He recovered, and prospered in the service, rising to command several ships in the frequent wars of the early eighteenth century.

He had the dual commission of acting as minister plenipotentiary to Morocco, and managed to successfully negotiate a treaty and the release of 296 British prisoners.

[a][3] Stewart combined a naval career with a political one, at first entering the Parliament of Ireland in October 1715, representing County Tyrone.

Combined with this task was the appointment as minister plenipotentiary to Morocco, with orders to secure a peace treaty with the emperor, Ismail Ibn Sharif.

[3] After exchanging messages of friendship and goodwill, Stewart left Mequinez on 27 July and arrived back at Tétouan on 12 August.

[2] Stewart apparently became a supporter of John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, and was elected to represent Malmesbury on his interest, on 25 January 1723.

[4] Stewart was promoted to rear-admiral of the blue on 9 December 1729 and set out to take up the command in Lo's stead,[5] flying his flag aboard HMS Lion.

He was promoted again, to vice-admiral of the blue, on 26 February 1734, and given command of a division of a fleet being prepared for sea to counter Spanish threats.

They had encountered a French squadron of six warships off the Lizard on 27 August, but Hardy decided that he would not be able to catch them, had concentrated on keeping the convoy together, and had escorted it to the prescribed distance of 120 leagues in line with his orders.

[6] His failure to pursue the French squadron later resulted in him being charged with neglect of duty, but he was fully acquitted at the court-martial, with the observation that he had "complied with the lord high admiral's orders, both with regard to chasing the enemy and also the protecting the trade.