Daniel D Bernard
Daniel Dewey Barnard (1797–1861) was an American lawyer, conservative Whig politician, U.S. Representative from New York, and diplomat who served as Minister to Prussia under President Millard Fillmore. A graduate of Williams College and a member of the New York bar, Barnard distinguished himself as one of the leading intellectuals and orators of the Whig Party, chairing the House Judiciary Committee during the 27th Congress and delivering widely noted addresses on constitutional law, tariff policy, and republican governance. After retiring from public life in 1853, he devoted his remaining years to literary pursuits in Albany, leaving behind a body of published speeches and correspondence that illuminate the tensions within antebellum American conservatism.
Definitions
- Whig Party: A major American political party (c. 1833–1856) that opposed the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party, advocating for congressional supremacy, a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements.
- Adams candidate: A supporter of John Quincy Adams's National Republican faction in the elections of the late 1820s, a precursor alignment to the Whig Party.
- Minister Plenipotentiary: A diplomatic agent of the highest rank below ambassador, authorized to represent his government with full powers in a foreign state.
- Prosecuting attorney: A public officer charged with conducting criminal prosecutions on behalf of a county or jurisdiction.
- Committee on the Judiciary: A standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives responsible for oversight of the administration of justice, including federal courts, constitutional amendments, and impeachment proceedings.
- Conservative Whig: A faction within the Whig Party that emphasized stability, property rights, constitutional order, and resistance to radical democratic reform — as distinguished from the "Conscience Whigs" who prioritized antislavery.
Historical Timeline
- July 16, 1797— Born in Sheffield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to Timothy and Phebe (Dewey) Barnard.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives — BARNARD, Daniel Dewey
- Quote: "Born in Sheffield, Berkshire County, Mass., July 16, 1797; attended the common schools." — Concise Biography
- 1818— Graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Was graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., in 1818." — Concise Biography
- 1821— Admitted to the bar; commenced practice of law in Rochester, New York.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1821 and began practice in Rochester, N.Y." — Concise Biography
- 1825— Married Sara Livingstone in Rochester, New York.
- Source: Ancestry — Daniel Dewey Barnard
- 1826— Appointed prosecuting attorney of Monroe County, New York.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Prosecuting attorney of Monroe County in 1826." — Concise Biography
- March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1829— Served in the U.S. House of Representatives (20th Congress) as an Adams candidate from New York.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Elected as an Adams candidate to the Twentieth Congress (March 4, 1827–March 3, 1829)." — Concise Biography
- 1828— Delivered speech on the tariff bill in the House of Representatives.
- Source: Library Company of Philadelphia — Catalog
- Quote: "Speech of Mr. Barnard, of New York, on the tariff bill, 1828." — Authority Record
- 1831— Traveled in Europe.
- 1832— Moved to Albany, New York, and continued the practice of law. Married Catherine Walsh.
- 1838 — Member of the New York State Assembly. Published Speeches and Reports in the Assembly of New York, at the Annual Session of 1838.
- March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1845— Served in the U.S. House of Representatives (26th, 27th, and 28th Congresses) as a Whig. Chaired the Committee on the Judiciary during the 27th Congress.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Elected as a Whig to the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Congresses (March 4, 1839–March 3, 1845); chairman, Committee on the Judiciary (Twenty-seventh Congress)." — Concise Biography
- March 25, 1840— Delivered speech on the Treasury Note Bill in the House of Representatives.
- September 3, 1850 – September 21, 1853— Served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Prussia, appointed by President Millard Fillmore. Resident at Berlin.
- Source: Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State
- Quote: "Appointed: September 3, 1850. Presentation of Credentials: December 10, 1850. Termination of Mission: Presented recall on September 21, 1853. Commissioned to Prussia; resident at Berlin." — Department History
- 1853— Retired from active public life and engaged in literary pursuits in Albany, New York.
- April 24, 1861— Died in Albany, New York, at age 63. Interred at Albany Rural Cemetery.
- Source: U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
- Quote: "Died in Albany, N.Y., April 24, 1861; interment in Albany Rural Cemetery." — Concise Biography