 He was a member of the State Senate from 1791 to 1799, and served as a member of the Council of Appointment in 1791.He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 7th United States Congress in 1800, but resigned on August 10, 1801, before Congress met, to become Secretary of State of New York.He remained in this office until March 15, 1806, and again from February 16, 1807 to February 1, 1808.