Georg Heinrich von Görtz, minister to Charles XII, realizing Neuhoff's capacity for intrigue, sent him to England, and to Spain to negotiate with Cardinal Alberoni.

Deserting his wife soon afterwards he repaired to France and became mixed up in John Law's financial affairs and the Mississippi Company boom; then he led a wandering existence visiting Portugal, the Netherlands, and Italy.

[citation needed] He regained his freedom by declaring himself bankrupt, making over his kingdom of Corsica to his creditors, and subsisted on the charity of Horace Walpole and some other friends until his death in London in 1756, aged 62.

Frederick wrote an account of his purported father's life, Memoires pour servir a l'histoire de la Corse, and an English translation, both published in London in 1768.

His epitaph was written by Horace Walpole, and can be seen on his gravestone: The grave, great teacher, to a level brings Heroes and beggars, galley slaves and kings.