Stewart, one of five brothers with parliamentary experience, was again returned for the family’s district of burghs at the general election of 1820. He continued to support Lord Liverpool’s ministry, dividing with them against economies in revenue collection, 4 July 1820. He presented a Wigtown petition for restoration of Queen Caroline’s name to the liturgy, 5 Feb. 1821,1 The Times, 6 Feb. 1821. but next day he voted in defence of ministers’ prosecution of her. Ten days later he vacated his seat to accommodate a junior minister who had been defeated at the general election. He was rewarded with a customs place and was subsequently promoted to comptroller of army accounts, chairman of the stamp duties commission and finally assistant treasury secretary.2 Add. 38296, f. 54; 38302, f. 45. He held this post for over seven years, but retired from it six months before his death in July 1836.