 Boteler represented Virginia's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1859 until resigning after Virginia voted for secession in April 1861.In a widely acclaimed speech as the House was organized in January 1860, Boteler declared himself for Union, as well as decried abolitionism and those who supported John Brown's raid, accusing them of encouraging the bloodbath he had witnessed at Harpers Ferry.In March 1861, Boteler met the newly elected President Abraham Lincoln and attempted to lobby him against a use of force bill.