observed that he considered this practical knowledge invaluable to him, and in common with most men deeply immersed in business, it was a cherished desire of his life to retire, soon after passing its meridian, to the quiet seclusion of the country, and devote his remaining years to his favorite agricultural pursuits.. He received his classical education at Yale College, under the Presidency of the distinguished Dr. Dwight, and was cotemporary with John C. Calhoun, Henry R. Storrs, Thomas S. Grimke, and other celebrities. At the commencement, in 1807, he graduated with honor, having an oration assigned him. He chose for his theme his favorite subject, "Forensic Eloquence." The studies of his first collegiate year were interrupted by a serious inflammation of the eyes, occasioned by a sudden cold,— the result of exposure to a draught of air when heated by exercise. It became necessary for him to leave college, and in a darkened room, in the retirement of his own home, the future presented but a gloomy prospect. It was a season of great discouragement, and even his buoyant spirit began to droop. A year elapsed before he was able to resume his studies, which he did under the somewhat disheartening circumstance of being obliged to enter new classes, his old associates having completed the courses of the year. - He commenced the study of law with Judge Swift of Windham, Conn., and after some months became a member of the celebrated Law School of Judges Reeves and Gould, in Litchfield, in 1808. With the venerable senior Judge he continued on terms of the most confidential intimacy while his valuable life was spared. Having completed his course of study with these eminent jurists, he read law a short time with Abraham Van Vichten, in Albany, who was at that time considered the father of the New York Bar, and in 1809 fixed his residence in Troy. He then entered the office of William Bliss, Esq., where he found the Hon. William L. Marcy in the preparatory studies of his profession. This acquaintance ripened into a friendship that continued through life. In 1812 he married the eldest daughter of Col. Benj. Tallmadge of Litchfield, Conn., a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary War, and the personal friend of Gen. Washington. The father of Col. Tallmadge was a clergyman, settled at Brookhaven, Long Island, whose eldest son, William, perished of hunger in a British prison ship, where so many brave men were wantonly sacrificed. On the maternal side, his wife was descended from Gen. William Floyd of Long Island, one of the immortal names appended to the Declaration of Independence. a A few years subsequent to his marriage, the views and feelings of Mr. Cushman, on the subject of religion, were greatly changed, and his Christian belief became with him a living principle, matter of deep feeling, ever ready on all suitable occasions to be manifested. His aim was to subjugate every worldly concern to the interests of Christ's kingdom, and to live as his devoted follower. He therefore united with the Presbyterian chh. at Troy, in the year 1816. At this period some enthusiastic friends endeavored to convince him of the propriety of exchanging the practice of the law for the study of theology, with reference to the ministry. There is reason to believe that his final decision was not without some struggles; but on maturely considering his position, with all its intricate and embarrassing circumstances, of which no one but himself was fully cognizant, he felt convinced that Providence had not, at that time, called him to the ministry. In 1818 he was chosen one of the Ruling Elders of the first Presbyterian chh., and the last time he was permitted to worship in the house of God on earth he assisted in the distribution of the elements of the Lord's supper. He received the appointment of Recorder of the city of Troy, in 1834, which office he held until he took his seat on the bench, as Judge of the third Circuit, in 1838. He was also Regent of the University, from 1830 to 1842, and Trustee of Union College, in 1833, in which last office he continued until his death, being many years the personal and confidential friend of its distinguished President. Soon after the organization of the Young Men's Association in Troy, he was requested to deliver a series of lectures for their benefit, to which he assented. "Commercial Law" was the subject selected, and in testimony of their appreciation of his efforts they presented to him a copy of the Life and Writings of Govern eur Morris, and conferred upon him a life membership in the Society. In 1816, at the age of thirty-two, Mr. Cushman was elected to Congress. During the first session, the subject of Internal Improvement became the topic of much interest in the journals of the day, and of warm debate in the House, President Munroe having commended the subject to the favorable consideration of Congress. In the debate which followed, Mr. Cushman participated, and in the language of a leading journal, commenting on the subject, "distinguished himself by an able speech, in which his far reaching views of the importance of the future trade and navigation of the northern lakes, were expressed in the language of fervid patriotism and sound judgment." He occupied nearly two hours in the discussion of the subject. He served on the Committee of Public Expenditures during both sessions, and made several speeches of less length. He had the gratification of being unanimously nominated for another term, but declined a re-election. The Convention which nominated his successor, passed a resolution expressing their regret at his refusal to be again put in nomination, and their thanks for the honorable and faithful discharge of his duty as representative in Congress, and particularly for his able and distinguished support of the resolution respecting Internal Improvement. In 1824 the heart of the father was sorely tried, and the strong man bowed under the weight of grief; for at that time was taken from her sorrowing parents a lovely daughter, between four and five years of age. Severe as was the trial, and deeply as it lacerated his affectionate heart, he was enabled to acquiesce in the will of his Heavenly Father, and to receive the chastisement with the meekness of a Christian. In 1838 he was appointed Circuit Judge of the Third District, comprising the counties of Rensselaer, Albany, Greene, Scoharie, Delaware, Schenectady and Columbia. Soon after the office was accepted, the Governor appointed him to hold a Court of Oyer and Terminer at Watertown, Jefferson county. That Court was for the trial of William Anderson, the prominent person among thirteen, who were indicted for robbing and burning the British steamboat, "Sir Robert Peel." Great interest was there |