James A. Bayard, Jr.

James Asheton Bayard, Jr.
United States Senator from Delaware
In office March 4, 1851 – January 29, 1864
Preceded by	John Wales
Succeeded by	George R. Riddle
In office April 11, 1867 – March 4, 1869
Preceded by	George R. Riddle
Succeeded by	Thomas F. Bayard, Sr.
Personal details
Born	November 15, 1799 Wilmington, Delaware
Died	June 13, 1880 (aged 80) Wilmington, Delaware
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Wilmington, Delaware
Profession	lawyer
Religion	Episcopalian

James Asheton Bayard, Jr. (November 15, 1799 – June 13, 1880) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware, son of James A. Bayard, Sr. and Nancy Bassett Bayard. His father was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and U.S. Senator from Delaware. His mother was the daughter of another U.S. Senator from Delaware, Richard Bassett. His older brother, Richard H. Bayard, was also a U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Professional and political career

Bayard studied the law, and began his legal practice in the city of Wilmington. From 1836 until 1843 he served as United States District Attorney for Delaware and in 1851 was elected by the General Assembly to the United States Senate. He was re-elected in 1857 and 1863 and served from March 4, 1851, to January 29, 1864, when he resigned. As U.S. Senator he was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the 32nd Congress, a member of the Committee on Public Buildings in the 33rd Congress and 34th Congress, a member of the Committee on Judiciary in the 35th Congress and 36th Congress, and a member of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds in the 35th Congress.

The Civil War

Bayard was generally a conservative and adhered to his interpretation of tradition throughout the Civil War. He believed that the seceding states should be allowed to go their own way, but did not call for Delaware to secede from the Union. Citing property rights of owners, he opposed abolitionist measures. He also stated both his opposition to the Civil War and his opposition to the any presidential acts used to suppress the rebellion of the Southern states.

During the Civil War, the United States Senate passed a rule stating that all senators would have to swear an oath of loyalty to the Union. Bayard refused, stating that such an oath would be unconstitutional, and resigned his post in the Senate.

When the death of his successor, George R. Riddle, caused a vacancy in the United States Senate in 1867, Bayard interrupted his practice of law in Wilmington and served again as the U.S. Senator from April 5, 1867, to March 4, 1869. During the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, Bayard cast a vote of "not guilty." After declining to again run for reelection, he continued his law practice until his death.

Death and legacy

Bayard died at Wilmington and is buried there in the Old Swedes Episcopal Church Cemetery. He was the father of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Sr. and grandfather of U.S. Senator Thomas F. Bayard, Jr.

Almanac

The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4, for a six year term. In his last Congress he was completing his initial term, the vacancy caused by the death of George R. Riddle, who had been appointed to replace him.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
District Attorney	Executive	Wilmington	1836	1843
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1851	March 3, 1857
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1857	March 3, 1863
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1863	January 29, 1864
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	April 11, 1867	March 3, 1869

United States Congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1851–1853	32nd	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Millard Fillmore		class 1
1853–1855	33rd	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Franklin Pierce		class 1
1855–1857	34th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Franklin Pierce		class 1
1857–1859	35th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	James Buchanan		class 1
1859–1861	36th	U.S. Senate	Democratic	James Buchanan		class 1
1861–1863	37th	U.S. Senate	Republican	Abraham Lincoln		class 1
1863–1865	38th	U.S. Senate	Republican	Abraham Lincoln		class 1 [1]
1867–1869	40th	U.S. Senate	Republican	Andrew Johnson		class 1 [2]

Notes

1. ^ resigned
2. ^ elected to fill vacancy caused by death of George R. Riddle

References

• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Cedar Tree Books, Wilmington. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress: The House of Representatives. Roger A. Martin, Newark. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
• Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
• Scharf, John Thomas. (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. L. J. Richards & Co., Philadelphia.

Images

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; portrait courtesy of the Library of Congress.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware’s Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
•  "Bayard, James Asheton (Jr.)". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900.

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website
• University of Delaware; Library website