 Shortly after his duel with Chambers , Rowan moved to Frankfort , Kentucky , the state capital . In 1802 , he was one of 32 men who signed a pledge to bring James Madison to Transylvania University as superintendent . This action began a long relationship between Rowan and Transylvania , and the university presented him with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1823 . Governor Christopher Greenup appointed Rowan Secretary of State in 1802 . He served until 1806 , when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives . He represented Kentucky 's Third District ( which included Bardstown ) during the Tenth Congress from March 4 , 1807 to March 3 , 1809 , even though he did not reside in that district at the time . 
