He vacated the office in September 1841 on the accession of the Tories under Peel to power. On the death of his father in July 1843 he succeeded to the family estates, and sat in parliament for Kirkcudbrightshire from 1845 to 1850.
In September 1841, he vacated his position due to the Tories' rise under Peel's leadership. Following his father's death in July 1843, he inherited the family estates and held a seat in parliament for Kirkcudbrightshire from 1845 to 1850.