Federal Office
Marcy served as United States Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President James K. Polk from 1845 until 1849, at which time he resumed the practice of law. After 1849, Marcy led the "Soft" faction of the Hunkers that supported reconciliation with the Barnburners, and in this role sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1852, but was unsuccessful, in part due to "Hard" opposition led by Daniel S. Dickinson.
Marcy returned to public life in 1853 to serve as United States Secretary of State under President Franklin Pierce. On June 1 of that year, he issued a circular to American diplomatic agents abroad, recommending that, whenever practicable, they should appear in the simple dress of an American citizen. This directive created much discussion in Europe, and in 1867 his recommendation was enacted into a law of Congress. Marcy also resolved the Koszta Affair and negotiated the Gadsden Purchase. Other affairs which demanded his attention were a Canadian reciprocity treaty, Commodore Matthew C. Perry's negotiations with Japan, a British fishery dispute, and the Ostend Conference.
He died at Ballston Spa, New York, and was buried at the Rural Cemetery in Albany, New York.
His portrait appeared on American paper currency, the U.S. $1000 Silver Certificate, issued between 1878 and 1891.
Mount Marcy in Essex County, at 1629 meters the highest peak in New York, and the Town of Marcy in Oneida County are both named after him, as are the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York.
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