In 1821, he was elected from the sixth district as a Republican to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Selah Tuthill, serving until 1823.
In the 21st century, his beautiful home, The Borland House, operates as a bed and breakfast, maintaining the historic features of the building and to be enjoyed by visitors.
He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 17th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Selah Tuthill, holding office from December 3, 1821, to March 3, 1823.
He practiced and taught law, oversaw the construction of the Erie Canal beginning in 1817 at the behest of his friend Governor George Clinton, presided over the Village of Montgomery Trustees for 10 years, represented the area in the State Assembly (1820-21, 1836) and US Congress (1821-23) and served as District Attorney of Orange County (1835-41).
During the election of 1819 he was at odds with other inspectors, asserting that some voters were not eligible to vote because they were not owners of sufficient property.