He moved to Alabama in 1815, serving as Congressional Delegate from the Alabama Territory. In the election of 1818, he became the first member of the House of Representatives from the new state of Alabama. When he retired after one term in 1821, President James Monroe appointed him the United States Indian agent to the Creek Indians.
He relocated to Alabama in 1815, serving as a Congressional Delegate from the Alabama Territory. In the election of 1818, he became the inaugural member of the House of Representatives from the newly formed state of Alabama. After completing one term in 1821, President James Monroe appointed him the United States Indian agent to the Creek Indians.