While in office, he generated commissions for the government by selling confiscated cotton from Confederate plantations. The Department of Treasury controlled licensing of cotton brokers, trying to regulate the market, but a black market flourished for the lucrative sale of cotton.
While in office, he obtained government contracts by selling seized cotton from Confederate plantations. The Department of Treasury regulated the cotton brokers' licenses to control the market, but an illicit market developed for the profitable sale of cotton.