was prompt in deciding the merits of an issue and felicitous in the precision with which he formulated facts and conclusions. His words were few but masterly in force and point. Judge Clayton was eminently impartial in his judicial capacity. Neither distinction of the person nor relationships swayed his judgments. With respect to the lawyers at the Bar, he made no difference in the administration of rules between the eminent John M. Clayton and his own son who was a practitioner at the same bar. He meted out to all the same even-handed justice, and required of all the same respectful regard for the law and for decorum." Almanac Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. State Senators had a three-year term and State Representatives had a one-year term. The Secretary of State and Attorney General were appointed by the Governor and took office on the third Tuesday of January for a five-year term. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who also took office March 4, but for a six-year term. In this case, he was initially completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the resignation of Caesar A. Rodney. However, the General Assembly failed to fill the position for nearly a year. Notes References External links Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Delaware’s Members of Congress The Political Graveyard 1777 births 1854 deaths People from Cecil County, Maryland Presbyterians from Maryland Federalist Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware National Republican Party United States senators from Delaware Whig Party United States senators from Delaware Delaware Attorneys General Secretaries of State of Delaware Members of the Delaware House of Representatives Delaware state senators Chief Justices of Delaware Delaware Court of Common Pleas judges People from Dover, Delaware Delaware lawyers 19th-century American lawyers University of Delaware alumni Deaths from pneumonia in Delaware Burials in Dover, Delaware