Despite this family relationship, in 1704, he took part in the Confederation of Sandomierz which supported Augustus II the Strong against his nephew. After Augustus was dethroned, he was suggested as a possible candidate, but never put himself forward; as part of the Northern Wars, Stanisław I Leszczyński was already supported by Karl XII. After this he went to Saxony, only switching his support to his nephew in 1706, after which he was appointed Chancellor. On his behalf, in 1713, he sought to dethrone Augustus, for which he was arrested on 7 August and released in 1717 by the Silent Sejm.