Continued

In 1855 she moved to Washington D.C. And began working as a clerk in the US Patent Office. This was the first time a women had received a substantial clerkship in the federal government and at a salary equal to a man's salary.

Subsequently, under political opposition to women working in government offices, her position was reduced to that of a copyist, and in 1856, under the administration of James Buchanan, eliminated entirely.
In 1861 she returned as a temporary copyist in hope she could make way for more women in government services.