DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Discover the life, achievements, and legacy of DeWitt Clinton (1769–1828) — American politician, “Father of the Erie Canal.” Explore his biography, major projects, enduring influence, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
DeWitt Clinton (March 2, 1769 – February 11, 1828) was one of the most influential American statesmen of the early 19th century. Though perhaps less known today than Jefferson or Madison, Clinton’s vision and persistence reshaped the economy, infrastructure, and identity of New York and the young United States. As governor of New York, he championed the Erie Canal, a transformational project often called “Clinton’s Folly” until its resounding success. His life weaves together politics, engineering ambition, public education, and the trials of building a national legacy.
Early Life and Family
DeWitt Clinton was born in Little Britain, New York (in Orange County) on March 2, 1769, the second son of Major General James Clinton and his wife Mary De Witt.
His mother’s lineage connected him to Dutch and French ancestry, giving him the name “DeWitt” from the maternal side.
He grew up in a politically ambitious family. His uncle, George Clinton (two-term Vice President of the United States and long-serving governor of New York), would remain an important figure and mentor in DeWitt’s life.
Financial stability was not always assured for the household, and throughout his life DeWitt sometimes struggled with personal finances despite his public stature.
Youth and Education
DeWitt’s early schooling was in local private instruction and at Kingston Academy, one of the strongest institutions in New York at the time.
He first matriculated at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), but later transferred to King’s College, which was renamed Columbia College during his period of study.
He graduated from Columbia in 1786 (or thereabouts) and then studied law, gaining admission to the New York bar in 1790.
Early on, he served as private secretary to his uncle Governor George Clinton (beginning around 1790) — a formative role that introduced him to the levers of state politics.
Career and Achievements
Entry into Politics
Clinton entered public life via the New York State Assembly (elected in 1797) and then the State Senate (1798–1802).
In 1802, he was elected by the state legislature to the United States Senate, filling a vacant seat.
However, he resigned in 1803, citing dissatisfaction with life in Washington and preferring to engage more directly in New York politics.
Mayor of New York City
After his Senate resignation, Clinton turned to municipal politics, serving multiple terms as Mayor of New York City (1803–1807, 1808–1810, 1811–1815)
During his mayoralty, he championed public education, social welfare institutions, and reform of local government.
He was also active in civic and intellectual institutions: he helped found the New-York Historical Society (in 1804), served as its president, and also led the reorganization of the American Academy of the Fine Arts.
Lieutenant Governor and Presidential Ambition
In 1811, Clinton was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York, serving under Governor Daniel D. Tompkins.
That same year, he made his first overt national test: in 1812 he ran for President of the United States. He was supported by a fusion of Federalists and anti-Madison Democratic-Republicans. Though he lost to incumbent President James Madison, Clinton fared strongly, carrying much of the northeastern United States and securing 89 electoral votes.
Governor of New York & Erie Canal
Clinton’s greatest legacy lies in his tenure as Governor of New York, first from 1817 to 1822, and then from 1825 until his death in 1828.
Upon assuming the governorship in 1817, he took active control of the ambitious Erie Canal project, which had long been contemplated. He persuaded the legislature to appropriate funds (about $7 million) and pushed the canal through survey, construction, and political opposition.
Critics derided the canal as “Clinton’s Folly” or “DeWitt’s Ditch,” but when it opened in 1825 it proved transformational: freight costs from Buffalo to Albany dropped sharply (from ~$100 per ton to ~$10), trade surged, and New York City’s position as a gateway to the interior was cemented.
To inaugurate the canal, Clinton famously traveled on the packet boat Seneca Chief from Buffalo to New York City, and poured two casks of water from Lake Erie into New York Harbor, symbolizing the unified water route.
The canal’s economic success was enormous, and the state quickly recouped its investment via toll revenue.
Even when out of office (1823–1825), Clinton served as canal commission president. His political opponents in the legislature attempted to remove him, but the public reaction favored Clinton, and he was re-elected governor in 1824 (for term beginning 1825).
Other Interests & Activities
Clinton was an avid promoter of science, natural philosophy, and public education. In 1814 he published An Introductory Discourse, summarizing the state of scientific knowledge in America.
He served as a regent of the University of the State of New York (1808–1825), and was a member or officer of societies such as the American Antiquarian Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Clinton was also deeply involved in Freemasonry. Initiated in the “Holland” Lodge No. 16 (later No. 8) in 1790, he rose to Grand Master of New York (in 1806) and served as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar (1816–1828).
