234 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



New Yojk, and received the first honors of his class in 1795. He was 

 admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in the capacity cf attorney, 5th 

 Aug., 1797." In 1S01, he was elected a representative of the city, in the 

 convention to revise the constitution of the State; in 1802, was chosen 

 to the State Legislature; and in 1S04, was appointed a Judge of the Su- 

 preme Court of the State, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the elec- 

 tion of Chief Justice Lewis to the Gubernatorial chair. In the same year 

 he was elected a member of Congress for the city, as a colleague of the 

 late Dr. Mitchell. Gov. Tompkins (continues his biographer) seemed 

 to embody within himself — the peculiar characteristics of the citizens of 

 his native State — activity, energy and perseverance ; and his talents con- 

 stantly and variously as they were tried, were always found equal to any 

 emergency. At the bar in the city of New York, during the early part 

 of his life, he sustained an honorable rank ; on the bench of the Supreme 

 Court of the State — amid the bright constellation of judicial talent, learn- 

 ing and eloquence which then adorned it — he was conspicuously distin- 

 guished while yet a comparative youth ; and we venture to say, that no 

 judge since the formation of our government, ever presided at nisi prius, 

 or travelled the circuit with more popularity. Dignified in his person, 

 peaceful and conciliating in his address, and thoroughly amiable in his 

 character, he won the respect and confidence of the bar, and the admir- 

 ation of the public. The distinction which he gained in his judicial ca- 

 pacity, soon elevated him to a different theatre of action, the gubernato- 

 rial chair of his native State. (In 1807, when not thirty-three years of 

 age,) he was put forward as a candidate by the most influential of the 

 Republicans of that day ; and in the mode in which he administered the 

 government, he did'not disappoint their choice. Those were turbulent 

 times in politics ; but like a skillful pilot, he safely and triumphantly 

 weathered the storm — .not only that which was raging within our bounds 

 and among ourselves, but a more painful one which was pouring in upon 

 us from a foreign foe. By his unwearied efforts in repeatedly press- 

 ing the subject upon the attention of the Legislature, slavery was finally 

 abolished in the State of New York. 



The subject of public education and morals, was always near his heart. 

 The benevolent feelings of Gov. Tompkins, prompted him to call the at- 

 tention of the Legislature on repeated occasions, to the abolition of cor- 

 poral punishment ; and he at length happily effected that of the former, 



o As attorney in the court of Common Pleas in N. Y., and Westchester Co., 86 Sept. 1797; 

 counsellor in Court of Common Pleas, 36th Bent. !T:<7; counsellor in Mayor's Court, Feb. 24, 

 1801 ; counsellor In Supreme Court, 9 May, 1801 ; solicitor In Court of < hanoery, 5 June, 1801 ; 

 elected representan I 'invention on Revision of constitution, 7June, 1802; solicitor 



in Circuit court of the tJ. 8., 1804; Just ice of Supreme court, 2 July, 1S04, Member of Congress 

 for >'. V., 1804; Judguof District Court, March, lsu5.— Editor. 



