Martin Van Buren.

THE Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Jackson, were the children of the revolution. They had heard the trump of liberty and witnessed the struggles of the infant Hercules for freedom and independence. So linked with glorious memories, they could not but be patriotic, and whether they acted wisely or weakly, the people never doubted that their hearts were devoted to their country, and its welfare. But now, a new generation was to attempt to occupy the seat of the mighty men of the past. Younger hands were to be tried at the helm; and grave fears and apprehensions arose that they would be unequal to the task of government. Martin Van Buren was the first of the new school.

The ancestors of Mr. Van Buren were among the early emigrants from Holland to New York. The father of the President, Abraham Van Buren, was a resident of the old town of Kinderhook, Columbia county, on the east bank of the Hudson, a farmer of moderate circumstances, and an intelligent and upright man. He married a Miss Hoes, a distant relative, distinguished for amiability, intelligence and exemplary piety. Martin Van Buren, the eldest son of these parents, was born at Kinderhook, December 5th, 1782.

After acquiring the rudiments of an English education, Martin became a student in a Kinderhook academy. Here he made rapid progress in English literature and gained some knowledge of Latin. He is said to have displayed extraordinary quickness of observation upon character and events, and to have possessed a strong passion for composition and extempore speaking. In 1796, at the age of fourteen, Martin commenced the study of the law in the office Francis Sylvester, Esq., of Kinderhook. At that time, young men, who had not enjoyed the advantages of a collegiate education, were compelled to pass seven years in preparatory studies, before they could be admitted to practise. But the management of cases before justices of the peace frequently devolved on the students, and on these occasions, Martin Van Buren displayed extraordinary penetration and readiness of speech. While pursuing his legal studies he was very attentive to political events and the relative positions of parties, and on all occasions evinced an attachment for the republican or Jefferson party. The last year of Mr. Van Buren's preparatory study was passed in the city of New York, in the office of Mr. William P. Van Ness, and under his direction.

Mr. Van Ness was a distinguished member of the bar and a leader of the democratic party. He was intimate with Colonel Burr, and introduced Mr. Van Buren to the notice of that able politician. The younger lawyer thus enjoyed every advantage for studying law and politics, and he was quick and skilful in availing himself of his opportunities. In November, 1803, in the thirty-first year of his age, Mr. Van Buren was admitted as an attorney at law, to the bar of the supreme court in the state of New York, and immediately returned to his native village to practise his profession, in partnership, with his half-brother, the Honorable James I.

Van Allen. The bar of Columbia county, at that time embraced some of the finest talent of any in New York, and Mr. Van Buren had to contend with it, on his upward way. Parties were in a very excited state at that period. The republicans were struggling hard to gain the ascendancy throughout the country. Although they had a clear majority in the state of New York, they succumbed to the federalists in many counties. In Columbia, the reins were in the hands of the wealthy land-holders, who were generally federalists and opposed to the extension of popular rights. Mr. Van Buren's early display of energy and ability attracted their attention, and no ordinary pains were taken to detach him from the republicans. His partner and many of his nearest relations and friends were members of the federal party, and as they considered that his political preferences would interfere with his prosperity, they strove to win him to their views. But Mr. Van Buren remained firm in the faith which his father had held in the revolution, and which he had on the onset espoused. Thus connected with the democratic party, he naturally became the vindicator not only of their political faith, but of their legal rights. The conflicts in which he engaged, rapidly invigorated and enlarged his natural powers.

In 1807, Mr. Van Buren was admitted as a counsellor in the supreme court, where he was brought into more immediate collision with the most distinguished members of the legal professions. In 1808, he was appointed surrogate of Columbia county, soon after which he removed to the city of Hudson, where he resided during seven years, and maintained a high rank in his profession. His practice became extensive and lucrative. His career as a lawyer occupies a period of twentyfive yeals, and was closed in 1828. Throughout, Mr. Van