In 1801, he was appointed by president Jefferson, minister plenipotentiary to France. He accordingly arrived at Paris in the autumn, and immediately urged the purport of his mission./

In the year 1804, having effected the object of his mission, viz. the purchase of the territory of Louisiana, and the liquidation of the debts due on the part of France to the citizens of the United States, he obtained leave to return home, of which he received notice on the arrival of general Armstrong, his successor. Previous to his leaving Europe, he made a tour through Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, and returned to his seat on the Hudson, in June, 1805.

With this mission terminated the political life of Mr. Livingston, but not that of his public usefulness. In matters of taste, in the progress of the useful arts, in the improvement of the country by canals, roads, planting, building, and agriculture, his mind was constantly and vigorously employed; and to his suggestions or example much of the present honourable impulse in these branches may be justly ascribed. And lastly, the perfection of the steam-boat navigation in this country. In the vigour of health, and the plentitude of usefulness, this distinguished patriot and statesman was suddenly called to pay the debt of nature on the 15th February, 1813, in the sixty-seventh year of his

LIVINGSTON, WILLIAM, One of the signers of the federal constitution was born in New-York, about the year 1723, and was graduated at Yale college in 1741. He afterwards pursued the study of the law. Possessing a strong and comprehensive mind, a brilliant imagination, and a retentive memory, and improving with unwearied diligence the lite

rary advantages which he enjoyed, he soon rose to eminence in his profession. He early embraced the cause of civil and religious liberty. When Great Britain advanced her arbitrary claims, he employed his pen in opposing them, and in vindicating the rights of his countrymen. After sustaining some important offices in New-York, he removed to New-Jersey, and as a representative of this state was one of the principal members of the first congress in 1774.

In 1776, on the formation of the new constitution of the state, he was elected the first governor; and such was his integrity and republican virtue, that he was annually re-elected until his death. During our struggles for liberty, he bent his exertions to support the independence of his country. By the keenness and severity of his political writings he exasperated the British, who distinguished him as an object of their peculiar hatred. pen had no inconsiderable influence in exciting that indignation and zeal, which rendered the militia of New-Jersey so remarkable for the alacrity with which on any alarm they arrayed themselves against the common enemy.

His

In 1787, he was appointed a delegate to the grand convention, which formed the constitution of the United States. After having sustained the office of governor for fourteen years, with great honour to himself, and usefulness to the state, he died at his seat near Elizabeth-Town, July 25, 1790.)

Governor Livingston was remarkably plain and simple in his dress and manners. He was convivial, easy, mild, witty, and fond of anecdote. Fixed and unshaken in christian principles, his life presented an example of incorruptible integrity, strict honour, and warm benevolence.

(His writings evince a vigorous mind and a refined taste. Intimately acquainted with ancient and modern literature, he acquired an elegance of

style, which placed him among the first of modern writers.

He published a poem, called Philosophical Solitude; an Eulogium on President Burr, 1758; Miscellaneous pieces in prose and verse; a Review of the Military Operations in North America, from 1753 to 1756.

LIVINGSTON, PHILIP, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was a member of the family, which has long been distinguished in the state of New-York, and was born at Albany, January 15, 1716. He was graduated at Yale college in 1737./

With the superior advantages of an excellent education, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, and was soon engaged in extensive operations; and his inflexible integrity, and enlarged and comprehensive views, laid the foundation and erected the structure of extraordinary prosperity./

His first appearance in public life was in September, 1754, when he was elected an alderman of the city of New-York. From this period he continued to fill various and important trusts under the colonial government, till he took a decided and energetic stand against the usurpations of Great Britain.

Mr. Livingston was chosen a member of the first congress which met at Philadelphia on the 5th September, 1774. In this assembly he took a distinguished part, and was appointed on the committee to prepare an address to the people of Great Britain.

He was re-elected a delegate in 1775, with full power to concert with the other delegates from the other colonies, upon such measures as should be

judged most effectual for the preservation and reestablishment of American rights and privileges.

On the 4th July, 1776, he affixed his signature to the declaration of independence.

On the 15th July, 1776, he was chosen by congress a member of the board of treasury, and on the 29th April following, a member of the marine committee; two important trusts, in which the safety and well-being of America were essentially involved.

On the 13th May, 1777, the state convention reelected him to congress, and at the same time thanked him and his colleagues for their long and faithful services rendered to the colony and state of New-York.

Mr. Livingston's attendance in congress did not, however, preclude his employment at home in affairs of importance. He served in every capacity in which he could be useful in the councils of his state. He assisted in framing a constitution for the state, and on its adoption was chosen a senator under it.

In October, 1777, he was re-elected to congress under the new constitution, and took his seat in congress in May, 1778, one of the most critical and gloomy periods of the revolution; and incessantly devoted his whole faculties to the salvation of his country. He expired at York, Pennsylvania, on the 12th June, 1778.)

A short time previous to his demise, he sold a portion of his property to sustain the public credit; and though he sensibly felt the approach of death, owing to the nature of his complaint, he did not hesitate to relinquish the endearments of a beloved family, and devote the last remnant of his illustrious life to the service of his country, then enveloped in the thickest gloom.

LINCOLN, BENJAMIN, a major-general in the American army, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, January 23d, 1733. )

Having at an early period espoused the cause of his country as a firm and determined whig, he was elected a member of the provincial congress, and one of the secretaries of that body, and also a member of the committee of correspondence.

In 1776, he was appointed by the council of Massachusetts a brigadier, and soon after a majorgeneral of the militia.

In October, he marched with a body of militia and joined the main army at New-York. In February, 1777, congress appointed him a majorgeneral in the regular service.

In July, 1777, general Washington selected him' to join the northern army under the command of general Gates, to oppose the advance of general Burgoyne.

During the sanguinary conflict on the 7th of October, he received a wound, which badly fractured his leg, and was obliged to be taken off the field. He was not enabled to join the army, until the following August, when he was joyfully received by general Washington, who well knew how to appreciate his merit. It was from a developement of his estimable character as a man, and his talent as a military commander, that he was designated by congress for the arduous duties of the chief command in the southern department, under innumerable embarrassments.

On his arrival at Charleston, December, 1778, he found that he had to form an army, to provide supplies, and to arrange the various departments, that he might be able to cope with an enemy consisting of experienced officers and veteran troops.

On the 19th of June, 1779, he attacked the enemy, who were strongly posted at Stone Ferry, and after a hard fought action, he was obliged to retire.