TOUCE Y

SAAC Toucey was born in Newtown on November 5, 1796, and was a descendant of Rev. Thomas Toucey, the first Congregational minister of the town. He received a good education, but never attended college, as he commenced studying law with the Hon. Asa Chapman of Newtown, who was afterwards judge of the Supreme Court of Errors.

In 1818, at the age of twenty-two years, Toucey was admitted to the bar in Hartford, and began practice in that city. Possessing an unusual knowledge of the law for so young a man and being untiring for his clients' interests, Toucey soon gained prominence and secured a large and lucrative practice. Four years after being admitted to the bar he was chosen state's attorney for Hartford county, which office he held for the next thirteen years.

In 1835 Toucey became the choice of his party for representative in Congress, and was elected to that position during the year. Toucey remained in Congress four years, retiring in 1839, with an honorable record of service. He was elected governor of Connecticut in 1846, and remained in office one year. At this time Governor Toucey was considered to be one

of the ablest lawyers in Connecticut and his fame reached far outside of the state.

President Polk appointed Governor Toucey attorney-general of the United States, and he served as such from June 21, 1848, to March 3, 1849. During a portion of this period Toucey was acting secretary of state. After retiring from the office of attorney-general Toucey returned to Connecticut and was elected a member of the United States Senate, and held the office during the full term of six years.

When James Buchanan was inaugurated president on March 4, 1847, Isaac Toucey was named as secretary of the navy to succeed the Hon. James C. Dobbins of North Carolina. Commencing his duties as the head of the navy department March 6, 1857, Toucey served throughout the administration, retiring from office March 3, 1861.

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'Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography" says of Governor Toucey: "He was charged with favoring the course of the seceding states while secretary of the navy by deliberately sending some of the best vessels of the navy to distant seas to prevent their being used against the Confederation. This was denied, but he was generally thought to sympathize with the South and to be opposed to the prosecution of the war."

Governor Toucey returned to this state and resumed the practice of his profession, to which he was intensely devoted.

The

Governors of

Connecticut

several offices were offered to him at this period; among these was a place on the bench of the United States Supreme Court.

Living at Hartford the remaining years of his life, he was the recipient of many honors at the hands of his fellow townsmen. He died on July 30, 1869, aged 73 years.

Of his professional ability the "Judicial and Civil History of Connecticut" says: "He justly ranked among the ablest lawyers in the state. He was a very accurate lawyer, learned and exact in pleading, and clear and orderly in the presentation of his case."

The same article continues, in referring to his personal characteristics: "He was tall in person, and though of slender figure he had fine features and a commanding presence. He spoke slowly, but with great precision. His diction was strong and clear, but without a particle of ornament. His private character was without a stain. He was a consistent and devout member of the Episcopal church. In his convictions he was firm, and held to them with a strength and tenacity of will that were never surpassed. His selfpossession never forsook him, and on all occasions he exhibited the bearing of a high-toned gentleman.”