the state constitutional convention. L'Hommedieu was a candidate in 1789 to become one of New York's first two United States senators, to be elected by the state legislature. In the midst of a procedural stalemate in July of that year, the New York Council of Revision held that the state assembly and senate, respectively, should name candidates until both houses concurred on two nominees. The senate confirmed the assembly's choice of Philip Schuyler for one Senate seat but rejected its second nominee, James Duane, proposing L'Hommedieu in Duane's stead. The assembly rejected L'Hommedieu by a 34-24 vote. Rufus King was thereafter approved by both houses for the second Senate seat. Widely respected for his integrity and intelligence, L'Hommedieu represented the New York City Chamber of Commerce in discussions related to a lighthouse at Montauk Point, a federal project on which he advised President George Washington. He made the case that New York City "was first among American ports in the volume of its foreign commerce. By 1797, the harbor was handling a third of the nation’s trade with other countries." Because of the prevailing winds in winter, New York needed the lighthouse to aid ships approaching its harbor. L'Hommedieu chose the site for the lighthouse and designed it. Constructed in 1796, it was the first lighthouse built in New York state and the first public works project of the new United States. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2012. L'Hommedieu also developed methods of scientific farming, including the use of seashells to fertilize soils. He corresponded on farming with Thomas Jefferson, particularly about crop pests. L'Hommedieu was active in the community and served in other public positions. He served as Regent of the University of the State of New York, the founding of which he had supported. Personal life On December 24, 1756, L'Hommedieu was married to Charity Floyd (1739–1785), a daughter of Tabitha (née Smith) Floyd and Nicholl Floyd and sister to Gen. William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. They did not have any children. After Charity's death, Ezra married Mary Catharine Havens (1765–1843), a daughter of Nicoll Floyd Havens and Sarah ( Fosdick) Havens and sister to U.S. Representative Jonathan Nicoll Havens, in 1803. He had children with his second wife, including: Mary Catherine L'Hommedieu (1807–1838), who married New York State Assemblyman Samuel Smith Gardiner (1789–1859), a son of Capt. Abraham Gardiner