U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman, Louisiana Governor. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, moved to the Territory of Orleans Louisiana, in 1809 and practiced law in Donaldsonville. He became clerk of the second superior court of the Territory, in 1809, was district judge of the Parish Court, in 1811 and a delegate to the first State constitutional convention, in 1812. In 1818, he was elected as a Democrat Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William C.C. Claiborne, reelected as an Adams-Clay Republican, serving until 1824. In 1824, he was elected as a Democrat Republican the 5th Governor of Louisiana, serving until 1828. During his term, the Planters' Banking Association was established, as was the Bank of Louisiana, internal improvements were advanced and a revised civil code law was supported. After leaving office, he was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Edward D. White, reelected to the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congresses, serving (1834-39). In 1844, he was again elected as a Whig to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Alexander Porter, serving until 1849. An unsuccessful candidate for election, he retired from politics and continued the practice of law until his death.

U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman, Louisiana Governor. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, moved to the Territory of Orleans Louisiana, in 1809 and practiced law in Donaldsonville. He became clerk of the second superior court of the Territory, in 1809, was district judge of the Parish Court, in 1811 and a delegate to the first State constitutional convention, in 1812. In 1818, he was elected as a Democrat Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William C.C. Claiborne, reelected as an Adams-Clay Republican, serving until 1824. In 1824, he was elected as a Democrat Republican the 5th Governor of Louisiana, serving until 1828. During his term, the Planters' Banking Association was established, as was the Bank of Louisiana, internal improvements were advanced and a revised civil code law was supported. After leaving office, he was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Edward D. White, reelected to the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congresses, serving (1834-39). In 1844, he was again elected as a Whig to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Alexander Porter, serving until 1849. An unsuccessful candidate for election, he retired from politics and continued the practice of law until his death.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith