born Oct. 16, 1806, Boscawen, N.H., U.S.
died Sept. 8, 1869, Portland, Maine
U.S. politician.
He practiced law in Maine before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (184143) and Senate (185464, 186569). Originally a Whig, he opposed the extension of slavery to the territories, and he was one of the leaders of the movement that resulted in the formation of the Republican Party (1854). Despite his personal dislike for Pres. Andrew Johnson , he voted for acquittal in Johnson's Senate impeachment trial.