Edward Kavanagh was an American politician and diplomat. He served as a Member of the U. S. House of Representatives from Maine's 3rd district from 1831 to 1835. He was the 17th Governor of Maine from 1843 to 1844.
Background
Edward Kavanagh was born on April 27, 1795 at Damariscotta Mills, Maine, United States. His mother, Sarah, daughter of Andrew Jackson, though of Puritan stock, was an early convert to Catholicism. His father, James, an Irish immigrant to Boston about 1780, erected mills and a store on the Damariscotta River in 1790 and became a wealthy landowner, ship-builder, and merchant. At his home Father John Louis de Cheverus and Bishop John Carroll, were entertained in the course of visits to Maine. In 1798 James helped to build a chapel and in 1808 was one of the builders of St. Patrick's Church, probably the oldest Catholic church still standing in New England. Failing in his effort to divert his ministerial tax to his chapel, he carried the issue to the supreme court of Massachusetts, which ruled (1801) that the constitution obliged every one to support Protestant ministers, and reminded Kavanagh that Papists must expect nothing more than toleration.
Education
Edward Kavanagh studied in Boston, at St. Mary's College, Baltimore, and at Georgetown College near Washington; then spent two years in Europe, becoming an accomplished linguist. He studied law and gained admission to the bar, but never practiced. In 1819 a college essay of his was used anonymously in committee in the Maine constitutional convention to defeat a clause debarring Catholics from office-holding.
Career
Kavanagh commenced his practice in Damariscotta, Maine around 1814. He became a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1826 to 1828. He held public office almost continuously. After several years in the state legislature, he served from 1831 to 1835 in Congress. His opposition to the Bank and protection cost him his seat, but Jackson rewarded him by appointing him chargé d'affaires in Portugal, where during six years' service his tact and patience secured a favorable commercial treaty, signed in 1840, and he paved the way for recognition (1851) of spoliation claims of Napoleon's day.
Returning to the state Senate he became chairman of the joint select committee on the Maine boundary and one of four Maine commissioners sent to negotiate with Webster and Ashburton. His role as boundary commissioner was difficult. Maine expected concessions which Ashburton's instructions did not permit. To break off negotiations would have been unwise. The commissioners secured all that was possible under trying circumstances--indeed, Kavanagh believed they forced Ashburton to stretch his legitimate powers--but Kavanagh had difficulty making the unpopular settlement palatable to Maine.
He was governor from Fairfield's resignation on March 7, 1843, until January 1, 1844, twenty days before his death. As governor he conducted with vigor a controversy with the federal government over its failure to protect Maine under the treaty.
Politics
Kavanagh was a member of the Democratic Party. He loyally supported the Jackson administration. He even defended Jackson's removal of deposits while his constituents were complaining that it had ruined business. He also vetoed a popular "town court bill".
Personality
Kavanagh was modest and naturally charming that made him universally liked. He was no speaker but worked effectively in committee and conference. Possessed of executive ability, unusual tact, a keen sense of justice, and high integrity, he had the courage of conviction that led him to oppose the views of his constituents when he knew such action meant defeat.