 On February 25, 1830, he introduced a resolution to abolish the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York because he felt that it was public money going to benefit the sons of wealthy men.He spoke out against Congress giving $100,000 to the widow of Stephen Decatur, citing that Congress was not empowered to do that.He opposed Jackson's 1830 Indian Removal Act and was the only member of the Tennessee delegation to vote against it.