He had been all his life engaged in commercial affairs, but had taken active part in politics and had held many positions of trust in his native State.
In 1844, at twenty-eight years of age, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of New Jersey and made his mark in its proceedings.

His upright character, his recognized ability and his popular manners had given him a strong hold upon the people of his State.
William Wright, the colleague of Mr.Stockton, who was unable from illness to vote on his case, died the ensuing November (1866) at seventy-two years of age.

He served two terms (1843-47) in the House of Representatives from the Newark district as a Whig, and was a zealous supporter of Mr.Clay in 1844.

He was a wealthy manufacturer, largely engaged in trade with the South, and the agitation of the slavery question became distasteful to him.

In 1850 he united with the Democratic party and was sent to the Senate in 1853.
Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen was chosen as Mr.Wright's successor.
He was in his fiftieth year when he entered the Senate, but was known as a distinguished member of the New-Jersey bar and had served as Attorney-General of his State.