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James Watson (politician)
Encyclopedia
James Watson was a United States Senator
representing the state of New York
.
in 1786 and engaged in business pursuits. He was a member of the New York State Assembly
in 1791, 1794–1796 and was Speaker
in 1794. He was a member of the New York State Senate
(Southern District) from 1796 to 1798, and was a Regent of New York University
from 1795 until his death.
In 1798
, Watson was elected as a Federalist
to the United States Senate
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Sloss Hobart
and served in the 5th
and 6th United States Congress
from December 11, 1798, to March 19, 1800, when he resigned to accept an appointment by President John Adams
as Naval Officer of the Port of New York.
Watson was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
in 1801. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
and an organizer and the first president of the New England Society in New York City, from 1805 until his death.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
representing the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
Watson moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1786 and engaged in business pursuits. He was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1791, 1794–1796 and was Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
in 1794. He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(Southern District) from 1796 to 1798, and was a Regent of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
from 1795 until his death.
In 1798
United States Senate special election in New York, August 1798
The second 1798 United States Senate special election in New York was held on August 17, 1798, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.-Background:...
, Watson was elected as a Federalist
Federalist Party (United States)
The Federalist Party was the first American political party, from the early 1790s to 1816, the era of the First Party System, with remnants lasting into the 1820s. The Federalists controlled the federal government until 1801...
to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Sloss Hobart
John Sloss Hobart
John Sloss Hobart was an American jurist and politician. He was a member of the Federalist Party who served as United States Senator from New York, and later as a United States federal judge.-Early life:...
and served in the 5th
5th United States Congress
The Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
and 6th United States Congress
6th United States Congress
The Sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1799...
from December 11, 1798, to March 19, 1800, when he resigned to accept an appointment by President John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
as Naval Officer of the Port of New York.
Watson was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
in 1801. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
and an organizer and the first president of the New England Society in New York City, from 1805 until his death.