He was a leading practitioner in the highest national court.

During his two terms in Congress he had become a leader of his party, and had won a solid national reputation.

In those years he had rendered conspicuous service to the business interests of the nation, and had established himself as one of the ablest statesmen of the country in matters of finance.

He had defined his position on the tariff as a free-trader in theory and a very moderate protectionist when protection was unavoidable, a true representative of the doctrine of the New England Federalists.

He had taken up his ground as the champion of specie payments and of the liberal interpretation of the Constitution, which authorized internal improvements.