Mr. Livingston, though a Jeffersonian Democrat in his early life, and now a Jackson Democrat, held very strong Federal notions in regard to the relations between the States and the United States Government, and was disposed to have these sanctioned by the adoption of General Jackson.

Jackson, probably, never read this paper; and if he did, did not exactly comprehend its tenor; for General Jackson’s political opinions were never very fixed or clear.  What he willed, he executed, and though it cut across the Constitution, or the laws, his friends and followers threw up their caps and cheered him.

Mr. Livingston was charged with the delicate duty of discussing the claims of our Government, representing its citizens, for spoliations committed upon our commerce under the celebrated Milan and Berlin decrees of Napoleon, and, backed by the determination of Jackson, happily succeeded in finally settling this vexatious question.  A sum was agreed upon, and paid into the United States Treasury; but if I am not mistaken, none, or very little of it, has ever reached the hands of the sufferers.  Upon the proof of the justice of their claims, France was compelled to pay them to the Government; but now the Government wants additional proof of this same fact, before the money is paid over to them.

Mr. Livingston’s learning was varied and extensive; he was a fine classical scholar, and equally as accomplished in belles-lettres.  In the literature of France, Germany, and Spain he was quite as well versed as in that of his native tongue.  His historical knowledge was more extensive and more accurate than that of any public man of the day, except, perhaps, Mr. Benton.  At the Bar, he met those eminent jurists, Grymes, Lilly, Brown, and Mazereau, and successfully.  This is great praise, for nowhere, in any city or country, were to be found their superiors in talent and legal lore.

Livingston never had the full confidence of his party, and perhaps with the exception of General Jackson, that of any individual.  In moneyed matters, he was eminently unreliable; but all admitted his great abilities.  In social qualities, he was entirely deficient.  He had no powers of attraction to collect about him friends, or to attach even his political partisans.  These were proud of his talents, and felt honored in his representation, and with the rest of the world honored and admired the statesman, while they despised the man.  He was illiberal, without generosity, unsocial, and soulless, with every attribute of mind to be admired, without one quality of the heart to be loved.  In person he was tall and slender, and without grace in his movements, or dignity in his manners.  With a most intellectual face, his brow was extremely arched, his eye gray, and his prominent forehead narrow but high and receding; his mouth was large and well formed, and was as uncertain and restless as his eye.  No one could mistake from his face the talent of the man; yet there lurked through its