Washington Hunt was an American lawyer and politician.
Background
Hunt was born in Windham, New York, in 1811. He was son of Sanford and Fanny (Rose) Hunt. He was descended from Jonathan Hunt, who moved from Connecticut to Northampton, Massachussets, about 1660. In 1818 his parents moved to Portage, N. Y.
Education
At Portage, N. Y. , he attended common school. In 1828 he moved to Lockport and two years later he took up the study of law.
Career
He was admitted to the bar in 1834. In 1836 he became the first county judge of the newly organized Niagara County and in a comparatively short time was recognized as one of the political leaders in the western section of his state. Although early in his career he had been a Democrat, he was led to join the Whigs and in 1842 he was elected to Congress. He served continuously until 1849, and in the Thirtieth Congress he was chairman of the committee on commerce.
Opposed to human servitude and political proscription in every form, he severely criticized President Tyler because he believed Tyler labored zealously for the extension of slavery in the Southwest. In 1849, thanks to the efforts of Thurlow Weed, for many years Hunt's intimate friend and political backer, Hunt was chosen comptroller of the state of New York. The following year, by 262 votes, he defeated Horatio Seymour for the governorship of the state. Hunt's administration as governor was far from brilliant. Personally honest, and scrupulous in the performance of his duties, he was not always tactful and as a consequence he became a party to a legislative squabble regarding the Erie Canal.
When in 1852 Seymour defeated him for reëlection he retired to his farm near Lockport. His interest in politics, however, did not cease and in 1856 he was chosen temporary chairman of the last national Whig convention. His refusal to ally himself with the rising Republican party, largely on the ground that it was a sectional organization, led to his estrangement with Weed. In 1860 he served as chairman of the Constitutional Union convention at Richmond, Va. , which nominated Bell and Everett, he himself declining the nomination for the vice-presidency. He was also influential in fusing the Douglas-Bell electoral tickets in New York. In the presidential campaign of 1864 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention and offered a resolution calling for a convention of the states, which was defeated in committee. His last appearance on the political stage was in 1866 as a delegate to the National Union Convention.
He died in New York City.
Achievements
Religion
He was a lifelong member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and a prominent lay delegate to many of its conventions.
Politics
He strongly opposed the reelection of Lincoln and in return was severely criticized by the Republican press.
Personality
Personally Hunt was very well liked and possessed a wide circle of friends.
Interests
He was interested in agriculture and devoted much of his time and effort to administering his large landholdings.
Connections
In 1834 he married Mary Hosmer Walbridge, daughter of Henry Walbridge of Ithaca, N. Y.