Griswold, Roger

Griswold, Roger, 1762–1812, American political leader, b. Lyme, Conn.; son of Matthew Griswold. A Connecticut lawyer, he entered politics and, as U.S. Congressman (1795–1805), was a vigorous Federalist and a virulent critic of President Jefferson's administration, going so far as to advocate seriously the separation of New England from the Union. He was lieutenant governor of Connecticut (1809–11), and governor (1811–12). As governor he expressed Connecticut's attitude toward the war with England by withholding the state militia from the command of federal officers, thereby causing a test case on the clause in the Constitution dealing with the authority of the President to requisition the state militia. Ruling on the case, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the President's authority.