Post by terrus on Jun 1, 2014 16:10:48 GMT -5
Name: James Terrus
Position: Attorney
James Terrus (born September 16, 1741) grew up in a wealthy household in New York City, New York. The child of a successful merchant, Terrus graduated from King's College of New York in 1760 (modern Columbia University), then achieved admission to the New York State Bar in 1761. Terrus served as counsel for the family business for the next decade, but concurrently used his father's money and influence to become a key political player. In 1759, Terrus married Jacqueline Bretagne, a woman of French descent, and the two had four children (three of whom survived childhood).
Terrus took office as New York City Attorney in 1772, and became involved in national politics during that period. Terrus strongly criticized Parliament for the trade laws, the Stamp Act of 1765, and the Townshend Acts, but he also strongly opposed independence. A supporter of Joseph Galloway, Terrus believed the colonies deserved a separate parliament, but ought to remain loyal to the crown. Despite his controversial views, Terrus secured the New York City Mayorship in 1776, even as he took over control of the family business.
A leading member of the Committee of Sixty, Terrus worked against the British Parliament in a non-violent manner, even as he continued to declare allegiance to the crown. He strongly opposed the violent acts of the Sons of Liberty, though he also urged more restraint on the part of the British forces in the colonies. Despite his commitment to peace, Terrus quickly endorsed the new United States upon its establishment, viewing himself as more a New Yorker than a Brit.
As Mayor of New York City, Terrus played a key role in the continental defense of the city, helping to recruit troops, gather supplies, and construct the city's defense. General George Washington became close friends with Terrus during the battle for the city, but when Washington retreated, Terrus stayed behind. As Mayor of the City, Terrus felt an obligation to remain there, and he formally surrendered the city on September 15th, 1776.
The British surprisingly did not imprison Terrus, thanks largely to Joseph Galloway, Terrus' old friend, who convinced the British that Terrus was trustworthy. Relying on Galloway's discretion, Lord Richard Howe ordered Terrus released, and restored as Mayor. Terrus immediately set to work attempting to address the city's numerous problems, most of which revolved around the exodus of patriot citizens, and the influx of loyalist refugees.
Terrus objected heavily to the reallocation of patriot property to loyalist refugees, and tried to stop the execution of Nathan Hale, but ultimately failed at both these efforts. Still, Terrus saw that the few remaining patriot citizens in the city did not suffer, and he protected the city itself from destruction at the hands of the British. Through the rest of the war, Terrus remained in New York City, overseeing its administration.
Terrus did not simply act as an administrator during the conflict, however, he also served as a spy for the Continental Congress. Using information gleaned during a brief meeting with Hale, Terrus made contacts with continental spymasters, and passed important information along to the Continental Army throughout the war. Indeed, prior to the British withdrawal from New York City, Terrus provided the Continental Army with dozens of pages of notes on its defense, garrison, and population.
The British withdrew from New York City in 1783, taking most of the population with it, and leaving only Terrus and couple hundred other patriots behind. When the Continental Congress retook the city, General George Washington personally thanked Terrus for his service, and the previously unpopular Mayor quickly became a New York hero. Taking advantage of his fame, Terrus won election to the Continental Congress, taking office in late 1783. At the same time, Terrus profited heavily from his merchant business, because his fleet was one of few left untouched by the war.
Terrus fervently attended the Continental Congress, seeing it as his mission to strongly defend New York's interests. He set one main mission in Congress, moving the nation's capital to New York City, and he accomplished that objective by taking advantage of the Pennsylvania Mutiny to relocate the Congress to New York City. Terrus took a relatively moderate line otherwise, seeking especially to bridge the divide between Northern merchants and Southern plantation owners. But Terrus' moderation did not last long.
Thomas Jefferson formed a network of allies in the Continental Congress, and Terrus quickly became one of Jefferson's strongest supporters. In 1786, Terrus attended the Annapolis Convention as an adviser to Jefferson, and strongly opposed the call for a new convention. in 1787, Terrus attended the Philadelphia Convention again as an advisor to Jefferson, and generally opposed the final Constitution. Terrus grudgingly accepted the wisdom of the Connecticut Compromise, but he fought hard against ratification.
Terrus won election to the 1st Congress, thanks to his incumbency and wealth, despite New York City's Federalist lean. Representing New York City, Terrus pledged to ensure that the capitol remained in the city, and promised to ensure the federal government never replicated the tyranny of the crown. Terrus quickly made a name for himself as a leading Republican, notably authoring the bill of rights with James Madison. Terrus resigned from Congress in 1790, though, in order to become the unofficial attorney of the United States. He left the Republican Party that year as well, ultimately joining the Federalists.
