 Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in partnership with David Dudley Field in New York City.He was elected as a Democrat to the 48th United States Congress and served from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885.In 1884, he published a biography of Grover Cleveland, the Democratic candidate for the presidency, and in July 1885, was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.