Jurist; born in New York City, Feb. 6, 1733; inherited a large estate at the site of
Duanesburg, which he began to settle in 1765.
In 1759 he married a daughter of
Col. Robert Livingston.
He became an active patriot in the Revolution; was a member of the first Continental Congress (1774); also in Congress from 1780 to 1782; was in the Provincial Convention of New York in 1776-77; and was on the committee to draft the first constitution of that State.
He returned to New York City in 1783, after the evacuation, and was the first mayor of that city after the Revolution.
In 1783-84 he was a member of the council and State
Senator, and in 1788 was a member of the convention of New York that adopted the national Constitution.
From 1789 to 1794 he was
United States district judge.
He died in
Duanesburg, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1797.
Late in May, 1775,
Judge Duane moved in Congress, in committee of the whole, the “opening of negotiations in order to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting between
Great Britain and the colonies, and that this be made a part of the [second] petition to the
King” prepared by
John Jay. It was a dangerous
proposal at that time, as it was calculated to cool the ardor of resistance which then animated the people.
Duane was a stanch patriot, but was anxious for peace, if it could be procured with honor and for the good of his country.
His proposition was considered by Congress at the same time when a proposition for a similar purpose which had come from Lord North was before that body.
The timid portion of
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Congress prevailed, and it was resolved to address another petition to his Majesty, but at the same time to put the colonies into a state of defence.
Duane's motion was carried, but against a most determined and unyielding opposition, and it rather retarded the prospect of a peaceful solution.
It had no practical significance, unless it was intended to accept the proposition of Lord North as the basis for an agreement.
To this the majority would never consent, for it involved a consent to sacrifice the charter of
Massachusetts.
The wavering of Congress at that time led the people to neglect the steady system of resistance on which they had entered, and to wait for an accommodation, while the
King gained a respite which he employed to his advantage in subduing the colonies.
