MARCY, William Learned, American statesman: b. Southbridge, Mass., 12 Dec. 1786 d. Ballston Spa, N. Y., 1857. He studied at Leicester Academy, in Massachusetts, and was graduated at Brown University in 1808. At Troy, N. Y., he studied law and was admitted to the bar. When the War of 1812 broke out he volunteered as a lieutenant, was sent at once into active service and 22 Oct. 1812 led an attack resulting in the capture of a Canadian post at Saint Regis. He was soon promoted to be captain, and served almost to the end of the war. Returning to Troy, he engaged in news paper work and in politics, opposed Clinton and became prominent in the Albany Regency (q.v.). He had already held several offices when, in 1823, he was elected comptroller of the State. This position he filled six years, and in 1829 was appointed of the New York Supreme Court. The rats in 1831 elected him to the United States Senate, but the next year he was chosen governor of New York and resigned his senatorship. While in the Senate be was chairman of the Judiciary Com mittee, and in debate with Clay made a mem orable defense of Martin Van Buren. It was during a speech in the Senate vindicating the course of the President in giving offices to his political supporters that Marcy uttered the words associated with the beginning of the spoils system (q.v.) * . "We can see nothing wrong in the maxim that to the victors belong the spoils.' Having served three terms as gov
ernor, he was once more nominated, in 1838, but was defeated by W. H. Seward (q.v.). In the following year Marcy was appointed by Presi dent Van Buren a commissioner on Mexican claims, serving till 1842. In 1845 he became Secretary of War under Polk, and in that office bore arduous responsibilities created by the Mexican War. He also used his official influ ence in the settlement of the momentous Oregon boundary question. In 1848 he supported Cass as presidential candidate, and when Taylor was inaugurated Marcy retired to private life. But during the administration of Pierce he served from 1853 to 1857 as Secretary of State, greatly distinguishing himself at home and abroad by his handling of grave matters—the Mexican boundary dispute, the reciprocity treaty with Canada, the British fishery question, the Koszta affair (see INGRAHAM, DUNCAN NATHANIFL), etc. On the inauguration of President Bu chanan in 1857 Marcy finally retired from office, dying four months afterward. Among states men of administrative ability and thorough training, both for domestic and foreign affairs, he holds a high and permanent place. Consult Alexander, 'Political History of the State of New York) (1906).