Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/399

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LIVINGSTON. 355 LIVINGSTON. entirely successful in this mission, and returned to the United States in 1S35, settling on his estate, "ilontgomery Place,' on the Hudson, where he died the following year. His works on Crim- iiial JurispriKknce, in two volumes, were pub- lished in New York in 1873. Consult Hunt, Life of Edward LioiiKjston (Xew York, 1864). LIVINGSTON, Henry Brockiiolst ( 1757- 1823). An American soldier and jurist, son of William Livingston. He was born in Xew York Lily, and graduated at Princeton in 1774. Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he entered the Patriot army, served as an aide on Benedict Arnold's staff, with the rank of major, in the operations against Burgoyne, and later received the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1779 he went to Spain as secretary to John Jay, his brother-in-law, and was taken prisoner on the return voyage in 1782 by the British, but was soon released. He then studied law under Peter Yates, was admitted to the bar in 1783, and quickly became prominent in his profession. In 1802 he was made a judge of the Xew York Supreme Court, and in 1807 associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, which latter office he held until his death. He dropped his first name about 1783. and is generally known merely as Brockholst Livingston. LIVINGSTON, Peteb Van Beugii (1710- 92). An American mei'chant, born in Albany, X. Y.. the sun of Philip, second lord of Livingston ilanor. He graduated at Yale in 1731, settled in Xew Y'ork City, where he became a wealthy merchant in partnership with his brother-in- law, William Alexander (Lord Stirling), and built a large mansion on what is now Hanover Square. He was a leading Presbyterian, and was one of the founders in 1746 of an institution at Elizabethtown, X". .J., which soon after became Princeton College. For many years previous to the Revolution, he was a member of the Xew Y'ork Provincial Council. Ehiring the larger part of the period between 17.59 and 1774 he was active in the Revolutionary cause, quietly but effectively promoting resistance to the mother country. In 1759 he was a member of the Council of Ten, and he was also a member of the Committee of One Hundred. In 17G0 he joined the Sons of Liberty, and he became one of the leading spirits of that organization. On April 22, 1774, he was one of a pai'ty who. disguised as jMohawks. like their Boston compatriots, threw overboard a cargo of tea brought by the Xancy into the harbor of Xew York. He was president of the first Provincial Congress and delegate to the second. He en- joyed the friendship of Washington, and on more than one occasion was consulted by him. It was at his country place at Dobbs Feriy that General Washington. Governor Clinton, and Sir Guy Carleton met to settle matters connected with the evacuation of Xew Y'ork City by the British forces. After the adoption of the new State Con- stitution in 1777 he was elected to the Legis- lature, and was chosen president of the Lower House. From 177G to 1778 he was treasurer of the Contiftental Congress. LIVINGSTON, Phtlip (171fi-78). A signer of tlie Declaration of Independence. He was born in Albany, N. Y., and graduated at Y'ale in 1737. He became a sueeessful merchant in Xew York City, was a member of the City Coun- cil, ser'ed in the Colonial Assembly from 1758 to 17C9, and was Speaker in 1708. He was an ardent supporter of the Patriot cause, represented Xew Y'ork in tlie Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independ- ence. Livingston helped to found the Xew York Chamber of Commerce, and was a benefactor of Y'ale, and of King's (now Columbia) College. LIVINGSTON, RoBEBT (1654-1725). An .incrican colonist, the founder of the Livingston family in America. He was born at Ancruni, Scotland, the son of John Livingston, a Scotch Presbyterian clergyman, who was banished and settled in Rotterdam, Holland, in 1603. There Robert was educated by his father, after whose death ho emigrated to Charlestown, Mass., in 1073. In 1075 he removed to Albany, N. Y'., where he received an appointment as secretary of com- missaries, an office which he held for many years. He also served as town clerk, and as a member of the Colonial Assembly from 1711 until his death, being chosen its Speaker in 1718. He served for many years as Secretary of Indian -Ytt'airs, to which office he was first appointed by Sir Edmund Andros (q.v.). In 1686 he re- ceived a grant of land in what was later Dutchess and Columbia counties, confirmed by royal char- ter in 171.5, and erected the manor of Livingston with privileges of court leet, court baron, and advowson. LIVINGSTON, Robert R. (1746-1813). An American jurist and statesman, brother of Ed- ward Livingston. He was born in the city of Xew Y'ork, Xovember 27.. 1740; graduated at King's (now Columbia) College in 1765, then studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1773, and for a time was associated in the practice of his profession with .John Jay. In the same year in which he was admitted to the bar he was ap- pointed by the Crown to the position of recorder of the city of Xew Y'ork, an office which he was compelled to relinquish two years later, on ac- count of his sympathy with the revolutionists. In the following year he became a member of the Continental Congress, and served on the com- mittee which was appointed to draw up the Declaration of Independence, which document, however, he did not sign, owing to his withdrawal from Congress to attend the meeting of the Pro- vincial Convention of Xew York. Later in the Revolution he served another term in the Con- gress (1779-81). He was a member of the com- mittee which drafted the Constitution for the State of X'ew Y'ork in 1777, and upon its adoption became the first chancellor of the State, an office which he filled with distinction until 1801. It was in this capacity that he administered the oath of office to Washington, on the occasion of his first inauguration to the Presidency, in Xew Y'ork City. While serving as chancellor of X'ew York he" was appointed Secretary of the new Department of Foreign Affairs, created by Con- gress in 1781. a position which he held until 1783, when he was succeeded by .Tohn Jay. He was president of the Xew York Convention of 17S8, which was called to take action with regard to the Federal Constitution, and used his influence to secure the ratification of that instrument. In 1794 President Washington tendered him the post of Minister to France, which he declined: but in 1801. upon receiving a second tender of the same office, he accepted, and began the nego- tiations for the purchase of Louisiana, which.