He declined to be a candidate for renomination. He was elected as an antislavery member of the twenty-sixth and twenty seventh U.S. Congresses, serving from March 4, 1839, to March 3, 1843.
He chose not to seek re-election. He was elected as a vocal opponent of slavery for the 26th and 27th U.S. Congresses, serving from March 4, 1839, to March 3, 1843.