firmness” of George Clinton when as Vice-President he gave his casting vote in the United States Senate against the bank bill, February 20, 1811.  In 1812 was elected to the senate of New York from the middle district as a Clinton Republican, defeating Edward P. Livingston; took his seat in November of that year, and became thereby a member of the court of errors, then composed of senators in connection with the chancellor and the supreme court.  As senator he strenuously opposed the charter of “The Bank of America,” which was then seeking to establish itself in New York and to take the place of the United States Bank.  Though counted among the adherents of Madison’s Administration, and though committed to the policy of declaring war against Great Britain, he sided with the Republican members of the New York legislature in 1812, and supported De Witt Clinton for the Presidency.  In the following year, however, he dissolved his political relations with Clinton and resumed the entente cordiale with Madison’s Administration.  In 1815, while still a member of the senate, was appointed attorney-general of the State, superseding the venerable Abraham Van Vechten.  In 1816 was reelected to the State senate, and, removing to Albany, formed a partnership with his life-long friend, Benjamin F. Butler.  In the same year was appointed a regent of the University of New York.  Supported De Witt Clinton for governor of New York in 1817, but opposed his reelection in 1820.  In 1819 was removed from the office of attorney-general.  February 6, 1821, was elected United States Senator.  In the same year was chosen from Otsego County as a member of the convention to revise the constitution of the State.  Took his seat in the United States Senate December 3, 1821, and was at once made a member of its Committees on the Judiciary and Finance.  For many years was chairman of the former.  Supported William H. Crawford for the Presidency in 1824.  Was reelected to the Senate in 1827, but soon resigned his seat to accept the office of governor of New York, to which he was elected in 1828.  Was a zealous supporter of Andrew Jackson in the Presidential election of 1828, and in 1829 became premier of the new Administration.  As Secretary of State he brought to a favorable close the long-standing feud between the United States and England with regard to the West India trade.  Resigned his Secretaryship in June, 1831, and was sent as minister to England.  The Senate refused in 1832 to confirm his nomination by the casting vote of John C. Calhoun, the Vice-President.  In 1832 was elected Vice-President of the United States, and in 1833 came to preside over the body which a year before had rejected him as a foreign minister.  On May 20, 1835, was formally nominated for the Presidency, and was elected in 1836 over his three competitors, William H. Harrison, Hugh L. White, and Daniel Webster, by a majority of 57 in the electoral college, but of only 25,000 in the popular vote.  On May 5, 1840, was nominated for