James Tallmadge Jr. was a United States lawyer, and politician who served as a United States Representative from New York's 4th congressional district.
Background
James Tallmadge Jr. was born on January 28, 1778 in Stanford, Dutchess County, New York. Descended from Thomas Talmadge who emigrated to New England some time after 1630 and settled at Southampton, Long Island, about 1642, he was the son of Colonel James and Ann (Southerland) Tallmadge. During the Revolution the father was an ardent patriot and commanded a company of Dutchess County volunteers at Saratoga.
Education
James graduated from Rhode Island College (now Brown University) in 1798.
Career
He practised law at Poughkeepsie, becoming one of the leading lawyers in the state.
A Democrat in politics, he attached himself to the group headed by Gov. George Clinton, and for a time served as Clinton's private secretary.
In 1813 he was appointed brigadier-general of the New York militia, but while on his way to take command of troops on the northern frontier became ill and was unable to proceed. Before the close of the war, however, he took command of troops for the defense of New York City.
From 1817 to 1819 Tallmadge served as a member of Congress, soon distinguishing himself in debate. On February 15, 1819, he introduced a notable amendment to a bill regarding the admission of Missouri to statehood. His amendment was designed to prohibit the further introduction of slaves into Missouri and to provide for the gradual emancipation of those born there after the admission of the state. Approved by the House but defeated by the Senate, it precipitated a controversy which became nationwide. In the argument over Andrew Jackson's dramatic Seminole campaign of 1819, Tallmadge eloquently defended Jackson's conduct. With respect to American industry he urged more adequate protection against foreign competition. Refusing to accept renomination, he retired to private life until 1821, when he became a delegate to the New York constitutional convention.
Three years later, as a member of the state legislature, he advocated a more popular method of choosing presidential electors, and, during the same session, successfully opposed the collection of tonnage duties on the Erie Canal. In 1825 he became lieutenant-governor, in which capacity he served creditably for two years. The remainder of his life was crowded with non-political activities.
From 1828 until his death he spent the summer months at his country seat in Dutchess County and the winters in New York City. He was one of the founders of the University of the City of New York (now New York University) and president of its council, 1834-46; he was also a founder of the American Institute of the City of New York, for the promotion of useful arts, and from 1832 until his death served almost continuously as its president. In 1838 he went to Europe, where he was received with marked distinction. While there he collected information for the Institute; secured the removal of certain useless quarantine restrictions which handicapped American trade in Northern Europe; and took steps to aid Russia in obtaining machinery for the manufacture of cotton products.
In 1846 he again served as delegate to a New York constitutional convention. A number of his speeches, both political and non-political, were published in pamphlet form.
Achievements
Interests
He was also interested in agriculture, and owned a large farm in Dutchess County.
Connections
On January 21, 1810, he married his second cousin, Laura Tallmadge, who died in 1834. Of several children born to this union, only one, Mary, survived. She married Philip Van Rensselaer, proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel, New York, at which her father died.