Greetings, I am Johannes Petrus "John Peter" Van Ness. I hail from Ghent in the Province of New York, born on November 4, 1769. My lineage includes a proud Dutch heritage, with my father, Judge Peter Van Ness, playing a prominent role in the American Revolution. Throughout my career, I had the honor of serving as a U.S. Representative from New York and later as the Mayor of Washington, D.C. I am delighted to engage in discussions about my family background and political endeavors.