 He was appointed commissioner to revise the United States marine hospital system in 1849.Moved to Salem, Massachusetts in 1851; appointed postmaster of Salem on May 4, 1853, and served until his successor was appointed on February 16, 1858.He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1866–1867); chair of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee (1869–1876); served in the State senate (1873–1876) and was also president of that body.