Changes

[[Image:Mrs Rufus King.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Mary Alsop King]]

[[Image:Mrs Rufus King.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Mary Alsop King]]

==Early Life==

==Early life==

He was born in 1755, at Scarborough, Maine, where his father was a wealthy merchant. Young King was entered at Harvard College, in 1773; but, in 1775, his collegiate pursuits were interrupted by the commencement of the Revolutionary war, the buildings appertaining to the institution having become the barracks of the American troops. The students were, in consequence, dispersed until the autumn of the same year, when they reassembled at Concord, where they remained until the evacuation of Boston by the British forces, in 1776. In 1777 he received his degree, and immediately afterward entered as a student of law, into the office of the celebrated Theophilus Parsons, at Newburyport.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cMhJAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA165 The United States Manual of Biography and History: To which is Prefixed An Introductory History of the United States]</ref>

He was born in 1755, at Scarborough, Maine, where his father was a wealthy merchant. Young King was entered at Harvard College, in 1773; but, in 1775, his collegiate pursuits were interrupted by the commencement of the Revolutionary war, the buildings appertaining to the institution having become the barracks of the American troops. The students were, in consequence, dispersed until the autumn of the same year, when they reassembled at Concord, where they remained until the evacuation of Boston by the British forces, in 1776. In 1777 he received his degree, and immediately afterward entered as a student of law, into the office of the celebrated Theophilus Parsons, at Newburyport.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cMhJAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA165 The United States Manual of Biography and History: To which is Prefixed An Introductory History of the United States]</ref>

==Early Career==

==Early career==

Before he was admitted to the bar in 1778, Mr. King volunteered his services in the enterprise conducted by General Sullivan and Count d'Estaing against the British in Rhode Island, and acted in the capacity of aid-de-camp to the former. In 1780 he began the practice of his profession, and soon after was elected representative of the town of Newburyport, in the legislature or General Court, as it is called, of Massachusetts, where his success paved the way to a seat in the old Congress in 1784. His most celebrated effort in the legislature was made in that year, on the occasion of the recommendation by Congress to the several States to grant to the general government a five per cent impost, a compliance with which he advocated with great power and zeal.  Another effort that he is believed to have taken a part in was [[The Northwest Ordinance]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=x4d2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA9 The Ordinance of 1787, and Dr. Manasseh Cutler as an Agent in Its Formation]</ref><ref>[http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/07_Special-Documents/Historical-Documents/1787_Northwest-Ordinance.html The Northwest Ordinance]</ref> He was re-elected a member of Congress in 1785 and 1786.

Before he was admitted to the bar in 1778, Mr. King volunteered his services in the enterprise conducted by General Sullivan and Count d'Estaing against the British in Rhode Island, and acted in the capacity of aid-de-camp to the former. In 1780 he began the practice of his profession, and soon after was elected representative of the town of Newburyport, in the legislature or General Court, as it is called, of Massachusetts, where his success paved the way to a seat in the old Congress in 1784. His most celebrated effort in the legislature was made in that year, on the occasion of the recommendation by Congress to the several States to grant to the general government a five per cent impost, a compliance with which he advocated with great power and zeal.  Another effort that he is believed to have taken a part in was [[The Northwest Ordinance]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=x4d2AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA9 The Ordinance of 1787, and Dr. Manasseh Cutler as an Agent in Its Formation]</ref><ref>[http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/07_Special-Documents/Historical-Documents/1787_Northwest-Ordinance.html The Northwest Ordinance]</ref> He was re-elected a member of Congress in 1785 and 1786.

In the spring of 1796, Mr. King was appointed, by President Washington, minister plenipotentiary to the court of St. James, having previously declined the offer of the department of state. The functions of that post he continued to discharge until 1803, when he returned home. In 1813, he was a third time sent to the senate by the legislature of New York, at a period when the nation was involved in hostilities with Great Britain. His speech on the burning of Washington by the enemy, was one of his most eloquent displays, and teemed with sentiments which had echoes from all parties.

In the spring of 1796, Mr. King was appointed, by President Washington, minister plenipotentiary to the court of St. James, having previously declined the offer of the department of state. The functions of that post he continued to discharge until 1803, when he returned home. In 1813, he was a third time sent to the senate by the legislature of New York, at a period when the nation was involved in hostilities with Great Britain. His speech on the burning of Washington by the enemy, was one of his most eloquent displays, and teemed with sentiments which had echoes from all parties.

==Later Life==

==Later life==

In 1816, while engaged with his senatorial duties at Washington, he was proposed as a candidate for the chief magistracy of the State of New York, by a convention of delegates from several of its counties. The nomination was made without his knowledge, and it was with great reluctance that he acceded to it, at the earnest solicitation of his friends. He was not, however, elected. In 1820, he was re-elected to the Senate of the United States, where he continued until the expiration of the term, in March, 1825. Several of the laws which he proposed and carried, in that interval, were of great consequence. In the famous Missouri question, he took the lead. On his withdrawal from the Senate, he accepted from President Adams the appointment of minister plenipotentiary at the court of London. During the voyage to England, his health was sensibly impaired. He remained abroad a twelvemonth, but his illness impeded the performance of his official duties, and proved fatal soon after his return home.

In 1816, while engaged with his senatorial duties at Washington, he was proposed as a candidate for the chief magistracy of the State of New York, by a convention of delegates from several of its counties. The nomination was made without his knowledge, and it was with great reluctance that he acceded to it, at the earnest solicitation of his friends. He was not, however, elected. In 1820, he was re-elected to the Senate of the United States, where he continued until the expiration of the term, in March, 1825. Several of the laws which he proposed and carried, in that interval, were of great consequence. In the famous Missouri question, he took the lead. On his withdrawal from the Senate, he accepted from President Adams the appointment of minister plenipotentiary at the court of London. During the voyage to England, his health was sensibly impaired. He remained abroad a twelvemonth, but his illness impeded the performance of his official duties, and proved fatal soon after his return home.

[[Image:King Manor.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Rufus King House]]

[[Image:King Manor.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Rufus King House]]

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Template:Constitutional Convention}}

{{Constitutional Convention}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:King, Rufus}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:King, Rufus}}

[[category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Failed Presidential Candidates]]

[[Category:Failed Presidential Candidates]]