James Westcott | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator fromFlorida | |
| In office July 1, 1845 – March 3, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | Jackson Morton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Diament Westcott Jr. (1802-05-10)May 10, 1802 |
| Died | January 19, 1880(1880-01-19) (aged 77) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Democratic |
James Diament Westcott Jr. (May 10, 1802 – January 19, 1880) was an American politician of theDemocratic Party who served as the first Class 3United States Senator fromFlorida from 1845 to 1849.
Westcott was born inAlexandria, DC where his father, James Sr., was transitioning from newspaper publisher to politician.[1] James Jr.'s grandfather was a captain in theAmerican Revolutionary War. When Westcott was young, his family moved toNew Jersey where his father established a political career in theAssembly and asSecretary of State of New Jersey from 1830 to 1840. James Jr. married Rebecca Bacon Sibley on August 7, 1821.[2] He studied law and was admitted to thebar while still in his early 20s. In 1830, he moved to theFlorida Territory and was appointed territory secretary byAndrew Jackson. His duties sometimes included performing the duties of the governor when the governor was away — all while barely 30 years old.
In 1832, Westcott ran afoul of a short-tempered fellow lawyer andKentucky native,Thomas Baltzell. Baltzell challenged Westcott to aduel and the two met near theAlabama border on September 25. When the gunfire was over, Westcott was injured but survived while Baltzell escaped unharmed and eventually became aFlorida Supreme Court chief justice. The exact reason for the duel was not disclosed in official papers.[3][4]
Westcott served as territory secretary and a member of theFlorida Territorial Legislative Council until 1834 and then asAttorney General of the territory's middle district until 1836. He then returned to the legislature as part of the convention to create a U.S. state constitution. When the firstFlorida Constitution was completed in 1838, Westcott's signature was present (as was that of his former duel-mate, Thomas Baltzell). Seven years later, with the constitution approved, Florida was officially a state.
When Florida was admitted to theUnion in 1845, Westcott ran for U.S. senator and was victorious. Westcott and fellowDemocratDavid Levy (Yulee) became the first U.S. Senators from the new state of Florida. In a choice by lot, Westcott was named aClass III senator while Levy was named a Class I meaning Westcott drew the shorter term of four years.
While in the Senate, Westcott was the chairman on theCommittee on Territories and theCommittee on Patents and the Patent Office. He did not run for re-election in 1848.
In 2022, it was reported by the Washington Post that Westcott was one of more than 1800 members of theU.S. Congress who had been a slaveowner during his lifetime.[5]
Westcott's only term ended in 1849 and, in 1850, he moved to New York City and practiced law there until 1862. In 1862, Westcott moved toCanada where he remained until his death inMontreal.
James Westcott's name remained in the Florida public eye as his son, commonly referred to asJames Diament Westcott Jr., became a member of theFlorida House of Representatives, and wasFlorida Attorney General and aFlorida Supreme Court Justice as well as a Captain in theConfederate States Army — all before his untimely death at age 47. The younger Westcott left most of his estate to what is nowFlorida State University which, in turn, eventually named its main administration building inTallahassee in his honor.
| U.S. Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by (none) | U.S. senator (Class 3) from Florida 1845–1849 Served alongside:David L. Yulee | Succeeded by |
| Class 1 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
| Territory(1822–45) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| State(since 1845) | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
