He graduated from Yale in 1785, taught in the academy at Plainfield, Connecticut, for a year, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1788.

Resuming his private law practice, he also returned to serve as a member of the Connecticut state House of Representatives from 1819 to 1830.

His writing on and gathering of statistical materials are the accomplishments which accord him a special place in the history of the United States.

Written with great care, A Statistical View of the Commerce of the United States of America (1816)[2] and Political and Civil History of the United States from 1763 to the Close of Washington's Administration (2 volumes, 1828)[3] are valuable reference works for students of American history.

{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) It also incorporates text from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, also in the public domain.