He was soon after promoted to the speakership of that body, where he earned so valuable a reputation as a presiding officer that some of his decisions have been quoted as precedents in the National House, and have been incorporated in permanent works on Parliamentary Law.

He was chosen in Congress when he was but thirty, and was in his fifth term in the House when he was advanced to the Speakership.

As an orator he was always graceful and effective, but never took high rank in the House as a debater.

His early life gave promise of a long public career in Massachusetts as the successor of the older Whig leaders who were passing off the stage.

He followed Mr.Webster in the Senate for a brief period, when the latter became Secretary of State under Mr.Fillmore.