Position: Attorney
James Terrus (born September 16, 1741) grew up in a wealthy household in New York City, New York. The child of a successful merchant, Terrus graduated from King's College of New York in 1760 (modern Columbia University), then achieved admission to the New York State Bar in 1761. Terrus served as counsel for the family business for the next decade, but concurrently used his father's money and influence to become a key political player. In 1759, Terrus married Jacqueline Bretagne, a woman of French descent, and the two had four children (three of whom survived childhood).
Terrus took office as New York City Attorney in 1772, and became involved in national politics during that period. Terrus strongly criticized Parliament for the trade laws, the Stamp Act of 1765, and the Townshend Acts, but he also strongly opposed independence. A supporter of Joseph Galloway, Terrus believed the colonies deserved a separate parliament, but ought to remain loyal to the crown. Despite his controversial views, Terrus secured the New York City Mayorship in 1776, even as he took over control of the family business.
A leading member of the Committee of Sixty, Terrus worked against the British Parliament in a non-violent manner, even as he continued to declare allegiance to the crown. He strongly opposed the violent acts of the Sons of Liberty, though he also urged more restraint on the part of the British forces in the colonies. Despite his commitment to peace, Terrus quickly endorsed the new United States upon its establishment, viewing himself as more a New Yorker than a Brit.
As Mayor of New York City, Terrus played a key role in the continental defense of the city, helping to recruit troops, gather supplies, and construct the city's defense. General George Washington became close friends with Terrus during the battle for the city, but when Washington retreated, Terrus stayed behind. As Mayor of the City, Terrus felt an obligation to remain there, and he formally surrendered the city on September 15th, 1776.
The British surprisingly did not imprison Terrus, thanks largely to Joseph Galloway, Terrus' old friend, who convinced the British that Terrus was trustworthy. Relying on Galloway's discretion, Lord Richard Howe ordered Terrus released, and restored as Mayor. Terrus immediately set to work attempting to address the city's numerous problems, most of which revolved around the exodus of patriot citizens, and the influx of loyalist refugees.
Terrus objected heavily to the reallocation of patriot property to loyalist refugees, and tried to stop the execution of Nathan Hale, but ultimately failed at both these efforts. Still, Terrus saw that the few remaining patriot citizens in the city did not suffer, and he protected the city itself from destruction at the hands of the British. Through the rest of the war, Terrus remained in New York City, overseeing its administration.
Terrus did not simply act as an administrator during the conflict, however, he also served as a spy for the Continental Congress. Using information gleaned during a brief meeting with Hale, Terrus made contacts with continental spymasters, and passed important information along to the Continental Army throughout the war. Indeed, prior to the British withdrawal from New York City, Terrus provided the Continental Army with dozens of pages of notes on its defense, garrison, and population.
The British withdrew from New York City in 1783, taking most of the population with it, and leaving only Terrus and couple hundred other patriots behind. When the Continental Congress retook the city, General George Washington personally thanked Terrus for his service, and the previously unpopular Mayor quickly became a New York hero. Taking advantage of his fame, Terrus won election to the Continental Congress, taking office in late 1783. At the same time, Terrus profited heavily from his merchant business, because his fleet was one of few left untouched by the war.
Terrus fervently attended the Continental Congress, seeing it as his mission to strongly defend New York's interests. He set one main mission in Congress, moving the nation's capital to New York City, and he accomplished that objective by taking advantage of the Pennsylvania Mutiny to relocate the Congress to New York City. Terrus took a relatively moderate line otherwise, seeking especially to bridge the divide between Northern merchants and Southern plantation owners. But Terrus' moderation did not last long.
Thomas Jefferson formed a network of allies in the Continental Congress, and Terrus quickly became one of Jefferson's strongest supporters. In 1786, Terrus attended the Annapolis Convention as an adviser to Jefferson, and strongly opposed the call for a new convention. in 1787, Terrus attended the Philadelphia Convention again as an advisor to Jefferson, and generally opposed the final Constitution. Terrus grudgingly accepted the wisdom of the Connecticut Compromise, but he fought hard against ratification.
Terrus won election to the 1st Congress, thanks to his incumbency and wealth, despite New York City's Federalist lean. Representing New York City, Terrus pledged to ensure that the capitol remained in the city, and promised to ensure the federal government never replicated the tyranny of the crown. Terrus quickly made a name for himself as a leading Republican, notably authoring the bill of rights with James Madison. Terrus resigned from Congress in 1790, though, in order to become the unofficial attorney of the United States. He left the Republican Party that year as well, ultimately joining the Federalists.
