A Whig , Briggs served for twelve years in the United States House of Representatives .
A Whig , Briggs served seven one - year terms as the 19th Governor of Massachusetts , from 1844 to 1851 .
A Whig , Briggs served for twelve years in the United States House of Representatives , and served seven one - year terms as the 19th Governor of Massachusetts , from 1844 to 1851 .