James Innes

Background

James was born in 1754 in Caroline County, Virginia, United States, third and youngest son of Robert Innes, a cultured Scottish clergyman, and his wife Catherine Richards, and was the brother of Harry Innes.

Education

After receiving a classical training from his father, who intended him for the ministry, and at Donald Robertson's school in King and Queen County, Innes entered the college of William and Mary in the class of 1771.

Career

His activities at the outset of the Revolutionary troubles led the Loyalist faculty to recall his appointment as usher; twelve years he was elected the rector. As captain of the Williamsburg volunteers he led his command against Dunmore at Hampton; and, as lieutenant-colonel of the 15th Virginia Regiment and sometime aide to Washington, fought at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth before resigning his commission.

After serving as navy commissioner in 1778, and president of the board of war for Virginia in 1779, interrupting his legislative career at Washington's request to raise a home regiment, which he commanded at Yorktown. The Continental Congress elected him judge-advocate of the army on July 9, 1782, but he did not accept the appointment.

He was admitted to the first rank at the Virginia bar.

On November 23, 1786, he succeeded Edmund Randolph as attorney general of Virginia, defeating John Marshall for the office, and was tendered the attorney-generalship of the United States by President Washington, but personal reasons caused him to decline it, as they doubtless led him to neglect Jefferson's appeal to stand for Congress. It is said that he would have been sent as envoy to France in 1797, instead of Marshall, had his health permitted.

He was in Philadelphia discharging his duties as commissioner under Jay's treaty when he died "of a dropsy of the abdomen".

Achievements

• James Innes was one of the most talented lawyers and orators of Virginia, his most important suit was the famous British debt cause in Richmond from 1791 to 1793, in which he was associated with Henry and Marshall for the defendant. Besides, he was an influencial attorney general of Virginia, defeating John Marshall for the office.

Personality

His courteous address, humor, accurate and varied learning, and lofty principle combined with his eloquence. The effect of his majestic yet modulated voice, his occasionally vehement action, and his nervous, graceful style was almost incredibly moving: in general estimation he was more nearly Patrick Henry's equal in addressing popular bodies than any of his contemporaries, and some considered Innes the greater orator. His vast size imparted dignity to his manner.

Despite his brilliant promise, his substantial achievement, and the remarkable esteem in which such compeers as Pendleton, Wythe, Tazewell, Jefferson, and Washington held him, no less for his greatness of soul than for his copious talents, oblivion overtook Innes's fame even with his generation.

Quotes from others about the person

• According to Grigsby, Innes was a man of such colossal stature that he could not "ride an ordinary horse or sit in a common chair, and usually read or meditated in his bed or on the floor".

Connections

Innes married Elizabeth, daughter of James Cocke of Williamsburg, and left one child, Ann, who married Peyton Randolph of Wilton.

Father:

Robert Innes

Mother:

Catherine Richards

Spouse:

Elizabeth Williamsburg

Daughter:

Ann Innes

Brother:

Harry Innes

References

• A Register of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776-1918, and of the Constitutional Conventions (Classic Reprint)
• The History of the Virginia Federal Convention of 1788,: N.S. V. 10 1891
• Bulletin of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, Vol. 1: October 1907 (Classic Reprint)