en mayor of New York. It had been many years since the Democrats of
the metropolis had had a State executive. Edwards Pierrepont said that
"no man in the convention was born when the last Democratic governor
was elected from New York or Brooklyn."[1083] This, of course, was
hyperbole, since Pierrepont himself could remember when, at the
opening of the Erie Canal, Governor DeWitt Clinton, amidst the roar of
artillery and the eloquence of many orators, passed through the locks
at Albany, uniting the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Hudson.
Perhaps the thought of Clinton, climbing from the mayoralty to the
more distinguished office of governor, added to the desire of Hoffman,
for although the latter's capacity was limited in comparison with the
astonishing versatility and mental activity of Clinton, he was not
without marked ability.

[Footnote 1083: New York _Times_, September 13, 1866.]

Hoffman's life had been full of sunshine and success. He was a
distinguished student at Union College, an excellent lawyer, an
effective speaker, and a superb gentleman. Slenderly but strongly
built, his square, firm chin and prominent features, relieved by large
brown eyes, quickly attracted attention as he appeared in public. "In
the winter of 1866," wrote Rhodes, "I used frequently to see him at an
early morning hour walking down Broadway on his way to the City Hall.
Tall and erect, under forty and in full mental and physical vigor, he
presented a distinguished appearance and was looked at with interest
as he passed with long elastic strides. He was regarded as one of the
coming men of the nation. He had the air of a very successful man who
is well satisfied with himself and confident that affairs in general
are working for his advantage."[1084]

[Footnote 1084: James F. Rhodes, _History of the United States_, Vol.
6, p. 401, note.]

Not always overstocked with eligibles whom it could admire and trust,
Tammany, proud of the young man's accomplishments, elected him in
1860, at the age of thirty-two, recorder of the city, the presiding
officer of what was then the principal criminal court. Here he
acquitted himself, especially in the draft riot of 1863, with such
credit that Republicans and Democrats united in re-electing him, and
in 1865, before the expiration of his second term as recorder, Tammany
made him mayor. It was a hard, close contest. Indeed, success could
not have come to Tammany without the aid of Hoffman's increas