Page 16
History of Orange County
Town of New Windsor
Page 16
Rev. Mr. Moffatt, the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the settlement, superintended his early education. In 1782, he attended Kingston Academy. This school maintained its usefulness during the war, which more or less injured all other academies. Kingston had been burnt, but the suspension of the school was of short duration. Mr. Clinton entered Columbia College, and was the first matriculated student on the resuscitation of that institution after the war. It was said of him, at that time, that He was apt to learn anything required of him, clear in mathematics and correct in classical knowledge.-He did every thing well, and seemed likely to prove a highly useful and practical man; what the Romans call civilis, a useful citizens. He graduated in 1786, and entered the law office of Samuel Jones, then of high rank in his profession.
At the end of three years he was admitted to the bar, but, being appointed secretary to his uncle, then Governor of the state, he consented to accept the appointment, and forego the hopes and honors of his profession. His life then became devoted to politics-more fortunate to his country than himself. We need not trace him further; for he already belongs to History. The offices he held were numerous; and this is evidence of his capability and of public sentiment. He was a Member of Assembly, Senator of the State, Member of the Council of Appointment Senator of the United States, Mayor of the city of New York, with many re-appointments, Member of the Canal Board, Governor of the State and re-elected, a candidate for the Presidency, invited by Mr. Adams to serve as Minister to England, etc.
His biographer says He was exemplary in his private relations; a good and affectionate husband; a kind and judicious father; kind to his friends, for whom he would sacrifice his own interest; and though reserved in manner in mixed society, was playful, sportive and cheerful in his intercourse with children, and his absence always regretted by them. He was an early riser and despatched his correspondence before breakfast, which gave him the remainder of the day, and made him appear a man of leisure. He was always successful in his elections when the question was submitted to the people. He failed when an aspirant for the Presidency opposed to Mr. Madison. He never loved money, and consequently died in honorable poverty. Dewitt Clinton was eminently a great man and useful citizen.
This will be more apparent, when we enumerate some of the important acts which he drew and advocated in a legislative capacity.
An act to provide of a State Arsenal.
An act relative to the Fortifications erected by the State,
An act for laying out Canal street in the city of New York.
An act respecting a Digest of the Public Laws of the State.
An act to enlarge the powers of the Orphan As Society.
An act to amend the Insolvent Laws.
An act to prevent the inhuman treatment of Slaves.
An act to prevent the further introduction of Slaves.
An act for the support of the Quarantine Establishment.
An act to incorporate the New York Missionary Society.
An act to amend the Militia Laws.
An act to incorporate the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows and Small Children.
An act for promoting Medical Science.
An act respecting the Free School Society.
An act for the partition of Haerlem Commons.
Au act concerning the Onondaga Salt Springs.
An act for the further encouragement of Free School.
An act for the better protection of Sheep.
An act securing to Mechanics, etc. payment for their labor and materials in the city of New York.
An act to establish a Register's office in the city of New York,
An act to set apart certain apartments in the Capitol for public purposes.
An act for the benefit of the Orphan Asylum.
An act to prevent abuses in actions de homine repligiando.
An act to abolish the Court of Exchequer.
An act to prevent Frauds at Elections.
An act to incorporate the Humane Society.
His opinion*, while in the Court of Errors, established many of the most important principles of the Law which now govern the State, but they are too numerous to mention.
________________________________
*read opinions