Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/130

 UNITED STATES SENATORS

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in 1752. He studied law in Willjamsburg under Chancellor Wythe, and was admitted to the bar in 1774. He served in the revolu- tionary army as lieutenant three years and attained the rank of captain. After the war the Virginia legislature made him a briga- dier-general of militia, and in 1808 promoted him to major-general. He was a member of the state legislature, 1781-89, and 1799- iSoo; and in 178S served in the state con- vention which ratified the Federal constitu- tion. He was elected to the First Congress, and served 1789-97. He successfully con- tested the election of Thomas Lewis to the Eighth Congress, and was appointed to the United States senate August 11, 1804, serv- ing by subsequent election until March 3, 1S09. In this body he upheld the policy ot President Jefferson. He was one of the advocates for removing the seat of govern- ment to the Potomac river. The year fol- lowing his retirement from the senate, he received the appointment of United States marshal for Virginia, and retained that office until his death, near Lexington, April 14, 182 1.

Brentt Richard, son of Colonel William Brent, of **Richland,'* Stafford county, who was a justice, burgess, and member of the convention of 1776, was born about 1760; was a representative in Congress, serving from December 7, 1795, to March 3, 1799. and from December 7, 1801, to March 3, 1803. He was elected to the United States senate for a term beginning March 4, 1809, and took his scat May 23, serving until his death. In 181 1 he was instructed by the legislature to vote against the recharter of the United States Bank, but refused to obey and incurred its censure. He died in Wash-

ington, unmarried, December 30, 1814. He was distinguished for his eloquence.

Barbour, James (q. v.).

Mason, Armistcad Thomson, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1787, son of Stevens Thomson Mason, also a United States senator. His grandfather, Thomson Mason, was born in 1733 and died in 1785. Armistead T. Mason was graduated at the College of William and Mary in 1807, after which he was engaged in farming. He served as colonel of cavalry in the war of 1812. distinguished himself in the defense 0/ Xorfolk, and was made brigadier-general o? militia. After serving in the legislature he was elected to the United States senate, and served from January 3, 1816, to March 3. it'^17, when he resigned to become a candi- date for the house of representatives against Charles Fenton Mercer, but was de- feated by a few votes. Great personal bit- terness was engendered, resulting in sev- eral duels. 1 laving called his cousin, William Mason McCarty, a "perjured villain," he v,as challenged by the latter, who proposed that they should jump together from the dome of the capitol. This Mason refused, with an intimation that he would accept a challenge sent in a proper form. McCarty posted Mason as a coward, and was chal- lenged for doing so. He declined on the ground that Mason was wanting in courage, and the matter rested until General Jack- son appeared on the scene. It was then reopened by Mason, who sent a challenge, and it was ultimately agreed that a duel should take place with muskets, charged with a single ball, at a distance of twelve feet. When in position the muzzles of the muskets nearly touched. At the word, they

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