Rufus Choate

Rufus Choate was an influential American lawyer, orator, and politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts as a member of the Whig Party. Born on October 1, 1799, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, he became known for his exceptional legal skills and oratory abilities, earning a reputation as one of the foremost lawyers of the 19th century. His career spanned various roles, including significant contributions to the legal profession, a brief tenure in Congress, and a notable period in the Senate, where he engaged in various legislative matters until his last term ended in 1845.

Early life and career

Rufus Choate was born to Miriam Foster and David Choate, a teacher and a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He hailed from a family with deep roots in Massachusetts, tracing back to 1643 when his ancestors settled in the region. Choate's early life was marked by academic excellence; by the age of six, he was reportedly able to recite large portions of the Bible and John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" from memory. He graduated as valedictorian from Dartmouth College in 1819, where he was also elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Following his graduation, he served as a tutor at the college for a year.

In 1820, Choate began his legal education at the Dane Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he studied under Chief Justice Parker and Professor Asahel Stearns. The following year, he furthered his studies in Washington, D.C., under the tutelage of William Wirt, who was then the Attorney General of the United States. After being admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1823, Choate began practicing law in what is now Peabody, Massachusetts. During this period, he also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1825 to 1826 and in the Massachusetts Senate in 1827.

In 1828, Choate relocated to Salem, Massachusetts, where he gained prominence through his successful handling of several high-profile lawsuits. His reputation as a skilled lawyer and speaker led to his election to the U.S. Congress in 1830 as a member of the Whig Party, defeating the incumbent Jacksonian candidate Benjamin Crowninshield. He was re-elected in 1832, during which time he delivered a notable speech advocating for a protective tariff. However, Choate resigned from Congress in 1834 to focus on his law practice in Boston, where he continued to build his reputation as a sought-after orator.

Senate tenure

In 1841, Rufus Choate succeeded fellow Dartmouth graduate Daniel Webster in the United States Senate, representing Massachusetts as a member of the Whig Party. His tenure in the Senate was characterized by his engagement in various legislative issues, including discussions on tariffs, the Oregon boundary dispute, and the Fiscal Bank Act. He also voiced opposition to the annexation of Texas, reflecting his concerns about the implications of such actions for the Union.

During his time in the Senate, Choate was known for his eloquent speeches, which garnered attention both in Massachusetts and beyond. He delivered a notable address at the memorial services for President William Henry Harrison at Faneuil Hall shortly after taking office. His Senate career, however, was relatively brief; Choate's last term ended on March 3, 1845, when he resumed his law practice after Webster's re-election to the Senate.

Following his Senate tenure, Choate continued to be active in the legal field and served as the attorney general of Massachusetts from 1853 to 1854. His legal career included a landmark case in 1846, where he successfully argued that a defendant accused of murder was not guilty due to sleepwalking, marking a significant moment in American legal history.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his career, Rufus Choate was an ardent supporter of national unity and a staunch nationalist. He was critical of the emerging Republican Party, which he viewed as a sectional entity that could threaten the stability of the Union. In the 1856 presidential election, Choate chose to support Democratic candidate James Buchanan over Republican nominee John C. Frémont, aligning himself with what he perceived to be a more nationalistic approach to governance.

Choate's legislative focus included issues pertinent to economic policy, particularly tariffs, which he believed were essential for protecting American industry. He was also involved in discussions surrounding the expansion of U.S. territory, such as the Oregon boundary, and the implications of annexing Texas. His commitment to these issues reflected his broader concerns about the direction of the country and the importance of maintaining a unified national identity.

In addition to his legislative work, Choate's contributions to public discourse included a series of influential speeches that highlighted his views on American history and identity. Among his notable addresses were "The Colonial Age of New England," delivered in 1831, and "The Age of the Pilgrims as the Heroic Period of Our History," presented in 1843. These speeches underscored his belief in the significance of the Puritan settlers as foundational figures in American history.

Rufus Choate's health began to decline in the 1850s, prompting him to travel to Europe in 1850 for recuperation. He made another trip to Europe in 1859, but his health continued to deteriorate, leading to his death on July 13, 1859, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston. Choate's legacy as a prominent lawyer, orator, and politician remains significant in the context of 19th-century American history.