 In July 1857, Macdonald departed for Britain to promote Canadian government projects.On his return to Canada, he was appointed premier in place of the retiring Taché, just in time to lead the Conservatives in a general election.Macdonald was elected in Kingston by 1,189 votes to 9 for John Shaw, who was subsequently hanged in effigy; other Conservatives, however, did badly in Canada West, and only French-Canadian support kept Macdonald in power.