 In 1868 , he returned to the legislature , representing Multnomah County in the Oregon House of Representatives as a Democrat . While in the legislature , he worked to get a $ 30 @,@ 000 government subsidy to purchase and operate a large steam tugboat at the mouth of the Columbia River . This vessel was used to pilot ships across the Columbia Bar and thus improved maritime commerce for Portland . In 1870 , he sold two blocks of land in downtown to the City of Portland , which would become the Plaza Blocks between Third and Fourth avenues at Main Street . 
