Philip Livingston
The Huguenots of France fled before the blighting edict of Nantes in 1685, many settling in the City of New York. To the persecuted and oppressed-America was represented as a land of rest. Immigrants poured in upon our shores from France, Holland, Germany, England, Ireland, and Scotland-among whom were many eminent for piety, intelligence, and liberal principles. At that time, they were also men of courage and fortitude, considered necessary requisites in the challenging undertaking of leaving the old for the new world. Those who came to our country were men of all the learned professions, the liberal arts and sciences, trades, and occupations.Robert Livingston was the son of an eminent Scotch divine who died in 1672. Robert then came to this country and obtained a land grant for the manor along the Hudson River. He had three sons-Philip, father of the present subject-Robert, grandfather of Chancellor Livingston, and Gilbert, grandfather of the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston.
Philip, the subject of this brief sketch, was born in Albany on January 15, 1716. He was one of the few who enjoyed a collegiate education then. After his preparatory studies, he entered Yale College and graduated in 1737. He had strong native talent improved by the lights of a liberal education. Religion and moral rectitude prepared him for a career of usefulness. In those days of republican simplicity and common sense, the graduates of an American college did not believe themselves licensed to ride roughshod over those whose literary advantages were less-nor did they think themselves exonerated from the field, the shop, and the counting house and destined only for the learned professions. They thought it no disparagement to apply themselves to agricultural, mechanical, and commercial pursuits and wear apparel spun and wove by the hands of their noble mothers and hale sisters. An enervating change is visible.
Mr. Livingston engaged extensively and successfully in mercantile business in New York and became noted for punctuality, honesty, and fair dealing. Reposing complete confidence in his integrity, then a necessary passport to public honors, his fellow citizens elected him an alderman in 1754, which office he filled for nine consecutive years, doing much to promote the peace and prosperity of the city. In 1759, Livingston was elected to the Colonial Assembly. Great Britain was at war with France, bringing the northern Colonies into contact with the French and Indians. Twenty thousand men were to be raised by the colonials to guard the frontier settlements and carry the war into the Canadas. The province of New York raised 2680 men and 250,000 pounds to aid in the proposed object.
Mr. Livingston took an active and prudent part in these deliberations. He introduced laws for advancing commerce, agriculture, and various other improvements-manifesting sound judgment and liberal views. He was an active member of the Committee of Foreign Relations that wisely selected Edmund Burke to represent the interests of the Colony in the British Parliament; through the lucid communications of Mr. Livingston that celebrated statesman and friend to America was made thoroughly acquainted with the situation, feelings, and interests of the colonists.
In 1761, Livingston wrote an answer to the message of Lieutenant Governor Colden, pointing out, in bold but respectful language, the oppressions and infringements of the British ministry upon colonial rights. He at once became the nucleus around which a band of patriots gathered and formed a nut too hard to be cracked by the sledgehammer of monarchy. The governor uniformly dissolved the Assembly at its session's commencement if he found that most members were liberals.
In 1768, the Assembly comprised the brightest luminaries of talent in the Colony. Mr. Livingston was unanimously elected Speaker. Discovering that most members were not pliant enough for tools nor submissive enslaved people, Governor Moore dissolved them and ordered a new election. Disgusted at the tyranny of the Governor, Mr. Livingston declined re-election in the city but was returned to the Assembly by the people upon his manor.
Mr. Livington was elected to the first Congress in Philadelphia, and in 1777, he was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of New York. He was elected to the Senate and attended the first Legislature of the Empire State. The same year, he was elected to Congress, then in session in York, Pennsylvania, having had to flee before the conquering foe. Deeply afflicted with hydro-thorax [dropsy of the chest], he felt his labors must speedily close. In the spring of 1778, the dark mantle of gloom hung over the bleeding Colonies. Under these circumstances, he was willing to devote his last hours to the interest of his beloved country. He had freely given her his best services and a large portion of his financial means. His family had fled to Kingston on the approach of the enemy. He repaired there to arrange his private business in the best possible manner. He wrote a valedictory letter to his friends at Albany-urged them to remain firm in the cause of Liberty-trust in God for deliverance, and bade them an affectionate-a final farewell. He then clasped his lovely wife and dear children to his bosom for the last time on earth-commended them to Heaven's guardian care-gave them a look of tenderness-a fervent kiss and was gone.
On May 5, he took his seat in Congress, exhausted and feeble but determined to remain at his post. He died on June 12, 1778.