James A. Bayard, Jr.
From Freepedia
James A. Bayard, Jr. (November 15, 1799–June 13, 1888) was an American statesman from Delaware who served as a U.S. Senator in the 19th Century.
Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1799 and studied law, beginning his legal practice in the city of Wilmington. He served as United States district attorney for Delaware from 1838 to 1843 and was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate representing Delaware by the Delaware legislature in 1851.
He was re-elected in 1857 and 1863 and served from March 4, 1851, to January 29, 1864, when he resigned his post (see below). During his time in Congress, he served as the chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (1851-3) as well as serving on the Committee on Public Buildings (1853-7), Committee on Judiciary (1857-61) and Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds (1857-9).
The Civil War
Bayard was generally a conservative and adhered to his interpretation of tradition throughout the Civil War. He believed that the seceding states should be allowed to go their own way, but did not call for Delaware to secede. Citing property rights of owners, he opposed anti-slavery measures from 1861 to 1864. He also stated both his opposition to the Civil War and his opposition to the any presidential acts used to suppress the rebellion of the Southern states.
During the Civil War, the United States Senate passed a rule stating that all senators would have to swear an oath of loyalty to the Union. Bayard refused, stating that such an oath would be unconstitutional, and resigned his post in the Senate.
When the death of his successor, George R. Riddle caused a vacancy in the United States Senate in 1867, Bayard interrupted his practice of law in Wilmington to serve as the Democratic Senator from Delaware from April 5, 1867, to March 3, 1869. During the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, Bayard cast a vote of "Not guilty."
After declining to again run for re-election, he continued his law practice until he died in 1888.
James A. Bayard, Jr. was the son of James A. Bayard, Sr., the brother of Richard H. Bayard, the grandson of Richard Bassett, the father of Thomas F. Bayard, Sr., and the grandfather of Thomas F. Bayard, Jr..
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| Preceded by: John Wales | United States Senator from Delaware (Class 1) 1851–1864 | Succeeded by: George R. Riddle |
| Preceded by: George R. Riddle | United States Senator from Delaware (Class 1) 1867–1869 | Succeeded by: Thomas F. Bayard, Sr. |
