He was appointed by President Martin Van Buren as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia from 1837 to 1839, when he was recalled at his own request.
Ia diangkat oleh Presiden Martin Van Buren sebagai Utusan Khusus untuk Russia antara tahun 1837 - 1839, kemudian ia ditarik pulang atas permintaan sendiri.