Accessibility InfoWilliam Learned Marcy (1786-1857) was a lawyer, soldier, and statesman who made his mark on politics in both New York State and the federal government. Marcy was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts. After graduating from Brown University, he moved to Troy, New York. He opened a law office in 1811, but the following year he left to serve as a United States captain in the War of 1812. After the war, he returned to Troy, where he continued his law practice and took up politics. He joined the Democratic Party as a supporter of then-State Senator Martin Van Buren. Marcy became one of the leaders of the Albany Regency, a state party machine. He was state comptroller from 1823 until 1829, when he was appointed to the state supreme court. Marcy was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1831, where he continued his support of Van Buren. In 1832, opponents accused Van Buren of abusing political patronage as Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of State. In his defense Marcy issued his famous stat…
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