Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1892, volume 3).djvu/783

Rh New York convention to consider the U. S. con- stitution, whose adoption he was largely instru- mental in procuring. The post of minister to France was declined by him in 1794, and he also refused the secretaryship of the navy under Thomas Jefferson, but in 1801, being obliged, by consti- tutional provision to resign the chancellorship, he accepted the mission to France. He enjoyed the personal friendship of Napoleon Bonaparte, who, on Livingston's departure in 1805, presented him with a splendid snuff-box containing a minia- ture likeness of himself, painted by Isabey. It is said that " he appeared to be the favorite foreign envoy." He was successful in accomplishing the cession of Louisiana to the United States in 1803, and also began the negotiations tending toward a settlement for French spoliations on the commerce of the United States. Subsequent to his resigna- tion he travelled extensively through Europe. While in Paris he met Robert Fulton, and together they successfully developed a plan of steam navi- gation. Mr. Livingston had previously been im- pressed with the advantage that was to be derived from the application of steam to navigation, and he obtained from the legislature of the state of New York the exclusive right to navigate its wa- ter-ways by steam-power for twenty years. He then constructed a boat of thirty tons burden, with which he succeeded in making three miles an hour, but the concession was made on condition of attaining a speed of four miles an hour, and other duties intervened to prevent success. He made numerous experiments with Fulton, and finally launched a boat on the Seine, which, however, did not fully realize their expectations. Later, on their return to the United States, their experi- ments were continued until 1807, when the " Cler- mont " succeeded in accomplishing five miles an hour. (See Fulton, Robert.) After his retire- ment from public service, Livingston devoted con- siderable time and attention to the subject of agriculture, and it was through his efforts that the use of gypsum for fertilizing purposes became general. He was also the first to introduce the merino sheep into the farming communities west of Hudson river. He was the principal founder of the American academy of fine arts in New York in 1801, and its first president, for some time president of the New York society for the promo- tion of useful arts, and a trustee of the New York society library on its reorganization in 1788. In 1792 the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the regents of the University of the state of New York. He published an oration that he delivered before the Society of the Cincinnati on 4 July, 1787, an address to the Society for promoting the arts (1808), and "Essays on Agriculture'* and "Essay on Sheep" (New York, 1809, and London. 1811). Benjamin Franklin called him the " Cicero of America," and his statue, with that of George Clinton, forms the group of the two most emi- nent citizens of New York being placed by act of congress in the Capitol in Washington. See " Biographical Sketch of Robert R. Living- ston " by Frederic De Pevster (New York, 1876). —Another son of the first Robert R. Henry Beekman, soldier, b. in Clermont, N. Y., 9 Nov., 1750; d. in Rhinebeck, N. Y, 5 Nov.. 1831, raised a company of soldiers in August, 1775, and accom- panied his brother-in-law, Gen. Richard Mont- gomery, on his expedition to Canada. For his services in the capture of Chambly in 1775 he was voted a sword of honor by congress in December of that year. In February, 1776, he became aide- de-camp to Gen. Philip Schuyler, and in November he was made colonel of the 4th battalion of New York volunteers, but he resigned that command in 1779. He also served with Lafayette in Rhode Island, and was with him at Valley Forge. At the close of the war he was made a brigadier-general. While on his way to Albany in 1824, after spending the night at Clermont, Lafayette inquired of Col. Nicholas Fish, " Where is my friend. Col. Harry Livingston f " Soon afterward, while the steamer was at the Kingston dock, Col. Livingston, having crossed the river in a small boat from Rhinebeck, came on board. As soon as their eyes met, the two friends — the marquis and the colonel — now old men, rushing into each other's arms, embraced and kissed each other, to the astonishment of the Americans present. Col. Livingston was one of the original members of the New York society of the Cincinnati. He inherited the Beekman estate at Rhinebeck, and married Miss Ann Home Ship- pen, niece of Henry Lee, president of the 1st congress. — Edward, youngest son of the first Robert R, statesman, b. in Clermont, N. Y.. 26 May, 1764: d. in Rhinebeck, N. Y., 23 May. 1836, was graduated al Princeton in 1781. having entered the junior class, and then began the study of law in Albany with John Lansing. He was admitted to practice in January, 1785, after studying in New York city with his brother Robert, and at once took a high rank at the New York bar, having for competitors Egbert Benson, Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton. He was sent to congress in 1?!I4. and twice re-elected, serving from 7 Dec, 1795, till March, 1801. He opposed the adminis- tration, and introduced the resolution calling for the instructions that had been given by the execu- tive to John Jay at the time of the formation of the treaty with Great Britain. With the unani- mous approval of his cabinet, Washington declined to furnish these, although Livingston's resolution was carried by a vote of 62 to 37. With Madison and Gallatin he shared the distinction of being "the most enlightened members of congress in the party of the oppo- sition." At the time of Jefferson's eleva- tion to the presiden- cy a tie vote existed in the electoral col- lege, in consequence of which the elec- tion passed to the house, where after 35 ballots he was chosen to office. The New York delega- tion stood 6 to 4 in favor of Jefferson, and effort was made to induce Livingston to vote for Aaron Burr, but without success. In March, 1801, he was appointed U. S. attorney for the district of New York, and in August of the same year he was elected mavor of New York city. During his mayoraltv the present city-hall was built, the front and sides being constructed of white marble, while a dark-colored stone was considered good enough for the north wall, since " it would be out of sight to all the world." The yellow fever visited the city during the summer of 1803, and his intrepidity in remaining at his post nearly cost him his life. Toward the close of the epidemic he was stricken with the disease, and when his physician