On 8 January 1656/57 he obtained leave to visit Scotland again, possibly owing to the influence of Elizabeth Murray, countess of Dysart.

This was done in order to prevent a duel between Leslie and Viscount Morpeth, who was jealous of the attentions which Rothes paid his wife; he was released the following December.

[1] Leslie was one of the first noblemen to wait on Charles II on his arrival from Breda in 1660, and on 20 December was appointed colonel of one of the Fife regiments of horse.

[3] In 1663, when he succeeded his father-in-law as Lord High Treasurer, he was sworn a privy councillor of England, and was appointed Captain of the troop of lifeguards and general of the forces in Scotland.

[2] He was considered over-zealous in his persecution of Covenanters and insufficiently attentive to the defence of Leith against attack by the Dutch.

The cost of whole regiments of ceremonial guards, soldiers, banners, trumpets, heralds and coaches effectively ruined the family finances forever, and he left behind a huge debt to his daughter, Margaret Leslie.