Matthew Livingston Davis

Background

Matthew Livingston Davis was born on October 28, 1773 presumably in New York, United States. He was the son of Matthew and Phebe (Wells) Davis.

Career

Davis' life was passed amid the rough-and-tumble of partisan politics and partisan journalism. Starting as a printer, he edited the short-lived Evening Post in 1794, collaborated with Philip Freneau on the Time Piece and- Literary Companion, 1797—98, and was Burr’s indefatigable lieutenant in the New York political campaign of 1800. How much he then contributed to the vote-getting technique of the Tammany Society is a matter of conjecture, but tirelessly active and enthusiastic in the cause he certainly was.

By way of reward Burr, with Gallatin’s support, tried to have Davis made naval officer of the port; Jefferson hesitated, and Davis bolted down to Monticello in a tactless, futile effort to secure action. Jefferson’s refusal to give Davis an office was a serious affront to the Vice-President, and had its consequences. On July 11, 1804, Davis accompanied his chief across the Hudson to the dueling ground at Weehawken, and subsequently went to jail rather than give incriminating testimony against his friend.

Sometime before the War of 1812 he was a member of the trading firm of Davis & Strong, which prospered in South-Amcrican ventures, Davis’ own profits, later lost, amounting to about $50, 000.

In 1814 and 1815 he was Grand Sachem of the Tammany Society, and was a Sachem for some years thereafter. While Grand Sachem he is said, by Myers, to have cleared $80, 000 on a government contract. On September 15, 1826, with several others he was indicted for swindles aggregating several million dollars. The first jury disagreeing, they were convicted on a second trial; a third trial was procured for Davis, who was at last acquitted. To Burr he was faithful to the end; he inherited Burr’s papers, and after his death published Memoirs of Aaron Burr (1836 - 37) and The Private Journal of Aaron Burr during his Residence of Four Years in Europe (1838). For Davis as biographer and as custodian of Burr’s papers scholars have shown a good deal of scorn. He destroyed the greater part of Burr’s correspondence, gave away letters for their autographs, and displayed scant knowledge of historical methods.

In the capital he was known as “the Old Boy in Specs, ” was reputed to have been a duelist, and was esteemed for his fund of anecdote and reminiscence.

After a paralytic stroke in 1848 he gave up writing.

Achievements

• Davis was Washington correspondent of the London Times (‘ The Genevese Traveller”) and of the Morning Courier and New York Enquirer (“The Spy in Washington”). He was also Burr’s first biographer as the author of the two-volume Memoirs of Aaron Burr, published in 1836.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Report of the case between the Rev. Cave Jones & the rector & inhabitants of the city of New-York in communion of the Protestant Episcopal church in the state of New York

    (This volume is produced from digital images created by In...)

Connections

Father:

Matthew Davis

Mother:

Phebe (Wells) Davis