WRIGHT, SILAS (1795-1847). An American political leader, born at Amherst, Mass., May 24, 1795. He graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1815, was admitted to the bar in 1819, and began the practice of his profession at Can ton, N. Y. From 1823 to 1827 he was a member of the State Senate, acting with the `Bucktair faction in opposition to the policy of He Witt Clinton. He rendered conspicuous service in the State militia, of which he became brigadier-gen eral in 1827. In 1827-29 he was a Democratic member of Congress, but voted for the tariff act of 182S. He was then Comptroller of the State of New York until 1833, when he was chosen to succeed William L. Marcy in the United States Senate. As a Senator he supported the Administration of President Jackson, advocated the establishment of the sub-treasury system, and voted for the annexation of Texas. On the
slavery question he maintained the right of petition and the sovereignty of Congress in the Territories, although he favored the exclusion from the mails of Abolition literature calculated to excite the prejudices of the Southern States. In 1844 he was elected Governor of New York, chiefly on account of the factional fight between the 'Hunkers' and `Barnburners! led by Marcy and Van Buren respectively, but was defeated for rellection. He opposed the calling of the con stitutional convention of 1846, vetoed a bill for canal improvements, and took 4rong measures against the anti-rent disturbances. Upon the ex piration of his term in 1847 he retired to his farm. He died at Canton, N. Y., August 27, 1847. Consult the Lives by Gillet (Albany, 1374), Hammond (Syracuse, 1843), and Jenkins (Auburn, 1847).