Garland, a slave owner, was a staunch supporter of slavery in the United States, and he led the defense for Dred Scott's owner, John F. A. Sanford, in the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford, but died three years before the case was argued before the United States Supreme Court.

During his time at Hampden-Sydney College he delivered an address to the literary societies about the importance of classical education.

Later in 1838 to 1841 he served as clerk of the United States House of Representatives, partly because of his staunch support of President Andrew Jackson's anti-bank policies while Garland was in the Virginia legislature.

[4] In September 1840, Garland addressed a meeting of Democrats in Groton, Connecticut, and attacked abolitionists.

[5] Changing fortunes following law practice in Petersburg, Virginia, led to a move in 1847 to St. Louis, where he was a lawyer for Dred Scott's owner.

[8] The half-sister of Mrs. Garland, who later became close to Mary Todd Lincoln, wrote a memoir about her time in slavery.