[1] On leaving school he was employed by his uncle, manager of estates for his relation, the Duke of Roxburghe.

[1] A few years later he returned to Great Britain, and contributed to the press in London, and to the Penny Cyclopaedia.

With the introduction of responsible government he was elected in September 1856 as the member for Morven in the Tasmanian House of Assembly.

He was colonial treasurer in four successive ministries, the first William Weston, the Francis Smith, the second Weston, and the Thomas Chapman, from 25 April 1857 to 1 November 1862, and colonial secretary from 1 November 1862 to 20 January 1863.

In March 1875 rather to the surprise of his former friends he joined this ministry as colonial treasurer, and held this position until July 1876.