William Learned Marcy (December 12, 1786–July 4, 1857) was an American statesman. He was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, graduated from Brown University, taught school in Newport, Rhode Island, studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1811 and commenced practice in Troy, New York.
He served in the War of 1812; was recorder of Troy for several years, but as he sided with the Anti-Clinton faction of the Democratic-Republican Party, known as the Bucktails, he was removed from office in 1818 by his political opponents. He served as editor of the Troy Budget, was named adjutant-general of the New York militia in 1821, and was New York state comptroller from 1823 until 1829. During this period he became the leading member of the famous Albany Regency, a group of able Democratic politicians who controlled much of the state.
Served as United States Secretary of War in the Cabinet of PresidentJames Polk from 1845 until 1849, at which time he resumed the practice of law. After 1849, Marcy led the "Soft" faction of the Hunkers that supported reconciliation with the Barnburners, and in this role sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1852, but was unsuccessful, in part due to "Hard" opposition led by Daniel S. Dickinson. Marcy returned to public life in 1853 to serve as United States Secretary of State under President Franklin Pierce. According to the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, "His circular of the 1st of June 1853 to American diplomatic agents abroad, recommending that, whenever practicable, they should appear in the simple dress of an American citizen, created much discussion in Europe; in 1867 his recommendation was enacted into a law of Congress." He also resolved the Koszta Affair, and negotiated the Gadsden Purchase.
He died at Ballston Spa, New York is buried in the Rural Cemetery at Albany, New York. Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York, is named after him.
This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
In a speech in the Senate defending Van Buren against an attack by Henry Clay, Marcy made the unfortunate remark that " to the victors belong the spoils of the enemy," and thereby became widely known as a champion of the proscription of political opponents.
In the Democratic convention at Baltimore, in 1852, Marcy was a prominent candidate for the presidential nomination, and from 1853 to 1857 he was secretary of state in the cabinet of President Pierce.
In domestic affairs Marcy was a shrewd, but honest partisan; in diplomacy he exhibited the qualities of a broadminded, patriotic statesman, endowed, however, with vigour, rather than brilliancy, of intellect.
William M. Tweed (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878), commonly known as "Boss" Tweed, was an American politician and head of Tammany Hall, the name given to the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in New York City politics from the 1790s to the 1860s.
William Tweed was born on Cherry Street in Manhattan in 1823, of Scottish-Irish descent.
The efforts of political reformers William H. Wickham (1875 New York City mayor) and Samuel J. Tilden (later the 1876 Democratic presidential nominee) resulted in Tweed's trial and conviction in 1873.
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