As a means of building trust and ensuring the savings of depositors, the concept provided stability to the fledgling bank which prospered and spread quickly from its inception in the Merchants' Coffee House, Halifax to become an international financial institution. Besides his mercantile and shipping ventures he served as an elected member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly representing Halifax County from 1806 to 1836, and was appointed to the Legislative Council on 25 January 1838, serving to 1845.
This concept provided stability to the fledgling bank, which prospered and expanded rapidly from its origin in the Merchants' Coffee House in Halifax to become an international financial institution.  He served as a member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly representing Halifax County from 1806 to 1836, and was appointed to the Legislative Council on January 25, 1838, until 1845.