The record he established in the Legis lature gained for him, in 1790, an election to Congress, which was promptly contested. His able conduct of the case soon secured him a ratification of the election, which he, however, declined. He had recently married Miss Anne Maria Rodgers of Havre de Grace, a sister of Commodore Rodgers, and it is very probable the "reasons of a pruden tial and private nature" assigned for de clining the honor were dictated by the fact that pecuniarily his profession offered richer prospects of means to meet his added obliga tions. In 1792 he was elected a member of the Executive Council of /Maryland, and held the Presidency of this body till 1795, when he resigned to become a member of the Legislature as delegate from Anne Arundel County. So far his activity had been confined strictly to Maryland, where his prestige and authority had become recognized and certain, but the report of his sound legal ability had spread abroad, and, in 1796, entirely un solicited, he received from President Wash ington an appointment as one of the Com missioners on the part of the United States under Mr. Jay's treaty with Great Britain. He reluctantly accepted this position, and with his family embarked for London, which he reached in July, 1796. Thereupon he began a new and broader period in his life, and the eight years of his residence in Eng land were busily devoted, in addition to his official duties, to diligent self-culture and edu cation that made up for the defects in his early training, and made possible the great success of his later years. Judging from the letters he wrote' during this period, his life in England was very pleasant. He was well received by the Eng lish people, mingled considerably in society, of which he was exceedingly fond, and was keenly alive to every opportunity for ob servation and information. As he said him self, he wished "to see as much as possible."
He attended the theatres often; did some shooting at the country estates of his ac quaintances; was present at many of the de bates of Parliament, and kept close watch of the political tendencies of the times both at home and abroad. His business on the Commission was of a nature calculated to in terest him, and to give opportunity for the exercise of his special talents. His written opinions delivered to the Board of Commis sioners respecting the "laws of contraband, domicile, blockade, and the practice of the prize courts," with which the board had to deal, show great legal learning, clear reason ing and thorough investigation. At the same time he attended the courts and kept up his legal and general studies. But he was of an essentially restless dis position, and began to tire of his life in Eng land. His thoughts turned longingly to his well-loved Annapolis, and the active work of his profession. As he himself said in 1799: "I am told that I am considerably altered since I came here, and I incline to think there is some foundation for it; but I shall not grow much wiser or better by a longer stay. I am become familiar with almost everything around me, and do not look out on life with RS much intentness of observation as hereto fore, and of course I am now rather confirm ing former acquisitions of knowledge than laying in new stores for the future. I begin to languish for my profession. I want active employment. 'The business of the Commis sion does not occupy me sufficiently, and visiting, etc., with the aid of much reading, cannot supply the deficiency. My time is always filled in some way or other, but I think I should be the better for a speech now and then. Perhaps another twelvemonth may give me the opportunity of making speeches till I get tired of them—and tire others, too." As time passed these desires grew stronger. In 1803 he wrote: "I do not desire office. It is my wish to be a mere professional laborer —to cultivate my friends and my family, and
