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,
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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
