He was at that time a zealous member of the Whig party, and was active on the Northern or anti-slavery side in the discussions relating to the "right of petition." He served in the House for eight years.
After the triumph of Harrison in 1840, Mr.Cushing evidently aspired to be a party leader.

In the quarrel which ensued between President Tyler and Mr.Clay, he saw an opportunity to gratify his ambition by adhering to the administration.

This brought him into very close relations with Mr.Webster, who remained in Tyler's Cabinet after his colleagues retired, and threw him at the same time into rank antagonism with Mr.Clay, to whose political fortunes he had previously been devoted.

In view of the retirement of Mr.Webster from the State Department in 1843, President Tyler nominated Mr.
Cushing for Secretary of the Treasury, but the Whig senators, appreciating his power and influence in that important position, procured his rejection.

Some Democratic votes from the South were secured against him because of his course in the House of Representatives.