jurist; born in
Sussex county, Va., in
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182]
1775; became a lawyer, and settled in
Tennessee, where he was appointed a territorial judge.
In 1796 he assisted in framing a State constitution, and was a
member of Congress from 1797 to 1801.
In 1802 he was appointed governor of the
Mississippi Territory, and was a commissioner, with
Wilkinson, to take possession of
Louisiana when it was purchased from
France.
On the establishment of a new government in 1804, he was appointed governor; and when the
State of Louisiana was organized he was elected governor, serving from 1812 to 1816.
In the latter year he became
United States Senator, but was prevented from taking his seat on account of sickness.
He died in
New Orleans, La., Nov. 23, 1817.
