Marinus Willett - Post-war Years

Post-war Years

After the war he aligned himself with George Clinton and the anti-federalist party. He and several other members of the Sons of Liberty were elected to the State Assembly in December 1783. He was Sheriff of New York County from 1784 to 1787 and from 1791 to 1795. He was now in charge of repressing the riotous behaviour he formerly committed. In 1787, he took part in the putting down of Shays' Rebellion. In 1788, he helped George Clinton in his fight against the United States Constitution. Willett was a delegate from New York City to the state convention where he and other anti-federalist were defeated. As late as 1790, he was still trying to repeal or amend the United States Constitution.

In 1790 he was sent by President Washington to the Creek Indians to persuade their leader Alexander McGillivray to continue treaty efforts. Willett was successful and a delegation of Creeks under McGillvray visited New York City, then capital of the United States, resulting in the Treaty of New York.

In 1791, he was appointed by Clinton to another term as the sheriff of New York City. Willett acquired considerable land and part of the former DeLancey estate.

In April 1792, he was appointed a brigadier-general to serve in the Northwest Indian War, but he declined. He wrote to George Washington that he thought the United States should not engage in a war with these Indians. He was also offered the position of peace emissary to the Indians which he also declined.

In 1801, he was appointed superintendent of construction of the fortifications of New York.

He was Mayor of New York during 1807-1808, after De Witt Clinton was removed from office. The state's lieutenant governor, John Broome, died in office in August 1810. Willett ran unsuccessfully for that office in 1811, losing to De Witt Clinton.

He died August 22, 1830 and was buried in the churchyard of Trinity Church, corner of Broadway and Wall Street, in New York City. His funeral had 10,000 mourners.