living- friendship and association with the new ston, judge of the Supreme Court, — left President, naturally deserved recogni- no stone unturned in their efforts to tion, was given the Treasury ; and to defeat the hated treaty. A most skil- Livingston, who declined any subordi- ful exposition of the faults of the new nate position, was offered in later years, treaty appeared in the letters of " De- as already indicated above, the mission cius," ascribed by John C. Hamilton to to France. Robert R. Livingston, and by Mrs. Very likely the growing popularity of Martha Lamb, in her history of New- Hamilton, a young foreigner, advanced York City, to Judge Brockholst Living- to the highest office of state over the ston. A letter of Chancellor Livingston head of the Livingstons, may have ex- to Washington in the year 1795, detail- cited the jealousy of that distinguished ing at some length the objections to family. Political gossip of the day as- the treaty, is so like in sentiments to the serted that the chancellor summoned expressions contained in the letters of the family to his house one evening, and " Decius," that one can hardly suppose that ever afterwards the family stood the latter the work of Judge Brockholst united against the Federalists. How- Livingston. The ratification of the ever that may be. Chancellor Living- treaty was a bitter disappointment to ston soon made apparent his opposition the Republicans of New York, and the to Hamilton and his doctrines, and in animosities excited by the struggles of the senatorial election of 1 79 1 espoused that eventful period seem to have left the cause of Burr against that of Schuy- their traces through all subsequent po- ler, the father-in-law of Hamilton. The litical campaigns. From this period triumphant election of Burr reminded may be dated the estrangement be- the Federalists that a reconciliation with tween Chancellor Livingston and John the Livingstons was the only hope of Jay. The hitherto friends became their party supremacy in the Empire rivals for the leading office of their State. Accordingly the next year the native State.
nomination of governor was tendered Jay, the most popular member of Livingston, and a year or two later the the Federalist party, received the Fed- ministry to France was offered, in the eral nomination for governor in 1798. hope of placating the supposed dis- Against the popular, genial Jay, the pleasure of the chancellor at his neg- Republicans presented the powerful, lect in the distribution of the great talented Livingston. Jay was elected offices of state. by a large majority. Livingston seems
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