When the William Morgan affair erupted (a mysterious disappearance tied to Masonic secrets) in 1826, Clinton issued multiple proclamations offering rewards, though his efforts failed to resolve the scandal.
Historical Milestones & Context
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Clinton’s canal advocacy came on the heels of the War of 1812, at a time when national infrastructure and internal improvements were increasingly seen as essential to American prosperity and unity.
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The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 profoundly shifted settlement, trade, and migration patterns, accelerating westward expansion and linking the Great Lakes region more closely to the Atlantic seaboard.
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Clinton’s political style prefigured later “infrastructure politics,” wherein public works served both practical and rhetorical purposes—tying government legitimacy to visible, tangible projects. Some historians credit him with helping redefine the role of state government in economic development.
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The canal also spurred improvements in transport, commerce, agriculture, and urban growth in New York State and beyond.
Legacy and Influence
Clinton’s legacy is multifaceted and lasting:
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He is widely remembered as the “Father of the Erie Canal.”
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His success turned many former critics into admirers; newspapers that once mocked “DeWitt’s Ditch” later praised his vision.
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Numerous places bear his name: Clinton County (Iowa and beyond), DeWitt County, the city of DeWitt, Michigan, among others.
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In 1831, a steam locomotive built by the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad was named “DeWitt Clinton” in his honor.
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Columbia University established the DeWitt Clinton Professorship of American History (first filled by Evarts Boutell Greene) as a tribute.
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He appears on U.S. currency: an engraved portrait of Clinton appeared on the $1,000 Legal Tender Note in 1880.
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In the realm of infrastructure policy, Clinton helped show that bold engineering projects, when anchored in political vision, could transform landscapes and economies. Later politicians often cited him as precedent for using public works to galvanize growth.
Though he died in office in early 1828, his death was abrupt. He left behind financial difficulties for his family, including debts and a lack of sufficient assets.
Sixteen years later (in 1844), his remains were relocated and reinterred in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.
Personality and Talents
Clinton combined intellectual ambition with political pragmatism:
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He was deeply interested in natural philosophy, science, and education, believing that knowledge advanced both individual virtue and public good.
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As a speaker and writer, he could be persuasive, bold, and energetic. His public addresses often appealed to the civic ideal of building for posterity.
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He was persistent and resilient — many of his projects were long contested, but he continued to press forward.
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At times, he was criticized for political opportunism and use of patronage (e.g. via the New York Council of Appointments), and his personal finances were less successful than his public ones.
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His involvement in Freemasonry hints at a ritualistic, fraternal outlook, a desire for moral fraternity, and engagement in social networks of influence.
Famous Quotes of DeWitt Clinton
Below are a few selected quotations attributed to DeWitt Clinton:
“Pleasure is a shadow, wealth is vanity, and power a pageant; but knowledge is ecstatic in enjoyment, perennial in frame, unlimited in space and indefinite in duration.”
“The sinner will not confess, nor will the priest receive his confession, if the veil of secrecy is removed.”
Though not many quotes survive in wide circulation, these reflect his philosophic bent, valuing knowledge over temporal reward.
Lessons from DeWitt Clinton
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Vision backed by persistence can overcome skepticism.
The Erie Canal was derided as folly until its success, a lesson in not letting naysayers derail ambitious projects. -
Long-term infrastructure is a pathway to public legacy.
Projects like canals or railroads reshape economies and lives over generations. -
Bridging intellectual and political life matters.
Clinton’s engagement with science, education, and governance shows how ideals and policies can support each other. -
Public service can be precarious for individuals.
Despite his public achievements, Clinton died leaving financial trouble for his family—reminding us that public success doesn’t always translate to private security. -
Legacy is often greater than immediate recognition.
Many who mocked or opposed his ideas later had to acknowledge them. Bold steps taken today may bear fruit long after critics fade.
Conclusion
DeWitt Clinton remains a towering figure in American history whose name may not enjoy the same popular cachet as some of his contemporaries, but whose impact is deeply embedded in the physical and economic geography of the nation. His life illustrates how political leadership, combined with engineering ambition and moral vision, can produce transformative outcomes. Through the Erie Canal, educational reforms, and civic institutions, his imprint endured far beyond his lifetime. For readers today, his story is a reminder that bold, well-grounded ideas—supported by tenacity—can leave a lasting legacy.
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