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"'''Richard Bassett''' was a well-to-do planter and lawyer who also enjoyed careers as soldier, judge, legislator, and [[Governor]]. At the [[Constitutional Convention]], he played a silent role and confined himself to casting votes on the issues as they arose." <ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio2.htm</ref>

"'''Richard Bassett''' was a well-to-do planter and lawyer who also enjoyed careers as soldier, judge, legislator, and [[Governor]]. At the [[Constitutional Convention]], he played a silent role and confined himself to casting votes on the issues as they arose." <ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio2.htm</ref>

==Early Life==

==Early life==

"Bassett (Basset) was born in Cecil County, MD., in April 1745. After his tavern-keeper father deserted his mother, he was reared by a relative, Peter Lawson, from whom he later inherited Bohemia Manor (MD.) estate. He read for the law at Philadelphia and in 1770 received a license to practice in Dover, DE. He prospered as a lawyer and planter, and eventually came to own not only Bohemia Manor, but homes in Dover and Wilmington as well.

"Bassett (Basset) was born in Cecil County, MD., in April 1745. After his tavern-keeper father deserted his mother, he was reared by a relative, Peter Lawson, from whom he later inherited Bohemia Manor (MD.) estate. He read for the law at Philadelphia and in 1770 received a license to practice in Dover, DE. He prospered as a lawyer and planter, and eventually came to own not only Bohemia Manor, but homes in Dover and Wilmington as well.

Bassett subsequently went on to a bright career in the state and federal governments. In the Delaware ratifying convention, he joined in the 30-0 vote for the Constitution. Subsequently, in the years 1789-93, he served in the U.S. Senate. In that capacity, he voted in favor of the power of the President to remove governmental officers and against Hamilton's plan for the federal assumption of state debts.

Bassett subsequently went on to a bright career in the state and federal governments. In the Delaware ratifying convention, he joined in the 30-0 vote for the Constitution. Subsequently, in the years 1789-93, he served in the U.S. Senate. In that capacity, he voted in favor of the power of the President to remove governmental officers and against Hamilton's plan for the federal assumption of state debts.

==Later Life==

==Later life==

From 1793 until 1799 Bassett held the chief justiceship of the court of common pleas. He espoused the Federalist cause in the 1790s, and served as a Presidential elector on behalf of John Adams in 1797. Two years later, Bassett was elected Governor of Delaware and continued in that post until 1801. That year, he became one of President Adams' "midnight" appointments as a judge of the U.S. Circuit Court. Subsequently, the Jeffersonian Republicans abolished his judgeship, and he spent the rest of his life in retirement.

From 1793 until 1799 Bassett held the chief justiceship of the court of common pleas. He espoused the Federalist cause in the 1790s, and served as a Presidential elector on behalf of John Adams in 1797. Two years later, Bassett was elected Governor of Delaware and continued in that post until 1801. That year, he became one of President Adams' "midnight" appointments as a judge of the U.S. Circuit Court. Subsequently, the Jeffersonian Republicans abolished his judgeship, and he spent the rest of his life in retirement.

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==External Links==

==External links==

*http://www.army.mil/CMH/books/RevWar/ss/bassett.htm

*http://www.army.mil/CMH/books/RevWar/ss/bassett.htm

*http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio2.htm

*http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio2.htm

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[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Delaware Governors]]

[[Category:Delaware Governors]]

[[Category:Former United States Senators]]

[[Category:Former United States Senators]]