he traveled to california in 1850. in sacramento, he edited a daily paper called the "settler's and miner's tribune". he participated in the riots of 1850 as a supporter of squatter sovereignty. he was seriously wounded. while under indictment for conspiracy and murder, was elected to the california legislature. he was discharged by the court without trial. he represented california's 12th state assembly district from 1851 to 1852. he married sara tappan doolittle lawrence in 1851, and they had two children.