William P. Van Ness

(Redirected from William Peter Van Ness )

In this Dutch name , the surname is Van Ness, not Ness.

William Peter Van Ness (February 13, 1778 – September 6, 1826) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New York and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York , also notable for serving as Aaron Burr 's second in Burr's duel with Alexander Hamilton .

Contents

• 1 Education and career

  • 1.1 Notable legal apprentice

• 2 Relationship with Aaron Burr and participation in duel

• 3 Federal judicial service

  • 3.1 Embezzlement investigation

  • 3.2 Investigation into performance

• 4 Family and estate

• 5 Author

• 6 In popular culture

• 7 References

• 8 Sources

• 9 External links

Education and career

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William Peter Van Ness, 1807 engraving by Charles Saint-Mémin

Van Ness was born on February 13, 1778, in a portion of Claverack , New York that later became part of the town of Ghent

Van Ness attended Washington Seminary

graduated from Columbia College (now part of Columbia University ) in 1797 and read law with Edward Livingston in 1800.

He practiced in New York City from 1800 to 1801.

In 1801, Van Ness served as a delegate to the New York Constitutional Convention, which was called to amend the state constitution of 1777. He continued private practice in Albany , New York starting in 1801 and in Hudson , New York, before resuming private practice in New York City until 1812.

Notable legal apprentice

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Martin Van Buren completed his legal studies in Van Ness's office in 1802 and became an attorney in Columbia County , New York.

Relationship with Aaron Burr and participation in duel

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Van Ness, a close friend of Aaron Burr , was an active participant in the 1800 presidential campaign as a vocal supporter of the Democratic-Republican Party candidates Burr for Vice President and Thomas Jefferson for President. Burr and Jefferson tied in the electoral college, and the election moved to the United States House of Representatives , where Federalists wanted to defeat their great enemy, Jefferson, by electing Burr as President. Van Ness secretly supported the Federalist plan, but it failed, and Jefferson won the presidency, with Burr chosen for the vice presidency.

In July 1804, Van Ness served as Aaron Burr's second in Burr's duel with Alexander Hamilton . He and Hamilton 's second, Nathaniel Pendleton loaded the pistols, and were present when Burr fatally shot Hamilton.

Federal judicial service

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Van Ness was nominated by President James Madison on May 25, 1812, to the United States District Court for the District of New York , to a new seat authorized by 2 Stat. 719. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1812, and received his commission on May 27, 1812. Van Ness was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on April 9, 1814, to a new seat authorized by 3 Stat. 120.

His service terminated on September 6,

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