As a reward for his considerable expenditure in the Conservative cause - amounting in his own estimation to £30,000 - during Peel's short administration, Lord Londonderry was offered and accepted the embassy at St Petersburg. The appointment was bitterly attacked in the House of Commons on 13 March, on the grounds of Londonderry's unsuitability as an ambassador, and his pro-Russian stance on the Polish revolt. In the face of the Commons attack, Londonderry withdrew. This was another instance of the Commons exposing the ministry’s inadequate support in the House.

See DNB and The Times, 14 March 1835.