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He was brought up a Federalist in principle, although he had taken no part in politics, nor ever exercised the right of suffrage until he resided in Bellefonte. He supported John Q. Adams for President in opposition to Andrew Jackson, and in 1832, after the latter had vetoed the bill for the recharter of the United States Bank, he took a very active part as a member of the Whig party. In 1844 he was nominated by that party for Congress, and was elected by a majority of 343, to represent the seventeenth district, composed of the counties of Huntington, Centre, Juniata, and Mifflin; and in 1846 he was re-elected by a majority of 650 votes.

The delicate state of his health has rendered him rather a looker-on than a participant in the proceedings of the House beyond the duty of voting and a strict attention to the more immediate concerns of his own constituents. During one period of his life-from 1834 to 1839-he was so afflicted with sickness as to be unable to attend to his profession. From 1840 to the present time he has been in comparative health, though sometimes very delicate. He writes: "I never expect to be restored to full strength and vigor. You have been a witness of my bodily weakness. At present, however, I am well for me."

The speech to which we have adverted, and which is the only one we remember to have heard from him, was in favor of the tariff of 1842. He has openly and boldly avowed his political sentiments. He has endeavored, by every means in his power, to promote the protective policy, and the principles of the Whig party generally. With that party in Congress he has uniformly acted.

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