Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/654

 James Sullivan. livan in respect to marriage was quite in contrast with that of their father; for John married at twenty years of age, and James in his twenty-fourth year. While studying with his brother, he made the acquaintance of Miss Hetty Odióme, daughter of a lead ing citizen of Durham, and in 1768 they were married. The young benedick bought a small house of but two rooms in the thriving town of Bidcleforcl, with office in a corner of the garden; and here he commenced housekeeping and busi ness at the same time. As in Georgetown, so in Bicldeford, Sullivan was the first resi dent lawyer. He was shortly advanced to the rank of barrister, and then appointed King's Counsel for the County of York. In the spring of 1774, James Sullivan was sent as representative of his town to the General Court, which, that year, convened at Salem. He was one of the most active members in promoting the independence of the country, and was prominent in the prep aration of addresses to the people, and in the establishment of laws and regulations adapted to the new order of affairs. At a meeting of chief citizens from sev eral towns held in Falmouth November 4, 1775, the record showed that "Mr. James Sullivan was chosen commander-in-chief over the militia and other companies now in pay of the province." " Colonel Mitchell " was made second in command, and " Colonel Fogg " third. His three brothers were al ready engaged in the Revolutionary cam paigns; but, from his lameness, James was unfitted for a military life, though his talent for it was made evident on several occasions; so he adhered to another line of advance ment. In the summer of 1775 he was chosen by the Provincial. Congress one of a committee of three to visit Lake Champlain and investigate the military conditions there, also Arnold's conduct of his campaign, and to direct his further proceedings. In this part of their mission the committee came into violent and dangerous conflict with that

pretentious and passionate officer, but suc ceeded in keeping him within control. It has often been observed that legislative and other deliberative bodies are very prone to impose upon young lawyers in the mem bership a full share of the duties. The fre quent appearance of Mr. Sullivan's name in very numerous- instances and diverse matters shows that he was fully employed, and sub sequent events prove that his efforts met with general approval. He was especially serviceable in the preparation of the admi ralty laws for the new Commonwealth; and,, partly, as a result, he was, in November, 1775, appointed Judge of Admiralty for the Eastern District, embracing the present state of Maine. From this division arose its des ignation as the district of Maine. Sullivan resigned this office in the year following to accept his appointment as Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court. He was at this time thirty-two years of age. He con tinued in the office until 1782, when he was elected a delegate to the Continental Con gress. In 1788 he was appointed Judge of Probate for Suffolk County, which office he filled until 1796, when he was appointed Attorney General of the Commonwealth; performing the duties of this office until 1804, when his canvass for the governorship began. He was elected Governor of the State in, 1807, and re-elected in 1808; but he died on December loth, before his term had expired. The details of his career from the opening of the Revolution would require many a chapter of the length of the present article, which may properly be closed with a tribute from Washington, appropos of some early jealousies and conflicts between the hastily assembled troops from the different states; the General having been heard to say of this period of the war, that when his soldiers were restless, turbulent or discouraged, he had but to send to them one of the eloquent Sullivans, when they quickly forgot their differ ences and complaints and resolved to per severe in the contest.