 From 1833 on, he took part in the construction of the Chenango Canal and the enlargement of the Erie Canal, and succeeded Jervis as Chief Engineer of the Eastern Division of the State canals, and was Resident Engineer from 1838 to 1846.From 1846 to 1849 he was Chief Engineer of the dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.He also designed and built the Albany water works in 1850 and 1851, and the Chicago water works from 1851 to 1854.